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Draft Order
2017 MLB Mock Draft: Final Mock 2 Rounds
Round 1 Picks 1-30
My fourth 2017 MLB Mock Draft is now up. This one is two rounds. Enjoy!
Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 12, 2017 with updates every month leading up to Draft Day.
Minnesota Twins: Kyle Wright, P, Vanderbilt 
- Twin Cities has reported that Hunter Greene is out of the running to be the top pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. This means the Twins will either take Vanderbilt pitcher Kyle Wright or Louisville pitcher Brendan McKay. The Twins also brought in Royce Lewis last week at shortstop, but they also took Nick Gordon in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft.
- I also heard the Twins have questions about McKay as a pitcher and I question McKay as well as a pitcher. I think if the Twins took McKay at 1 he would convert to first base which is why I believe Kyle Wright is the top player on Minnesota's Draft Board.
- Minnesota is making a huge mistake if they pass on Hunter Greene. At the same time they aren't completely screwing up if they take Kyle Wright because while Wright isn't my top ranked pitcher, I do have a higher grade on him than Brendan McKay. Minnesota called McKay a floor guy and Wright a ceiling guy.
- The 6-4 220 lb Kyle Wright got off to a rough start with a 2-4 record and a 3.98 ERA. Wright is 4-5 this season with a 2.91 ERA. Wright is still in the running to be the top pick despite having a losing record in 2017.
- Kyle Wright beat out 2016 first round prospect Jordan Sheffield for the #1 pitcher job. Wright has a 95-mile per hour 4-seam fastball, 93-mile per hour 2-seam fastball, a deadly slider, and a potent changeup. Wright has two years of experience as the #1 starting pitcher for Vanderbilt which is what makes Wright special as well as a prime candidate to be the first overall pick in the eyes of the Twins. Ten years ago, the Tampa Bay Rays drafted a pitcher out of Vanderbilt named David Price with the first overall pick, and ten years later another Commodore goes first overall.
- Other Minnesota Twins Selections
Cincinnati Reds: Brendan McKay, P, Louisville 
- The Cincinnati Reds need help everywhere. The Reds passed on Kyle Lewis and Corey Ray for third baseman Nick Senzel who is a rare infielder with the versatility to play all 4 positions third base, shortstop, second base, or first base. This year the Reds are looking at both Louisville pitcher Brendan McKay and High School pitcher Hunter Greene.
- Greene is my favorite prospect in the draft. I hear the Reds prefer McKay who is third among my College Pitchers since he relies too much on his fastball. The Reds will maximize McKay or Greene's ability as both a pitcher and batter though in the National League in a few years though depending on who they take at 2. I think the Reds end up taking McKay unless the Twins end up taking McKay at 1.
- The 6-2 220 lb Brendan McKay impresses some on tape. He weighed 212 lbs heading into the season and put on 8 lbs of muscle. McKay is 9-3 with a 2.37 ERA. Also batted .360 with 16 home runs and 51 RBI's. His curveball and change up are effective, but McKay hasn't developed his slider yet and only has 3 plus pitches with his curveball as the only potential plus pitch down the road outside of his deadly fastballs which McKay is known for.
- Other Cincinnati Reds Selections
San Diego Padres: Hunter Greene, P, Notre Dame HS (CA) 
- Hunter Greene of Notre Dame High School which is located in Sherman Oaks, California and is also known as Sherman Oaks High School is the same Sherman Oaks where Jimmy Clausen played High School Football in case anyone cared. Greene is a special talent and the top high school arm in this years class.
- Hunter Greene went 1-0 with a 3.50 ERA in 2014. Greene improved on that with a 3-2 record and a 1.77 ERA in 2015. Greene went 5-3 with a 1.63 ERA in 2016. Greene gets better each year. He already has a 95-mile per hour 4-seam fastball and a 94-mile per hour 2-seam fastball. Greene has added more variety to his pitches with a much improved slider and curveball. Greene is currently 3-0 with a 0.75 ERA in 2017.
