Post by Rays GM 北海道日(Will) on Jun 14, 2017 5:21:51 GMT -5
2017 Mock Draft
This is obviously a bit premature, and picks are made to change. I'm not a scout, just a fan.
*Bleh. Forgive me. The editing and spacing on proboards is really weird and led to some spacing issues.
1. Angels - Hunter Greene (RHP/SS)-HS
This is the easiest pick in the entire draft. Not only does Greene offer the most upside, he's also shown
a reasonable amount of polish with his command. He'll need to improve his secondary pitches to become the
generational talent people predicted him to be, but he has the work ethic, along with the track record to
make this a comfortable pick. There's never been a prospect quite like him, although I would say between
the two way potential, the 100 MPH fastball, and the exceptional command he poises, he might not be that
much different from a teenage Shohei Otani.
2. Astros - Mackenzie Gore (LHP)-HS
Max is going to keep pushing the Gore > Greene narrative, and while I don't agree with it, I can see
some of the reasoning. Gore has the potential to throw in 4 plus pitches with command at his peak, all the
while using a funky delivery that he repeats well. I will say that his track record isn't as long as
Greene's, and his stuff has just recently ticked up. Still, with his command and deep arsenal, he's a safe
option, at least for a high school pitcher.
3. Astros - Brendan McKay (LHP/1B)-College
This third pick is going to be the one that swings the draft. If Max keeps it, it's going to be McKay, who
is going to be given the chance to pitch and hit as 1B by the Yays, although most people like him as a LHP.
He's the safest bet in this entire draft, but his upside isn't quite as high as Gore's or Greene as he
relies more on command than power at this point. If Max does trade the pick, my guess is the pick is Lewis,
simply because his upside is the highest at this point.
4. Nationals - Kyle Wright (RHP)-College
This choice is obvious. Wright is the most ML ready out of any pick here, and he can be pitching in the majors
as soon as 2019. This is the obvious choice for Bryan, as he needs fast tracking SP's who have the potential to
be an ace. Personally, I don't love Wright, as he's tended to struggle with command at times. But he's the
pick with the best mixture of safety and upside. With his track record, I'd be surpsied if he lasted past 5.
5. Angels - Royce Lewis (SS/CF)-HS
Easy pick here. While Lewis might not stay as SS with his mediocre throwing arm, he's got elite speed and has
shown the potential to develop 20 HR power. He consistently barrels up the ball, and his track record is as
impressive as any for a high schooler. With the Angels far away from contention and a little empty on star
talent, adding Lewis and Greene will go a long way to replenishing the farm, even if Angels has to wait a bit
for them to fully blossom.
6. Dodgers - Austin Beck (OF)-HS
Honestly, no clue what Dodgers is leaning to. But if just looking at best talent available, then Beck is the
easy choice. He can hit for power, run, and play CF. However, his strong arm might make him a better fit for
RF. There are some questions about his bat and whether he can hit for a high average, but this isn't a Jo Adell
situation. If he tweaks his busy swing, he can become a star.
7. Blue Jays - Keston Hiura (OF/2B)-College
Sanders is deciding between Smith and Hiura. I can understand the debate -- after McKay, these two might be
the best pure hitters in college. Still, I think the choice here is Hiura. Yes, he has that elbow injury,
but it shouldn't be something that will derail his career. If TJ surgery is the endgame, so be it. He's
gotten marketdly better each year at UC Irvine, and has proven to have good barrel control with surprising
power that plays as average.He's more valuable than Smith simply because Hiura has a chance to play 2B in the
majors, although his defense there is a big meh. I think, with the Brewers loaded with OF's in their system,
they give Hiura a chance to play 2B. If it fails, he can always play LF.
8. Royals - Shane Baz (RHP)-HS
Yep, I know. Natty wanted Hiura. But Baz isn't a bad consolation prize. With the deepest arsenal in the draft, a
clean delivery, and a body frame that suggest he can be a durable workhorse, he's a solid gamble as a high school
pitcher. It also can't hurt that he got drafted by the Pirates, who have a good track record with developing
pitchers. The only the problem is the signability issues, as Baz seems pretty committed to Texas Christian.
9. Yankees - Pavin Smith (1B)-College
Again, not sure who Justin is leaning towards, so I'm simply going to mock this as best player left. Pavin Smith
is one of the safest prospects in the draft, who's excelled in a pitcher friendly Commodores park. He's homered
more than he's struck out (!!!) this year, which shows his ability to have an above average power tool with few
holes in his swing. He's pretty much relegated to 1B, which means he's going to have to hit to make it to the
show. I think he will.
