2019 MLB Mock Draft: Penultimate Edition
It’s almost June, so you know that means the Penultimate Edition of the Minor League Madhouse mock draft is finally here! With the college and prep seasons winding down, all that’s left to do is play the tournaments, which means another round of figuring out whose stock is rising more and whose is falling more. Anyway, same rules apply, picks are done either by best fit or team tendency. Have at it.
Baltimore Orioles: Adley Rutschman, C
What else is there to say about Adley Rutschman to Baltimore? It would take a major slump, signability concerns or a major smokescreen, all of which seem like major long shots to happen for the Birds to go after anyone but him.
Kansas City Royals: Bobby Witt Jr., SS
Yet another case of “That’s Obvious”, Witt to Kansas City has been probably the second most consistent draft rumor, and rightfully so. The fact that Witt hasn’t suffered from prospect fatigue is impressive in and of itself.
Chicago White Sox: Andrew Vaughn, 1B
This is where things start to get less certain, as the White Sox could go for the Golden Spikes Award winner, the NCAA Home Run leader, or the toolsy Georgia prep shortstop. Vaughn represents the safest option even though he has slumped as of late, and he represents a contingency plan in the increasingly likely instance that Jose Abreu leaves.
Miami Marlins: CJ Abrams, SS
This one really comes down to how much patience the Marlins have with Lewis Brinson and whether or not they want to be the front runner in the Spencer Torkelson sweepstakes in 2020. Abrams is also a contingency pick as Miguel Rojas will be 34 or 35 when he’s major league ready. His toolsiness could really sway the Marlins brass.
Detroit Tigers: Riley Greene, OF/1B
If CJ Abrams falls to 5, expect the Tigers to scoop him up, but in this scenario, the Tigers pivot to one of the top prep bats. Greene’s shown improved defense this spring, but is still projected to be a corner outfielder. That being said, his power potential could make him an ideal candidate to be a middle of the order bat in a lineup still trying to figure out its identity.
San Diego Padres: JJ Bleday, OF
This is the latest I imagine Bleday will be picked as he could be in play as early as the third pick. That being said, the Padres could use Bleday’s power, which has really come out in full force this spring. Plus, I’m a sucker for NECBL alums, even if they came from Newport.
Cincinnati Reds: Nick Lodolo, LHP
Being the best pitcher in the worst pitching class in years is not exactly the proudest accomplishment, but Nick Lodolo outdueling Alek Manoah cemented his status as the likeliest candidate to be the first pitcher off the board. While he hasn’t had the college career that everyone envisioned after he turned down the Pirates in 2016, he’s still the safest pitcher in this draft.
Texas Rangers: Bryson Stott, SS
Stott’s calling card is his jack-of-all-trades mentality, and he really can hold his own at the shortstop position. If scouts are concerned about his ability to transition to pro shortstop, the Rangers could plug him in as a third baseman.
Atlanta Braves: Hunter Bishop, OF
The emergence of multiple prep and college outfielders as legit first round possibilities ensures that the Braves are in a position to land one of them in the first round. Bishop’s outstanding spring has catapulted him into top 10 territory, and the fact that he is performing better than the consensus top 2020 prospect speaks volumes about how impressive he has been.
San Francisco Giants: Zack Thompson, LHP
In any other draft, Thompson would probably be lower on the board, but the weak pitching class ensures he at least has an outside shot to land in the top 10. Despite injury concerns, he was able to deliver a solid spring, and he’d be reunited with former college teammate Sean Hjelle if picked by the Giants.
Toronto Blue Jays: Corbin Carroll, OF
Could the Blue Jays miss Kevin Pillar enough to grab a Pillar-like centerfielder in Carroll? Possibly. Even though Carroll’s body has been the subject of speculation, he’s yet another example of a pint sized hustler that has really taken MLB by storm and outproduced in recent years.
New York Mets: Shea Langeliers, C
If Corbin Carroll is gone, the Mets would be wise to grab the second best catcher in the class. Langeliers originally saw his stock drop due to an early season injury, but has since rebounded and put together a solid junior campaign for Baylor. He’d represent a major upgrade over Wilson Ramos, who’s looking like his better days are behind him, and Thomas Nido, who’s looking more like Jacob deGrom’s personal catcher at best.
