MLB Mock Draft Monday, version 1.0

The 2019 MLB draft will take place June 3-5. This is the first of the mock drafts that I will put out, looking to put out one per week from here on to the draft.

Before we get into the picks, let’s start with a quick look at the bonus pools for each team:

Arizona $16.09M
Baltimore $13.82M
Kansas City $13.11M
Miami $13.05M
Chicago (A) $11.57M
Atlanta $11.53M
Texas $11.02M
San Diego $10.76M
Detroit $10.40M
Tampa Bay $10.33 M
Pittsburgh $9.94M
Minnesota $9.91M
Cincinnati $9.53M
San Francisco $8.71M
Toronto $8.46M
New York (N) $8.22M
Los Angeles (N) $8.07M
Los Angeles (A) $7.61M
Seattle $7.56M
New York (A) $7.46M
Colorado $7.09M
St. Louis $6.90M
Philadelphia $6.48M
Cleveland $6.15M
Washington $5.98M
Chicago (N) $5.83M
Oakland $5.61M
Houston $5.36M
Milwaukee $5.15M
Boston $4.79M

Now to the draft! We will make picks for every selection through the first collective bargaining picks, which means every team but Boston will have a selection…

1. Baltimore Orioles – Adley Rutschman, C, Oregon State

This is the easy selection and should not take any time for the Orioles to make. Adley is a special player with elite defensive skills and incredible ability with the bat from both sides of the plate. Incredibly, he’s got an arm that had him touching mid-90s off the mound as he was recruited from high school as well, so he’s a guy with incredible baseball skills. He should move quickly through the system and contribute at the major league level. Unless something unforeseen happens between now and June 3, this is one you could write in pen rather than pencil.

2. Kansas City Royals – Bobby Witt, Jr., SS, Texas HS

The Royals are going to be between a few guys in this spot, but they have been on Witt for multiple years now, so he makes a lot of sense here. Witt has the bloodlines and the raw talent that makes him incredibly attractive, but it will be interesting to see if his bonus demands drives his draft slot.

3. Chicago White Sox – Andrew Vaughn, 1B, Cal

While he won’t supplant Adley atop the list in this year’s class, there’s no one who has been more impressive in the 2019 draft class like Vaughn has been with Cal. Some do knock his size for first base (5’11”, 215 pounds), but there’s no debating his production and ability to hit for power and contact while also limiting strikeouts and playing plus defense at first base. He could potentially finish the 2020 season in the major leagues with the maturity of his approach.

4. Miami Marlins – C.J. Abrams, SS, Georgia HS

The Marlins are in the dump seat in this draft as there are a clear top 4 in most eyes, and they’ll likely select the “one left on the board” of those top 4. Of course, bonus demands could always change things as could falling in love with a particular player, but Abrams is a very good choice here with elite speed, definite skills in the field, and maturity on the field. His biggest knock is a potential lack of power, but many feel his frame could potentially lend itself to average power as well.

5. Detroit Tigers – Bryson Stott, SS, UNLV

Arguably the best defensive shortstop in a stacked college shortstop class, Stott has hit very well on top of that for UNLV, putting him firmly at the top of the list behind the “big 4” in this year’s class. The Tigers seem a perfect fit for Stott, as he could move quickly and the Detroit system doesn’t currently offer a lot of true shortstop depth, rather working more with players who have a potential future at another position. Stott reminds many of Nick Madrigal’s profile from the 2018 draft, with very consistent tools offensively and elite ones defensively, but probably never a guy that will be a “fantasy darling”.

6. San Diego Padres – Corbin Carroll, OF, Washington HS

The Padres have targeted the highest upside or a premium high school lefty the last few seasons in their rebuild, and without a prep lefty that makes sense here, we’re left with the highest upside prep player. That gives two names, and I chose to go Carroll here, though many rankings may have him second of the two I was considering. He’s got a lot of similarities in profile to what Mickey Moniak did before the 2016 draft, with very good contact and feel for the zone at the plate along with plus speed once he’s on base. Defensively, he’s a sure centerfielder. Many worry on his size (listed 5’10 and 160, and both of those could be exaggerating a touch), but there’s plenty of power behind the bat to at least assume future average power if not above-average. One scout brought out the dreaded Dustin Pedroia comp that seemingly all small guys get, but it just seems that while he’s perhaps not got tool ceilings of some other guys, his ceiling as far as being a productive major leaguer is significant with a potentially much higher floor.

