MLB mock draft: Hunter Greene draws intrigue
By John McCarty
3. San Diego Padres
2016 Record: 68-9
Selection: Mackenzie Gore, LHP, High School (Whiteville North Carolina)
College Commitment: East Carolina
Signing Bonus Slot Value: $5,707,300
The third spot is where the draft really starts to get interesting. At three, San Diego is hoping there is a way Greene is available though it appears highly unlikely to be the case. The Padres have long been linked to California short stop Royce Lewis until recently, and through the spring evaluation period, appear to be leaning more towards the lefty Gore.
Gore is the top lefty in the draft, and perhaps the best pure high school pitcher. Touching the low to mid 90’s with his fastball, Gore also displays a really good curve ball as well as a developing slider and change-up. A high leg kick and loose and easy arm action (doesn’t throw with a lot of extra effort, important when working deep into games as well as helping to avoid injuries) , Gore is a top shelf lefty for an organization, much like the Reds before them, aiming to add a solid pitching prospect to their rebuilding effort.
Perhaps the biggest concern with Gore is his delivery, specifically a high leg kick (his delivery is very similar to former Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis). As he ages, a high leg kick can lead to control issues at the least and injury problems at it’s worst.
In this scenario, San Diego would likely want to calm down his leg kick to ensure long term consistency and delivery. However, based on an ability to multiple pitches, Gore is a prospect that, if all works out, could be a front of the rotation type starter for the Padres in the not so distant future.