10. Braves - DL Hall (LHP)-HS
Love this guy. He can command a mid 90's fastball with a plus breaking ball, all the while showing adequate
command. Despite superstitions about drafting a guy named "DL", I believe in him. He's not the most consistent
with his delivery, unlike Gore, which can lead to trouble for him at times. Still, he's got the stuff, he just
needs to be a bit more consistent. Hopefully, the Orioles develop him better than their other pitching prospects.
11. White Sox - David Peterson (LHP)-College
Guys with this level of command who can pump their fastball in the low to mid 90's with a (at times) above
average breaking ball are hard to find. He's gone from a projectable pitcher out of high school that struggled
with walks to perhaps the best control artist in the nation. His slider has noticeably gotten better every year,
and even though his changeup is merely average at best, there's hope that with time, he can turn it into an above
average pitch. With his ability to pitch downhill at a ridiculous height of 6'6, he's going to be one of the
fastest moving prospects in the draft.
12. Red Sox - Seth Romero (LHP)-College
Sound pick for me. With my 8 first rounders, I can afford to gamble on screw ups with potential. With a mid 90's
fastball, a hard slider, and an improving change, Romero has one of the nastiest stuff in the nation. Too bad
he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer. After several fights, a drug violation, and a general indifference to
his conditioning at times thru his career, he's shown a frightening lack of self-awareness. If you had the chance
to make millions, why risk it through stupid, childish behavior? I think his upside is as high as any college player,
but his lack of motivation and conditioning stop him from reaching that. I think his ceiling is an inconsistent #2
starter, while his floor could be minor league dropout.
13. Tigers - Tanner Houck (RHP)-College
Houck has the potential of a frontline starter. With a heavy fastaball that can reach the high 90's, there's no
question about his primary pitch. However, his slider, while nasty at times, has regressed a little from
last year and been inconsistent at times. Meanwhile, his changeup is rarely used, although it has flashed average.
Additionally, his delivery is regard as funky at times, and he doesn't always repeat it well. Red Sox nation
keeps buzzing about his similarity to an early career Justin Masteron, and I don't think that's too far off.
Houck is a gamble, but the ceiling is high.
14. Rockies - Nick Pratto (1B)-HS
Pratto's fall stops here. True, high school 1B's aren't great values, but as Freddie Freeman and Eric Hosmer
have shown, it's not hopeless. With the best pure hit tool in the nation, and some newfound power that came in
this past Spring, he's solidified himself as a safer bet in comparison to his high school peers. Meanwhile, his
glove is considered solid, as he's a plus defender at 1B. With a strong record that ranges from his LLWS days
to being a member of Team USA in international tournies, he's shown he can hit under pressure. Now let's see
him hit more advanced pitching.
15. Royals - Jo Adell (OF)-HS
Someone is going to fall in love with Adell. I'm not sure how Royals feels about him, but with 4 first round
picks,he has the ammo to gamble. Adell is, simply put, electric -- he has massive raw power, and his speed
is dynamic for someone his size. He's drawn the obvious Buxton and Upton comparision, but as much as they've
struggled with swings and misses in the Majors, he's shown an even more troubling tendecy with K's compared
to those two when they were in high school. He isn't very good with breaking balls, and put in an envrionment
with increasing velocity, he's especially vulnerable. I don't buy into him, but if I'm wrong, he's going
to be an absolute steal at 15.
16. Reds - Alex Faedo (RHP)-College
Faedo was seen as the potential number one pick before this year, but that's before he had surgeries on both
knees, and came out with diluted stuff. Since then, tho, he's dominated. After leading the gators to the NCAA
playoffs, he's shown his stuff is still dynamic, if not a bit reduced. The worries, however, is how his
knees are going to hold up over the long run. With a high effort, a little awkward delivery, these concerns
are heightened. His command merits an unenthusiastic thumbs up -- he's shown no gaping problem with command,
but he's not exactly one who can pinpoint a pitch and locate it. Still, with good college numbers and stuff
that can compete with anyone(when healthy), he should move fast to a mid-rotation job in two years.
