2017 MLB Draft: Mock Draft 5.3

2017 MLB Draft: First-Round

1. Minnesota Twins: Kyle Wright, RHP, Vanderbilt

Kyle Wright is the top college right-handed pitcher in the 2017 MLB Draft class, and he possesses frontline starter potential. He has a four-pitch mix, featuring a fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and reaches 97 mph.

Louisville left-handed pitcher Brendan McKay and prep right-hander Hunter Greene are also options for the Twins with the No. 1 overall pick.

2. Cincinnati Reds: Hunter Greene, RHP, Notre Dame HS (Calif.)

Hunter Greene throws a mid-90s fastball that hits triple digits early in starts, and he has the potential to be a No. 1 starter down the road. But, teams are nervous about his secondary pitches, as his slider and changeup are both just average offerings.

College two-way player Brendan McKay is also an option for the Reds.

3. San Diego Padres: Royce Lewis, SS/OF, JSerra Catholic HS (Calif.)

The Padres are extremely high on Hunter Greene and are hoping he’s still on the board. But if he’s not, Royce Lewis isn’t a bad second option.

Lewis is the top prep position player in this year’s MLB Draft class. He’s got impressive tools and has the potential to develop into a franchise player.

Prep lefty MacKenzie Gore is also an option for the Padres.

Read my MLB Draft profile on Lewis here.

4. Tampa Bay Rays: Brendan McKay, LHP/1B, Louisville

Brendan McKay is an intriguing option as a pitcher and position player. Scouts are split on McKay’s position in professional baseball, but expect a team to try him on the mound first.

Read my MLB Draft profile on McKay here.

5. Atlanta Braves: MacKenzie Gore, LHP, Whiteville HS (N.C.)

MacKenzie Gore has had a strong senior season and is rising up MLB Draft boards. The Braves love high-ceiling arms and Gore fits the bill. Some scouts believe Gore is a better pitcher than Greene.

The Braves could also select a player who they plan to sign to an under slot value deal to use the saved bonus pool money for other picks later in the draft. According to sources, Austin Beck worked out for the Braves on June 1. Beck could be an option for the Braves with the fifth overall selection.

Read my MLB Draft profile on Gore here.

6. Oakland Athletics: J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, North Carolina

J.B. Bukauskas has performed well this spring, but his size is keeping him from being regarded as the top college pitcher in this year’s MLB Draft class.

7. Arizona Diamondbacks: Adam Haseley, OF, Virginia

The D-Backs are focused on college players, such as Virginia teammates Adam Haseley and Pavin Smith. Haseley is a rising prospect due to his impressive performance this spring. He’s the top college outfielder in this year’s MLB Draft class.

8. Philadelphia Phillies: Pavin Smith, 1B, Virginia

Figuring a team drafts McKay as a pitcher, Pavin Smith is the best college hitter in this year’s MLB Draft class. With a great approach at the plate and above-average power, Smith will go in the first 10 picks.

9. Milwaukee Brewers: Jo Adell, OF, Ballard HS (Ky.)

The Brewers will take the best player available, regardless of position. They’ve been linked to prep left-handed pitchers like D.L. Hall and Trevor Rogers.

Jordon Adell has five-tool potential and the best all-around tools in this year’s MLB Draft class.

Read my MLB Draft profile on Adell here.

10. Los Angeles Angels: Alex Faedo, RHP, Florida

A 6-foot-5, 225-pound right-hander, Alex Faedo has front-line starter potential. Faedo underwent arthroscopic surgery on both knees last fall and has had an up-and-down junior season.

11. Chicago White Sox: Jeren Kendall, OF, Vanderbilt

A skilled outfielder, Jeren Kendall has intriguing tools, but his high strikeout rate concerns scouts, hurting his MLB Draft stock significantly.

12. Pittsburgh Pirates: Keston Hiura, 2B, UC Irvine

Keston Hiura is a legitimate college bat, but an elbow injury has limited him to DH duties all spring. He will potentially need Tommy John surgery in the future.

Read my MLB Draft profile on Hiura here.

13. Miami Marlins: D.L. Hall, LHP, Valdosta HS (Ga.)

A 6-foot, 190-pound lefty, D.L. Hall has a three-pitch mix, featuring a mid-90s fastball, a devastating curveball and a changeup. He’s more of a two-pitch pitcher, with his changeup being an average offering.

14. Kansas City Royals: Shane Baz, RHP Concordia Lutheran HS (Texas)

Shane Baz has been connected to the Royals frequently this spring. Baz has a five-pitch repertoire, featuring a fastball, cutter, slider, curveball and changeup. He also has a chance to go as high as fifth overall to the Braves.