- The 6-3 185 lb pitcher bulked up to 6-4 210 lbs also plays shortstop on his High School team. Greene will most likely work to become a starting pitcher once drafted in the MLB. I've never seen a High School pitcher more MLB ready than Hunter Greene.
- Hunter Greene, my top overall prospect in the 2017 MLB Draft slips to 3 and stays home. The Padres get a huge steal as well as an ace to anchor their franchise for years to come. The Padres like Hunter Greene, but aren't sure if he will make it to 3. In this mock, San Diego gets their ace for the future.
- Other San Diego Padres Selections
Tampa Bay Rays: Royce Lewis, SS, JSerra HS (CA) 
- Tampa Bay is looking at Royce Lewis and MacKenzie Gore. The Rays are looking at those two players. I think Royce Lewis will be the pick, but you can make a case for either player at 4. Whoever Tampa Bay passes on could fall to the Diamondbacks at 7.
- The 6-2 188 lb Royce Lewis batted .391 in 2016. Lewis is a 5-tool batter that can hit home runs, steal bases, throw well, and field well defensively. Royce Lewis can play shortstop, second base, first base, third base, left fielder, center fielder, or right fielder with his versatility. I think that versatility along with his power bat and speed makes Royce Lewis a top 5 pick and the top High School batter in the entire country. Tim Beckham is okay at shortstop right now, but I wouldn't bring him back in 2021 after his contract is up. Royce Lewis is someone you can develop in the minors while Beckham plays his contract out.
- Other Tampa Bay Rays Selections
Atlanta Braves: Jeren Kendall, CF, Vanderbilt
- Jeren Kendall entered the year as the favorite to be the first overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. He won't go first overall now, but should still be a top 5 pick. Kendall has a .306 batting average, 15 home runs, 52 RBI's, 18 stolen bases, and 97 total bases so far in 2017.
- Atlanta wants to draft for upside at 5. Not only does Kendall have the most upside of any prospect left, he's the safest pick too.
- Kendall has the home run hitting, line drive, grounder, or bunt that teams covet. Kendall is also an excellent base stealer and can throw the ball with incredible velocity and timing out of the outfield. Kendall has excellent defensive skills as he played left fielder in 2015, right fielder in 2016, and will play center fielder for Vanderbilt in 2017. Jeren Kendall is a complete bat with the versatility to play all 3 outfield positions. Those skills make Kendall a top 5 pick in the 2017 MLB Draft.
- Other Atlanta Braves Selections
Oakland Athletics: Alex Faedo, P, Florida 
- The Athletics should upgrade their infield. Alex Toral would be a perfect fit for Oakland, but two pitchers that are top 5 prospects in my opinion with Florida pitcher Alex Faedo and MacKenzie Gore out of Whiteville High School in North Carolina are still on the board. I have Oakland taking Faedo here because he's my top ranked College Pitcher so Faedo would re-unite with former Gator teammates A.J. Puk and Logan Shore in Oakland's farm system.
- The 6-5 220 lb Alex Faedo is 7-2 with a 2.80 ERA. His 113 strikeouts in 2017 are pretty mind boggling. He has great tape and can make any type of pitch. He also has 5 games where he had an ERA of above 5.00 along with 2 games with an ERA of above 10.00 which is probably the biggest reason MLB Scouts are concerned about his consistency. Faedo also pitched 7 shutout innings versus LSU and South Carolina though. I don't think the consistency is an issue at all and still believe that Faedo is the top College Pitcher in the 2017 MLB Draft. Faedo pitched very well versus Auburn in the SEC Tournament in his second game versus Auburn after having a season worst 12.46 ERA versus Auburn in his first start versus the Auburn Tigers which was a season worst in 2017.
- Faedo has a 95-mile per hour 4-seam fastball, 93-mile per hour 2-seam fastball, a deadly slider, and a potent changeup. I'd like to see Faedo develop his curveball more, but he's a pretty complete prospect for the most part and last year he made Nick Senzel the second overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft from Tennessee go 1/5 at the plate last season as Florida's #3 starter. Does a great job putting top spin on his pitches.
