MLB Mock Draft

The 2010 MLB Draft is later today at 1 P.M. Pacific Time (that’s what coast I’m on). Obviously I love drafts and this is no different. I’ll do a shorter mock draft and then I’ll do an in-depth analysis when it’s done. Expect most if not all of the players to sign because they’d be crazy to try to get in next year’s ridiculously talented draft. Let’s get to it.

1. Washington Nationals – Bryce Harper – C – College of Southern Nevada

Ahhh the Legend of Bryce Harper. The dude is going number 1 don’t even think that it won’t happen. He has ridiculous talent and the Nationals luck out with the by far the best pick in the draft two years in a row.

Other Possibilities – None. If they choose someone else they all should be fired.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates – Jameson Taillon – RHP – The Woodlands High School (Texas)

The best pitcher in the draft and the Pirates sure could use a high ceiling pitching prospect. They have shown that they are willing to spend money in the draft so he should sign. His fastball touches 98mph and as his body matures he could throw harder. Reportedly won’t talk about what they’re doing.

Other Possibilities – Manny Machado – SS – Brito Private, Miami (Florida). See next

3. Baltimore Orioles – Manny Machado – SS – Brito Private, Miami (Florida)

The Orioles will be happy with either Taillon or Machado. Scouts have said that they believe he is too slow to stay at short but he has received ARod comparisons so I guess lets just wait and see.

Other Possibilities – Jameson Taillon will be the pick if Machado goes to Pitt.

4. Kansas City Royals – Yasmani Grandal – C – University of Miami (Fla.)

According to ESPN’s Keith Law (read his stuff, it’s my favorite), the Royals reportedly have been working out a deal with Grandal who is reported to want Buster Posey money (fat chance). If Grandal can be up by the time Jason Kendall’s stupid contract is up then that’s a win for KC.

Other Possibilities – Chris Sale – LHP – Gulf Coast University. Pitching is obviously a need.

5. Cleveland Indians – Drew Pomeranz – LHP – Ole Miss

There are a few options but Pomeranz seems to be in the lead for the pick. Could have been the 2nd overall pick if the draft was two or three weeks ago. He’s been streaky so he could slip even further.

Other Possibilities – Michael Choice – OF – Texas Arlington or Chris Sale

6. Arizona Diamondbacks – Chris Sale – LHP – Gulf Coast University

There seems to be a mystery on the D’Backs. Everyone is calling them the wildcard at this spot so it’s a crapshoot. Pitching would be nice, considering that Jarrod Parker is their only legit pitching prospect in the minors and Edwin Jackson, Brandon Webb and Dan Haren could all be gone by this summer.

Other Possibilities – Barret Loux – RHP – Texas A&M, he’s been rising on many boards. Pomeranz could also be in play if he slips.

7. New York Mets – Zack Cox – 3B – Arkansas

They need power for that giant new ball park and Cox has it. David Wright obviously is there but Cox is more of a 1B anyways. He isn’t great on defense. Even 1B is covered by Ike Davis but Wright could be moved if asked. He won’t come cheaply but he doesn’t have much leverage

Other Possibilities – Matt Harvey – RHP – UNC, won’t come cheap either but he is a popular pick here.

8. Houston Astros – Michael Choice – OF – Texas Arlington

They are so sad. They have a terrible farm system, a terrible team, it’s pathetic. What’s worse, they probably won’t trade Roy Oswalt because they won’t pay any salary and still demand top prospects. Choice will take over for the aging quickly Carlos Lee.

Other Possibilities – Josh Sale – OF – Bishop Blanchet High (Ore.). They just need talent.

9. San Diego Padres – Delino DeShields Jr. – CF – Woodward Academy, College Park (Ga.)

They drafted another Georgia native (Donovan Tate) to play the outfield but they could use another talented outfielder to play in the massive Petco Park. Again there are questions about his bat, just like Tate, but they could use his elite speed.