Minnesota Twins: Josh Jung, 3B
Jung’s spring dropped him from the top 10, but his power is still impressive enough to be at least a first round pick, if not first half. Minnesota’s lineup performs best with big mashers, and Marwin Gonzalez being pidgeonholed at third base isn’t a recipe for success. Jung would be a solid contingency plan for when Nelson Cruz inevitably retires.
Philadelphia Phillies: Jackson Rutledge, RHP
It’s a testament to the weakness of the class when a pitcher with an easy throwing motion from a junior college is considered a helium prospect. Still, Rutledge is arguably the best right handed pitcher available, and being available at 14 would be a dream for the Phillies, who could use another young workhorse starter to complement the explosive offense.
Los Angeles Angels: Alek Manoah, RHP
My biggest complaint about the Angels is that they need pitching in order to supplement Mike Trout’s value. Had Nick Lodolo not outpitched Manoah, he’d be in consideration for the top pitcher spot, but the big righty could still go higher than here.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Matt Allan, RHP
Arizona will clean up well in this year’s draft with the amount of picks they have in the top 100, and they could easily get multiple prep athetes with the amount of bonus money. Allan has cemented his status as the top prep arm in the draft and could get the money he wants if picked here.
Washington Nationals: Kameron Misner, 3B
The Nats love them some damaged goods, and while Misner hasn’t had Tommy John surgery, his performance in conference play has tanked his stock from top 10 lock to mid first round pick. Misner’s bat is still dangerous, and he is capable of manning first base, center field, or a corner, which makes him a perfect future heir to Adam Eaton and an ideal complement to Victor Robles and Juan Soto.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Daniel Espino, RHP
Espino’s stock has fluctuated from top 10 pick to late first round because of his mechanics and scouts getting wise to pitchers like him, but if there’s any team that can figure him out and maximize their return on him, it’s the Pirates. He’d thrive with Ray Searage’s tutelage.
St. Louis Cardinals: Quinn Priester, RHP
There’s a certain irony in the Cardinals drafting an Illinois preparer, but Priester represents a higher ceiling than the pitchers that they currently have in their rotation. With that being said, the Cardinals would love a kid like him because of where he is now and where he could be in the future. If he fills out a bit more, he could be a dangerous ace level starter.
Seattle Mariners: Will Wilson, 2B
The Dee Gordons of the world are not meant to be long term investments, and the Mariners could use a player like Wilson, who while slower, definitely is more handsy and versatile. Wilson’s power potential is a nice bonus as well and would allow him to be a decent middle to bottom of the order threat.
Atlanta Braves: Hunter Barco, LHP
Do the Braves need more pitching? I think not, but knowing Alex Anthopolous he’ll definitely find a reason to grab a pitcher at pick 21. Barco is probably going to be a tough sign, and the Braves can be optimistic that maybe the outfielder they take at 9 is going to sign for below slot to accomodate him.
Tampa Bay Rays: Maurice Hampton, OF
Hampton’s going to be a tough sign because of his football commitment to Tennessee, but Tampa Bay has shown that they are willing to throw big money at big time prospects before. His toolsiness will play well in the outfield.
Colorado Rockies: Brennan Malone, RHP
This is probably the riskiest pick in terms of bolting for college, but the Rockies could be appealing for Malone with Bud Black flipping the old “Colorado is a pitcher’s hell” script.
Cleveland Indians: Michael Busch, 1B/2B/OF
Busch is one of those “feel right” picks in that his versatility is consistent with today’s “Fill multiple spots” mindset. His bat is great and the fact that he can play second base makes him a solid fit for the Indians.
Los Angeles Dodgers: George Kirby, RHP
Kirby will probably be gone before the Dodgers pick, but they’d have to be out of their minds to let a talented, yet still work-in-progress pitcher like Kirby pass them. He’s got a great fastball and a full arsenal, but he needs to use his secondary pitches if he wants to show he can be an ace level starter.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Brett Baty, 3B
This scenario could possibly happen if teams are still scared off by the fact that Baty is a full year older than his contemporaries, but Baty’s raw power has teams intrigued. He’s definitely got the defense and power to be a Donaldson type slugger as a pro, and it is possible the Diamondbacks could convince him to sign for less to allow for a more expensive first rounder to sign.
