2018 MLB Mock Draft: Spring Training Edition
College and high school baseball have both started, and spring training is completing its first week. MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 prospects by team list has been unveiled for all organizations, and, oh wait, baseball is back! Yes, it’s time again for a mock draft, and for this one, we’re trying something a little different. First of all, the name of the pick will be revealed before the explanation. Second, instead of an essay, there will be a brief summary of statistics (If available) and a mini summary explaining what the player has done and how they fit in the organization.
As usual, same rules apply. Picks are judged based on organizational strength, tendencies will not be considered unless they are already known, if nobody is a clear fit, then best player available takes the tiebreaker.
Here we go.
Detroit Tigers: Shane McClanahan, LHP, South Florida
Stats: 2 wins, 1 loss, 0.00 ERA, 32 Strikeouts .129 BA (Opp)
McClanahan has been nothing short of dominant, and without him, South Florida’s first season under Billy Mohl would be putrid. Detroit could take some lessons from the 2010 White Sox who took a lefty quasi-sidearmer out of a smaller Florida school.
San Francisco Giants: Matt Liberatore, LHP, Mountain Ridge HS, Arizona
Stats: 1 win, 1.00 ERA, 14 strikeouts, .136 BA (Opp)
Liberatore impressed in his first start, and scouts are gushing about his advanced pitching ability. In a system that has been drastically gutted for a last shot at the World Series, Liberatore represents a fresh start when the current core reaches the twilight of their careers.
Philadelphia Phillies: Ryan Rolison, LHP, Mississippi
Stats: 2 wins, 0.90 ERA, 21 Strikeouts, .118 BA (Opp)
Rolison has been especially dominant to start his second, and likely final season with the Rebels. He projects as an ace, and in a young rotation like Philly’s that doesn’t have a dominating southpaw, he may be what stands between a true shot at competing with the Nationals and Mets, and another year at the bottom of the NL East with Miami.
Chicago White Sox: Brice Turang, SS, Santiago High School, California
Stats: Unavailable
Turang may fall farther due to prospect fatigue, he’s been on the radar since his freshman year of high school, but the Sox are no stranger to grabbing talented middle infielders. The question is, is he a pro shortstop?
Cincinnati Reds: Ethan Hankins, RHP, Forsyth Central High School, Georgia
Stats: Unavailable
Hankins has shown both his golden arm and surprisingly, a bat. His season has been slowed a bit due to a shoulder issue, but his potential is high enough that a tumble out of the top 3 is probably the worst thing that could happen. Plus imagine a rotation with Hunter Greene and Hankins in it. That would actually be very scary.
New York Mets: Brady Singer, RHP, Florida
Stats: 3 wins, 2.84 ERA, 17 strikeouts, .263 BA (Opp)
It may be too late to save the Five Horsemen rotation that the Mets had long expected to carry them to multiple postseason berths, but they could still grab a Tier 1 starter to at least provide some continuity. Brady Singer’s had a decent start to the season, but he hasn’t been as dominant as expected. Working with a pitching guru like Mickey Callaway and Dave Eiland may bring back some of that ace mojo for this young and wiry grinder.
San Diego Padres: Nolan Gorman, 3B, Sandra Day O’Connor HS, Arizona
Stats: .364 BA, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 Hits
The league’s best farm system adds the best bat in the country. Gorman’s got the power to be a dangerous hitter in the warm air of San Diego, but he does need some work on fine tuning other aspects of his game. Still, he represents a great upgrade over Chase Headley, who would likely be hanging up his spikes by the time Gorman is ready.
Atlanta Braves: Travis Swaggerty, OF, South Alabama
Stats: .367 BA, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 11 Hits
2017’s Small School Summer Star has not swooned this spring, picking up right where he left off last season. His bat and his speed would be terrific complements to Ronald Acuna, who is currently making as great a case as he possibly can to be on the 25 man roster. Swaggerty in right field would make for an excellent defensive configuration for the Braves.