17. Angels - Evan White (1B)-College
Evan White is a unicorn. First baseman who don't have much power are an oddity by themselves. But first
baseman with run speed as their best tool are just about impossible to find. He's shown the ability to hit
line drives, and manage the strike zone well, and there's hope he learns how to hit with power. He's an
excellent 1B with soft hands and great mobility, and with the ability to run and hit, he could be a
fast mover. A good comp for him would be Jason Kendall, before Kendall suffered a disastrous ankle injury.
He gets points taken off for being drafted by the Mariners, who simply cannot develop hitters.
18. Red Sox - Adam Haseley (CF)-College
Ahhhh. After gambling on Romero, I take the safe route and go with Haseley. He isn't sexy, with a below
average power and run tool, but he's shown the ability to hit well and manage the zone well in a tough
Virginia park.His value, meanwhile, could be reduced because most scouts see him as a RF now, as he might
not be fleet enough for CF. He's definitely a safe, low upside prospect.
19. Red Sox - Sam Carlson (RHP)-HS
Carlson dropped to the second round because his stuff isn't overwhelming, but rather, solid. Paired with
above average command,he's more safe than projection. Still, his stuff has ticked up recently, with
him pumping 95 this year, after sitting in the low 90's last year. His slider has taken a step forward, and
it might approach plus if he continues to work on it. Paired with an average change he uses often, he could
be a fast moving, #3 type of pitcher.
20. Mets - Bubba Thompson (OF)-HS
Love this pick, if it happens. With exceptional speed, an athletic build that recalls his days as quarterback
at high school, and a solid hit tool that doesn give away his rawness, he has the ability to become a dynamic
leadoff man. The thing he doesn't do well is hit for power, but it's ticked up recently, which gives scouts
hope he can hit about 15 hr's year. Still, he's mostly tools over polish at this point. He's a risky, risky
bet, with startling upside. He was drafted by the Rangers, who've done a good job at refining raw position
players, with Lewis Brinson being the best example.
21. Red Sox - Blayne Enlow (RHP)-HS
Enlow is more projection at this point, as he's 6'4 with a skinny frame. However, he has the chance to develop
a plus fastball and curve, while he already shows advanced command for a high schooler. He would go higher in
this mock draft, but he slipped to the 3rd round due to signability concerns and reduced fastabll velocity this
past year. However, if he gets signed and bumps up his velo up a notch, he has front of the rotation upside.
22. Angels - Alex Lange (RHP)-College
Talk about gambling. After Greene and Lewis, Angels comes back for another risky, high upside prospect.
Lange has a hammer curveball and mid 90's fastball that stands out even admist the first round. He's
competed under the brightest lights, as he helped push his LSU team to the 2015 college world series.
However, his mechanics aren't always consistent, and he seems to exert max effort when throwing the ball.
He seems to be a better fit for a reliever position, and if he does, he has closer potential. But the
Cubs drafted him as a starter, and he'll join their long history of pitching prospects with exceptional
stuff and questionable control (see: Dylan Cease).
23. Reds - Griffin Canning (RHP)-College
After gambling on Faedo's knees, Reds goes with the safest pitching prospect in the draft. Canning
has three average pitches (fastball,curveball, slider), and one plus pitch (changeup). Unlike some of
his contemporaries, he has a strong track record of commanding his pitches well and no medical flags to
speak of. He doesn't have much projection left at this point, as his frame has filled out, but his
consistency should be an attractive commodity in a draft full of college pitchers with question marks.
24. Atheltics - Corbin Martin (RHP)-College
JT seemed interested in Houck, but Martin is the next best choice. He has the potential for
three plus pitches: A mid 90's fastball, a devasating curveball, and a swing and miss slider.
He can also throw a changeup, which he hasn't used much, but has the chance to develop
into an average pitch. The problem is his track record of control has been so spotty he
was relegated to the bullpen for two years at Texas A&M, and only recently has he begun to
pitch well as a starter. This new uptick has made him a second round Astros pick, and I think he goes
higher in the ODC draft. If he fails as a starter, he can go back as a reliever, pumping a
99 MPH fastball with two plus out piches.
25. Royals - Logan Warmoth (SS)-College
After going with two high school players in Baz and Adell, I think a safer option is in line
for Royals. The word you hear with Warmoth is"well rounded". He can do a little of everything,
without having a true plus tool. The thing I love about Warmoth is that he's a grinder who's had to earn
a first round draft pick status after being a forgotten man in HS. Keith Law also gave some fairly
' sparkling praise, calling Warmoth's swing "his favourite in the class". He can stay as SS, but if not,
he projects to be a plus 2B. Either way, he's about as safe as college prospects go.
