Barstool Sports Major League Baseball Mock Draft - 2016

The MLB draft starts tonight and, while in most cases, players picked won’t make an impact on the biggest stage for years to come, this amateur player draft will still help shape the landscape of the MLB for the next decade. This mock draft won’t be a straight up ranking of the 30 best players in the draft but it will be an aggregation of what could happen.

For people who otherwise wouldn’t have had much interest in the draft, this mock could give a brief idea of who you might expect your team taking and which player to dream for. When you get the MLB at bat notification that displays who your team took later tonight, at least now you’ll have some sort of idea whether you like the pick or not. The numbers in parenthesis after the player name are the highest place the player is picked (according to the 9 mock drafts I drew from), and the lowest place. The 1st round and the supplemental 1st round have a total of 34 picks.

1. 

   Mickey Moniak

   PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: Mickey Moniak, HS (CA) OF: (Highest rank on mock draft: 1, lowest: 12) The fact that we still don’t know who the 1st overall pick will be speaks to the fluidity of the draft and the lack of a clear top player. The Phillies have been in hard on Moniak, a great contact hitter that should stick in Centerfield. A lot of people don’t like comparing players to current MLBers (comparing DeShawn Stevenson to Michael Jordan, anyone?) but I’ll do it anyways because it gives a quick idea of what the player is like and, once the player busts, it’ll be 2020 and nobody will remember these write-ups. Moniak could be a centerfield version of Yelich with a little bit less speed- definitely contact first but he should knock 10-12 homers and swipe a few bags. If you’re wondering how someone like this goes #1 overall, he does have a lot of upside but the Phillies are also going to go below-slot here and use the money that they saved to draft talented players with their later picks. What does below-slot mean? In the MLB draft, each team is given a dollar pool for each pick (the 1st overall pick has a value of ~9 million, the 2nd is 7.75 million, and the 34th is ~1.88 million), the Phillies will pay Moniak less than the 9 million value of the pick and will re-allocate that saved money elsewhere in the draft. 2 guys who the Phillies might target for their 2nd pick (42nd overall) are High School righty Kevin Gowdy or High School Outfielder and top 10 talent (I am predicting he drops because he might already have a very over-slot deal with the Phillies) Blake Rutherford.

2. CINCINNATI REDS: AJ Puk, Florida LHP: (1,2)AJ Puk had been the favorite to go 1st overall for much of the past few months but he scuffled in his last start and now seems more likely to go at 2 where the Reds would be glad to snag him. He’s a 6’7 lefty so you can definitely dream on him. Puk has a mid-90s fastball which must be insanely difficult to hit considering his height and the fact that the ball is sloping downward so significantly. He’s also got a slider and a changeup.
3. ATLANTA BRAVES: Kyle Lewis, Mercer OF: (2,6) Kyle Lewis, a Georgia native, dominated the Cape Cod league (a league where batters hit with wooden bats rather than metal ones) and shows tremendous power potential and above average speed. If he can stick in centerfield, he’s got one of the higher upsides in the draft
4. 

   Riley Pint

   COLORADO ROCKIES: Riley Pint, HS (KS) RHP: (3,9) The Rockies always need pitching because no sane free agent pitcher is going to sign with Colorado and it just so happens that Riley Pint might be considered the best player available here. Pint is a real fire-thrower and can hit 100 mph with good secondary stuff too. Hard-throwing high schoolers can be risky (just look at Tyler Kolek, the 2nd overall pick in 2014 by the Marlins, he threw triple-digits too but allowed about 6 runs per 9 innings and walked way too many batters before having Tommy John surgery this year). If Pint can progress the way that Rockies rookie (and 3rd overall pick, out of college, in 2013) Jonathan Gray has, then I think the Rockies would be pleased but Pint does come with plenty of room for error.

5. MILWAUKEE BREWERS: Josh Lowe, HS (GA) 3B: (20, not selected among top 34 in some mock drafts) Lowe is an underslot pick 5th overall but the Brewers will re-allocate the money saved on him elsewhere in the draft. Though Lowe isn’t necessarily a top 5 talent in the draft, he might have top 5 potential. The 3rd baseman might move to a corner outfield spot but he’s got crazy power and is easily someone that you can dream on. Oh, he’s also not too bad on the mound – while he’ll be drafted as a position player, the fact that he’s a prospect on the mound speaks to his athleticism.
6. OAKLAND ATHLETICS: Nick Senzel, Tennessee 3B: (2,9) Oakland and Senzel have been linked forever. Senzel is one of the most advanced college bats in this year’s crop and should contribute across the board. His description reminds me a bit of 6th overall pick in 2013 Colin Moran but maybe Senzel turns into a right-handed hitting Chase Headley?
7. MIAMI MARLINS: Braxton Garrett, HS (AL) LHP: (7,29) Garrett and Miami have been linked for a while though it will be interesting to see what happens in a scenario where Jason Groome, who many consider to be a higher-ranked talent, remains on the board at Miami’s pick. The lefty throws in the lower 90s and won’t headline a rotation but should be a solid contributor.
8. 

