2019 MLB Mock Draft
The 2019 MLB Amateur Draft gets underway June 3. Here's a look at what the first round could look like.
1. Baltimore Orioles - Adley Rutschman, C, Oregon State
This is the easiest first overall selection since 2012 when the Astros - led by current Orioles GM Mike Elias - took Carlos Correa. Some of that has to do with the relatively weak field beyond Rutschman, but it also has to do with the fact the switch-hitting catcher is one year removed from winning Most Outstanding Player in the College World Series as a sophomore. He's carried that momentum into his junior year, posting a 1.345 OPS through 55 games.
2. Kansas City Royals - Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Colleyville Heritage HS
Witt will have to hear his name called within the first two picks in order to best his father, who was drafted No. 3 overall back in 1985. The prep star is already relatively filled out for his age and is an advanced fielder.
3. Chicago White Sox - J.J. Bleday, OF, Vanderbilt
No prospect has enjoyed a better platform season than Bleday, and the White Sox could look for a polished college bat with their top pick. Andrew Vaughn is a candidate to go here as well, and their organizational affinity for right-right first basemen (Jose Abreu, Paul Konerko) could push them in that direction.
4. Miami Marlins - C.J. Abrams, SS, Blessed Trinity Catholic HS
One of the toolsiest prep stars in the draft, Abrams' 80-grade speed, gap-to-gap power, and projectable frame will keep him in the top five.
5. Detroit Tigers - Riley Greene, OF, Hagerty HS
The Tigers would probably go with Abrams if he falls to them, but Greene is hardly a consolation prize. The outfielder projects as a better hitter with more pop, even if he is a below-average runner.
6. San Diego Padres - Andrew Vaughn, 1B, California
The 2018 Golden Spikes Award winner is likely the best college hitter in the draft class with power to all fields, but his inability to play anywhere but first base hurts his ceiling.
7. Cincinnati Reds - Nick Lodolo, LHP, Texas Christian
While Lodolo lacks consistency, his durability and well-rounded repertoire probably make him the first arm off the board in a largely underwhelming class.
8. Texas Rangers - Brennan Malone, RHP, IMG Academy
Look for the Rangers to reach on a player in order to sign them for under slot. Malone would be a substantial reach, but the prep right-hander has shown huge upside this spring with an elite fastball-slider combo paired with remarkable athleticism.
9. Atlanta Braves - Shea Langeliers, C, Baylor
Langeliers has the tools to stick behind the dish and projects as an elite defensive catcher with enough pop to be an average hitter - a commodity that is increasingly rare in the majors.
10. San Francisco Giants - Alek Manoah, RHP, West Virginia
The Giants have shown interest in Manoah for quite some time. As arguably the best college arm on the board, the right-hander's stock is trending upward after helping WVU reach the Big 12 championship while holding Texas Tech to four hits over eight innings with 10 strikeouts.
11. Toronto Blue Jays - Jackson Rutledge, RHP, San Jacinto JC
The Blue Jays likely have college bats on their draft board, but in the event Bleday, Vaughn, and Langeliers don't fall to them, Rutledge is a candidate to become the highest JuCo pitcher ever selected and improve a system led by fellow JuCo recruit Nate Pearson.
12. New York Mets - Zack Thompson, LHP, Kentucky
Health is the only issue hurting Thompson's stock, but the southpaw boasts a deep and refined repertoire and could easily become the best pitcher of the class if everything clicks.
13. Minnesota Twins - Hunter Bishop, OF, Arizona State
If Bishop slips this low, the Twins will follow their trend of drafting college outfielders after selecting Brent Rooker and Trevor Larnach.
14. Philadelphia Phillies - Bryson Stott, SS, UNLV
In a deep class of college shortstops, Stott separates himself by checking the most boxes. None of his tools are below average, but none project to be elite, either.
15. Los Angeles Angels - Corbin Carroll, OF, Lakeside HS
Carroll's frame has prohibited the prep star from developing much power, but his plus speed and impressive plate approach should make him a top-20 pick. If he slips much lower than this, Carroll's commitment to UCLA could become an obstacle.
16. Arizona Diamondbacks - Brett Baty, 3B, Lake Travis HS
No hitter in this draft class has a higher ceiling than Baty, who draws comparisons to Joey Gallo. Some teams have been scared off due to his advanced age compared to his competition, but all it takes is one team to buy-in.
