2016 MLB Mock Draft: Penultimate Edition

The 2016 MLB draft is almost here, and it’s looking to be one of the more interesting ones in terms of talent. With the prep season really starting to take shape, a lot of high school players are making the case to be first rounders, and as the college season gets close to winding down, those who have performed well are starting to separate from those who haven’t.

This month’s mock differs from the past couple mocks because there will be competitive balance selections. There will be no explanations this time around, as personal reasons prevent me from devoting much time to this particular mock. With that being said, let’s begin the penultimate edition of the 2016 MLB mock draft.

1. Philadelphia Phillies: AJ Puk, LHP, Florida

2. Cincinnati Reds: Kyle Lewis, OF, Mercer

3. Atlanta Braves: Nick Senzel, 3B, Tennessee

4. Colorado Rockies: Blake Rutherford, OF, Chaminade College Prep, California

5. Milwaukee Brewers: Jason Groome, LHP, Barnegat HS, New Jersey

6. Oakland A’s: Corey Ray, OF, Louisville

7. Miami Marlins: Dakota Hudson, RHP, Mississippi State

8. San Diego Padres: Riley Pint, RHP, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Kansas

9. Detroit Tigers: Braxton Garrett, LHP, Florence HS, Alabama

10. Chicago White Sox: Mickey Moniak, OF, La Costa Canyon HS, California

11. Seattle Mariners: Delvin Perez, SS, International Baseball Academy, Puerto Rico

12. Boston Red Sox: Joey Wentz, LHP, Shawnee East Mission HS, Kansas

13. Tampa Bay Rays: Will Craig, 1B/3B, Wake Forest

14. Cleveland Indians: Zack Collins, C/1B/DH, Miami

15. Minnesota Twins: Forrest Whitley, RHP, Alamo Heights HS, Texas

16. Los Angeles Angels: Ian Anderson, RHP, Shendandehowa HS, New York

17, Houston Astros: Matt Thaiss, C, Virginia

18. New York Yankees: Connor Jones, RHP, Virginia

19. New York Mets: Anthony Kay, LHP, UConn

20. Los Angeles Dodgers: Alex Kirilloff, OF, Plum HS, Pennsylvania

21. Toronto Blue Jays: Buddy Reed, OF, Florida

22. Pittsburgh Pirates: Jordan Sheffield, RHP, Vanderbilt

23. St. Louis Cardinals: Bryan Reynolds, OF, Vanderbilt

COMPENSATORY SELECTIONS:

24. San Diego Padres: Josh Lowe, 3B/RHP, Pope HS, Georgia

25. San Diego Padres: Eric Lauer, LHP, Kent State

26. Chicago White Sox: Chris Okey, C, Clemson

27. Baltimore Orioles: Nolan Jones, 3B, Holy Ghost Prep, Pennsylvania

28. Washington Nationals: Matt Manning, RHP, Sheldon HS, California

29. Washington Nationals: Carter Kieboom, 3B, Walton HS, Georgia

30. Texas Rangers: Cal Quantrill, RHP, Stanford

31. New York Mets: Drew Mendoza, 3B, Lake Minneola HS, Florida

32. Los Angeles Dodgers: Kyle Muller, LHP, Jesuit College Prep, Texas

33. St. Louis Cardinals: Will Benson, 1B/OF, Westminster Schools, Georgia

34. St. Louis Cardinals: Robert Tyler, RHP, Georgia

COMPETITIVE BALANCE PICKS

35. Cincinnati Reds: Zack Burdi, RHP, Louisville

36. Los Angeles Dodgers: Anfernee Grier, OF, Auburn

37. Oakland A’s: Daulton Jefferies, RHP, California

38. Colorado Rockies: Joe Rizzo, 3B, Oakton HS, Virginia

39. Arizona Diamondbacks: Matt Krook, LHP, Oregon

40. Atlanta Braves: Pete Alonso, 1B, Florida

41. Pittsburgh Pirates: TJ Zeuch, RHP, Pittsburgh