- Other Oakland Athletics Selections
Arizona Diamondbacks: MacKenzie Gore, P, Whiteville HS (NC) 
- MacKenzie Gore was awesome in 2016. He did not give up a run until the State Championship. Gore had a 1.50 ERA in 2015. Gore had a 0.08 ERA in 84.1 innings pitched as well as 174 strikeouts in 2016. Gore ended the year 9-0 with a 0.22 ERA in 2017.
- MacKenzie Gore is having another dominant season. Some MLB teams have him ahead of the top High School pitcher Hunter Greene on their boards. I feel as if the hype is a little excessive, but Gore has an excellent kicking motion on tape and you can argue that the hype is justified with Gore's consistency on the mound the last three seasons. Gore has over 100 innings pitched as well as over 100 strikeouts in 2017 with 113 K's at the moment.
- Other Arizona Diamondbacks Selections
Philadelphia Phillies: Trevor Rogers, P, Carlsbad HS (NM) 
- The Phillies take the best player available. Trevor Rogers is a 6-5 190 lb pitcher with 3-plus pitches with his fastball, curveball, and slider. Rogers went 6-3 with a 1.29 ERA in 2015. Rogers went 9-2 with a 0.70 ERA in 2016. Rogers is 11-0 with a 0.33 ERA in 2017. Rogers is a very talented pitcher and its hard to argue against the Phillies taking Rogers here.
- Other Philadelphia Phillies Selections
Milwaukee Brewers: J.B. Bukauskas, P, North Carolina 
- The Brewers grab another arm here. The 6-0 201 lb J.B. Bukauskas is 8-0 with a 1.87 ERA in 2017. Bukauskas is putting together a fantastic season that may vault him into the top 10.
- Bukauskas has a 95-mile per hour fastball and an 85-mile per hour slider. His curveball is at 75-miles per hour and his changeup is at 71-miles per hour.
- Other Milwaukee Brewers Selections
Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim: Alex Toral, 1B, Archbishop McCarthy HS (FL) 
- The Angels add another bat. Alex Toral is batting .357 in 2017. He hit 8 home runs during a home run derby. I can see more upside with him than Royce Lewis. I don't see why other MLB mocks have Toral dropping to the second round. He's still easily a top 10 talent based on the tape I've seen.
- Other Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim Selections
Chicago White Sox: Quentin Holmes, CF, Monsignor McClancey HS (NY) 
- Quintin Holmes is a top 15 prospect and high school bat on some boards. Taking Holmes makes a lot of sense for the White Sox at 11 since Holmes is our third best High School batter.
- Other Chicago White Sox Selections
Pittsburgh Pirates: Tanner Houck, P, Missouri 
- Pittsburgh goes with a pitcher here. Houck has a 95-mile per hour 4-seam fastball and a 92-mile per hour 2-seam fastball. Houck also throws a curveball, slider, and change up. The 6-5 202 lb Houck is 4-7 with a 3.33 ERA which is why he falls to 12 in this mock draft despite having outstanding tape.
- Other Pittsburgh Pirates Selections
Miami Marlins: Alex Scherff, P, Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) 
- Alex Scherff went 11-2 with a 0.65 ERA in 2015 as a sophomore. Scherff dominated as a junior as well having the ideal fastball along with excellent size at 6-5 225 lbs heading into his senior season. Alex Scherff has not surrendered a run in 2017 showing he can be a starting pitcher or a reliever. Alex Scherff went 8-0 with a 0.44 ERA and 89 strikeouts. Scherff has done everything to convince me he's a top 15 prospect.
Kansas City Royals: Jordon Adell, CF, Ballard HS (KY) 
- Jordon Adell is a natural home run batter for Ballard High School. Adell may be the top home run bat in High School. Adell is a perfect fit for the Royals with Lorenzo Cain entering a contract year. Ballard hit 40 home runs in a 3-round home run derby and is a guy worth taking in the top 15. Some have Adell going in the top 10, but he's a swing and miss type of batter on tape, but the potential to ultimately end up being the best high school batter in the entire 2017 MLB Draft is there.
