Post by Rays GM (forbz) on Jun 3, 2015 10:19:46 GMT -5
1 Dansby Swanson SCHOOL: VanderbiltHT: 6-0WT: 190POS: SS
Analysis: Arizona knows whom it wants to take, but it's keeping a tight lid on it; however, everyone I've talked to about it says they're taking Swanson -- or at least they say that's who I should have them taking in the mock. They've looked at a lot of other players, including Dillon Tate, Tyler Jay, Tyler Stephenson and Garrett Whitley.
2 Brendan Rodgers SCHOOL: Lake Mary (Fla.) High SchoolHT: 6-0WT: 195POS: SS
Analysis: Houston wants Swanson here, and if he's gone, their two primary choices seem to be Rodgers and Alex Bregman; I've heard often this spring that they're off Rodgers, but heard just within the past few days that that wasn't as black-or-white as I believed.
3 Tyler Jay SCHOOL: IllinoisHT: 6-1WT: 175POS: LHP
Analysis: The Rockies want a pitcher and have been very heavy on Jay lately, especially because he's one of a few arms in this draft who could help a major league team this season. They're also on Dillon Tate.
4 Dillon Tate SCHOOL: UC Santa BarbaraHT: 6-2WT: 185POS: RHP
Analysis: The Rangers were on Walker Buehler of Vanderbilt and might still take him, but he has limped to the finish line after a strong start to the season. They'd consider Brendan Rodgers here if he gets this far, but have concerns about his long-term outlook as a hitter.
5 Kyle Tucker SCHOOL: Plant High School (Tampa)HT: 6-4WT: 175POS: OF
Analysis: The Astros want bats with their two first-round picks, and would like to get one high-probability bat and one high-ceiling bat if it happens to work out in their favor. They also could consider Daz Cameron or Trenton Clark here, as well as Alex Bregman.
6 Alex Bregman SCHOOL: LSUHT: 6-0WT: 190POS: SS
Analysis: I've heard the Twins on only three names: Bregman, Kolby Allard and Daz Cameron. Allard's medicals remain TBD, although I don't think there's any reason the stress reaction in his lower back should scare off teams, while Cameron may want more money than the Twins are able to give him here.
7 Andrew Benintendi SCHOOL: ArkansasHT: 5-10WT: 180POS: OF
Analysis: The Red Sox are hoping Bregman gets to them and would consider Benintendi as well. They're almost certain to take a bat here, probably a college one, although they're one of a few teams high on Canadian slugger Josh Naylor.
8 Carson Fulmer SCHOOL: VanderbiltHT: 5-11WT: 195POS: RHP
Analysis: The White Sox want another college arm who will get to the big leagues quickly, along the lines of Chris Sale and Carlos Rodon, which puts them squarely on Jay and Fulmer.
9 Ian Happ SCHOOL: CincinnatiHT: 6-0WT: 205POS: 2B
Analysis: I've heard the Cubs predominantly with college bats here, although they also like Jay as well as some of the prep bats including Tucker or Trenton Clark.
10 Walker Buehler SCHOOL: VanderbiltHT: 6-1WT: 160POS: RHP
Analysis: I've heard they want someone who can help the major league team soon, which would imply a polished college guy such as Buehler, Happ or Kevin Newman. If that isn't or wasn't a consideration, they might take Tyler Stephenson here.
11 Trenton Clark SCHOOL: Richland HS (North Richland Hills, Texas)HT: 6-0WT: 200POS: OF
Analysis: I've lost count of how many players I've heard the Reds on, from Benintendi to Stephenson to Tucker to Fulmer.
12 James Kaprielian SCHOOL: UCLAHT: 6-4WT: 200POS: RHP
Analysis: The Marlins want Kyle Tucker, but it seems extremely unlikely that he'll get to them, after which it seems as if they'd like to get a college player who'll move up their system a little faster.