Other Possibilities – Kolbrin Vitek – 2B – Ball State

10. Oakland Athletics – Stetson Allie – RHP – St. Edward HS (Ohio)

Allie has a huge arm and the A’s love pitching, pitching and more pitching. They can let him go through the minors at his own pace and put him with Brett Anderson for years to come. I’ve seen Christian Colon here but that would be ridiculous unless they plan to play Grant Green at 3B.

11. Toronto Blue Jays – Christian Colon – SS – Cal State Fullerton

They like toolsy and high upside talents so this will be one of only a few college players with a low ceiling. Colon is a defensive wizard which the Jays will need when Alex Gonzalez leaves or retires.

Other Possibilities – Michael Choice could be the pick if he slips.

12. Cincinnati Reds – Deck McGuire – RHP – Georgia Tech

Apparently everyone has McGuire going to the Reds so I’ll say he goes here too.

Other Possibilities – Loux, Grandal or Harvey could all be options. Colon would fit too.

13. Chicago White Sox - Asher Wojciechowski – RHP – The Citadel

Keith Law has had him here for quite awhile and quite a few others like him here too. Watch out for a future shoulder or elbow surgery though. His college coaches have been pitching him waaay too much. Back to back nights. Twice in the same day, etc.

Other Possibilities – Grandal is their target. They want to get rid of A.J. and Flowers is having a hard time in the minors so Grandal only makes since.

14. Milwaukee Brewers – Matt Harvey – RHP – UNC

Of course it’s a pitcher! Hello they have little pitching in the majors (Gallardo and Wolf) and no good prospects in the minors. They NEED pitching. They usually aren’t afraid to pay up either. Oh and by the way, Jeff Suppan was just released (major bust in free agency).

Other Possibilities – Brandon Workman – RHP –Texas, the workhorse from Texas has a nice ceiling and can give you a ton of innings. Again a surgery warning on him since he went to Texas.

15. Texas Rangers – Brandon Workman – RHP –Texas

Pitching is always a need for the Rangers especially with their staff down this year after a great year last year. Workman is a local product who fans will love.

Other Possibilities - Justin O'Conner, C, Cowen HS, Muncie (Ind.). Their once immaculate catching prospects all suck now. Salty still has talent but has the yips so a catcher is need.

16. Chicago Cubs - Karsten Whitson, RHP, Chipley HS (Fla.)

With the way that the media mad the Cubs out to be, you would think that they would have a top five pick. Fans and the owner probably will want a prospect closer to major league ready, but Whitson is possibly the 2nd best prep arm so the Cubs could use him to make their farm system better.

Other Possibilities – O’Conner, Josh Sale and even DeShields could all be the pick if they slide.

17. Tampa Bay Rays – A.J. Cole – RHP – Oviedo HS (Fla.)

He has a big arm and Rays love their young arms so this is a great fit.

Other Possibilities – Colon, O’Connor, Sale, Bryce Brentz and Kaleb Cowart all are options. The Rays are secretive nowadays so who knows?

18. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (from Seattle) - Peter Tago – RHP – Dana Hills High School, Dana Point (Calif.)

The Angels aren’t afraid to take big prep arms and Tago is definitely a big arm. He has been recorded at 98 mph.

Other Possibilities - Dylan Covey – RHP – Maranatha HS, Pasadena (Calif.) another SoCal prep arm. The Angels know where their bread and butter is.

19. Houston Astros (from Detroit) – Kolbrin Vitek – 2B – Ball State

They have been trying to get a good 2B for awhile but Vitek is the solution

Other Possibilities – Josh Sale, toss-up between him and Vitek.

20. Boston Red Sox – Anthony Ranaudo – RHP – LSU

He had a terrible year but he has recently had pitched extremely well. He could have been the 2nd overall pick before the start of the season.

Other Possibilities – None really unless Ranaudo is grabbed early, but Covey could be an option here. They love high ceiling players and Covey sure is.

