MLB Mock Draft Monday, Version 5.3

The 2019 MLB draft will take place on June 3-5. This is the fifth 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

Ho hum, another weekend, another 4-10 performance for Adley, with 4 walks and a home run. The crazy part that many aren’t taking into account this season is that Rutschman’s impressive production is coming for an Oregon State team that has really benefitted from a mediocre Pac-12 to avoid really struggling. Currently, the Beavers are on a 4-game losing streak, and Rutschman’s hit .500 with a pair of home runs during that time.

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

I really think this pick is between Witt or Vaughn, but there are a lot of hints that the Royals are leaning toward a prep-heavy draft this season, and they could lead it off with exceptional all-around talent in Witt.

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

In many mocks, this is seen as one of the “sure” picks to be one of the top 4 guys on everyone’s board (Adley, Witt, Vaughn, Abrams), but I’m hearing a lot of scuttle that the White Sox are casting a wider net than many would believe, and while Vaughn would be their top choice here, they could fall in love with another player and surprise us on June 3.

4. Miami Marlins – J.J. Bleday, OF, Vanderbilt

The Marlins are a team in need of direction. We all know that. Their draft could end up being yet another sign of just that. The feet on the ground and those doing the cross-checking are very high on Bleday, Bishop, Vaughn, and even UNLV’s Bryson Stott, but the front office (reportedly with a strong push from a former Yankee shortstop) is stuck on getting a prep bat in this spot. How the war of the draft room plays out could be fascinating.

5. Detroit Tigers – Riley Greene, OF, Florida HS

Some have suggested that the Tigers have Greene second on their early board, only to Witt. With him still on the board here, he’s the easy pick. Finally getting some full-game video on Greene from this spring, he’s definitely filled out, but he’s still got one of, if not THE, best hit tools in the entire prep class.

6. San Diego Padres – C.J. Abrams, SS, Georgia HS

The Padres ended up with Abrams in their laps in my “early chaos” mock last week, and he falls to them again. It’s quite in play that he ends up here, and the Padres are known to be fans of his talent.

7. Cincinnati Reds – Hunter Bishop, OF, Arizona State

The Reds have been heavy on prep arms recently, and this could be a spot where you may see someone like Matthew Allan, Brennan Malone, or even Quinn Priester come off the board, but the opportunity to grab Bishop is one the Reds would definitely enjoy, though they would prefer Bleday of the two top college outfielders in this year’s class.

8. Texas Rangers – Corbin Carroll, OF, Washington HS

Carroll fits in this spot for his upside, but there is some drop in his stock recently, with some comments coming back that there are concerns about his potential lack of fill left in his body. Carroll is still incredibly athletic, and he’ll be in play here, though the Rangers could make a play for an arm as well.

9. Atlanta Braves – Logan Davidson, SS, Clemson

Baseball America confirmed last week that teams selecting compensation picks (also the Diamondbacks and Dodgers) would not simply lose the pick if they do not sign the player this season as was previously the rule. That changes things for the Braves at this spot, as they were often seen as a team that’d likely pursue a more safe sign guy in this spot and then pursue bigger upside at 21. Davidson does play to the “safe sign”, but rather than fitting that mold, he’s here due to his big upside with plus speed and plus power at shortstop along with the chance to spread the bonus money from this spot across the rest of what could be a very important draft with no international money to spend in Atlanta.

10. San Francisco Giants – Nick Lodolo, LHP, TCU

Many reports have been in on how prep-focused the Giants have been this spring, but they will also potentially lose long-time ace Madison Bumgarner this offseason, and getting a pitcher like Lodolo who is a sure-fire MLB starter that still has some upside would be an excellent choice in this spot.

11. Toronto Blue Jays – Zack Thompson, LHP, Kentucky

If Bleday and Bishop are both off the board, the Jays could be players for an arm, either prep or college. Getting the chance to take their pick among multiple options, the Jays could choose both upside and high floor, which would put Thompson at the front of the class available here.

12. New York Mets – Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Tech

Coming into the season, Jung was a guy that some were questioning his defensive home and hoping to see power this spring to be more confident about his future. Instead, he’s not shown that power, yet he’s still had a very solid season at the plate. He’s also received multiple positive reports on the work he put into his defense, with many viewing him as at least a 3B when he arrives in the majors, with the chance to stay there longer if he continues the work he’s put in.

13. Minnesota Twins – Bryson Stott, SS, UNLV

This could be a tough pick for the Twins. With top-shelf college arms like Manoah and Rutledge still on the board along with a guy like Langeliers that fits the team, Stott seems an odd fit for a team that has plenty of depth up the middle in their system, but as anyone knows in the MLB draft, you don’t draft for need, you draft the best player that fits your budget and organization’s personality.

14. Philadelphia Phillies – Alek Manoah, RHP, West Virginia

In this spot, the Phillies could go a lot of directions, but getting arguably the top college arm at this spot would definitely be a positive for the Philly organization. Manoah had his first real slip of the last 3 months this past weekend, but he’d need a lot more of those to fall from the top half of the first round.

