The job security for scores of general managers around Major League Baseball is in doubt right now, and one of the best ways to get off the hot seat is having a strong draft.
Every year there are players littered throughout the first round that are either the biggest bust this side of Justin Smoak or the next Hall of Famer.
Not every GM will be in a position to land the “best bet” for their organization, but as we go through the latest mock draft, the emphasis is placed on teams that have the perfect player fall into their lap.
1. Houston Astros (56-106): Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford
The Astros need a No. 1 starter to build around and Appel has the potential to move up the ladder rather quickly within the organization.
Appel’s fastball reaches the mid-90s and his delivery is rather smooth, suggesting injuries won’t derail his career. Coming from Stanford, he is a very cerebral player that is intelligent beyond his years.
Houston won’t be ready to compete for 2-to-3 years, which will be right about the time Appel is ready to start every fifth day in the majors.
2. Minnesota Twins (63-99): Kevin Gausman, RHP, LSU
Arguably the best pitcher right now in college has made huge improvements in the last year. If he can shore up his control issues, the Twins depleted pitching staff will get some much needed help ready to contribute soon.
3. Seattle Mariners (67-95): Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County High School (Ga.)
The Mariners have struggled to field a good offensive team for seemingly forever now, and drafting the best offensive prospect would be a no-brainer decision.
Buxton lacks polish, but projects to be a star in the future. His bat speed is off the charts right now and he has the body frame to become a premier power hitter.
In the field, he has the speed to cover plenty of ground in center and can potentially be a Gold Glove fielder down the line.
4. Baltimore Orioles: (69-93): Carlos Correa, SS, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
He may be 18, but Correa is one of the most polished shortstops in the entire draft. His range, glove, and arm are all above average and when you have a mechanical, sound swing with some power, you have a future star.
Remember his name.
5. Kansas City Royals (71-91): Mike Zunino, C, Florida
The Royals need help virtually everywhere on the field and should decide on the best available player in Zunino.
His dad was a draft pick in 1981 and has been a scout for the last 25 years, meaning Zunino has a strong head on his shoulders.
6. Chicago Cubs (71-91): Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.)
Biggest boom/bust pick of the first round.
His elbow is a huge concern with multiple injuries in his past, but at the moment he is 100 percent and has reached 100 MPH on the radar gun.
7. San Diego Padres (71-91): Albert Almora, OF, Marion Christian Academy (Fla.)
Can you say Gold Glove winner?
In the spacious Petco Park, Almora would be the perfect fit for center field with his blazing fast speed. This is the best defensive prospect in the entire draft.
8. Pittsburgh Pirates (72-90): Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State
The worst offense in the league has to get a guy who can get on base. Marrero’s swing is a bit long right now, but it’s an easy fix.
Marrero is very strong defensively and has the ability to become the Pirates everyday shortstop soon.
9. Miami Marlins (72-90): Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (Calif.)
A lefty!
Any lefty that can throw three pitches for strikes, including an MLB-ready curve, is going to be a top-10 pick.
The Marlins farm system is rather loaded right now, so getting a potential star and giving him the proper time to develop would be the best move Miami could make.
These two would be a perfect fit.
10. Colorado Rockies (73-89): Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State
Heaney is one of the most polished arms in the entire draft and can work his way to the majors rather quickly.
He doesn’t have the stuff to overpower anyone, but with four pitches that he can throw for strikes, he can help the pitiful Rockies rotation in a hurry.
This would be an ideal situation for Colorado.
11. Oakland Athletics (74-88): Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS (La.)
He has a lighting-fast swing with terrific gap power and has the speed to swipe 40 bases. His instincts on the basepath are worth mentioning as well.
He may not be as great defensively as some of the other shortstops in the draft, but you can’t discount his work ethic and willingness to put in the time to get better.
12. New York Mets (77-85): Kyle Zimmer, RHP, San Francisco
A late-bloomer, Zimmer has stormed onto the scene of late and it’s easy to see why. He has a fastball that reaches the mid-90s and a curveball that will translate beautifully to the majors.
While stamina is still an issue, the sky is the limit for Zimmer.
13. Chicago White Sox (79-83): Courtney Hawkins, RF, Carroll HS (Texas)
The White Sox love to possess power hitters and Hawkins may be the best in the entire draft. He is still rather raw, and struggles with strikeouts, but when he makes contact, look out.
At 6’2’’, 200 pounds, Hawkins has the ability to lead the majors in home runs at some point in his career.
The White Sox are looking for that big-name player to build their franchise around, and I think Hawkins can eventually fill that role.
14. Cincinnati Reds (79-83): Richie Shaffer, 3B, Clemson
Scott Rolen is falling apart and the position has become a glaring need for the Reds. Drafting a strong replacement out of college is the right move for their first-round pick.