   Matt Manning

   SAN DIEGO PADRES: Matt Manning, HS (CA) RHP: (7,29) Matt’s dad, Rich Manning, was a center for the Grizzlies and Clippers and, as you may have expected, the 6’6 prep school pitcher inherited some of his father’s height and athletic ability. Manning is going to be a very very difficult sign but, according to Keith Law, the Padres want “loud tools.” If all goes right, Manning will be an ace (and could put up silly statistics at Petco) but he’s still far away from the show and will cost a pretty penny to sign.

9. DETROIT TIGERS: Jason Groome, HS (NJ) LHP: (3,14) Jason Groome, the high school lefty that many thought would be picked 3rd overall drops to 9th here. Groome is, according to ESPN, “the most talented player in the draft” and has a ridiculous hammer of a curve that probably looks similar to the unhittable curve that Eric Gagne threw in MVP Baseball 2005. The 6’6 lefty is a potential steal for the Tigers here at #9.
10. CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Corey Ray, Louisville OF: (3,11) Ray is solid across the board and is one of the safer bets to handle the big leagues. He’s got speed to steal, can make hard contact, hit a few homers, and profile in center field. Ray won’t likely be a super-star but he also probably isn’t going to bust.
11. 

    Justin Dunn

    SEATTLE MARINERS: Justin Dunn, Boston College RHP: (11, unranked) Justin Dunn has had some of the most helium in the draft – a few months ago, he was viewed as more of a 2nd round or late-first round pick. A lot of his rise owes to the fact that he transitioned from the ‘pen to the rotation for the BC Eagles and pitched tremendously. He’s got an easy delivery and mid-90s velocity that can play late in games. Assuming he can start in pro ball, he’s got good upside and less wear and tear than the typical college pitcher.

12. BOSTON RED SOX: Zack Collins, Miami C: (10-19) Zack Collins has been drawing comparisons to injured Cubs catcher Kyle Schwarber due to his advanced approach at the plate, his good power, and the fact that he probably is not a catcher long term. Collins’ statistics this year have been inflated by a high BABIP but scouts think his bat plays even if he moves off of catcher. He could be a star if he stays behind the plate but in the somewhat likely case that he moves to 1st, it will be pretty difficult to stand out.
13. TAMPA BAY RAYS: Gavin Lux, HS (WI) SS: (13, unranked) The Wisconsin native is a sure-fire shortstop at the major league level which is really what is driving his 1st round selection. Power probably won’t ever be a big part of Lux’s game and he is definitely defense-first but shortstops who can stick there are valuable and it sounds as though Lux can.
14. 

    Delvin Perez

    CLEVELAND INDIANS: Delvin Perez, HS (PR) SS: (5, unranked) Delvin Perez is one of the top talents in the draft, there is no question about it. The 17 year old Puerto Rican is a slam dunk to stick at shortstop, has great speed, a good hit tool, and can knock some out of the park. Why is such a great talent going in the middle of the 1st round after guys who project to be back-end starters? Perez is a bit of an asshole and allegedly failed a drug test recently. The Indians had scouted him extensively and aren’t afraid of some risk with their first round pick (they took the injured former 1st overall pick (in 2014) Brady Aiken 17th overall last year).

15. MINNESOTA TWINS: Dakota Hudson, Mississippi State RHP: (9,16) The Twins seem to have a fetish for drafting power arms, and while Hudson isn’t quite that, he does have a solid fastball and a cutter that can induce weak contact but doesn’t have much movement on his fastball. According to Eric Longenhagen of ESPN, Hudson profiles as more of a 5th starter. While drafting a 5th starter might not seem sexy with the 13th pick, think about all the teams that don’t even have 5 capable starting pitchers and, who knows, maybe Hudson turns into something more?
16. LOS ANGELES ANGELS: Alex Kirilloff, HS (PA) OF: (15,29) Much like Jeb Bush, the Angels’ farm system is a complete mess right now and Kirilloff will become the Halos’ top prospect almost by default. Kirilloff is a high-upside high-schooler who should be able to translate his hitting ability and natural power to professional ball. Kirilloff won the Perfect Game All-American Classic Home Run Derby last year.
17. HOUSTON ASTROS: Cody Sedlock, Illinois RHP: (14, unranked)  he works in the low-to-mid 90s – he is a capable starting pitcher who gets good deception on his fastball. Sedlock throws a sinker and should induce plenty of groundballs at the next levels. He should be a safer pick in terms of starting pitchers. I’ve been writing this for ever and I can’t believe I’m only half way done with the mock. Why am I even doing this, I’ll only probably get like 5 picks right anyways.
18. 

