Hey all, sorry this draft SZN has been bereft of Mock Drafts as I normally do. But- Here’s a last minute one based on absolutely no inside information and just rampant specualtion. Let’s have some fun.
#1- G.I. Zo’s- Marcelo Meyer, SS, Red Sox- Mayer seems to be the consensus #1 guy, but if you look around, there are plenty of lists/mocks that do what we do where they prefer Lawlar, Watson or even House. What will be interesting is if Zobrack is content with another one of those guys, but wants to ensure he gets Jack Leiter in his first three picks, he could take Leiter here, and theoretically land Lawlar, Watson, House, or… even Mayer(!) at 3. Things that make you go Hmmmmmmmm
#2- Pro Bowlers- Khalil Watson, SS, Marlins– IF Pat doesn’t decide to take Leiter(which is perfectly defnesible, who doesn’t want to be stacked at SS?), he will likely have his pick of the non-Mayer High School shortstops, and could really go any direction. The all have their quirks/perks/profiles, but I’m just going to guess Pat goes with the most athletic of the bunch in Watson, since there’s no Blue Jays clearly available.
#3- G.I. Zo’s- Jack Leiter, RHP, Rangers– This really makes a ton of sense for Zobrack, and landing the bona-fide best bat and best arm in the draft is quite a coup, even if you have 2 of the top 3 picks in the draft. Hopefully for him, the Rangers don’t screw up a sure thing, like they seem to enjoy doing with pitchers. I’m still bitter about Neftali Feliz, is what I’m saying.
#4- Danimals- Jordan Lawlar, SS, Padres- The rich get richer as Dan lands a guy that could just as easily go #1 at #4, because why not, he’s Dan. A year ago I would’ve mocked Dan taking Brash here, as he’s the closest to MLB, but Dan seems to have shelved that strategy for only taking players I like, so I’m going with Lawler here.
#5- Banacolates- Brady House, SS, Nationals– Jeff lauded the High School class on our podcast last night, and on top of that, there does seem to be a tier of 5 with the 4 Kid Shortstops and Leiter atop this draft. I’m not sure that House is exactly Jeff’s cup of tea, but he’s also begrudgingly taken a talented shortstop at the end of a tier before, and got Bobby Witt Jr out of it, so it can’t be all bad.
#6- The Big Hurts- Matt Brash, RHP, Mariners– Vince is a little stuck in No Man’s Land with his team right now, so I get the feeling he would covet proximity to the majors to aid his razor thin MLB team with a few superstars, and Brash seems to fit that bill, as he’s likely to end up in Seattle at some point this season. He’s no Robert Gsellman, but…
#7- The Big Units- Colton Cowser, OF, Orioles- This year’s college bat crop wasn’t anything to write home about, but Henry Davis and Cowser are still worth taking in the middle of this round, and I think penciling in Cowser’s solid bat to a lineup isn’t the worst thing someone can do, and he’s not very blocked in Baltimore, so he could be one of the first of this class to make an impact, which also fits Carroll’s team right now.
#8- Nellamaniacs- Henry Davis, C, Pirates- Nelly is back int he draft game, and landing the #1 overall pick, a plus hitter at a premium position has to be attractive at this point in the round. I have my doubts, but there’s also plenty of evidence Davis could be the Posey-type that you plug in for several years. As Ron Popeil would say “Set it and forget it!”, I think?
#9- Danimals- Jackson Jobe, RHP, Tigers- Dan is picking again somehow, and if he’s hunting upside, Jobe certainly is the way to go, even as risky of a proposition as high school arms can be. It’ll be interesting to see how this round shakes out for pitchers, as there three seemingly elite options with varying track records, and then a bit of a chasm after that.
#10- G.I. Zo’s- Harry Ford, C, Mariners- Ford is a very interesting prospect, as he could go as high as 6, and as low as 20, depending on who you ask. I find myself conflicted with him as well, as he seems like a lot of very exciting projection, but maybe just that? Either way, Zobrack has the timeline and patience to let him develop for a while, and the willingness to gamble on his tremendous upside.
#11- Fajita Eaters- Trey Sweeney, SS, Yankees- Yesterday was not a Trey Sweeney Day for me, but today is, as I write this mock. He’s an analytic darling(which I like) and a hit tool/good power guy(which I also like), but could end up as yet another complete scouting failure as his small-school skills don’t translate to the the high minors(which I don’t like, I guess).
#12- Baby Seals- Matt McLain, SS, Reds- Fred is a bit of a wild card on draft day, and especially since he’ll be doing his best National Lampoon Vacation impersonation during this particular draft. In the end, I think he goes Best Player Available, and McLain is high on draft boards because he has good speed, a little pop and hopefully a hit tool good enough to tap into them at a premium position.
#13- Danimals- Sal Frelick, OF, Brewers– After chasing considerable upside with his first two picks, Dan does wise thing with yet another first round pick here and diversifies a little, while grabbing some very rare speed with a guy that could actually get on base a little bit. Frelick could be a guy that slides a bit, but I’d venture to guess he doesn’t slide too far, as 70 speed with a hit tool is just that rare.
#14- Tom Cats- Colson Montgomery, SS, White Sox– Tom is also a tad of a wild card on draft day, but usually ends up not going completely off the reservation despite his computer’s best efforts, and I like Colson M. for him here. Montgomery’s a good mix of tools and intangibles, and the White Sox seem to be a decent landing spot for prospects lately, which has taken some getting used to.
#15- Danimals- Oscar Colas, OF, White Sox- Dan, who is somehow picking again, diversifies further and take the only International signing with some real juice here. Colas was hailed as the ‘Cuban Ohtani’ which might seem a little grandious, but it underscores the tools he has to work with, and at this point he’s definitely worth the gamble, even if he’s half an Ohtani at twice the weight.
#16- Banacolates- James Triantos, OF, Cubs- Jeff continues to laud the high school class, and after missing out on a number of sweet, sweet high floor college bats in the middle to late round, begrudgingly takes a Chicago Cub with a 60 hit tool here, which I’m sure he’s heartbroken about.
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