MLB mock draft: Hunter Greene draws intrigue

5. Atlanta Braves

2016 Record: 68-93

Selection: Royce Lewis, SS/INF/OF, High School (San Juan Capistrano California)

College Commitment: UC-Irvine

Signing Bonus Slot Value: $7,770,700

Royce Lewis is a very athletic prospect and perhaps the best pure position player in the draft. Extremely athletic and fast, Lewis has a quick bat and displays line drive/gap power that combined with his speed can make him dangerous on the bases. While evaluating high school positions players can be difficult in terms of strike zone judgement and awareness, but Lewis displays at least the indication that it’s a developing part of his game.

What is keeping Lewis from coming off  the board earlier (has been projected at various times during the evaluation period as high as third to the Padres) is there is a widely held belief that Lewis will be unable to stay at shortstop long-term. While his glove is solid, his arm is not good and doesn’t have the quickest feet for the position.

Combine that with Lewis’s lack of true power, either currently or project able, teams are concerned of Lewis true position. Numerous pundits, especially Keith Law of ESPN, believe Lewis is destined for center field, where his speed will play well defensively.

For Atlanta, their top two prospects are shortstops along with highly thought rookie Dansby Swanson currently holding down the position in the majors. After using early picks the past couple drafts on high school pitchers, Atlanta would be thrilled to land the ultra-athletic Lewis at this spot.