13 Garrett Whitley SCHOOL: Niskayuna (N.Y.) High SchoolHT: 6-1WT: 195POS: OF
Analysis: The Rays want Benintendi, but (sad trombone) it seems as though he'll be gone, with several teams ahead of them interested. I'd heard them on Cornelius Randolph but if he's looking for a bonus well over slot, this isn't the team for him. They're one of a few teams in this range rumored to be on Josh Naylor, and also are probably the floor for Buehler.
14 Tyler Stephenson SCHOOL: Kennesaw Mountain HS (Kennesaw, Ga.)HT: 6-4WT: 215POS: C
Analysis: I think this is the most likely landing spot for Stephenson -- although it would be so unlike Atlanta to take a Georgia prep player -- with the team also looking at the Tucker/Clark class as well as Kaprelian.
15 Jon Harris SCHOOL: Missouri StateHT: 6-4WT: 175POS: RHP
Analysis: Ray Montgomery was always a best-player-available guy when he was in Arizona and I expect he'll do the same for Milwaukee, which means they'll take what falls to them -- Happ, Harris, Chris Betts, Kaprelian or Kevin Newman.
16 Kolby Allard SCHOOL: San Clemente (Calif.) High SchoolHT: 6-0WT: 175POS: LHP
Analysis: I've heard them with Betts, Whitley and Donny Everett as well.
17 Kevin Newman SCHOOL: ArizonaHT: 6-1WT: 180POS: SS
Analysis: Another â??best player availableâ?ý team, as they landed Brad Zimmer last year when they went into the draft thinking he'd be long gone. I've also heard them linked to Virginia lefty Nate Kirby.
18 Mike Nikorak SCHOOL: Stroudsburg (Pa.) High SchoolHT: 6-5WT: 205POS: RHP
Analysis: This seems to be Nikorak's top landing spot, and he fits the Giants' profile in a Matt Cain sort of way; they're also on Indiana prep righties Nolan Watson and Ashe Russell as well as Michigan outfielder Nick Plummer.
19 Daz Cameron SCHOOL: Eagles Landing HS (McDonough, Ga.)HT: 6-1WT: 190POS: OF
Analysis: I think they're also in best player available mode, but a couple of execs have cited the Pirates' willingness to go over slot for a premium player in thinking they'd make a good landing spot for Cameron or Cornelius Randolph.
20 Chris Betts SCHOOL: Wilson High School (Long Beach, Calif.)HT: 6-2WT: 220POS: C
Analysis: They'd love it if Happ slid to them, and are also on Phil Bickford and North Florida outfielder Donnie Dewees, the latter the best-performing college player in the draft but one who gets docked a few points for doing it against terrible competition.
21 Phil Bickford SCHOOL: College of Southern NevadaHT: 6-0WT: 200POS: RHP
Analysis: I've heard this connection numerous times, and Bickford -- who went ninth overall in 2013 but didn't sign -- could follow the Brandon Finnegan path to the big leagues as a reliever later this year.
22 Cornelius Randolph SCHOOL: Griffin (Ga.) High SchoolHT: 6-1WT: 200POS: SS
Analysis: Randolph tweeted about how he'd miss only five people beyond his family when he goes to college â?¦ which I suppose is some sort of attempt to create leverage or something. Color me unconvinced.
23 Nate Kirby SCHOOL: VirginiaHT: 6-2WT: 185POS: LHP
Analysis: Kirby has been out for nearly two months with a side strain, but is expected to make a return start this weekend in Virginia's regional at Lake Elsinore (hosted by UC Santa Barbara), where Kirby could make back some of the money he lost with a disappointing spring.
24 Mike Matuella SCHOOL: DukeHT: 6-7WT: 220POS: RHP
Analysis: The Dodgers have two extra picks, one in each sandwich round, with the capacity to go over slot with one of their picks because of their larger bonus pool.
25 Ke'Bryan Hayes SCHOOL: Concordia Lutheran HS (Tomball, Texas)HT: 6-1WT: 205POS: 3B
Analysis: I've heard they'd prefer a bat to an arm, and with Dylan Bundy and Hunter Harvey both having minor arm issues in the past few weeks, who can blame them?
26 Blake Trahan SCHOOL: Louisiana-LafayetteHT: 5-9WT: 180POS: SS
Analysis: I keep hearing the Angels on college position players, including Trahan and Arizona second baseman Scott Kingery.