26. Royals - Heliot Ramos (OF)-HS
Ramos gained a lot of helium as the draft processed went by, going to the Giants with the 19th pick
in the draft. I can see the appeal: He's a fairly athletic OF who's strong and filled out. He has plus power,
with an above average run speed that will probably limit him to a corner OF in the future. The only
question comes with his swing, where his bat speed is often marked as less than stellar. Either way, at
this point in the draft, getting an OF who can hit for power and run is special. If he can polish the bat,
he should be good.
27. Red Sox - Jeter Downs (SS)-HS
Solid pick. Downs has middling upside, but he has shown he can hit for power and average, and even as a
high school player, he's projected to stay at SS and remain a solid defender there. He's an above average
runner, and who loves to swipe bases when given the chance.He's got confidence, the ability, and the name.
28. Red Sox - Clarke Schmidt (RHP)-College
The Yankees picked him at 16, and I get their reasoning. When on, he possesses frontline stuff, with a
mid 90's fastball and a slider and curve that can prove to be plus in the long run. The major red flags
are mostly medical. He required TJ surgery this April, and his less than ideal delivery makes him an easy
faller to project. I think, if his medicals clear up, he's a steal. With my number of picks, he's a worthy
bet.
29. Rockies - Nate Pearson (RHP)-College
If you can throw 100 MPH as a starter, you deserve to be picked in the first round. I don't love JUCO guys,
but Pearson has created buzz thru his incredible velocity. But, as you probably guessed, spotty command and
lagging secondary pitches do him in. The thing about Pearson is consistency. Some days, he has two above
average breaking pitches, which is all you need in this league if you have a 100 MPB fastball. But other days,
his stuff falls flat. Here's to hoping that he straightens this out and fulfills his immense potential.
If not, he's going to be a terriying reliever.
30. Red Sox - Tristen Lutz (OF)-HS
A hitter from Texas with power but swing and miss issues? Well, this isn't new. Lutz is a high
schooler who can hit with authority, and b/c of his strong arm, he'll probably be shifted to RF. While
he doesn't run well, he's still not a liability on the paths, as he relies on savvy. He's projects to be
a solid hitter, and he'll join the stash of power hitting OF's in the Brewers' organiztion.
This is obviously a bit premature, and picks are made to change. I'm not a scout, just a fan.
*Bleh. Forgive me. The editing and spacing on proboards is really weird and led to some spacing issues.
1. Angels - Hunter Greene (RHP/SS)-HS
This is the easiest pick in the entire draft. Not only does Greene offer the most upside, he's also shown
a reasonable amount of polish with his command. He'll need to improve his secondary pitches to become the
generational talent people predicted him to be, but he has the work ethic, along with the track record to
make this a comfortable pick. There's never been a prospect quite like him, although I would say between
the two way potential, the 100 MPH fastball, and the exceptional command he poises, he might not be that
much different from a teenage Shohei Otani.
2. Astros - Mackenzie Gore (LHP)-HS
Max is going to keep pushing the Gore > Greene narrative, and while I don't agree with it, I can see
some of the reasoning. Gore has the potential to throw in 4 plus pitches with command at his peak, all the
while using a funky delivery that he repeats well. I will say that his track record isn't as long as
Greene's, and his stuff has just recently ticked up. Still, with his command and deep arsenal, he's a safe
option, at least for a high school pitcher.
3. Astros - Brendan McKay (LHP/1B)-College
This third pick is going to be the one that swings the draft. If Max keeps it, it's going to be McKay, who
is going to be given the chance to pitch and hit as 1B by the Yays, although most people like him as a LHP.
He's the safest bet in this entire draft, but his upside isn't quite as high as Gore's or Greene as he
relies more on command than power at this point. If Max does trade the pick, my guess is the pick is Lewis,
simply because his upside is the highest at this point.
4. Nationals - Kyle Wright (RHP)-College
This choice is obvious. Wright is the most ML ready out of any pick here, and he can be pitching in the majors
as soon as 2019. This is the obvious choice for Bryan, as he needs fast tracking SP's who have the potential to
be an ace. Personally, I don't love Wright, as he's tended to struggle with command at times. But he's the
pick with the best mixture of safety and upside. With his track record, I'd be surpsied if he lasted past 5.