15. Los Angeles Angels – Jackson Rutledge, RHP, San Jacinto JC

Rutledge has a lot of feel like Nate Pearson showed before his selection a couple of years ago, and he’s in a much more shallow college pitching class, so he could push himself up the ranks. The Angels are seeking upside and are more than willing to gamble on that upside being on the mound and would be quite happy with Rutledge here.

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

Shooting for upside with their picks and a huge signing bonus advantage over any other team, the Diamondbacks could line up arguably the best athlete in the entire draft, though some have wondered if the whole Kyler Murray debacle could scare teams away from overpaying Hampton this spring to buy him away from college.

17. Washington Nationals – Matthew Allan, RHP, Florida HS

Allan has been called the top prep arm in the draft by a number of places, so for him to be on the board here would be the type of gamble the Nationals love to take. The Nationals have also been heavy on fellow Florida prep arms Brennan Malone and Hunter Barco, who could fit here as well.

18. Pittsburgh Pirates – Brett Baty, 3B, Texas HS

The Pirates have been looking hard at infield bats, both college and prep, and they could be a great fit for Baty, who would likely be a top 10 guy if he was even 6 months younger, but due to being 19 on draft day, teams will drop him down their board. His big bat may have to move to first base, but if he can tap into his raw power consistently, he’ll fit a first base profile just fine.

19. St. Louis Cardinals – Kameron Misner, OF, Missouri

Last year, the Cardinals were well-positioned in the draft to grab one of a group of prep third basemen who fell when they grabbed Nolan Gorman. While his numbers haven’t been what teams were hoping this spring, he’s still arguably got the most upside of any collegiate hitter in the draft, and he could be an excellent pick for the Cardinals in short time once he gets pro coaching.

20. Seattle Mariners – Braden Shewmake, SS, Texas A&M

Mariners fans very well may want more flash or upside from a middle infielder, but Shewmake does give the security of a guy with a very, very high floor of a guy who will likely have a big league career as at least a bench infielder due to his consistent quality defense and steady bat. He’s not without some upside, either, even if it’s not as high as some others in the college middle infield class.

21. Atlanta Braves – Shea Langeliers, C, Baylor

Knowing they can push hard with both picks in the first round opens up the Braves to a number of options, including potentially even selecting Langeliers at 9. He’s continued his elite defense while injured, and recently, even though he returned quickly from a hamate injury, Langeliers has been showing both excellent contact and power, which should give teams comfort drafting him high. Grabbing two college bats could position the Braves to grab a prep arm in the second round that may have priced himself out of the first round.

22. Tampa Bay Rays – Will Wilson, SS, North Carolina State

Wilson bounced back from a recent injury to keep performing well for NC State, with an OBP over .400 and a slugging near .650. He may end up moving to second or third long-term, but Wilson’s offensive upside and defensive versatility could end up being very attractive to the Rays if he even lasts this long.

23. Colorado Rockies – Hunter Barco, LHP, Florida HS

Barco has been viewed for some time now as the top prep lefty in the draft, and he’s been getting some helium as a pitcher that could sneak into the top half of the draft. While the Rockies have had mixed results with prep righties they’ve selected, left-handed arms have fared well both in the Rockies system and in Colorado once they get to the majors.

24. Cleveland Indians – Michael Busch, OF, North Carolina

Unless he’s off the board, this just seems like a marriage made to be. Busch is the type of player the Indians covet in their lineup, and they’ve taken time to view him this spring. He could move quickly through their system with not many to slow his quick ascent to the big leagues as long as he performed.

25. Los Angeles Dodgers – Daniel Espino, RHP, Georgia HS

Arguably the top arm in the draft in raw talent, Espino has drawn some criticism due to his long arm action and smaller stature. His velocity and impressive secondary pitches do make him very attractive, however, and he could be an excellent gamble for the Dodgers at this point in the draft.

26. Arizona Diamondbacks – Brennan Malone, RHP, Florida HS

Malone’s impressive spring has really made the decision of the top Florida prep arm a difficult one among he, Allan, and Barco. The Diamondbacks would have the chance to target the prep arm of their choice at this spot with no repercussions if they don’t sign the selection.

27. Chicago Cubs – Seth Johnson, RHP, Campbell

Johnson continues to have an impressive spring in his first real time on the mound after converting from shortstop. He’s got plenty of upside in his arm, yet he already shows feel for three pitches on the mound with a very clean delivery.

28. Milwaukee Brewers – Kody Hoese, 3B, Tulane

Hoese has had an incredible draft season for Tulane after turning down the Royals, who selected him in the 35th round as a draft-eligible sophomore last season. Hoese is tied for the NCAA lead with 21 home runs as he’s slashed .408/.489/.842. He’s more than just a masher, though, with above average defense at the hot corner and a plus arm that could transition well to the outfield if that was his future home.