7. Cincinnati Reds – Matthew Allan, RHP, Florida HS

While this could be a reach based on rankings, Allan is a guy that many have stated that the Reds like a lot. He’s fairly mature in his size already, with a mid-90s fastball and a plus curve that comes from a very repeatable delivery. There’s definitely plenty to like in Allan’s profile, and he’s still making improvements this spring, seeing better command and consistent movement on his change. If not Allan here, the Reds will likely dip into the host of solid college bats in this draft.

8. Texas Rangers – Riley Greene, IF/OF, Florida HS

With the Rangers, it’s usually a good bet that they’ll go for the biggest upside left on the board, and that’s certainly Greene at this point as far as position players go. Greene has put together some incredible showcase performances and shown defensive versatility up the middle. He hasn’t exactly stuck at a defensive position, however, which has him falling a touch in the draft while his bat continues to show him as arguably the best prep hitter in the class.

9. Atlanta Braves – Daniel Espino, RHP, Georgia HS

Espino has created plenty of buzz this spring, and while that can be something that teams could shy away from, worried he could have blown away his arm trying for the draft, Espino’s raw stuff is such that he’ll draw plenty of attention. If he’s still on the board at #9, the Braves will take a long, long look at the Georgia native who has touched triple digits with his fastball and already has a plus curve and a slider that flashes plus with the ability to command his change, though the change could use some work in consistency of movement. Espino is one player that could break into the top 4 of the draft and really would be in play from that point on.

10. San Francisco Giants – Hunter Bishop, OF, Arizona State

After his bat really didn’t get going in his first two seasons, Bishop has really seen it take off in 2019 for ASU. He’s shown drastically improved plate and zone recognition that has allowed him to tap into plus to double-plus raw power more frequently. Though he’s filled out at 6’4″ and 215-220 pounds, he’s quicker than one may think and has very good reads in the outfield, which certainly could allow him to stick in center field early in his career before his fringe-plus arm allows him to move to right field. As he continues to perform in 2019, he could improve his stock and really be in play as early as #5.

11. Toronto Blue Jays – Nick Lodolo, LHP, TCU

After the Pirates were unable to sign Lodolo out of high school, he’s seemingly had extra eyes on him throughout his tenure at TCU. While he really did not take the step to an incredible ace starter at TCU, he’s been very consistent and should be the first college arm off the board, with the present stuff to move quickly and the projectable size (6’6″ and just under 200 pounds) to believe there’s more in the tank even if he does end up moving quickly. With the depth of position talent in their system, Lodolo could be an excellent balance pick for the Jays.

12. New York Mets – Alek Manoah, RHP, West Virginia

In a case of a profile fitting perfectly with an organization’s recent strengths, Manoah was a reliever for WVU before this season, much like the profile of Justin Dunn and Anthony Kay. Manoah, unlike those pitchers, is a huge man, standing 6’6″-6’7″ and weighing in at 260-275 pounds. He’s got the stuff to match his size as well, with a mid-90s fastball that is incredibly heavy along with a similarly-heavy slider. His change generates plenty of weak swings as well. Manoah has handled the transition to the rotation well, and he holds his stuff deep into games already, making a future in the rotation quite likely. He’ll be called in the first round, and with his performance in 2019, he could even go earlier than this.

13. Minnesota Twins – Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Tech

The Twins may jump out of their seats to make this pick if Jung were to fall this far. Certainly, a consensus top 10 player coming into the college season, some had Jung as high as the top 5 players in the entire draft. Jung’s season in 2019 reminds many of that of Greyson Jenista in 2018 – he’s done nothing to really dissuade his status as an excellent draft selection, but he’s not done anything to further his case especially, so he could potentially fall some on Day 1. He won’t make it out of that first day, however. Jung’s solid frame portends future power, though he’s shown more contact over power this season after taking a step forward last season in the power department. He’s focused on his defense over the last 12 months, going from an average or below defender to a guy who now gets plus comments. He should move quickly and provide a very consistent bat.

14. Philadelphia Phillies – Kameron Misner, OF, Missouri

Very often a college hitter with the best power or best hit tool will be a guy who goes in the top 10 simply due to that, but in a deep college hitting class, Misner’s monster power bat has the potential to slip. If it does, it would be surprising to see the Phillies let him slip beyond them as he fits much of what their system develops very well.

15. Los Angeles Angels – Michael Busch, OF, North Carolina

One of the biggest risers in the college draft class, Busch’s bat has shown to be one of the most impressive in all the NCAA this spring. He has an excellent eye at the plate, the ability to put together excellent contact rates, and still produce at least plus power, if not potential plus-plus raw power. Busch opened the season lower on rankings due to primarily playing first base and having an odd stature for the position at just 6′ tall and just barely over 200 pounds, but he has reportedly been taking some outfield and there is some thought that his athleticism and arm could handle an outfield corner. He will have a wide range of outcomes really depending on how much belief there is that he can move to an outfield position.

