MLB Mock Draft Monday, Version 2.0
The 2019 MLB draft will take place June 3-5. This is the second of the mock drafts that I will put out, looking to put out one per week all the way up 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
Adley is hitting as well or better than anyone projected this year. He’s playing defense as well or better than anyone projected this year. He was projected to be the best player in the draft, and he’s exceeding his expectations on the season. This is an easy pick for the Orioles.
2. Kansas City Royals – Andrew Vaughn, 1B, Cal
While the Royals are in love with Nick Pratto, they will not want to miss the chance to pair their heavy college pitching crew from the 2018 draft with an elite college bat that should move quickly and should hit as he moves, even if he ends up as a DH long-term. Vaughn’s elite bat will allow him to bypass the typical college first baseman concerns.
3. Chicago White Sox – C.J. Abrams, SS, Georgia HS
The White Sox could end up being a wild card here as they definitely would love to see one of the two college bats currently off the board in this scenario available for them. Without that option, the top prep shortstops may not appeal the way they would for other teams and you could see guys like Nick Lodolo, Hunter Bishop, Riley Greene, and/or Corbin Carroll start to slip into
4. Miami Marlins – Bobby Witt, Jr., SS, Texas HS
Really being in the spot where they’re at the mercy of the teams in front of them with a clear top 4 in the draft currently, the Marlins would have to be happy with this result as Witt has been a player that scouts have lauded for years. He may end up moving off shortstop in the long-run, but he should likely at least make the majors at the 6 and be able to move quickly with a strong feel for the game, which is not surprising with his family background in the game.
5. Detroit Tigers – Nick Lodolo, LHP, TCU
The Tigers are in a tough spot as they would love to see one of the top 4
6. San Diego Padres – Riley Greene, IF/OF, Florida HS
Greene is starting to draw mixed reviews, and I still see a ton of Royce Lewis comps with him. The hit tool is the strongest in the class, and his accompanying tools are such that he should fill up a stat sheet offensively. Defensively, his work in the grass has been impressive, giving him a future home in the outfield or the infield. It will be interesting to see where teams consider Greene’s future, but with the young
7. Cincinnati Reds – Hunter Bishop, OF, Arizona State
Over the previous 5 years, the Reds have had 8 first-round picks. They’ve selected 3 college hitters, 3 high school hitters, a high school arm, and a college arm. One would think that would leave their choice fairly heavily weighted toward a bat, but from all indications, the decision for the Reds is likely going to be between a college bat and a prep arm, which could make plenty of sense in this spot as the best prep arms should all be available, and the Reds should be in a spot to take their choice of the top college bats remaining. In this scenario, they go with the bat that’s probably been the most impressive in college baseball this year, outside of the top two picks already mentioned. Bishop would be a quick mover and could be a force in Great American Ballpark.
8. Texas Rangers – Corbin Carroll, OF, Washington HS
Because the depth of the draft right here is rich in what the Rangers already feature heavily atop their prospect rankings (young arms and center fielders), one could make a very good argument for the Rangers potentially selecting a college arm that would move quickly or a similarly-profiled college bat. I would put Josh Jung heavily into consideration here along with a host of college and prep arms, but with his recent performances, Carroll’s stock may be just too much for the Rangers to pass up here with a potential double-plus run tool and impressive contact ability along with raw plus defensive skills in the outfield. It’d give the Rangers a plethora of young center fielders in their system, but there are worse problems to have!
9. Atlanta Braves – Logan Davidson, SS, Clemson
The Braves are in this draft spot due to their inability to sign Carter Stewart last year, and they want to ensure they select someone they can get inked. With a deep college middle infield class, the Braves could definitely address the lack of depth at shortstop in their farm system with one of their first-round picks. Davidson has been more consistent than flashy over his years with Clemson, but he’s certainly one of three that I strongly considered for the Braves in this spot, though they could also look at a college outfielder or a prep arm here and going for their college infielder with their 21st pick.
10. San Francisco Giants – Jackson Rutledge, RHP, San Jacinto JC
Rutledge has exploded up the rankings due to some big, big performances, which is fitting for one of the biggest people in this draft, standing 6’8″ tall and checking in over 250 pounds. Rutledge’s stuff has been incredibly impressive, touching upper 90s with his fastball and displaying a slider that some are considering a potential double-plus pitch as he refines it further. His easy delivery and quick learning thus far could entice a team to select him even higher than this.
11. Toronto Blue Jays – Matthew Allan, RHP, Florida HS
The Blue Jays may prefer a college hitter here, but the chance to have their choice of prep arms the way this draft unfolded thus far could change their mind. Allan has been one of the top performers in the draft class this year from the prep pitching ranks, and that could drive him to be a selection earlier. If he’s on the board here, the Jays could pull the trigger and be very happy with their potential future arm.