15. Cleveland Indians (80-82): Joey Gallo, 3B/RHP, Bishop Gorman HS (Nev.)
We still aren’t sure if he’ll end up as a third baseman or a pitcher, but if the Tribe nab him they’ll convert him to a position player.
He struggles to make contact, but his outstanding power to all sides of the field make him a tantalizing prospect.
16. Washington Nationals (80-81): DJ Davis, OF, Stone HS (Miss.)
The Nationals need help on offense and Davis is a strong fit here.
He has tremendous speed and superb upper-body strength for an 18-year-old. He can develop into a .300 hitter at some point down the road as well.
17. Toronto Blue Jays (81-81): Marcus Stroman, RHP, Duke
A mid-90s fastball and a breaking ball that dips to the low 80s have him graded as a first-round talent.
Yet, it’s hard to look past his 5’9’’ frame. Will he ever be anything more than a reliever?
18. Los Angeles Dodgers (82-79): Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State
The suddenly loaded Dodgers don’t have many glaring holes, so adding more depth to the pitching staff is the logical move.
Stratton has the stuff to become a starter with the right coaching.
*19. St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): Matt Smoral, LHP, Solon HS (Ohio)
Anytime you have a left-handed pitcher that throws a wicked slider and stands at 6’7’’, 225 pounds, you have a tremendous prospect that has the physical tools to be an outstanding player in the majors.
20. San Francisco Giants (86-76): Lance McCullers, RHP, Jesuit HS (Fla.)
An awkward delivery has really scared scouts, and now there are plenty of people wondering if he can start.
But with a high-90s fastball and wicked slider, he still has first-round value.
21. Atlanta Braves (89-73): Carson Kelly, 3B, Westview HS (Ore.)
Chipper Jones is almost gone and drafting his long-term replacement is the right move for an Atlanta team that looks to be contending for a World Series this year.
The Braves can afford to be patient.
**22. Toronto Blue Jays (81-81): Addison Russell, SS, Pace HS (Fla.)
You will rarely, if ever, see Russell get cheated at the plate. He is very comfortable with two strikes and has decent power to all sides of the field.
Off-speed stuff gets him in trouble at times, but the raw tools Russell possesses are good enough for a top pick. The Blue Jays could use some consistency at the positio, and would be making a great long-term decision with Russell.
23. St. Louis Cardinals (90-72): Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M
This is a safe pick.
Wacha is a seasoned pitcher with a good feel for the game, but he will never be any better than a back-end starter.
24. Boston Red Sox (90-72): Hunter Virant, LHP, Camarillo HS (Calif.)
This guy is oozing with potential, and would be a great piece of trade bait for a Red Sox team that loves to package prospects for the established major league player.
25. Tampa Bay Rays (91-71): Zach Eflin, RHP, Hagerty HS (Fla.)
Eflin is a huge project, but with a 6’5’’, 200-pound frame, a team like Tampa is more than willing to wait.
26. Arizona Diamondbacks (94-68): Lucas Sims, RHP, Brookwood HS (Ga.)
Sims needs to develop his off-speed pitches better, but Sims has the upside of a first-round pick, and the Diamondbacks can afford to be patient with him.
***27. Milwaukee Brewer (96-66): Nick Travieso, RHP, McCarthy HS (Fla.)
At 6’2’’, 215 pounds, this guy is a physical freak that has a fastball that can blow by opponents.
He has an incredibly deceptive changeup with the way he delivers the ball and a strong slider as well.
28. Milwaukee Brewers (96-66): Corey Seager, 3B, Northwest Carrabus HS (N.C.)
Defense is going to be a problem, but he has a picture-perfect swing and the ability to be a terrific offensive player.
He’ll need plenty of time to develop, but the payoff could be huge. Seager has a very high ceiling.
29. Texas Rangers (96-66): Peter O’Brien, C, Miami
He is terrific behind the plate with a strong arm and huge frame (6’4’’, 225 pounds) to block balls. He showed strong improvements at the plate this season. He transferred to Miami this past season after deciding not to sign with the Rockies despite getting selected in the third round in 2011.
30. New York Yankees (97-65): Ty Buttrey, RHP, Providence Sr HS (N.C.)
His fastball jumped up roughly five MPH this season to the mid-90s, and he isn’t afraid to pitch at hitters on the inside of the plate.
He needs to work on his delivery, but he has the raw tools to be a star one day.
****31. Boston Red Sox (90-72): Lewis Brinson, OF, Coral Springs HS (Fla.)
With gap-to-gap power and the athleticism to cover center field, Brinson has bright future. He has very quick hands that allow him to have an incredibly fast bat.
While he still has a lot to learn, Brinson has the potential to be an All-Star someday.
*Compensation from Los Angeles Angels for Albert Pujols
**Compensation for failing to sign 2011 first-round pick Tyler Beede
***Compensation from Detroit for Prince Fielder
****Compensation from Philadelphia for Jonathan Papelbon
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