    Ian Anderson

    NEW YORK YANKEES: Ian Anderson, HS (NY) RHP: (5, unranked) Unlike Whitley above, the 6’3 Anderson has a pretty projectable build. Scouting reports say that he has demonstrated good command and while the kid from Upstate New York certainly needs plenty of polish, the talent is there for a capable middle of the rotation arm. Anderson had been mentioned as high as the top 5 throughout the past year, though being one of the first handful of guys was probably never very likely.

19. NEW YORK METS: Will Craig, Wake Forest 1B: (19, unranked) Lots of different mocks have Craig going to the Mets and it sounds like, even if it isn’t Craig, the Mets will pick a college bat here. Craig is a slugger through-and-through and will have to do very well offensively to make an impact in the majors at 1st base. He’s torn up the college ranks and appears ready to bop some homers in the minor leagues.
20. LOS ANGELES DODGERS: Forrest Whitley, HS (TX) RHP: (15, unranked) There are a lot of tall guys in this draft but Whitley is just a monster of a human being. The 6’7 250 pound highschooler could probably handle being a workhorse starter if his build is any indication. He throws in the low-90s now and, based on his size, I don’t see him tacking on much velocity during his development but, regardless, the tools are there for an MLB starter.
21. TORONTO BLUE JAYS: TJ Zeuch, Pittsburgh RHP: (16, unranked) It seems like every other pitcher being drafted is 6’7 and you midas whale add Zeuch to the list. Zeuch really struggles against left-handed bats which is reminiscent of 6’6 righty Justin Masterson. Masterson had some good years but his issues with lefties kept him from thriving and its possible that Zeuch develops into something like that. Honestly, at pick 21, I think you’d be fine taking a Masterson-esque arm.
22. 

    Zack Burdi

    PITTSBURGH PIRATES: Zack Burdi, Louisville RHP (relief): (9,29) A lot of people have issues with drafting a reliever in the first round but I don’t really have much of an issue with it later on in the 1st considering many 1st rounders never make the bigs and plenty of pitchers who were drafted as starters ultimately turn into relief arms. Zack Burdi, the younger brother of Nick Burdi (a reliever in the Twins organization, can throw 100 mph much like his brother can and should be able to help out the Pirates later this year. There are certainly worse picks than a flame-throwing, potentially MLB-ready right-hander and, if Pittsburgh takes Burdi her, it will signal that they are all in on 2016 and ’17.

23. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: Matt Thaiss, Virginia C: (18,34) The Cavaliers catcher seems like a Cardinals (or maybe a Giants) pick if ever I’ve seen one. Thaiss just does not strike out often and he has an appealing swing. If teams were confident that he could stay behind the plate, this hit-first catcher, would probably be going higher than 23rd but it sounds as though the odds aren’t so good for a career in the backstop. If he sticks at catcher, Thaiss could be a tremendous value but if he moves off of the position, he might be a bench bat. Ah, who are we kidding, if the Cardinals draft him he’ll probably be a three-time all-star.
24. SAN DIEGO PADRES: Cal Quantrill, Stanford RHP: (8,31) Everyone thinks that Quantrill has a deal in place with some team because he has not pitched at all this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2015. The Padres seem to be the favorites to have organized a pre-draft deal with Quantrill but it also might be a team like the Blue Jays. Quantrill was a top talent prior to his injury and its possible that San Diego takes him 8 instead of Manning. Quantrill should demand an over-slot bonus and it’ll be interesting to see where the Stanford Cardinal ends up.
25. 

    Will Benson

    SAN DIEGO PADRES: Will Benson, HS (GA) OF: (25, unranked) With the Padres’ 3rd pick in the first 25 selections (and second in a row) they might take Will Benson. Will Benson is a huge and athletic outfielder who has enormous upside. Benson has great power potential which should play even at Petco and should end up being a solid overall hitter as well. The Padres have hammered the upside choices with their three picks which makes some sense considering GM AJ Preller comes from a Texas Rangers organization where his college fraternity brother, Jon Daniels, would often swing for (and clear) the fences with his picks. I will admit that I am almost hedging my picks for the Padres here, I don’t know that I really see them taking the 3 players that I’ve named because it will be difficult for them to fit all three guys into their budget but they do have a lot of picks in this draft and plenty of areas to save money later on so I’ll be bold and give the team 3 straight high-upside picks.

26. CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Eric Lauer, Kent State LHP: (26,31) The White Sox have been linked to Lauer for a while and ever since White Sox Dave broke that the South Siders would be trading away Erik Johnson, the team has had a massive void in pitching prospects with boring, generic names. Lauer fills this void and could develop into a back-end starter. Lauer played very well in the Cape Cod league last season and actually led the league in strikeouts.
27. BALTIMORE ORIOLES: Robert Tyler, Georgia RHP: (23,33) Keith Law warns that there are questions on whether Tyler heads to the bullpen or deals with injury issues (like he dealt with in 2015) but, even still, Tyler has an above average mid-90s fastball and one of the best change-ups in the draft and if Tyler can develop a 3rd pitch, like his curveball and stay healthy, he could be an effective starting pitcher.
28. 

    Nolan Jones

    WASHINGTON NATIONALS: Nolan Jones, HS (PA) SS: (12, unranked) The Nationals certainly are not afraid to target upside with their selections and Nolan Jones fits the bill. There has been plenty of buzz surrounding prep infielder Drew Mendoza here but Jones is the more complete player right now and I have trouble seeing Rizzo picking Mendoza with Jones still on the board. Jones is listed as a shortstop now but will probably transition to the hot corner by the time he reaches the major leagues. Jones has a pretty nice swing and could ultimately hit for both average and power by the time he’s in DC. Jones has put on a lot of good weight in the past few years and won’t be a burner on the basepaths but the left-handed batter, who would be an excellent pick at 28, has immense potential. If Jones can somehow stay at shortstop (which is very, very unlikely), he could be a legitimate superstar if all goes right.

29. WASHINGTON NATIONALS: Kyle Muller, HS (TX) LHP: (15, unranked) With their 2nd straight pick, the Nationals will handicap their Jones selection with a Texas high school lefty. Muller has a good low-90s fastball and the tools to develop a very effective curve. Muller’s body is still filling in so its a possibility that his velocity increases as he traverses the Nationals’ farm system – after all, in 2015, he only had a mid-to-high 80s fastball. Muller pitched very well against pretty strong competition in Texas and struck out 21 batters in a game earlier on in the year. According to Eric Longenhagen, he struck out the first 18 batters he faced and, coupled with the fact that he K-ed the final 6 batters who stepped to the plate in his previous start, set the national high school record with 24 straight strikeouts.
30. TEXAS RANGERS: Taylor Trammell, HS (GA) OF: (12,30) As mentioned above, Jon Daniels and the Rangers have always had their eyes on high-upside outfielders and, as evidenced by prospects like Lewis Brinson, Joey Gallo (drafted as a 3B), and Nick Williams (major piece in the Cole Hamels deal), the Rangers strategy has often worked out. Trammell is pretty raw and had been a real two-sport athlete in high school. Antony Alford, a Blue Jays prospect, is a prime example of an athletic but raw young outfielder who exploded onto the scene after deciding to specialize solely in baseball (Alford was excellent in 2015 though he has struggled so far this year).
31. 

    Anthony Kay

    NEW YORK METS: Anthony Kay, Connecticut LHP: (27, unranked) Remember how I said that it seems as though every pitcher in this draft is 6’6 or 6’7? Well Kay bucks this trend. The slight 6’0 lefty’s calling card is definitely his change-up and he’s got a solid heater too but he’ll need to improve or add other pitches to project as a legitimate starting pitcher in the majors.

32. LOS ANGELES DODGERS: Jordan Sheffield, Vanderbilt RHP: (14, unranked) Vandy’s Jordan Sheffield is viewed as a future reliever by many, including ESPN’s Keith Law, but the Dodgers have shown plenty of interest in Sheffield and might view him as a starting pitcher. If Sheffield does eventually transition to the ‘pen, he should be a high leverage reliever and potential future closer. Sheffield might be an under-slot sign herein the first which could allow the Dodgers to set their sights on higher upside prospects in latter rounds; one name that sticks out to me is Joey Wentz’. Wentz was at one point viewed as a top 10 talent but the lefty has slipped some in terms of where he will get picked and should demand a well over-slot bonus
33. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: Dane Dunning, Florida RHP: (25, unranked) AJ Puk’s teammate at Florida is the penultimate pick of the 1st round (including compensation picks). Dunning had a pretty good SEC tournament this year and, while he pitched most of the season in Florida’s bullpen, Dunning is going to be tried as a starting pitcher in the minors. If his breaking ball improves, Dunning should be a middle or back-end starting pitcher.
34. 

    Bryan Reynolds

    ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: Bryan Reynolds, Vanderbilt OF: (18, unranked) The Cardinals’ 3rd pick, and 2nd in a row, will be spent on Vandy star Bryan Reynolds. Reynolds is more talented than some of the players being picked before him and should probably speed through the minor leagues considering his advanced approach at the plate. Reynolds won’t be a star but there isn’t much reason why he can’t be an everyday outfielder on a contending team.

I want to reiterate my usage of ESPN, Baseball America, CBS, and MLB.com mock drafts and resources for this mock. If you have time, check them out. Please follow me on twitter and I hope that your team drafts the guy you want. Draft begins tonight at 7 on MLB Network.

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