12. New York Mets – Zack Thompson, LHP, Kentucky
Thompson has had injuries over his collegiate career, and that could shy
13. Minnesota Twins – Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Tech
This selection is the second one (behind Adley staying #1 overall) that stays stagnant from week to week, as Jung being on the board in this spot still is nearly a certain selection for the Twins. There are a few other players that could fit nicely into the Twins system, but being able to get a player like Jung, who should move quickly at the hot corner and provide a quality bat in the majors once he arrives, is something that would be hard for Thad Levine and Derek Falvey to pass up.
14. Philadelphia Phillies – Bryson Stott, SS, UNLV
Stott will be a very interesting watch on draft day. He could be in play at #5 overall, and he really would be in consideration for most teams between there and about #20 overall. It’d be very surprising to see him fall all the way to #20, but a number of reasons could cause such a slip, including bonus demands from the player. Stott has been widely considered the cream of a fairly deep college shortstop crop, and with that position not exactly brimming with sure-fire shortstops in the Philly system, Stott would be a quality selection here that could move quickly.
15. Los Angeles Angels – Alek Manoah, RHP, West Virginia
After Mike Trout signed his extension this spring, many criticized the Angels for not having put a quality team around Trout. While the Angels certainly have made the effort to surround Trout with a quality lineup, pitching injuries have plagued the Halos during his tenure. Under Billy Eppler, however, the team seems to have found a new gear in their pitching development, seeing many pitchers flourish in their hands. Manoah is in his first year as a starter, and the big righty with big stuff could move quickly through the Angels farm system.
16. Arizona Diamondbacks – Brennan Malone, RHP, Florida HS
The Diamondbacks have 4 selections before the second round this season (and 7 on the first day), and much like the Royals last season, there are a host of directions that they could go with the picks. They could load up on college players with their first selection coming here allowing them to be in a perfect spot to maximize on any “falling” collegiate hitters or pitchers. However, it would make plenty of sense to use this opportunity to get some significant upside into the farm system. Malone has been getting plenty of positive press this spring, and his only drawback for potentially going even higher could be his bonus demands. With their amount of selections, the D’backs could afford to bring his high-octane arm into their system.
17. Washington Nationals – Carter Stewart, RHP, Eastern Florida JC
The Nationals have taken on pitchers with injury/personality issues in the past, and some have worried on both with Stewart since he did not sign with the Braves in last year’s draft. In pure, raw stuff, there may not be a better pitcher in this year’s draft, but he’s not been able to have consistent performances this spring, and that could allow him to completely fall out of the first round, though it’d be surprising for some team not to take the gamble on him.
18. Pittsburgh Pirates – Kameron Misner, OF, Missouri
Misner’s power is not in doubt, but his potential hit tool and position both are, which could lead to him falling a bit. If so, the Pirates could be in a great position to add some big-time thump into their farm system at this spot to compliment last year’s top selection, Travis Swaggerty, who has more of the all-around game in the outfield. Misner likely could use some polish in his overall approach at the plate, but once he gets ahold of one, his power is true 70-grade, and it’s going to impact the ball.
19. St. Louis Cardinals – Daniel Espino, RHP, Georgia HS
Last year, the Cardinals took one of the top-rated prep hitters that
20. Seattle Mariners – Shea Langeliers, C, Baylor
Langeliers came into the collegiate season as one of the top 5-10 prospects for the 2019 draft. A wrist injury has limited his ability to catch and show off the skills that won him a collegiate Gold Glove as a freshman, but he’s still hitting fairly well, though his injury has very obviously sapped his power, with just one home run after combining for 21 homers in his first two seasons with Baylor. This would be a projection pick for the Mariners, but this late to get this kind of talent could be a big win once he’s healthy.
21. Atlanta Braves – Jack Leiter, RHP, New Jersey HS
Sure, they could jump on a premium arm that they really like early, but with flexibility created with a good signability pick at #9, the Braves could really target the prep arm of their desire without worry about signing bonus. While the ties to Leiter from the Braves haven’t been exactly strong yet, Atlanta is known for its presence in the Northeast (see: Ian Anderson) and could jump on the prep righty who is quickly gaining momentum as one of the top prep pitchers in the class, but with a likely high bonus number.
22. Tampa Bay Rays – Will Wilson, SS, North Carolina State
With the depth of young, talented middle infielders throughout the majors and minors for the Rays, this might seem an odd selection, but Wilson’s bat should play anywhere, and his glove has shown well enough for many to project him staying at short. He would fit very well in the type of positional flexibility that the Rays covet, with enough offensive kick to keep himself in the lineup daily as well.