5. Angels - Royce Lewis (SS/CF)-HS
Easy pick here. While Lewis might not stay as SS with his mediocre throwing arm, he's got elite speed and has
shown the potential to develop 20 HR power. He consistently barrels up the ball, and his track record is as
impressive as any for a high schooler. With the Angels far away from contention and a little empty on star
talent, adding Lewis and Greene will go a long way to replenishing the farm, even if Angels has to wait a bit
for them to fully blossom.
6. Dodgers - Austin Beck (OF)-HS
Honestly, no clue what Dodgers is leaning to. But if just looking at best talent available, then Beck is the
easy choice. He can hit for power, run, and play CF. However, his strong arm might make him a better fit for
RF. There are some questions about his bat and whether he can hit for a high average, but this isn't a Jo Adell
situation. If he tweaks his busy swing, he can become a star.
7. Blue Jays - Keston Hiura (OF/2B)-College
Sanders is deciding between Smith and Hiura. I can understand the debate -- after McKay, these two might be
the best pure hitters in college. Still, I think the choice here is Hiura. Yes, he has that elbow injury,
but it shouldn't be something that will derail his career. If TJ surgery is the endgame, so be it. He's
gotten marketdly better each year at UC Irvine, and has proven to have good barrel control with surprising
power that plays as average.He's more valuable than Smith simply because Hiura has a chance to play 2B in the
majors, although his defense there is a big meh. I think, with the Brewers loaded with OF's in their system,
they give Hiura a chance to play 2B. If it fails, he can always play LF.
8. Royals - Shane Baz (RHP)-HS
Yep, I know. Natty wanted Hiura. But Baz isn't a bad consolation prize. With the deepest arsenal in the draft, a
clean delivery, and a body frame that suggest he can be a durable workhorse, he's a solid gamble as a high school
pitcher. It also can't hurt that he got drafted by the Pirates, who have a good track record with developing
pitchers. The only the problem is the signability issues, as Baz seems pretty committed to Texas Christian.
9. Yankees - Pavin Smith (1B)-College
Again, not sure who Justin is leaning towards, so I'm simply going to mock this as best player left. Pavin Smith
is one of the safest prospects in the draft, who's excelled in a pitcher friendly Commodores park. He's homered
more than he's struck out (!!!) this year, which shows his ability to have an above average power tool with few
holes in his swing. He's pretty much relegated to 1B, which means he's going to have to hit to make it to the
show. I think he will.
10. Braves - DL Hall (LHP)-HS
Love this guy. He can command a mid 90's fastball with a plus breaking ball, all the while showing adequate
command. Despite superstitions about drafting a guy named "DL", I believe in him. He's not the most consistent
with his delivery, unlike Gore, which can lead to trouble for him at times. Still, he's got the stuff, he just
needs to be a bit more consistent. Hopefully, the Orioles develop him better than their other pitching prospects.
11. White Sox - David Peterson (LHP)-College
Guys with this level of command who can pump their fastball in the low to mid 90's with a (at times) above
average breaking ball are hard to find. He's gone from a projectable pitcher out of high school that struggled
with walks to perhaps the best control artist in the nation. His slider has noticeably gotten better every year,
and even though his changeup is merely average at best, there's hope that with time, he can turn it into an above
average pitch. With his ability to pitch downhill at a ridiculous height of 6'6, he's going to be one of the
fastest moving prospects in the draft.
12. Red Sox - Seth Romero (LHP)-College
Sound pick for me. With my 8 first rounders, I can afford to gamble on screw ups with potential. With a mid 90's
fastball, a hard slider, and an improving change, Romero has one of the nastiest stuff in the nation. Too bad
he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer. After several fights, a drug violation, and a general indifference to
his conditioning at times thru his career, he's shown a frightening lack of self-awareness. If you had the chance
to make millions, why risk it through stupid, childish behavior? I think his upside is as high as any college player,
but his lack of motivation and conditioning stop him from reaching that. I think his ceiling is an inconsistent #2
starter, while his floor could be minor league dropout.
13. Tigers - Tanner Houck (RHP)-College
Houck has the potential of a frontline starter. With a heavy fastaball that can reach the high 90's, there's no
question about his primary pitch. However, his slider, while nasty at times, has regressed a little from
last year and been inconsistent at times. Meanwhile, his changeup is rarely used, although it has flashed average.
Additionally, his delivery is regard as funky at times, and he doesn't always repeat it well. Red Sox nation
keeps buzzing about his similarity to an early career Justin Masteron, and I don't think that's too far off.