Analysis: Arizona knows whom it wants to take, but it's keeping a tight lid on it; however, everyone I've talked to about it says they're taking Swanson -- or at least they say that's who I should have them taking in the mock. They've looked at a lot of other players, including Dillon Tate, Tyler Jay, Tyler Stephenson and Garrett Whitley.
2 Brendan Rodgers SCHOOL: Lake Mary (Fla.) High SchoolHT: 6-0WT: 195POS: SS
Analysis: Houston wants Swanson here, and if he's gone, their two primary choices seem to be Rodgers and Alex Bregman; I've heard often this spring that they're off Rodgers, but heard just within the past few days that that wasn't as black-or-white as I believed.
3 Tyler Jay SCHOOL: IllinoisHT: 6-1WT: 175POS: LHP
Analysis: The Rockies want a pitcher and have been very heavy on Jay lately, especially because he's one of a few arms in this draft who could help a major league team this season. They're also on Dillon Tate.
4 Dillon Tate SCHOOL: UC Santa BarbaraHT: 6-2WT: 185POS: RHP
Analysis: The Rangers were on Walker Buehler of Vanderbilt and might still take him, but he has limped to the finish line after a strong start to the season. They'd consider Brendan Rodgers here if he gets this far, but have concerns about his long-term outlook as a hitter.
5 Kyle Tucker SCHOOL: Plant High School (Tampa)HT: 6-4WT: 175POS: OF
Analysis: The Astros want bats with their two first-round picks, and would like to get one high-probability bat and one high-ceiling bat if it happens to work out in their favor. They also could consider Daz Cameron or Trenton Clark here, as well as Alex Bregman.
6 Alex Bregman SCHOOL: LSUHT: 6-0WT: 190POS: SS
Analysis: I've heard the Twins on only three names: Bregman, Kolby Allard and Daz Cameron. Allard's medicals remain TBD, although I don't think there's any reason the stress reaction in his lower back should scare off teams, while Cameron may want more money than the Twins are able to give him here.
7 Andrew Benintendi SCHOOL: ArkansasHT: 5-10WT: 180POS: OF
Analysis: The Red Sox are hoping Bregman gets to them and would consider Benintendi as well. They're almost certain to take a bat here, probably a college one, although they're one of a few teams high on Canadian slugger Josh Naylor.
8 Carson Fulmer SCHOOL: VanderbiltHT: 5-11WT: 195POS: RHP
Analysis: The White Sox want another college arm who will get to the big leagues quickly, along the lines of Chris Sale and Carlos Rodon, which puts them squarely on Jay and Fulmer.
9 Ian Happ SCHOOL: CincinnatiHT: 6-0WT: 205POS: 2B
Analysis: I've heard the Cubs predominantly with college bats here, although they also like Jay as well as some of the prep bats including Tucker or Trenton Clark.
10 Walker Buehler SCHOOL: VanderbiltHT: 6-1WT: 160POS: RHP
Analysis: I've heard they want someone who can help the major league team soon, which would imply a polished college guy such as Buehler, Happ or Kevin Newman. If that isn't or wasn't a consideration, they might take Tyler Stephenson here.
11 Trenton Clark SCHOOL: Richland HS (North Richland Hills, Texas)HT: 6-0WT: 200POS: OF
Analysis: I've lost count of how many players I've heard the Reds on, from Benintendi to Stephenson to Tucker to Fulmer.
12 James Kaprielian SCHOOL: UCLAHT: 6-4WT: 200POS: RHP
Analysis: The Marlins want Kyle Tucker, but it seems extremely unlikely that he'll get to them, after which it seems as if they'd like to get a college player who'll move up their system a little faster.
13 Garrett Whitley SCHOOL: Niskayuna (N.Y.) High SchoolHT: 6-1WT: 195POS: OF
Analysis: The Rays want Benintendi, but (sad trombone) it seems as though he'll be gone, with several teams ahead of them interested. I'd heard them on Cornelius Randolph but if he's looking for a bonus well over slot, this isn't the team for him. They're one of a few teams in this range rumored to be on Josh Naylor, and also are probably the floor for Buehler.