Oakland Athletics: Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn
Stats: 3 wins, 3.31 ERA, 25 strikeouts, .179 BA (Opp)
Mize has been a key part of Auburn Baseball’s best start in team history. He’d be a nice righthanded complement to A’s ace AJ Puk, who is expected to make his big league debut this season. In a year where there are as many as 6 dominating ace types in the SEC, Mize could make a case to be the top one if he improves his stats.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Joey Bart, C, Georgia Tech
Stats: .314 BA, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 11 hits
Bart may not even be the best hitter on his team, but that doesn’t matter considering how scorching the Georgia Tech offense is. Much like fellow alum Matt Wieters, Bart’s 10 year veteran mentality would work wonders with a young and upcoming Pirates staff, and in a rebuilding period, he will be counted on to be a leader. His defense also earns points as well.
Baltimore Orioles: Nander de Sedas, SS, Montverde Academy Florida
Stats: .154 BA, 4 RBI, 4 H
de Sedas’s slow start should be a cause for concern, but it’s early enough in the season for him to right the ship and become the HAPS prospect he was projected to be this season. If not, Baltimore would be a nice landing spot, and depending on how he develops, perhaps he could be coaxed out of the middle infield. If he doesn’t get out of the tailspin, expect him to honor his commitment to Florida State.
Toronto Blue Jays: Triston Casas, 1B, American Heritage School, Florida
Stats: .429 BA, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 Hits
Casas has exploded this spring for the Patriots, and like Turang, has been on the radar for quite some time. Having reclassified as a senior, it’s clear that he’s way ahead of his peers. Casas would be a solid successor to incumbent first baseman Justin Smoak, and his power would greatly translate to Rogers Centre.
Miami Marlins: Nick Madrigal, 2B/SS, Oregon State
Stats: .560 BA, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 14 hits (injured)
Madrigal was injured back in February when he broke his wrist sliding home. While his recovery time has been estimated to be four weeks, it’s possible that he will come back and continue as he was. That being said, wrist injuries can have an impact on a swing, and though Madrigal is not a power hitter, he could see his stats regress upon his return. Given Miami’s willingness to sell off Starlin Castro, plus Madrigal’s advanced game, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for Madrigal, should he be drafted, to be penciled in the lineup by 2019, or even at the end of 2018.
Seattle Mariners: Ryan Weathers, LHP, Loretto HS, Tennessee
Stats: 1 Win, 0.70 ERA, 18 strikeouts, 0.40 WHIP
Weathers’ strong start at Loretto bodes well for him, especially in a class that is churning out pitchers. A tier 2 starter, he’s not overpowering, but he fits the role of workhorse innings eater and would likely be a nice mid rotation piece for the Mariners. Weathers’ baseball pedigree also works in his favor.
Texas Rangers: Alec Bohm, 3B, Wichita State
Stats: .522 BA, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 12 Hits
Wichita State’s two best players are both in consideration for the first round of the draft, and while many have said that Greyson Jenista is better, Bohm is having a much better start. Bohm may not be as defensively adept as his potential predecessor, but he does have the offensive upside to compensate. Still, the Rangers could use a contingency plan for Adrian Beltre, who while he’s earned every dollar of his contract, is definitely getting closer to the end of his career.
Tampa Bay Rays: Jackson Kowar, RHP, Florida
Stats: 2 wins, 2.77 ERA, 13 strikeouts, .224 BA (Opp)
Kowar has had a statistically better season than his teammate Brady Singer, but he still profiles as a number 2 starter. For a team like the Rays who are looking to rebuild, Kowar represents a nice distraction from the fact that everything seems to be going wrong at the same time. Kowar could be fast tracked to the majors, and be up about the time that Brent Honeywell is ready to make his major league debut, but he’d also be a nice complement to newly acquired Anthony Banda.