29. Oakland Athletics – George Kirby, RHP, Elon

The A’s have really been all over the board this spring, leaving very little true path. Last year, there was an indication that they were looking at college upside bats, but this year, they’ve really put upper-level eyes on every major position group, prep and college. Kirby may not have a single plus pitch, but he could have four 55 pitches with plus control, which would allow him to move quickly as a mid-rotation starter who could use his combination of pitches to play up.

30. New York Yankees – Gunnar Henderson, IF, Alabama HS

An excellent athlete, Henderson was one of the better basketball players in the state of Alabama this season, and he’s carried that success onto the baseball field. He is physically large for many teams at shortstop, though he has the athleticism to potentially stay there with a big arm as well. Henderson’s potential above-average to plus power and speed combination could allow him to develop into one of the best players in this draft in the end.

31. Los Angeles Dodgers – Tyler Callihan, 3B, Florida HS

After going for extreme upside with Espino, the Dodgers would be getting a guy who may be contact over power and not have the extreme upside of other third basemen in this deep prep 3B class. However, Callihan’s ability to handle catcher as well fits into the Dodgers organization philosophy of defensive flexibility, which would make him a great organizational fit.

32. Houston Astros – Nasim Nunez, SS, Georgia HS

In talking with a couple of people around the Houston organization, the relatively low bonus pool is certainly in mind for this spot, and the team is likely to either pursue a college player or a prep player who is perhaps being “overdrafted” and would sign for under slot. Nunez could potentially fit that profile, and he has impressive raw tools, though they’re in a small package, which has dropped him on many boards.

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

33. Arizona Diamondbacks – Cameron Cannon, 3B, Arizona

After grabbing two top prep players that likely would require big money to sign, the Diamondbacks could use these picks to “catch up” to some degree. Staying in state and going with the Wildcat infielder could be an excellent choice. Cannon is building on his breakthrough 2018 season, hitting .352/.440/.570 with a slew of doubles this year. He’s shown the ability to play around the dirt, and he could move very quickly.

34. Arizona Diamondbacks – Noah Song, RHP, Navy

Song continued his dominant season this weekend, running his record to 10-0 with 8 strikeouts over 6 shutout innings Saturday. That brings his season numbers to a 1.14 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP with a 28/141 BB/K over just 79 innings, including 6 complete games. Song’s military commitment will scare off some teams, but the Diamondbacks have the pick depth to be able to wait on Song while the rest of their picks work through their farm system.

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 – Quinn Priester, RHP, Illinois HS

Priester is getting some helium as the top prep pitcher in the entire class, so for the Marlins to get him here would be a huge coup for their draft class. Priester has really been self-taught as a pitcher, yet he’s one of the most impressive arms in the class, leaving tremendous upside once he gets pro instruction.

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

Cavaco has been flying up boards due to his incredible athleticism and his youth. He will turn 18 the day before the draft, and there are many who grade both his power and speed as plus raw tools. Add in his quick feet defensively and his plus arm, and he has a very attractive package that should go off the board in the late first or early second round.

37. Pittsburgh Pirates – Carter Stewart, RHP, Eastern Florida JC

Stewart could be a good gamble here for the Pirates after gaining this spot due to their inability to sign 2018 selection Gunnar Hoglund. With confirmation that the Pirates will not lose this pick if they do not sign Stewart. If they do get Stewart to put his pen to paper, he could end up being one of the top arms to come out of the 2019 draft class with arguably the best raw pitch mix of the entire class.

38. New York Yankees – Erik Miller, LHP, Stanford

Last season, Stanford lefty Kris Bubic went to the Royals with many saying he was a projection over production selection. Miller may follow his Cardinal teammate in that regard, though his projection is on physicality as much or more than raw stuff as Miller has all the right look on the mound at 6’5″ and 235-245 pounds. He’s flashed plus on his slider and fastball, flashed above-average on his change, and flashed average to even above-average control, but he’s rarely put all the aspects together.

39. Minnesota Twins – Matthew Lugo, SS, Puerto Rico HS

Though the weather may not exactly make sense for the pairing, the Twins have had a long-standing relationship with the island of Puerto Rico, seemingly selecting 2-3 prep players from the island every year along with a college player or two who attended prep school in Puerto Rico. Lugo is the top Puerto Rican prospect this year, and the Miami commit has a very balanced set of tools, led by a plus hit tool. There are some who are already projecting he moves down the road, but if the Twins select him here, they’d likely give him a shot to work at shortstop until he showed he needed to move.

40. Tampa Bay Rays – John Doxakis, LHP, Texas A&M

A guy who looked to be an early day 2 pick when the season started, a number of factors have played into Doxakis’ rise to a factor in the back of the first round. First, he won’t turn 21 until August 20th, making him one of the younger college players in the draft. Second, he’s been elite this season for the Aggies, sporting a 1.81 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 69 2/3 innings with a 14/77 BB/K ratio. Finally, he’s left-handed and 6’4″, which is always going to get you noticed by scouts.

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

Hinds is widely considered to have the most raw power in this year’s draft, potentially of any college or prep bat. He would be an excellent target for the Rangers here for his pure upside, though if he does fall this far, one would have to wonder how high his number is to sign him away from Louisiana State.

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