Houck is a gamble, but the ceiling is high.
14. Rockies - Nick Pratto (1B)-HS
Pratto's fall stops here. True, high school 1B's aren't great values, but as Freddie Freeman and Eric Hosmer
have shown, it's not hopeless. With the best pure hit tool in the nation, and some newfound power that came in
this past Spring, he's solidified himself as a safer bet in comparison to his high school peers. Meanwhile, his
glove is considered solid, as he's a plus defender at 1B. With a strong record that ranges from his LLWS days
to being a member of Team USA in international tournies, he's shown he can hit under pressure. Now let's see
him hit more advanced pitching.
15. Royals - Jo Adell (OF)-HS
Someone is going to fall in love with Adell. I'm not sure how Royals feels about him, but with 4 first round
picks,he has the ammo to gamble. Adell is, simply put, electric -- he has massive raw power, and his speed
is dynamic for someone his size. He's drawn the obvious Buxton and Upton comparision, but as much as they've
struggled with swings and misses in the Majors, he's shown an even more troubling tendecy with K's compared
to those two when they were in high school. He isn't very good with breaking balls, and put in an envrionment
with increasing velocity, he's especially vulnerable. I don't buy into him, but if I'm wrong, he's going
to be an absolute steal at 15.
16. Reds - Alex Faedo (RHP)-College
Faedo was seen as the potential number one pick before this year, but that's before he had surgeries on both
knees, and came out with diluted stuff. Since then, tho, he's dominated. After leading the gators to the NCAA
playoffs, he's shown his stuff is still dynamic, if not a bit reduced. The worries, however, is how his
knees are going to hold up over the long run. With a high effort, a little awkward delivery, these concerns
are heightened. His command merits an unenthusiastic thumbs up -- he's shown no gaping problem with command,
but he's not exactly one who can pinpoint a pitch and locate it. Still, with good college numbers and stuff
that can compete with anyone(when healthy), he should move fast to a mid-rotation job in two years.
17. Angels - Evan White (1B)-College
Evan White is a unicorn. First baseman who don't have much power are an oddity by themselves. But first
baseman with run speed as their best tool are just about impossible to find. He's shown the ability to hit
line drives, and manage the strike zone well, and there's hope he learns how to hit with power. He's an
excellent 1B with soft hands and great mobility, and with the ability to run and hit, he could be a
fast mover. A good comp for him would be Jason Kendall, before Kendall suffered a disastrous ankle injury.
He gets points taken off for being drafted by the Mariners, who simply cannot develop hitters.
18. Red Sox - Adam Haseley (CF)-College
Ahhhh. After gambling on Romero, I take the safe route and go with Haseley. He isn't sexy, with a below
average power and run tool, but he's shown the ability to hit well and manage the zone well in a tough
Virginia park.His value, meanwhile, could be reduced because most scouts see him as a RF now, as he might
not be fleet enough for CF. He's definitely a safe, low upside prospect.
19. Red Sox - Sam Carlson (RHP)-HS
Carlson dropped to the second round because his stuff isn't overwhelming, but rather, solid. Paired with
above average command,he's more safe than projection. Still, his stuff has ticked up recently, with
him pumping 95 this year, after sitting in the low 90's last year. His slider has taken a step forward, and
it might approach plus if he continues to work on it. Paired with an average change he uses often, he could
be a fast moving, #3 type of pitcher.
20. Mets - Bubba Thompson (OF)-HS
Love this pick, if it happens. With exceptional speed, an athletic build that recalls his days as quarterback
at high school, and a solid hit tool that doesn give away his rawness, he has the ability to become a dynamic
leadoff man. The thing he doesn't do well is hit for power, but it's ticked up recently, which gives scouts
hope he can hit about 15 hr's year. Still, he's mostly tools over polish at this point. He's a risky, risky
bet, with startling upside. He was drafted by the Rangers, who've done a good job at refining raw position
players, with Lewis Brinson being the best example.
21. Red Sox - Blayne Enlow (RHP)-HS
Enlow is more projection at this point, as he's 6'4 with a skinny frame. However, he has the chance to develop
a plus fastball and curve, while he already shows advanced command for a high schooler. He would go higher in
this mock draft, but he slipped to the 3rd round due to signability concerns and reduced fastabll velocity this
past year. However, if he gets signed and bumps up his velo up a notch, he has front of the rotation upside.