Los Angeles Angels: Mason Denaburg, RHP, Merritt Island HS, Florida
Stats: Unavailable
Denaburg has been drawing rave reviews so far thanks in part to his 99 mph fastball. Considering the Angels now have a long term plan, investing in a high school pitcher like Denaburg would actually make since. He and Jordon Adell could concievably make an impact in 2021–22, right about the time that Shohei Ohtani hits the beginning of his prime.
Kansas City Royals: Kumar Rocker, RHP, North Oconee HS, Georgia
Stats: 2 wins, 0.30 ERA, 39 K’s, 0.39 WHIP
Rocker’s been electric this spring, and video highlights have shown that he has the stuff that originally pegged him as the top arm in the class. Still. Rocker needs to be consistent if he wants to move back up the draft boards. If not, the Royals will have themselves an intriguing arm that can add some bite back in the rotation.
St. Louis Cardinals: Konnor Pilkington, LHP, Mississippi State
Stats: 1 Win, 1 Loss, 1.69 ERA, 23 Strikeouts, .217 BA (Opp)
In spite of losing his head coach, Pilkington has done nothing but be solid for the Bulldogs this season. His most recent start against Louisiana was a 13 strikeout gem which was only tarnished by a no-decision. Still, Pilkington would benefit from the Cardinal Way, and considering his former teammate Dakota Hudson is already in the Cardinals system, it would be hard not to envision him being part of a future Cardinals rotation.
Minnesota Twins: Luken Baker, 1B/DH, TCU
Stats: .375 BA, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 9 Hits
Baker was dealt a tough blow early in the season when he got knocked out of a game after a ball hit him in the face, but he’s clearly moved past that and remains a dangerous presence in the Frog lineup. With the Twins, he would be a great successor for Joe Mauer once he finally decides to hang up his spikes.
Milwaukee Brewers: Jarred Kelenic, OF, Waukesha West HS, Wisconsin
Stats: Unavailable
Kelenic made a smart decision in deciding to play for a travel team his senior year, especially considering Wisconsin and amateur baseball are very strange bedfellows. Still, it is going to be very hard to track his performance considering travel team stats are not inputted on Maxpreps or Perfect Game. So for now, as long as Kelenic is going the Brandon Nimmo route, this site is going to be conservative on him and say that he will fall to his home state Brewers.
Colorado Rockies: Trevor Larnach, OF, Oregon State
Stats: .484 BA, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 15 hits
Larnach has seen his stock rise since the beginning of the year, and with Nick Madrigal on the mend, he’s going to have ample opportunity to show he belongs in the first round conversation. With his power numbers and contact numbers, he comes off as an ideal fit and candidate to succeed Gerardo Parra when his contract runs out.
New York Yankees: Luke Bartnicki, LHP, Walton HS, Georgia
Stats: 1 Win, 0.00 ERA, 10 Strikeouts, 1.33 WHIP
Bartnicki is admittedly raw, but there is potential for him to become a hard throwing ace. For now, he does need to focus on either becoming a contact pitcher or be more dominating. With the Yankees, who can have their cake and eat it too with a devastating lineup and a top 3 system, they can afford to work on a project.
Chicago Cubs: Carter Stewart, RHP, Eau Galle HS, Florida
Stats: 1 Win, 2.60 ERA, 14 Strikeouts, 1.13 WHIP
Stewart has drawn considerable attention to himself since last summer and was recently the focus of Baseball America’s MLB draft notebook highlighting rising and falling stock. Stewart’s velocity has bumped up to 98, giving him the potential to be an ace. In a system like Chicago’s, which is one of the worst in the league, it may be a good idea to develop a prep starter, and if Stewart were to fall this far, they could possibly make him into their next homegrown ace.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Tim Cate, LHP, UConn
Stats: 1 Win, 2 Losses, 4.08 ERA, 23 Strikeouts, .238 BA (opp.)
Slow start aside, if the Diamondbacks are to go after a lefthanded pitcher, they’re better off with a Uconn starter like Cate. UConn has quietly built itself up as a small talent factory, and Cate could be the next in an emerging line of starters, going back to Matt Barnes. Plus, Cate would benefit from fellow Husky Nick Ahmed on the field.