21. Minnesota Twins – Bryce Brentz – OF – Middle Tennessee State

Pitching is always an option but Brentz could fill in for when Cuddyer leaves or Delmon Young is finally given up on.

Other Possibilities – Alex Wimmers – RHP – Ohio State, he is supposedly the best MLB ready player but with a lowish ceiling.

22. Texas Rangers – Josh Sale – OF – Bishop Blanchet High (Ore.)

They have a great farm system but most of their outfielders r nearing 30 or already pulled up.

Other Possibilities – Loux, another local product but it is pitching.

23. Florida Marlins – Barret Loux – RHP – Texas A&M

They seem to love him and I have him slipping so the Marlins get lucky here.

Other Possibilities – Aaron Sanchez – RHP – Barstow HS (Calif.) again it is Florida so they love their pitching prospects.

24. San Francisco Giants – Brett Eibner – OF – Arkansas

A bat shocking. They need outfield help and bats so why not?

Other Possibilities – Brentz, Sale or Vitek are all options if they slip.

25. St. Louis Cardinals - Sammy Solis – LHP – San Diego

He’s a polished college lefty and the Cards seem to have no lefties. He could be really good once Dave Duncan gets a hold of him.

Other Possibilities – A.J. Cole and Allie could end up here and St. Louis would take any of the three.

26. Colorado Rockies – Kaleb Cowart – SS/3B/RHP – Cook HS (Ga.)

He definitely will be a tough sign but they did sign Matzek last year who was also a tough sign.

Other Possibilities – Kevin Gausman – RHP – Grandview HS (Co.) or Allie if he slips. They also reportedly like Clemson QB/1B Kyle Parker.

27. Philadelphia Phillies – Justin O'Conner – C – Cowen HS Muncie (Ind.)

They traded away their top two catching prospects at last year’s trade deadline and this offseason so they need a catcher to take over for Ruiz pretty soon. O’Conner could be gone before this pick but the Phillies should take him if he’s here.

Other Possibilities – Jessie Biddle – LHP – Germantown Friends HS (Pa.) or they also like Christian Yelich but Yelich could be too much for what the Phillies want to pay.

28. Los Angeles Dodgers – Nick Castellanos – 3B – Archbishop Edward McCarthy HS (Fla.)

They traded away Josh Bell last year and have no good 3B prospects. Castellanos could take a while but they can wait. He wants a lot of dough so McCourt might not ok this one.

Other Possibilities – Allie, Cole, Cowart or any number of players could fall to them. Then again their retarded owner won’t sign off on any big deals.

29. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – Dylan Covey – RHP – Maranatha HS, Pasadena (Calif.)

He could be taken with their first pick or by someone in between but I have him slipping.

Other Possibilities – Tony Walter – SS – Rancho Buena Vista HS (Ca.)

30. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – Tony Walter – SS – Rancho Buena Vista HS (Ca.)

Did I mention they like local kids?

Other Possibilities – Cam Bedrosian – RHP – East Coweta HS Sharpsburg (Ga.) they like pitching and need some pitching prospects so they could go with their third pitching prospect in the first round pick.

31. Tampa Bay Rays – Yordy Cabrera – SS – Lakeland Senior HS (Fla.)

This pick is unprotected so they need to sign whoever they take here. They took Tim Beckham two years ago but he is just now finally playing well. The Rays are also smart so they know you need depth.

Other Possibilities – Michael Kvasnicka – C – Minnesota, he will sign and they need a catcher so he only makes sense.

32. New York Yankees – Tyrell Jenkins – RHP – Henderson HS (Tex.)

Keith Law and others seem to think this will be the pick but there are many options here.

Other Possibilities – Kyle Parker (1B/OF), LeVon Washington (2B/OF), Drew Vettleson (OF), Ryan LaMarre (OF), Castellanos (SS/3B), Luke Jackson (RHP), Gary Brown (OF), Yelich (1B) and James Paxson (RHP) are all options I think.