Rem’s Mock Draft

It’s Mock Draft SZN, right?

1. Danimals- Tatsuya Imai- Do I think Dan traded for this pick with someone in mind? No. Do I think he’ll be thrilled with taking a lesser version of recent Japanese imports with #1 overall? No. Do I think it’ll still work out for Dan in the end, and Imai will be even better than advertised? Yes. Am I bitter? Also Yes.
2. G.I. Zo’s-Dax Kilby- Despite being picked 39th IRL, Kilby seems to be the hot hot hottest prospect name in this draft, with loads of upside meeting immediate production in his pro debut. Entirely possible Zobrack looks to go win-now as he’s shaking up his roster and figuring out hopefully the latter half of his rebuild, so he could go with a Japanese slugger here, but Kilby won’t fall far.
3. G.I. Zo’s- Kazuma Okamoto- Oh, that’s right, he has two picks in the top three. Again, it’ll be interesting to see what he does with both picks, but I think he could balance them out, with a win-now, win-later type proposition, especially with more picks later in the round to scoop up more young talent. Worst case is he takes Okamoto(or Imai) and flips him later, as he’s done before.
4. The Big Units- Kade Anderson- It’ll be interesting to see Carroll & Giles’ direction as well, as they need talent, period, whether it’s at the major or minor league level, I think a college pitcher is a good bet for them, and there’s plenty to choose from, I’ll go with Anderson as the top dog, even though it’s a similar pick to Emerson Hanpenis, which hasn’t gone swimmingly for The Units.
5. Bloop and a Blast- Eli Willits- Ross has done a great job or stockpiling picks to start his rebuild, now it’s time to start stockpiling young talent. Might as well swing for the fences on potential with Willits, and hope that he’s another National #1 that lives up to the hype.
6. Bloop and a Blast- Jojo Parker- Same story here, as having two of the top prep shortstops in the draft isn’t a bad way to go when you’re building a farm. He could mix in a pitcher here, but both Parker and Willits will be top-half first rounders for sure.
7. Nellamaniacs- Munetaka Murakami- Nelly is kind of always in win-now mode, and having a potential lineup fixture available at #7 might be too good to pass up here. Personally, I see Murakami as more Byung Ho Park than Hideki Matsui, but that’s just me, and I’ve been wrong about a lot of things, like when
8. Baby Seals- Liam Doyle- Fred needs pitching help yesterday, and grabbing a very high ceiling starter that could move into the majors quickly seems to be a recurring pattern for Fred’s drafts. Doyle might not be Paul Skenes, but he could be a hell of a compliment, and the Cards need an impact starter like the desert needs the rain.
9. Banocolates- Aiva Arquette- High floor, bat first college middle infielder? Check. Jeff is probably already touching himself to the thought of landing Arquette, and this draft class doesn’t have a plethora of college shortstops to begin with, so it’s probably a smart snag, as those are a premium.
10. Fajita Eaters- Jamie Arnold- College lefty pitcher with a Plus slider and Plus changeup? Sign me up. I’m tempted by either Hernandez here, honestly, but might just lean towards the safer bet in the hopes of it bolstering my major league team sooner than later. Tyler Brenmer is also high on my list, but I don’t trust the Angels development, and neither should you.
11. G.I. Zo’s- Ethan Holliday- Holliday is a high risk/reward pick here, and being drafted by the Rockies is both a blessing and curse for a hitter. I think there’s still enough potential here to entice a CPL owner in the first round to swing for the fences and hope his brother’s debut doesn’t detract anyone.
12. Pro Bowlers- Ethan Conrad- Pat is no stranger to drafting elite talent, and Conrad could be a good value here, as he could produce across all categories in short order after slipping slightly in the draft due to a shoulder injury. Pat could very well opt for a pitcher here, as the college crop is pretty solid.
13. Danimals- Seth Hernandez- Hernandez could very easily be the best pitcher in this draft in terms of current stuff and his upside is undeniable. Dan can also see this, so I’m betting it’s just too much ceiling to pass on with multiple firsts, yet again, this year. If Dan drafts this kid, buy his futures immediately.
14. G.I. Zo’s- Steele Hall- The uber-athletic Hall will be another blue chip to Zobrack’s stack of young exciting shortstops, rivaling Ross’ draft haul. Sounds like he’s got a Bobby Witt starter kit, and though that’s an absurdly high comp to put on anyone, it’s also a reason to take a chance on him.
15. Danimals- Luis Hernandez- The same sentiments for Seth go for Luis, as with any J15 player, they could very well end up being the best player in the draft when it’s all said and done, albeit with astronomical risk along the way. But Dan has 47 first round picks this year, so he’s got many, many swings at the potential pinata.
16. Bloop and a Blast- Johenssy Colome- Same principles driving Dan’s draft risks apply to Ross, as he has a pile of picks to acquire some very, very high end talent, and you’ve got to shoot for the moon on a few of those picks. Colome might have the best power in this J15 crop, and that’s always an attractive profile when you’re taking a chance on a young fellow.