16. Arizona Diamondbacks – Shea Langeliers, C, Baylor

With 5 selections in this mock, the Diamondbacks could go many directions. One thing that could be in play is pursuing a player like Langeliers that was injured this spring but was a top 10 and even top 5 player on draft boards before injuring his hamate. Langeliers is a defensive wiz behind the plate, and he could move quickly based on that, but his bat is nothing to sneeze at, with average contact skills that are aided by an excellent eye and very good pull power.

17. Washington Nationals – Zack Thompson, LHP, Kentucky

After not taking the mound often in 2018 for Kentucky due to injury, Thompson was very impressive this past summer with the Collegiate National Team, and he’s carried that forward this spring with Kentucky. Thompson doesn’t throw anything that sits still, with a slider that has one of the highest spin rates in college, a fastball that he often adjusts to maximize its natural movement, and a curve and change that he can get over as well. The issue has been that movement has often left him with a high walk rate, which many scouts believe would be much lower in pro ball with better catchers and better umpires.

18. Pittsburgh Pirates – Brennan Malone, RHP, Florida HS

Malone continues to have a big spring, and the way he’s going, he could force his way much earlier in the draft. He’s still physically developing, adding over a half-inch and 10 pounds since last summer of positive size while holding the command of his stuff as his increased size has shown increased power, especially behind his offspeed stuff. His fastball has bumped against triple digits this spring, and he could be selected much earlier, but the Pirates seem an excellent fit for his talents.

19. St. Louis Cardinals – Carter Stewart, RHP, Eastern Florida JC

Stewart went through plenty of drama over the last year after not signing with the Atlanta Braves after he was selected #8 overall. He felt that the Braves tainted his future draft stock by reporting a wrist injury, and the Braves won a grievance filed by Stewart over the issue. He’s struggled to show the same level of stuff thus far as he had coming into the 2018 draft. If he could, he could quickly rocket up the first round, but he would make an excellent risk/reward play for the Cardinals here.

20. Seattle Mariners – J.J. Bleday, OF, Vanderbilt

Last spring, Oregon State outfielder Trevor Larnach was in a very similar sport to Bleday, both with left-handed hitting, excellent defensive right field profiles that could explode up the draft board with a big spring – and both at very visible programs. Bleday has enjoyed a very good season, hitting .347 with 12 home runs through April 5, exactly the type of season that could see him jump forward. He could factor higher in the draft, but Bleday certainly won’t make it past the Braves behind the Mariners at this spot.

21. Atlanta Braves – Will Wilson, SS, North Carolina State

With the sixth-most money in the draft and taking a prep arm with their first selection, the Braves would likely look to spread their money more over the rest of their picks by seeking a top college position player here. Wilson should really not be available still at this point as one of the top 2-3 shortstops in a deep collegiate shortstop class in the draft, but the way things fell here, he was on the board, and he makes a lot of sense for the Braves. Wilson has excellent defense that could work on either side of the middle infield and his profile is reminiscent of a former Braves shortstop in Andrelton Simmons, who relied on elite instincts to overcome average raw speed at shortstop.

22. Tampa Bay Rays – Matt Wallner, RHP/OF, Southern Mississippi

Wallner has all the makings of a prototype right fielder, from the big raw power to the plus arm to the 6’5″ stature, but he is quite athletic with fringe-plus speed and he also has the ability to work as a multi-inning reliever with a pair of plus pitches in a mid-90s fastball and a slider. When reading his profile, it simply screams Rays. He was the 2017 Freshman of the Year and has shown very well with the bat, so it’s possible that a team could prefer he doesn’t pitch any further, but the Rays have used the dual option multiple times recently, and Wallner could simply be their latest.

23. Colorado Rockies – Jackson Rutledge, RHP, San Jacinto JC

While Carter Stewart is getting all the press clippings, Rutledge might actually be the better prospect from the JuCo ranks this season. A huge player at 6’8″ and 260 pounds, Rutledge has a fastball and slider that work as a potential 1-2 plus pitch combination along with a change that comes in at a hard angle to hit, increasing its effectiveness. Many have stated that Rutledge could have a high floor with a very good future in the bullpen as potentially a multi-inning option out of the bullpen if he cannot make it as a starter, but anyone who sees Rutledge comes away impressed.