Boston Red Sox: Will Banfield, C, Brookwood HS, Georgia
Stats: Unavailable
Banfield’s reputation as the best arm in the class comparable to Yadier Molina certainly will do him favors. If the other elements of his game can catch up, he could be one of the best catching prospects since Buster Posey. For a team like Boston, they could use a solid catcher to call the games, something they’ve lacked for a while.
Washington Nationals: Sean Hjelle, RHP, Kentucky
Stats: 3 Wins, 0.92 ERA, 18 Strikeouts, .125 BA (Opp)
Hjelle’s strong start to the spring comes after Tristan Pompey went down to injury, putting all the focus on him in the interim. The Nationals may look set for the long run in the pitching department, but Erick Fedde is a wild card and Seth Romero is not even a year removed from being kicked off his college team due to disciplinary issues. Hjelle would be a solid starter on a team that will have plenty of questions in the future.
Houston Astros: Noah Naylor, C, St. Joan of Arc SS, Canada
Stats: Unavailable
Like Kelenic, finding stats for Canada’s top baseball talent is going to be a challenge, but Naylor does possess the ability to perform under the bright lights, having won the 2017 high school home run derby. His pedegree also makes him an intriguing prospect, and even if he does not stick behind the dish, he could still make a strong case to be a big masher in the AL.
Cleveland Indians: Greyson Jenista, OF/1B, Wichita State
Stats: .294 BA, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 10 Hits
Jenista surged this past weekend and showed the sneaky power potential that scouts were unsure would develop. Right now, he is behind his teammate Alec Bohm, but if he continues to have games like he did against Nebraska, he will jump back into the top half of this draft. Considering the state of the Indians outfield,
Los Angeles Dodgers: Jonathan India, 3B, Florida
Stats: .343 BA, 4 RBI, 12 hits
India has seen his stock rise a bit as his profile as a contact first third baseman has really shown through. He’s also shown tremendous patence at the plate with 9 walks. India would be a perfect successor to Justin Turner once he finishes out his contract.
COMPENSATORY PICKS
Kansas City Royals: Logan Gilbert, RHP, Stetson
Stats: 2 Wins, 3.72 ERA, 33 strikeouts, .203 BA (Opp)
Gilbert hasn’t been as dominant as expected this year, but his high strikeout total through the first 3 weeks of college baseball do bode well for him in keeping him in the first round. If he can blow through the Atlantic Sun, he will go higher in this draft, but for now, he’s holding steady as a bottom half pitcher. The Royals could definitely double dip at righthanded pitcher and repopulate their flagging farm system.
Tampa Bay Rays: Seth Beer, 1B/OF/DH, Clemson
Stats: .278 BA 3 HR, 7 RBI, 10 Hits
Even though Seth Beer’s numbers haven’t exploded like they did when he was a freshman, one has to admire Beer’s dedication to becoming a better all-around player. Right now, the industry is down on him because of his poor wood bat track record, but if he can show he’s more than a hitter, then he may just sneak back into the first round. Beer would certainly generate excitement for a team that has sold off most of their major assets.
Kansas City Royals: Blaine Knight, RHP, Arkansas
Stats: 2 Wins, 0.53 ERA, 15 Strikeouts .190 BA (Opp)
Knight’s had a strong start for the Razorbacks, albeit not as strong as many of his SEC contemporaries. Still, his stuff is what makes him a solid prospect, and despite his slight frame, he’s still got one of the more powerful fastballs in college. The Royals could use this draft to build a strong pitching system in a year where pitching is plentiful.
