10/23/26

MACK – 2027 MLB Draft - An Early Mock From MLB.com

 


1. Royals: Dylan Seward, SS, Norco HS (Calif.)

Seward is a dynamic switch-hitting shortstop committed to Tennessee. He’s a double-plus runner with outstanding bat-to-ball skills from both sides of the plate. He has more than enough range and instincts to play short for a long time. He might be only 5-foot-11, but there’s plenty of impact to come.

 

2. A’s: Brendan Lawson, SS, Florida

Lawson was a solid high school prospect in 2024, but his strong commitment to Florida led to him being drafted in the 19th round, so he headed to Gainesville. He’s hit well there, getting to his power a lot more as a sophomore (19 homers, .699 SLG). He plays short for the Gators but probably moves to third as a pro.

 

3. Rockies: Tomas Valincius, LHP, Mississippi State

Valincius spent his freshman year at Virginia, then followed coach Brian O’Connor to Mississippi State and was one of the best college arms in the country in 2026 (12.3 K/9, 1.8 BB/9). He does it with a very good three-pitch mix: a fastball that sits around 95 mph, a mid-80s slider with depth that missed bats at a 48-percent clip, according to Synergy, and an effective mid-80s changeup.

 

4. Mets: Landon Hairston, OF, Arizona State

A Golden Spikes Award finalist this year, the son of former big leaguer Scott Hairston could give the family a fourth-generation big leaguer. Hairston had one of the best seasons of any college hitter in the nation, finishing his sophomore year with a .400/.509/.860 line to go along with 28 homers, 11 steals and more walks than strikeouts.

 

5. Angels: Dax Whitney, RHP, Oregon State

Whitney might have topped this list as the best college arm in the class had it not been for a torn UCL that required a hybrid Tommy John/internal brace procedure. When he’s healthy, he comes at hitters with a fastball up to 101 mph and three excellent secondaries in his slider, curve and changeup. It seems unlikely that he’s going to pitch competitively in 2027, but he could be ready to throw bullpens for teams as the Draft approaches.

 

6. Orioles: Gavin Kelly, C/2B, West Virginia

Kelly is a big reason why West Virginia made it to Omaha this year, slashing .382/.477/.725. He’s caught and played second mostly for the Mountaineers, but he’s also played plenty of outfield, using his plus speed well on both sides. There’s plenty of power to tap into, as evidenced by his 19 homers this past season.

 

7. Reds: Chris Levonas, RHP, Wake Forest

The Brewers selected Levonas No. 67 overall in 2024, but he opted to head to Wake Forest instead of signing. He’ll be one of the top college arms to consider, especially if he builds off his 10-3, 2.82 ERA, 116/33 K/BB, .171 BAA sophomore season. His fastball sat at 97 mph this year, and he uses a curve and cutter-like-slider behind it.

 

8. Tigers: Tague Davis, 1B, Louisville

Do you like power? Then Davis might be the guy for you. He led all of Division 1 with 34 homers in 2026 while slashing .355/.443/.848 for Louisville. There’s some swing-and-miss he’ll have to work on, but he fits the corner infielder masher profile well.

 

9. Blue Jays: Connor Salerno, LHP, Sun Valley HS (NC)

We interrupt this run on college players for the top high school arm in the class. Committed to Mississippi State, Salerno features a mid-90s fastball, can spin a breaking ball and has good feel for a change, all while competing well in the strike zone consistently.

 

10. Giants: Chase Fuller, SS/RHP, Lincoln HS (Fla.)

Fuller’s father, Corey, was an NFL defensive back, and Chase offers similar athleticism and strength. He’s got a terrific right-handed swing and has produced well. Most seem to prefer him as a position player, but he’s up to the low 90s on the mound, too.

6 comments:

Mack Ade said...

I like Hairston a lot.

The bonus is you get his father outside the batting cage

Tom Brennan said...

Hairston is interesting. His papa Scott in 509 ABs as a Met had 64 XBH, including 27 HRs, and 81 RBIs. The rare guy whose best stats came as a NY Mets. Hopefully his son would be superior to Scott.

Dan said...

This site has me hooked on Tague Davis! Landon Hairston would be a good one too, however. Stay away from Whitney.

Tom Brennan said...

Teague may be good, but as soon as I see “some swing and miss”, i think of Clifford and Houck. Boy, do they have SOME swing and miss!

TexasGusCC said...

Dan, why stay away from Whitney?

Mack Ade said...

I too am locked in on Davis.

Tom, "some" swing-and-miss comes with everyone aiming for your too long fence.

It comes with the territory.

Gus -

Dax looks generational, but an injury like this makes me shy here... though I do ask myself if I would have drafted Skubal after this same year long absense.