14 Tyler Stephenson SCHOOL: Kennesaw Mountain HS (Kennesaw, Ga.)HT: 6-4WT: 215POS: C
Analysis: I think this is the most likely landing spot for Stephenson -- although it would be so unlike Atlanta to take a Georgia prep player -- with the team also looking at the Tucker/Clark class as well as Kaprelian.
15 Jon Harris SCHOOL: Missouri StateHT: 6-4WT: 175POS: RHP
Analysis: Ray Montgomery was always a best-player-available guy when he was in Arizona and I expect he'll do the same for Milwaukee, which means they'll take what falls to them -- Happ, Harris, Chris Betts, Kaprelian or Kevin Newman.
16 Kolby Allard SCHOOL: San Clemente (Calif.) High SchoolHT: 6-0WT: 175POS: LHP
Analysis: I've heard them with Betts, Whitley and Donny Everett as well.
17 Kevin Newman SCHOOL: ArizonaHT: 6-1WT: 180POS: SS
Analysis: Another â??best player availableâ?ý team, as they landed Brad Zimmer last year when they went into the draft thinking he'd be long gone. I've also heard them linked to Virginia lefty Nate Kirby.
18 Mike Nikorak SCHOOL: Stroudsburg (Pa.) High SchoolHT: 6-5WT: 205POS: RHP
Analysis: This seems to be Nikorak's top landing spot, and he fits the Giants' profile in a Matt Cain sort of way; they're also on Indiana prep righties Nolan Watson and Ashe Russell as well as Michigan outfielder Nick Plummer.
19 Daz Cameron SCHOOL: Eagles Landing HS (McDonough, Ga.)HT: 6-1WT: 190POS: OF
Analysis: I think they're also in best player available mode, but a couple of execs have cited the Pirates' willingness to go over slot for a premium player in thinking they'd make a good landing spot for Cameron or Cornelius Randolph.
20 Chris Betts SCHOOL: Wilson High School (Long Beach, Calif.)HT: 6-2WT: 220POS: C
Analysis: They'd love it if Happ slid to them, and are also on Phil Bickford and North Florida outfielder Donnie Dewees, the latter the best-performing college player in the draft but one who gets docked a few points for doing it against terrible competition.
21 Phil Bickford SCHOOL: College of Southern NevadaHT: 6-0WT: 200POS: RHP
Analysis: I've heard this connection numerous times, and Bickford -- who went ninth overall in 2013 but didn't sign -- could follow the Brandon Finnegan path to the big leagues as a reliever later this year.
22 Cornelius Randolph SCHOOL: Griffin (Ga.) High SchoolHT: 6-1WT: 200POS: SS
Analysis: Randolph tweeted about how he'd miss only five people beyond his family when he goes to college â?¦ which I suppose is some sort of attempt to create leverage or something. Color me unconvinced.
23 Nate Kirby SCHOOL: VirginiaHT: 6-2WT: 185POS: LHP
Analysis: Kirby has been out for nearly two months with a side strain, but is expected to make a return start this weekend in Virginia's regional at Lake Elsinore (hosted by UC Santa Barbara), where Kirby could make back some of the money he lost with a disappointing spring.
24 Mike Matuella SCHOOL: DukeHT: 6-7WT: 220POS: RHP
Analysis: The Dodgers have two extra picks, one in each sandwich round, with the capacity to go over slot with one of their picks because of their larger bonus pool.
25 Ke'Bryan Hayes SCHOOL: Concordia Lutheran HS (Tomball, Texas)HT: 6-1WT: 205POS: 3B
Analysis: I've heard they'd prefer a bat to an arm, and with Dylan Bundy and Hunter Harvey both having minor arm issues in the past few weeks, who can blame them?
26 Blake Trahan SCHOOL: Louisiana-LafayetteHT: 5-9WT: 180POS: SS
Analysis: I keep hearing the Angels on college position players, including Trahan and Arizona second baseman Scott Kingery.