24. Cleveland Indians – Logan Davidson, SS, Clemson

Clemson’s three-year shortstop has been a very interesting player. He has been tremendously productive as a switch-hitter at college, but in two summers at the Cape Cod League, he’s struggled significantly. With the glove, he has flashes that makes one think that he could be a future big league shortstop and other times when his pro future looks to be off the dirt entirely. Offensively, when he performs well, he still shows a long swing, which will lead to some strikeouts, but he has the chance to produce plus raw power to all fields. He could need a bit of time in the minors, especially compared to the typical collegiate first-round pick, but his upside is definitely there.

25. Los Angeles Dodgers – Graeme Stinson, LHP, Duke

A big (6’5″, 250ish) lefty, Stinson had worked out of the bullpen until this season, and his transition to the mound has been up and down, to say the least. Stinson has shown games of upper-80s velocity and he’s had games where he worked into the 92-95 range. His slider is potentially the best in the entire draft class, and with a good frame, he could be a good risk for a team with multiple early picks that will end up being a high-level bullpen guy if starting doesn’t work out.

26. Arizona Diamondbacks – Brett Baty, 3B, Texas HS

A big riser this year that could have the most raw power in the entire prep draft class, Baty has some mixed reviews due to the fact that he’ll likely end up across the diamond at first base down the road, but he’s not a power-only sort of hitter with excellent ability to drive the ball to all fields and adjust to breaking stuff with a quick swing as well. While he’s athletic enough to stick at third, his throwing and footwork at third need work, which could lead to him being a potentially excellent defensive first baseman if he does move across the diamond.

27. Chicago Cubs – George Kirby, RHP, Elon

The Cubs are in significant need of young arms in their system, and they may have had gold fall in their lap in this case as it’s possible that Kirby could be the first arm in the 2019 draft to reach the major leagues. While he may not have the top end stuff of some other pitchers and some do question his competition level, Kirby knows how to mix four pitches, led by a fastball that touches 97. He could profile as a #3 starter and move quickly through the minors.

28. Milwaukee Brewers – Nasim Nunez, SS, Georgia HS

It seems that every review I’ve gotten on Nunez this spring has included comments about his size. He is listed at 5’9″ and 160 pounds, and both could be generous numbers, but the switch-hitter could arguably be the best defensive shortstop in the entire draft class, prep or college, and his bat is no joke. He has plenty of feel for the game in the field, on the bases, and at the plate. He may never have more than average power, but his ability to use all fields with that average power and use his excellent instincts and plus speed could allow him to rack up plenty of extra-base hits.

29. Oakland Athletics – Logan Wyatt, 1B, Louisville

When you draw up a first baseman, Wyatt is what they look like. He stands 6’4″ and weighs in at 225 that’s fairly sculpted, generating exactly the offensive profile you’d assume he would – plenty of walks and plenty of power. His defense is really stuck to first base, so his power and patience will need consistent contact as well to have a major league future, but his base skills should work at the end of the first round.

30. New York Yankees – Tyler Callihan, 3B, Florida HS

In a deep prep third base class, Callihan perhaps has the most question about his future destination defensively. He’s not got the size to really work over at first base (6′, 200), and his arm and athleticism is not such that he’s a sure bet to work in an outfield corner. That said, his swing is one of the prettiest in the draft class with the ability to generate loud contact on plus velocity and top-shelf breaking stuff already and a quick bat path that should allow him to keep high contact rates as well.

31. Los Angeles Dodgers – Carter Young, SS, Washington HS

Incredibly polished on the defensive side with experience in international competition, Young has struggled some over summer and this spring, but his raw tools are such that he could find himself in this mix by the end of the spring again. Young is a switch-hitter with very good feel for the game, but outside of his plus run tool, he doesn’t really flash any plus tool, instead featuring a host of above-average tools across the board.

32. Houston Astros – Braden Shewmake, SS, Texas A&M

Braden Shewmake may be the most boring pick of the first round, but he could be the guy you’re most likely to see in the major leagues in 2022. Shewmake can play anywhere in the infield, swings a quick bat that many feel could add power as he fills into his 6’4″ frame, and he has the instincts and arm to play on the left side of the infield. He could struggle to find a defensive home, but with many teams valuing defensive flexibility, Shewmake could move quickly in a multi-position role, akin to former Astro Marwin Gonzalez.

The Diamondbacks have the only two free agent compensation picks this year, selections #33 and #34.