Cleveland Indians: Austin Becker, RHP, Big Walnut HS, Ohio
Stats: 1 Win, 1.60 ERA, 14 Strikeouts, 1.69 WHIP
Becker, who is a half an hour away from Cleveland’s AAA affiliate, is a projectable righthander who looks ready to compete at the next level. While Ohio isn’t a hotbed of baseball talent, his dominant summer and solid start to the season bodes well for him. The Indians would get a lot of goodwill in drafting an in-state product like Becker, and he would make for a very good contingency plan when it comes to outgoing free agent pitchers.
CB LOTTERY PICKS
Pittsburgh Pirates: Kris Bubic, LHP, Stanford
Stats: 2 Wins, 1.56 ERA, 18 Strikeouts, .190 BA (Opp)
If anyone can figure out the disconnect between Stanford pitchers and professional baseball it’s the Pirates with Ray Searage. Incidentally, 2013 first overall pick and major bust Mark Appel was a first round pick of the Pirates in 2012. Bubic is not Appel, and his junior season, while not as dominant as his sophomore year is decent enough for him to be in the late first round conversation.
Baltimore Orioles: Mike Vasil, RHP, Boston College High School
Stats: Unavailable
Vasil’s big body and the fact that he pitches in New England makes him an intriguing option. New England has produced admirable major league talent and Vasil would make a nice add to a rotation that could potentially hold Hunter Harvey, Cody Sedlock and D.L. Hall in the future.
San Diego Padres: Connor Scott, OF, H.B. Plant HS, Florida
Stats: Unavailable
If the Padres grab both Nolan Gorman and Connor Scott, who is regarded as a potential five tool talent in the draft, they will make out like bandits. Scott comes from the same school as Astros top prospect Kyle Tucker, and it’s clear that Tucker is a special player. One would imagine that Scott has that type of potential.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Cadyn Grenier, SS/2B, Oregon State
Stats: .318 BA, 7 RBI, 13 hits
In Nick Madrigal’s absence, the second half of Oregon State’s dynamic middle infield will have the opportunity to show that he deserves as much attention as his contemporary. Grenier has a stronger defensive profile, but like Madrigal, could be shifted over to the right side of the infield. For Arizona, Grenier provides solid contact and gold glove caliber defense.
Kansas City Royals: Jordan Groshans, 3B/SS, Magnolia HS, Texas
Stats: Unavailable
In an unusually thin year for Texas prep talent, Groshans represents the best options in a year that’s down on corner infield talent. Groshans is a prep shortstop, but it’s scout consensus that he makes a better pro third baseman. Kansas City’s last homegrown third baseman may still be in the free agent market, but it’s unlikely he’ll be back, and Groshans would be an upgrade over Cheslor Cuthbert when he’s ready. It also helps that his brother Jaxx is playing a half an hour away from Kansas City at the University of Kansas.
Cleveland Indians: Tristan Pompey, OF, Kentucky
Stats: .500 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 11 hits (Injured)
Pompey slides in this mock due to injury, but he’s performed well enough early on that he can still get back and perform his way back in. The Indians reinforce their outfield with a dynamic left fielder who can change the game with his speed.
Colorado Rockies: Tanner Dodson, OF/RHP, California
Stats: .356 BA, 6 RBI, 16 hits, 1.69 ERA, 6 strikeouts, .200 BA (OPP)
The preseason favorite for the John Olerud Award given to best two-way player, Dodson has been limited to relief on the mound, but has still been deadly enough at the plate. If MLB starts a trend towards being more accepting of two-way players, Dodson could play a critical role as both a left fielder and a reliever on the Rockies.
St. Louis Cardinals: Anthony Siegler, C/BHP, Cartersville HS, Georgia
Stats: Unavailable
Not since Pat Venditte in 2008 has there been a legitimate ambidextrous pitching talent. Siegler is versatile on the mound, and also plays a switch hitting catcher. Given the Cardinals’ commitment to building their team through a strong farm system, having someone who can both throw and bat with both hands would give them a competitive advantage.
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And with that, we are done with this edition of the mock draft. Stay tuned for April’s mock, which will coincide with MLB Pipeline’s expanded top 100 draft prospect list.
