MLB Draft is the deepest it's been in years, and here's how it'll go

Here’s how the MLB Draft is going to shake out this year (probably)

Omaha, NE - JUNE 27: Catcher Adley Rutschman #35 of the Oregon State Beavers singles in the first inning against the Arkansas Razorbacks during game two of the College World Series Championship Series on June 27, 2018 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FL – AUGUST 04: Brennan Malone (40) of Porter Ridge HS (NC) delivers a pitch to the plate during the East Coast Pro Showcase on August 04, 2017, at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

16. Arizona — Quinn Priester RHP Cary-Grove HS (Illinois)

Priester is the top prospect from what would be considered a northern state. His stats for a high schooler aren’t eye-popping (91 K in 60 IP), but he’s a power pitcher with a projectable frame (6-foot-4, 185 pounds). Beyond that, Priester has unusually good command of his arsenal for a youngster.

17. Washington — Brett Baty 3B Lake Travis HS (Texas)

The big concern with Baty is that he’s already 19 ½ years old, meaning that he’s very old for a high school player. Some teams say they won’t take him at all in the first round, fearing what happened with OF Blake Rutherford, who was older for a high schooler. But there are some who say that Baty is good enough he should go in the top 15.

18. Pittsburgh — Brennan Malone RHP IMG Academy (Florida)

The Pirates love high school pitchers with big, projectable frames (Jameson Tailon, Kris Benson, Tyler Glasnow all come to mind). Malone is 6-4, 210 pounds. He’s also very serious about his sport, having left his high school in North Carolina to attend IMG for a season. Malone will have to be bought out of a commitment to the University of North Carolina.

19. St. Louis — Daniel Espino RHP Premier Academy (Georgia)

Espino is the smallest of the first-round pitchers to be mocked so far, standing only 6-foot and 196 pounds. He’s solidly built, but expecting growth at this point is a longshot. Espino comes out of a strong training background for baseball and is expected to quickly make the LSU rotation if some team like the Cardinals doesn’t buy him out of his commitment.

20. Seattle — Corbin Carroll OF Lakeside HS (Washington)

Carroll is a Seattle-area prospect that some people have projected to go in the top 10. That said, expecting a 5-10, 165-pounder to go that high seems a stretch. Carroll has some punch to his bat, but really profiles as a prototype leadoff hitter with his size and quickness (6.33 in the 60-yard dash). Carroll also isn’t your prototype player for the modern era of baseball, but the Mariners are the team that has both Dee Gordon and Mallex Smith right now.

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