With the MLB Draft coming up, it's time for the final Mock Draft for the first ten picks of the draft. The number of rumors on who will be number one for the Pittsburgh Pirates seems to change by the second.
Earlier in the week, it was speculated that Pittsburgh could take LSU right-hander Paul Skenes, but sportsbookis have University of Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford with the best odds to land at number one. Even Keith Law of the Athletic has Langford going to Pittsburgh (subscription required).
Both Pittsburgh and Detroit have the largest bonus pool money and the Pirates slotted value for the pick is $9,721,000. They could revisit their strategy in 2021 when they took catcher Henry Davis at number one, well under the slotted value, then used the extra cash to sign in the second-round high school pitcher Anthony Solometo at the over-slot deal of $2.8 million dollars.
Whichever route Pittsburgh takes, it will set up a domino effect for the rest of the first round. This is one of the deeper drafts in recent memory. Several picks in different seasons could make the case to be the number one pick, with names rising on the various boards, such as third baseman Braden Taylor of TCU and first baseman/outfielder Nolan Schanuel. There has been even rumors of prep right-hander Noble Meyer impressing a few teams like the Kansas City Royals, who have the eighth pick.
The risers in the draft always change how these mock drafts go, and it will be no different with this one. So let's get started with picks 10-7.
The Marlins have been rumored to favor a college bat, and Jacob Wilson has a good pedigree to him. His father was former All-Star Jack Wilson. He has one of the better eyes as far as pitch recognition goes. Per MLB Pipeline, he has only struck out just seven times in 275 plate appearances. Based on Miami's system currently, if he falls to them at 10, he makes an impact quickly.
While I mentioned the Marlins will draft prep lefty Thomas White, most mock drafts hint a bat could be the selection here.
This pick is still the same as in the previous mock draft. Chase Dollander continues to be the prospect tightly tied to the Rockies and unless they do a complete about-face, it seems destined to be in the Mile-High City. Despite his numbers not being quite the same as last year, this is still a premium arm to grab.
Several names have been tied to Kansas City, ranging from prep right-hander Noble Meyer to TCU third baseman Brayden Taylor. Bradfield Jr has elite speed on the base paths and is one of the better defenders in the draft. His comp is like Kenny Lofton or Juan Pierre, both former centerfielders with good speed and defense.
When you think of the Royals teams in the past that were among the best in the American League, he's a throwback to players that played in Kansas City like Otis Amos, Lorenzo Cain and Jarrod Dyson that could cover a lot of ground with their speed and could hit.
Across numerous mock drafts, Rhett Lowder, similar to Dollander, seems to be tied to Cincinnati. The Reds are loaded with infield prospects and while you do not draft for need in baseball, a premier arm would be nice to add to one of the better farm systems in the NL.
Originally, I had Jacob Wilson here, but Kyle Teel's stock has risen since the ACC Tournament. Now that the A's are heading to Las Vegas, he could be one of the first draft players to make his debut in Sin City. He can hit for power and average with an advanced approach at the plate. If he can make the adjustment to wooden bats after struggling in Cape Cod last season, he could develop into a solid bat.
At first glance, this might seem far-fetched, but when considering negotiation tactics for the number one pick, Pittsburgh might opt to save money for later in the draft by selecting either prep bats Walker Jenkins or Max Clark. They adopted this strategy previously in 2021.
Minnesota, known for favoring college bats, could select catcher Kyle Teel or Jacob Gonzalez, the shortstop from Mississippi, if Wyatt Langford goes as the first pick.
Considering Noble Meyer at four follows a certain logic. The Rangers, with their limited bonus pool money and lack of a second or third-round pick, still managed to sign both RHP Kumar Rocker and RHP Brock Porter last season for above slot value at $3,700,000 (the slot value was $560,000). Given the depth of offensive talent in the draft, they might repeat this strategy with a hitter.
Or, they can go with the sure thing and pick Wyatt Langford, should the Pirates go in a different direction at one.
Nationally and locally, speculation is mounting that the Tigers are eyeing a college bat for their next draft. The last time Detroit had the third pick, they opted for Jackson Jobe. However, this time around, the onus is on Team President Scott Harris to make the right choice.
The Tigers' farm system currently lacks hitters with the potential akin to that of Crews. He aligns with Harris' philosophy of controlling the strike zone. In Comerica Park's expansive centerfield, Crews can cover substantial ground with his speed and has shown consistent improvement in each of his seasons at LSU.
What's notable is his 70 grade power tool, as rated by MLB Pipeline. This positions him as a "can't miss" draft player. Picking Crews would deliver an immediate upgrade to the Tigers' farm system. I still stick that Crews will end up in a Tigers' uniform. Detroit can shell out a few more bucks as they have the second-largest bonus pool next to the Pirates.
Suggestions have been made that the Pirates may pick Paul Skenes first, but most mock drafts predict the Nationals will select him at number two. MLB Pipeline has indicated that Skenes is among the top draft prospects, a sentiment echoed by Stephen Strasburg. This analysis could prove correct, as Skenes potentially could reach the nation's capital by 2024.
Skenes boasts a 70 grade slider, which, in combination with his fastball and developing changeup, gives him a formidable arsenal.
Any athlete wants that honor of being the first pick, and prep outfielder Max Clark is no different. In his latest mock draft for Perfect Game, Brian Sakowski said this about Clark to Pittsburgh:
To sum this up succinctly, I've heard enough buzz about this to project it as a real possibility. I don't know for sure what Pittsburgh will do, but I've heard that Clark, LSU outfielder Dylan Crews and Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford are the three main names here, with the latest intel saying one of Clark/Langford to be more likely than Crews.
As the saying goes, "where there's smoke, there's fire."
Clark boasts four-plus tools, including a developing power tool at just 18. He's a 70 grade runner, and given his immense potential, he could be a natural fit in the strong Pirates system.
The MLB draft this season will be one of the most unpredictable we have seen in quite some time, which adds some drama to the pick.