17. Washington Nationals - Matthew Allan, RHP, Seminole HS
Allan gets results on a plus fastball and plus curveball and has a developed changeup for a high school pitcher, which should pique Washington's interest.
18. Pittsburgh Pirates - Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Tech
Jung has played some shortstop this season and has the skill set to stick at third base at the big-league level. While he lacks some of the potential of Langeliers and Stott, he's been the steadiest of the three college bats below Vaughn.
19. St. Louis Cardinals - Rece Hinds, 3B, IMG Academy
After taking Nolan Gorman last year, the Cardinals could follow up by drafting another third baseman known for his raw power. Hinds' contact rates are keeping him outside top-round projections, but he won't be there when the Cardinals pick next at No. 58.
20. Seattle Mariners - Kameron Misner, OF, Missouri
Until this season, Misner had shown an ability to develop despite his injuries. Although the outfielder has regressed, his tools should still make him the highest Mizzou position player ever selected.
21. Atlanta Braves - Quinn Priester, RHP, Cary-Grove HS
His easy delivery and three-pitch mix makes Priester seem unusually polished for a high school arm. Priester is a bit reminiscent of Ian Anderson, who the Braves selected out of high school in 2016. He now ranks as one of the top right-handed pitching prospects in all of baseball.
22. Tampa Bay Rays - George Kirby, RHP, Elon
The Rays couldn't help it when Matthew Liberatore plummeted last year. This time around, it seems like Kirby - a college arm - could be the one to land in their lap. His lack of elite stuff has caused some teams to look elsewhere, but the results (an NCAA DI-leading 107:6 strikeout-to-walk rate) speak for themselves.
23. Colorado Rockies - Will Wilson, SS, North Carolina State
If the Rockies opt to go for a college bat, the best available is likely Wilson, who's part of a deep crop of polished shortstops. Of the remaining group, Wilson has the highest floor and the most power.
24. Cleveland Indians - Logan Davidson, SS, Clemson
Assuming Wilson is off the board, it makes sense for Cleveland to go with Davidson, who boasts the most athletic skill set of any of the remaining shortstops.
25. Los Angeles Dodgers - Michael Busch, OF/1B, North Carolina
Busch likely won't stay in the outfield, but his bat is good enough to play at first base and he has a calm, controlled approach at the plate.
26. Arizona Diamondbacks - Seth Johnson, RHP, Campbell
The Diamondbacks haven't had much success in the draft since 2011 - when they selected Trevor Bauer and Archie Bradley. With a new analytical front office - led by Mike Hazen, who has had a very hands-on approach to the draft - and a malleable college pitcher on the board, Johnson's upside is too tempting to pass up for the club with the highest bonus pool of any team.
27. Chicago Cubs - Braden Shewmake, SS, Texas A&M
Behind Willson and Davidson, Shewmake leads the next tier of college shortstops and could be the best all-around hitter.
28. Milwaukee Brewers - Keoni Cavaco, 3B, Eastlake HS
Thanks to a solid spring, Cavaco has been generating a lot of interest despite not being invited to showcases. The Brewers have the second-lowest bonus pool entering the draft and could be tempted by Cavaco's signability.
29. Oakland Athletics - Kody Hoese, 3B, Tulane
The Athletics haven't taken a high school pitcher in the first round since they selected Jeremy Bonderman in 2001, and Daniel Espino may tempt them to break that streak. However, for the risk-averse front office, Hoese fits the type of player the A's pursue as a versatile defender with great plate discipline and solid power.
30. New York Yankees - Daniel Espino, RHP, Georgia Premier Academy
There's a good chance Espino is actually the best pitcher in the 2019 draft class, but the 18-year-old doesn't have much of a track record or a dominant frame. The Yankees are in a position to take a risk and if the right-hander slips much lower than this, he could wind up following through on his commitment to LSU.
31. Los Angeles Dodgers - Jack Leiter, RHP, Delbarton HS
Considered one of the toughest to sign in the draft class, the Dodgers could attempt to lure the son of Al Leiter away from his commitment to Vanderbilt with either one of their first-round picks.
32. Houston Astros - J.J. Goss, RHP, Cypress Ranch HS
Goss possesses a lethal arsenal and should be able to tap into elite velocity as he progresses through the minors. The other two high school arms - Jack Leiter and Hunter Barco - may come into play here if the Astros are looking for someone to sign under slot.