22. Angels - Alex Lange (RHP)-College
Talk about gambling. After Greene and Lewis, Angels comes back for another risky, high upside prospect.
Lange has a hammer curveball and mid 90's fastball that stands out even admist the first round. He's
competed under the brightest lights, as he helped push his LSU team to the 2015 college world series.
However, his mechanics aren't always consistent, and he seems to exert max effort when throwing the ball.
He seems to be a better fit for a reliever position, and if he does, he has closer potential. But the
Cubs drafted him as a starter, and he'll join their long history of pitching prospects with exceptional
stuff and questionable control (see: Dylan Cease).
23. Reds - Griffin Canning (RHP)-College
After gambling on Faedo's knees, Reds goes with the safest pitching prospect in the draft. Canning
has three average pitches (fastball,curveball, slider), and one plus pitch (changeup). Unlike some of
his contemporaries, he has a strong track record of commanding his pitches well and no medical flags to
speak of. He doesn't have much projection left at this point, as his frame has filled out, but his
consistency should be an attractive commodity in a draft full of college pitchers with question marks.
24. Atheltics - Corbin Martin (RHP)-College
JT seemed interested in Houck, but Martin is the next best choice. He has the potential for
three plus pitches: A mid 90's fastball, a devasating curveball, and a swing and miss slider.
He can also throw a changeup, which he hasn't used much, but has the chance to develop
into an average pitch. The problem is his track record of control has been so spotty he
was relegated to the bullpen for two years at Texas A&M, and only recently has he begun to
pitch well as a starter. This new uptick has made him a second round Astros pick, and I think he goes
higher in the ODC draft. If he fails as a starter, he can go back as a reliever, pumping a
99 MPH fastball with two plus out piches.
25. Royals - Logan Warmoth (SS)-College
After going with two high school players in Baz and Adell, I think a safer option is in line
for Royals. The word you hear with Warmoth is"well rounded". He can do a little of everything,
without having a true plus tool. The thing I love about Warmoth is that he's a grinder who's had to earn
a first round draft pick status after being a forgotten man in HS. Keith Law also gave some fairly
' sparkling praise, calling Warmoth's swing "his favourite in the class". He can stay as SS, but if not,
he projects to be a plus 2B. Either way, he's about as safe as college prospects go.
26. Royals - Heliot Ramos (OF)-HS
Ramos gained a lot of helium as the draft processed went by, going to the Giants with the 19th pick
in the draft. I can see the appeal: He's a fairly athletic OF who's strong and filled out. He has plus power,
with an above average run speed that will probably limit him to a corner OF in the future. The only
question comes with his swing, where his bat speed is often marked as less than stellar. Either way, at
this point in the draft, getting an OF who can hit for power and run is special. If he can polish the bat,
he should be good.
27. Red Sox - Jeter Downs (SS)-HS
Solid pick. Downs has middling upside, but he has shown he can hit for power and average, and even as a
high school player, he's projected to stay at SS and remain a solid defender there. He's an above average
runner, and who loves to swipe bases when given the chance.He's got confidence, the ability, and the name.
28. Red Sox - Clarke Schmidt (RHP)-College
The Yankees picked him at 16, and I get their reasoning. When on, he possesses frontline stuff, with a
mid 90's fastball and a slider and curve that can prove to be plus in the long run. The major red flags
are mostly medical. He required TJ surgery this April, and his less than ideal delivery makes him an easy
faller to project. I think, if his medicals clear up, he's a steal. With my number of picks, he's a worthy
bet.
29. Rockies - Nate Pearson (RHP)-College
If you can throw 100 MPH as a starter, you deserve to be picked in the first round. I don't love JUCO guys,
but Pearson has created buzz thru his incredible velocity. But, as you probably guessed, spotty command and
lagging secondary pitches do him in. The thing about Pearson is consistency. Some days, he has two above
average breaking pitches, which is all you need in this league if you have a 100 MPB fastball. But other days,
his stuff falls flat. Here's to hoping that he straightens this out and fulfills his immense potential.
If not, he's going to be a terriying reliever.
30. Red Sox - Tristen Lutz (OF)-HS
A hitter from Texas with power but swing and miss issues? Well, this isn't new. Lutz is a high
schooler who can hit with authority, and b/c of his strong arm, he'll probably be shifted to RF. While
he doesn't run well, he's still not a liability on the paths, as he relies on savvy. He's projects to be
a solid hitter, and he'll join the stash of power hitting OF's in the Brewers' organiztion.