23. Colorado Rockies – Michael Busch, OF, North Carolina
Since Todd Helton was at his peak, the Rockies have had trouble keeping a first sacker healthy and on the position for a full year, so while Busch will likely be a full-time outfielder, his ability to handle first base very well could allow him extra value with the Rockies. His offensive skills are incredibly impressive, and he should be able to hit for both power and average, especially in Coors.
24. Cleveland Indians – J.J. Bleday, OF, Vanderbilt
The last pop-up Vandy outfielder, Jeren Kendall, has not exactly worked out well yet as a pro, and that could be why I’m surprised how little fire is behind Bleday at this point, in spite of some tremendous raw tools that are being put together for an impressive season this year. While he’s always showed excellent plate discipline and good contact skills, Bleday has clubbed 14 home runs this season after combining for just 6 in his first two years. It’s not just the home runs, either. Though he flashed his power his first two years, he’s already matched the 20 extra base hits of his first two years so far in 2019. With excellent defensive skills to boot, he could be a mainstay in the Indians outfield for some time if he would fall this far.
25. Los Angeles Dodgers – Noah Song, RHP, Navy
The folks at D1Baseball.com are absolutely in love with Song, and it’s not hard to see why. The Dodgers are known as a team that prefers upside, but they also tend to like finding the diamond in the rough, and Song could absolutely be that. Song has shown a 5-pitch repertoire this spring, touching 99 and sitting 94-96 with his fastball, and he’s displayed plus control as well. He could not only be a potential #2, but he could move very quickly through the Dodgers system into that role.
26. Arizona Diamondbacks – Seth Johnson, RHP, Campbell
After spending big on Malone with their first pick, the Diamondbacks would go for a big upside pick here that should be a more reasonable signing number. Johnson has been making plenty of noise this spring for Campbell, however, with 43 strikeouts over just 39 innings, and with this really being his first year on the mound, he has plenty of upside, even though he’s a college guy, so this could be a guy who ends up an earlier pick by a team looking at his upside.
27. Chicago Cubs – George Kirby, RHP, Elon
Kirby has been performing well all spring, and his fastball has now been reported up to 99 MPH this spring, which definitely could end up profiling Kirby higher in the first round. Right now, his secondaries profile as average pitches. While he stays the same from last week, I can’t see the Cubs passing on Kirby if he’s still on the board here with his strong chance to move quickly into a mid-rotation role. With the right club, he could develop even further into a #2 type with one or more of his secondaries bumping up to above-average or plus.
28. Milwaukee Brewers – Quinn Priester, RHP, Illinois HS
The Brewers pushed all-in for their current MLB roster, cashing in a top-5 farm system on multiple trades that brought in significant pieces. That paid off with a run to the NLCS last postseason, but the team definitely needs reinforcements in the farm now. The issue they will have is that they have the second-lowest bonus amount among all teams this year, so it could be a year with plenty of college signings. Priester has been a pitcher from the Midwest that has really shined this spring, and he could be the type of guy the Brewers cash in their chips on in the first round and then go for signability earlier than normal the rest of the top 10 rounds.
29. Oakland Athletics – Hunter Barco, LHP, Florida HS
While another dynamic lefty from the state of Florida may scare A’s fans, given the health history of their recent top arms from the state, they’ve also seen those same arms become two of the top pitching prospects in the entire game in Jesus Luzardo and A.J. Puk. Barco’s spring and easily-projectable frame may not allow him to stick around this long, but he could be a prime target for the A’s if he’s still on the board.
30. New York Yankees – Brett Baty, 3B, Texas HS
Baty’s bat is one that has been long loved by the scouting community, and he’s seeing more polish at the plate this year along with improved footwork in the field. He may not be able to stick at third base, but even if he has to move across the infield, his big bat should definitely play as he has the type of powerful, yet quick, stroke that should allow him to hit for both power and average. The Yankees system has plenty of high ceiling with low floors, and Baty could give them someone with a fairly reasonable floor, as much as any prep corner bat can have.
31. Los Angeles Dodgers – Rece Hinds, 3B, Florida HS
The Dodgers shoot again for upside, and this time in the way of one of the most powerful bats in the prep class. They could go the way of a prep arm here, and there are a plethora available at this spot that could make sense, but Hinds offers a level of offensive upside that no one else left on the board really does.
