We have less than a week before the MLB Draft, and we try to figure out where the next stars of the game will go.
It’s always tough to gauge where the MLB Draft will point the future of the sport. Mark Appel looked like he was going to be a stud ace for the Astros and is now out of baseball. Kris Bryant went second-overall that year and is a superstar MVP, with a Cubs World Series ring.
This year’s draft has a ton of potential and a few players that many in baseball are calling potential studs. Casey Mize is the consensus No. 1 pick, but he’s being pushed by guys like Joey Bart and Nick Madrigal who are considered MLB-bound regardless of where they’re drafted.
A lot can happen between now and the draft, but here’s our best guess at what will go down.
1. Tigers — Casey Mize/RHP/Auburn
2. Giants — Brady Singer/RHP/Florida
3. Phillies — Joey Bart/C/Georgia Tech
4. White Sox — Nick Madrigal/SS/Oregon State
5. Reds — Jonathan India/3B/Florida
6. Mets — Alec Bohm/3B/Wichita State
7. Padres — Matthew Liberatore/LHP/Mountain Ridge High School
8. Braves — Nolan Gorman/3B/Sandra Day O’Connor High School
9. Athletics — Travis Swaggerty/OF/South Alabama
10. Pirates —Carter Stewart/RHP/Eau Gallie High School
No real surprises in the Top-10, as something will really need to pique the Tigers interest to point them in a direction other than Casey Mize. Joey Bart going to the Giants is also a possibility, but Brady Singer is climbing draft boards and the Giants — assuming they trade Madison Bumgarner — will need to try and find a future ace.
11. Orioles — Cole Winn/RHP/Orange Lutheran High School
12. Blue Jays — Ryan Weather/LHP/Loretto High School
13. Marlins — Grayson Rodriguez/LHP/Nacogdoches High School
14. Mariners — Jarred Kelenic/OF/Waukesha High School
15. Rangers — Jordyn Adams/OF/Green Hope High School
16. Rays — Brice Turang/SS/Santiago High School
17. Angels — Logan Gilbert/RHP/Stetson
18. Royals — Noah Naylor/INF/St. Joan of Arc High School
19. Cardinals — J.T. Ginn/RHP/Brandon High School
20. Twins — Ryan Rolison/LHP/Ole Miss
Prep players are likely going to dominate the middle part of the first-round, as there’s a ton of talent to mine. Most of the teams picking here don’t need an impact player and instead are looking for that guy who will bubble to the surface around 2020-21 and establish themselves as a potential star.
21. Brewers — Jackson Kowar/RHP/Florida
22. Rockies — Cole Wilcox/RHP/Heritage High School
23. Yankees — Shane McClanahan/LHP/South Florida
24. Cubs — Connor Scott/OF/Plant High School
25. Diamondbacks — Matt McLain/INF/Beckman High School
26. Red Sox — Seth Beer/OF/Clemson
27. Nationals — Mason Denaburgh/RHP/Merritt Island High School
28. Astros — Nick Schnell/OF/Roncalli High School
29. Indians — Kumar Rocker/RHP/North Oconee High School
30. Dodgers — Blaine Knight/RHP/Arkansas
First of all, the Red Sox picking a guy named Beer is too damn perfect to not happen. He’s a hard-hitting outfielder than can slot into a DH role, making him even more perfect for Boston. Beyond that, a lot of needs are being filled in the back half of the first. The Yankees need college pitching further along than a prep arm, the Cubs love utility guys and teams like Milwaukee and St. Louis is picking for best available fit.