33. Arizona Diamondbacks – Maurice Hampton, OF, Tennessee HS

With the number of picks they have, the Diamondbacks could take a bit of risk and pursue top players that could cost a bit more or have a bit more development to do than the average first-round pick. Hampton is a guy who is a legit elite recruit in both baseball and football, recruited to LSU to play both sports. He’s got the chance to be a 5-tool player in baseball, and while he might require a bigger bonus, the Diamondbacks pool could allow that, and his raw talent could turn into an elite prospect very quickly.

34. Arizona Diamondbacks – Seth Johnson, RHP, Campbell

When the JuCo signings were announced after last spring, few took note of a right-hander signing with small Campbell from Louisberg JuCo in North Carolina. Seth Johnson has taken to the mound and turned himself into one of the top prospects this spring, generating impressive velocity, up to mid-90s with two distinct breaking balls that sit average and flash plus. Johnson has utilized his athleticism to allow for this transition to the mound so smoothly, but there is some definite upside here that teams could choose to take a chance on much earlier in the draft if a team is really in love with Johnson.

The rest of the selections (outside of the Pirates pick at #37) are the Competitive Balance, Round A picks. Interestingly, three of six CBA picks were traded this offseason.

35. Miami Marlins – Tommy Henry, LHP, Michigan

Michigan’s ace has seen his stuff tick up this year, leading a Wolverines team that is getting more notice through the year. Henry had a rough Cape Cod League, albeit in minimal time, which led to him being off the radar for many, but his performance this spring (sub-1 ERA before a rough start against Minnesota on 4/5, with 65 K over 54 IP). Henry works in the 90-93 range with his fastball and features a pair of potential plus offspeed pitches. Many have compared his rise this year to that of Daniel Lynch last season with Virginia.

36. Tampa Bay Rays – Will Holland, IF, Auburn

Holland has shown a very good track record of production in the Southeastern Conference throughout his time with Auburn. He has power in his swing and very good contact skills at the plate. He could use to be a bit more patient at the plate, but with the contact, power, and plus speed he possesses, Holland has a very desirable profile offensively while he works on that recognition. Defensively, Holland is more flash than consistency, but if he could harness that flash more often, he could work at shortstop long-term with plenty of ability to handle second base if not short.

37. Pittsburgh Pirates – Greg Jones, SS, UNC-Wilmington

One of the fastest players in the entire draft, Jones could be a good money-based target at the end of the first as he has a high floor due to that speed, allowing him to work up the middle, either at 2B/SS or CF. He also has shown very good contact ability, though he has shown to be fairly aggressive at the plate. While still a bit raw overall, Jones could be the type of guy who could smooth out some of his game and fly through a system.

38. New York Yankees – Matt Canterino, RHP, Rice

While Rice pitchers often have a negative view in the industry due to previous Rice administrations really hurting arms, Canterino may be able to turn some thoughts as he’s been a guy who is in his third year at the top of Rice’s rotation and continuing to improve. He will have some teams turned off because of his delivery, but he has a loose arm that seems to be a guy that would come into the Yankees system and immediately dial up another 2-3 MPH of velocity.

39. Minnesota Twins – Hunter Barco, LHP, Florida HS

If Barco is still here for the Twins, they will be very happy to make this pick as the 6’4″ lefty has had a tremendous spring after really having a mixed summer. He has three potential plus pitches headlined by a fastball that has been 92-94 much of the spring after being more 89-92 this summer. He has a lower arm slot than most, but he does repeat the delivery very well. He’s a guy who could take a year to gather himself in the minors after being a two-way star in high school and then explode up quickly with potential top-of-the-rotation stuff if his arm slot can work for him.

40. Tampa Bay Rays – Keoni Cavaco, 3B, California HS

If you follow draft writers on Twitter and YouTube, you began to see videos of Cavaco last fall as he really made an impression in fall ball. He came out and performed even better in the spring. He has shown double-plus raw power with a quick swing that should allow good contact rates, though he’s still working on his pitch and zone recognition. He has shown himself to be a very good athlete at third base with a plus arm and excellent skills coming in on the ball. He should fit somewhere between 25 and 50 in the draft.

41. Texas Rangers – Rece Hinds, 3B, Florida HS

With arguably the most power of any right-handed prep bat in the draft class, Hinds very possibly won’t make it near this far down the first round. He’s got huge power that some have thrown 70 and 75 future raw grades on, which is big-time power. He’s also got a huge arm, and many feel that he’s got the athleticism to stick in an outfield corner if he cannot stick at third base. The LSU commit would fit the Rangers profile of finding high upside here, though if he fell this far, it could be due to a big signing number that the Rangers may not be able to meet.

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