15. Houston Astros: Griffin Canning, RHP, UCLA

UCLA’s No. 1 starter, Griffin Canning has improved his MLB Draft stock this spring and could even go higher with a strong finish to the season.

Read my MLB Draft profile on Canning here.

16. New York Yankees: Austin Beck, OF, North Davidson HS (N.C.)

Austin Beck didn’t participate on the showcase tour last summer, after suffering a left knee injury. Beck has the potential to go in the top five picks, as he worked out for the Braves on June 1, according to sources. But, he has little experience hitting with a wood bat against elite pitching, which concerns scouts.

17. Seattle Mariners: David Peterson, LHP, Oregon

A strong spring has vaulted David Peterson into the first-round. A 6-foot-6, 240-pound lefty, Peterson has been a complete pitcher, impressing scouts this spring. General manager Jerry DiPoto favors college players in the first-round.

Read my MLB Draft profile on Peterson here.

18. Detroit Tigers: Trevor Rogers, LHP, Carlsbad HS (N.M.)

Trevor Rogers is a rising prospect with the potential to go in the top 10 picks. A 6-foot-6 lefty, Rogers has a high-ceiling and features a three-pitch mix, including a mid-90s fastball.

19. San Francisco Giants: Evan White, 1B, Kentucky

With five-tool potential, Evan White is an intriguing college hitter that can play first base and the outfield.

Read my MLB Draft profile on White here.

20. New York Mets: Nick Pratto, 1B, Huntington Beach HS (Calif.)

A talented two-way player, Nick Pratto’s future is at first base. One of the best prep bats in the 2017 MLB Draft class, Pratto has an advanced approach at the plate and is a solid all-around player.

21. Baltimore Orioles: Jake Burger, 3B, Missouri State

Jake Burger is one of the top college bats and possesses massive power. He isn’t the most graceful, but is a solid all-around player, who could move through the minor leagues rather quickly.

22. Toronto Blue Jays: Tanner Houck, RHP, Missouri

Tanner Houck was regarded as a top 10 pick earlier this year. But after an uneven season and questions about his delivery, Houck’s stock has taken a hit.

23. Los Angeles Dodgers: Bubba Thompson, OF, McGill-Toolen HS (Ala.)

Bubba Thompson is the best athlete in the 2017 MLB Draft class and is rising up draft boards due to his potential and high-ceiling. Thompson has worked out with the Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers.

Read my MLB Draft profile on Thompson here.

24. Boston Red Sox: Seth Romero, LHP, Houston

The Red Sox drafted prep lefty Jason Groome last year, despite his off-field issues. Seth Romero could’ve heard his name called in the top 10 picks if it wasn’t for his off-field issues, including being kicked off Houston’s roster this spring.

25. Washington Nationals: Logan Warmoth, SS, North Carolina

Logan Warmoth has solid speed and the ability to stick at shortstop long-term. He also has respectable power for a middle infielder.

26. Texas Rangers: Sam Carlson, RHP, Burnsville HS (Minn.)

No Minnesota prep pitcher has gone in the first-round, but Sam Carlson appears like he’ll be the first. A 6-foot-4, 195-pound right-hander, Carlson’s fastball has sat in the mid-90s this spring.

27. Chicago Cubs: Nick Allen, SS, Parker HS (Calif.)

The Cubs are hoping a college pitcher falls to them, but if one doesn’t, it allows them to take a high-ceiling prep bat.

Read my MLB Draft profile on Allen here.

28. Toronto Blue Jays*: Nate Pearson, RHP, Junior College of Central Florida

A 6-foot-6, 240-pound right-hander, Nate Pearson has a four-pitch mix, featuring an overpowering high-90s fastball, which even reached triple digits in a recent bullpen session.

29. Texas Rangers*: Tristen Lutz, OF, Martin HS (Texas)

If the Rangers take a pitcher with their first pick in the first-round, they could turn to a high-ceiling prep hitter with their second selection.

Read my MLB Draft profile on Lutz here.

30. Chicago Cubs*: Quentin Holmes, OF, Monsignor McClancy Memorial HS (N.Y.)

A Mississippi State commit, Quentin Holmes is a dynamic player on both sides of the ball due to his elite speed.

Read my MLB Draft profile on Holmes here.

First-Round Compensation Notes
• The Colorado Rockies forfeit their first-round pick (No. 11) after singing Ian Desmond.
• The St. Louis Cardinals forfeit their first-round pick (No. 19) after signing Dexter Fowler.
• The Cleveland Indians forfeit their first-round pick (No. 25) after signing Edwin Encarnacion.
* – No. 28 overall pick is compensation for losing Edwin Encarnacion in free agency.
* – No. 29 overall pick is compensation for losing Ian Desmond in free agency.
* – No. 30 overall pick is compensation for losing Dexter Fowler in free agency.