32. Houston Astros – Braden Shewmake, SS, Texas A&M
With only the Red Sox and Brewers having less bonus money to spend, the Astros won’t likely be going after high bonus demand guys, and they could use this draft as one to really stock the system with quality arms and bats from the collegiate ranks, as there is depth in both areas that would make sense starting here and going forward through day 2. Shewmake has the defensive chops to work in multiple positions and enough bat to potentially be a utility guy that starts 2-3 times per week, if not a second-division regular at shortstop. He’ll definitely be a high-floor type of selection that should come off the board somewhere in the 25-45 range.
The Diamondbacks have the only two free agent compensation picks this year, selections #33 and #34.
33. Arizona Diamondbacks – Maurice Hampton, OF, Tennessee HS
Sticking with the theme of mixing upside and signability, the Diamondbacks could go for one of the top athletes in the entire draft here with Hampton, a very speedy outfielder from the Tennessee prep ranks. He will need some polish for sure, but his raw ability could have him in play in the early 20s of the first round.
34. Arizona Diamondbacks – Kody Hoese, 3B, Tulane
Only Hunter Bishop has really had a bigger season as far as power in college this season than has Hoese. After being selected as a draft-eligible sophomore in the 35th round last season, he returned to school, and he’s put together a return season reminiscent of Brent Rooker’s 2017. Hoese is hitting over .400 with more walks than strikeouts, and he’s currently tied for the nation’s lead in home runs while also adding a dozen doubles as well, giving him an impressive .863 slugging on the season. Hoese has plenty of defensive ability at third base and should be able to stay there as a pro.
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 – Logan Wyatt, 1B, Louisville
Wyatt looks the part of a guy made to crush baseballs, and he’s been having an excellent season with Louisville. The Marlins are certainly seeking power in their system, and Wyatt would bring that in the form of a bat that should move quickly up to the majors and get a chance in Miami sooner rather than later.
36. Tampa Bay Rays – Will Holland, IF, Auburn
Holland has plenty of offensive ability and defensive raw tools, but he’s struggled to put the defensive tools together consistently to show himself as a sure shortstop at the next level, which is what has him here rather than higher in the pecking order among college middle infielders. While his offensive profile is aggressive, he definitely has the power and speed to back up the aggression at the plate right now. This could give the Rays two potential dynamic offensive contributors with defensive flexibility if the draft works out this way.
37. Pittsburgh Pirates – J.J. Goss, RHP, Texas HS
The Pirates are picking here due to not signing their selection at #36 last year, Gunnar Hoglund. While it could be asking for trouble to go the route of a high-upside prep arm here again, Goss has been putting on quite a show this spring, potentially vaulting to the top of a pretty talented Texas prep arm grouping that should all factor into the back end of the first round through the second round. He recently had a very good showing at the National High School Invitational with plenty of scouts watching, so he may not last even this long.
38. New York Yankees – Matt Canterino, RHP, Rice
Canterino has continued to produce for Rice, something he’s been doing ever since he was a freshman. He’s improved each year, and his 0.89 WHIP and 64 strikeouts over 53 2/3 innings this season show just how excellent his upside could be. The Yankees have a habit of taking a guy like Canterino and adding a tick or two to his velocity to see his value take off. Adding that tick to Canterino could take him from a #3/#4 starter to a potential #2.
39. Minnesota Twins – Blake Walston, LHP, North Carolina HS
Walston has been one of the biggest “pop-up” prospects this spring, a guy that is likely ranked in the 150s at best preseason, but his impressive spring is one of the most notable in the class, and he’s going to still be 17 on draft day. With a 6’4″, lean frame, Walston has an impressive amount of upside, but the huge leap forward in 2019 could indicate just how quickly he can pick things up further, allowing him to be a high-rising prospect.
40. Tampa Bay Rays – Jerrion Ealy, OF, Mississippi HS
While the Rays have locked up two college infielders that could have positional versatility, they’d love the chance at a premium athlete, and they don’t come more premium than Ealy in the 2019 prep class. Ealy is a top-notch recruit in football as well as baseball, and that could mean that he takes a bit more to sign than most, but his level of athleticism won’t be matched in the class, and his upside in power and speed could be impressive on the field.
41. Texas Rangers – Greg Jones, SS, UNC-Wilmington
Jones has incredible raw talent, but he’s still unpolished, in spite of being a college player. With that level of upside, he could be of interest to the Rangers, and he should stick up the middle with double-plus speed, average power, and above-average contact skills. He’s perhaps a signability choice, but he’s a signability choice with some big-time upside.
Benjamin Chase
After 6 years of writing for FanSided on various sites and offering contributions to various other websites, family changes have encouraged me to start this site. I spend a ton of time watching baseball at all levels, but I love watching minor league baseball on milb.tv as I'm hours away from the closest minor league team. This is an effort of all those games I enjoy on a daily basis!
