2018 MLB Mock Draft: End of Season Edition
What a slog. After what was arguably one of the more interesting Septembers, and for that matter, seasons, it’s finally time to start thinking about next season.
The Detroit Tigers sold off most, if not all assets to indicate a full on rebuild, and as a result secured the number one pick, beating out the San Francisco Giants by virtue of their 2016 record. The Tigers are picking first for the second time in team history, the first being 1997 when they took Matt Anderson. The Giants, on the other hand will pick second for the first time since 1985, when they grabbed Golden Spikes winner Will Clark.
This is an especially interesting draft due to the amount of talent that is available. What’s even more interesting is the fact that for the last time, teams that sign a Qualifying Offer player will lose their highest draft pick. This system will change in 2019 when the new draft compensation rules take place.
So who goes where in this first edition of the mock? As always, the first mock of the year will be a list mock only. Picks will be judged by organizational depth, with tendencies occasionally factored in. Choices are based (mostly) on Baseball America rankings, but will be changed in the December mock when MLB Pipeline’s top 50 draft prospects come out.
Oh, and here’s a real special twist. Instead of photos, there will be video. Welcome to 2018.
- Detroit Tigers: Brady Singer, RHP, Florida
2. San Francisco Giants: Brice Turang, SS, Santiago HS, California
3. Philadelphia Phillies: Shane McClanahan, RHP, South Florida
4. Chicago White Sox: Ethan Hankins, RHP, Forsyth Central HS, Georgia
5. Cincinnati Reds: Nick Madrigal, 2B, Oregon State
6. New York Mets: Seth Beer, OF, Clemson
7. San Diego Padres: Jarred Kelenic, OF, Waukesha West HS, Wisconsin
8. Atlanta Braves: Kumar Rocker, RHP, North Oconee HS, Georgia
9. Oakland A’s: Luken Baker, 1B, TCU
10. Pittsburgh Pirates: Will Banfield, C, Brookwood HS, Georgia
11. Baltimore Orioles: Nolan Gorman, 3B, Sandra Day O’Connor HS, Arizona
12. Toronto Blue Jays: Matt Liberatore, LHP, Mountain Ridge HS, Arizona
13. Miami Marlins: Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn
14. Seattle Mariners: Ryan Rolison, LHP, Mississippi
15. Texas Rangers: Jeremy Eierman, 3B, Missouri State
16. Tampa Bay Rays: Ryan Weathers, LHP, Loretto HS, Tennessee
17. Los Angeles Angels: Nander De Sedas, SS, Montverde Academy, Florida
18. Kansas City Royals: Griffin Conine, OF, Duke
19. St. Louis Cardinals: Triston Casas, 1B, American Heritage HS, Florida
20. Minnesota Twins: Greyson Jenista, 1B, Wichita State
21. Milwaukee Brewers: Konnor Pilkington, LHP, Mississippi State
22. Colorado Rockies: Travis Swaggerty, OF, South Alabama
23. New York Yankees: Tim Cate, LHP, UConn
24. Chicago Cubs: Tristan Pompey, OF, Kentucky
25. Arizona Diamondbacks: Joe Gray Jr. OF, Hattiesburg HS, Mississippi
26. Boston Red Sox: Jackson Kowar, RHP, Florida
27. Washington Nationals: Joey Bart, C, Georgia Tech
28. Houston Astros: Luke Bartnicki, LHP, Walton HS, Georgia
29. Cleveland Indians: Steven Gingery, LHP, Texas Tech
30. Los Angeles Dodgers: Jonathan India, 3B, Florida
And with that, the first mock is complete. Stay tuned in December for when Mock Draft 2.0 comes out. Expect the normal writeup style and photos.