Chicago Cubs: Logan Davidson, SS
I haven’t been high on Logan Davidson mainly because he represents the problem that Clemson has had the past couple years with their hitting prospects: they don’t translate well to wood, but Seth Beer’s performance so far as an Astro bodes well for Davidson. Possibly the best natural shortstop not named Bryson Stott, Davidson would make for an ideal double play partner with Nico Hoerner and would allow the Cubs to get rid of their bust/PR nightmare Addison Russell.
Milwaukee Brewers: Seth Johnson, RHP
Take this pick with a huge grain of salt, because Johnson strikes me as the type of player who has a ton of helium, but ultimately teams get scared off because he is a project after all and falls outside the first round. Johnson has tremendous potential as a starting pitcher, and in the right environment, he could be yet another example of a weak hitting college infielder making a transition to a dominating pitcher.
Oakland A’s: Davis Wendzel, 3B/OF
Wendzel represents the old moneyball approach that Billy Beane pioneered in the fact that he’s a smart offensive producer. What further adds to his value is his ability to play the field. With no truly defined position and with Matt Chapman likely stuck at his current primary position, the A’s could stick him in the outfield or behind the plate and see some decent results.
New York Yankees: John Doxakis, LHP
Doxakis needs some mechanical tinkering if he wants to raise his ceiling, but he’s got the starting point of being a doer, a solid lefty pitcher that will get outs with the stuff he has. The Yankees could use a lefty like him, whether in the rotation in the bullpen is up to them.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Kody Hoese, 3B
When you’re in the first round discussion after spending a summer in the New England Collegiate League, you know you’ve done something right. Hoese’s sudden power surge has been absolutely magnificent, and his defense is more than capable of handling the hot corner when Justin Turner calls it a career.
Houston Astros: Tyler Callihan, C/3B
I’ve said this multiple times, but Callihan would do himself a lot of good if he committed to catching full time. At worst, he becomes an offensive minded catcher or if he doesn’t stick, a DH, but his bat definitely warrants first round consideration.
COMPENSATORY PICKS:
Arizona Diamondbacks: Braden Shewmake, SS
I love Shewmake’s approach at the plate and the fact that he can be plugged anywhere in the infield and still be an asset. His body is still a bit weird, but Arizona could make good use of him as a swiss army knife type player.
Arizona Diamondbacks: TJ Sikkema, LHP
Sikkema’s another versatile player as a pitcher, having served as a starter and a reliever. His mechanics are wonky, but having him play a Seth Lugo type swingman role for Arizona would give them an advantage.
CB Picks:
Miami Marlins: Erik Miller, LHP
Miller has had a solid junior season as Stanford’s best starter, and the fact that he’s filled out makes him attractive as a late first round to CB pick. Miami could use him if he rises quickly.
Tampa Bay Rays: Blake Walston, LHP
Walston’s key is his projectability, and he could be an easier sign than Hampton. His frame should fill out as his develops in the minors, and when that happens, he’d be a solid rotation piece a few years from now.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Greg Jones, 2B/OF
Jones’s speed and projection to play in the outfield make him a strong candidate to supplant Melky Cabrera when he inevitably retires.
New York Yankees: Jack Leiter, RHP
Leiter’s going to be expensive, but the Yankees definitely come across as a team willing to meet his asking price.
Minnesota Twins: Anthony Volpe, 2B/SS
The Twins get the other half of the dynamic Delbarton duo. Volpe’s bat will definitely get him first round consideration, it’s where he lands defensive wise that determines his professional viability. Scouts see a pro second base, would would make him an ideal successor for Jonathan Schoop.
Tampa Bay Rays: Drew Mendoza, 3B
The Rays could use a power guy like Mendoza to supplement their lineup, and if all it takes to make him live up to the potential he showed in high school is just some mechanical tinkering, they could get him for a steal.
Texas Rangers: Ethan Small, LHP
The Mississippi State starter has seen his stock rise precipitously this entire spring, and the Rangers could finally add a much needed lefthanded pitcher if he’s still there.