- Other Kansas City Royals Selections
Houston Astros: Hans Crouse, P, Dana Hills HS (CA) 
- Houston drafts a pitcher here. Hans Crouse had an ERA of 3.00 as a freshman in 2014. In 2015, Crouse went 6-1 with a 1.80 ERA. Crouse went 5-4 with a 1.15 ERA as a junior in 2016. The 6-5 190 lb Crouse has a 7-3 record in 11 starts with a 0.88 ERA in 2017. Crouse has a deadly fastball that can go up 95-miles per hour. His 4-seam can touch 95-miles per hour and his 2-seamer can touch 93. Crouse possesses an 89-mile per hour cutter fastball, an 87-mile per hour sinker along with a 79-mile per hour power curve ball along with a quality slider and changeup. Crouse defeated Jacob Heatherly who was my #2 pitcher at one point, but he also struggled down the stretch which is why Crouse slips to the Astros at 15.
- Other Houston Astros Selections
New York Yankees: Jake Burger, 3B, Missouri State 
- Jake Burger entered the year a top 10 prospect. He had a .349 batting average and 21 home runs in 2016. Burger has a .364 batting average, 16 home runs, 43 RBI's, and 10 doubles. Burger fell to 16 due to a lot of teams being set at third baseman.
- Other New York Yankees Selections
Seattle Mariners: Pavin Smith, 1B, Virginia 
- Pavin Smith had a .302 batting average as a freshman in 2015. Smith posted a .329 batting average in 2016. Smith is batting .366 with 10 home runs and 53 RBI's in 2017. Smith gives Seattle a immediate answer at first base plus he's my third best college batter. Right now the Mariners have no stability at first base, but Pavin Smith can fix this down the road.
- Other Seattle Mariners Selections
Detroit Tigers: Alex Lange, P, LSU 
- The Tigers go with the 6-3 201 lb Alex Lange who went 12-0 with a 1.97 ERA as a true freshman in 2015 with 114 strikeouts. Lange went 8-4 with a 3.79 ERA in 2016 doing much worse. Lange is 8-5 with a 2.57 ERA i 2017. He's still a first round pick due to his 95-mile per hour 4-seam fastball on tape. Lange needs to develop the rest of his pitches, but LSU has a good track record with their pitching.
- Other Detroit Tigers Selections
San Francisco Giants: Adam Haseley, CF, Virginia
- The Giants go with Adam Haseley who some have as a top ten pick here. The 6-1 195 lb Adam Haseley plays batter and pitcher like Louisville's Brendan McKay. Haseley projects more as a batter though. Haseley has a .399 batting average, 14 home runs, 54 RBI's, and 10 stolen bases in 2017. Haseley is 7-1 with a 3.58 ERA in 11 starts on Virginia's mound. Haseley's numbers are better than teammate Pavin Smith which is the only remote reason he's being mocked in the top 10 by most. I see a guy who deserves to go in the teens based on his tape.
- Other San Francisco Giants Selections
New York Mets: Jacob Heatherly, P, Cullman HS (AL) 
- New York drafts a pitcher here. They get the 6-1 214 lb Jacob Heatherly. Heatherly has a 93-mile per hour 4-seam fastball, a 89-mile per hour 2-seam fastball, a 75-mile per hour curveball, a 73-mile per hour slider, and a 71-mile per hour changeup. Heatherly had a 2.22 ERA as a sophomore in 2015 and a 1.96 ERA as a junior in 2016. Heatherly has a 1.65 ERA in 2017 and has continued to improve his game with 5-plus pitches. Heatherly may not have the best velocity, but he's very sound and consistent at the plate. This pitcher may be the ideal replacement to Matt Harvey down the road once he finishes developing in the minors.
- Other New York Mets Selections
Baltimore Orioles: Griffin Canning, P, UCLA 
- Baltimore drafts the top pitcher on the board. The Orioles go with the 6-2 180 lb Griffin Canning has dominated with UCLA this season. Canning is 7-3 with a 2.33 ERA in 2017. Canning has pitched 134 strikeouts in 111.1 innings this season. Canning pitched 4 complete games for UCLA in 2017.
- Griffin Canning has a 92-mile per hour 4-seam fastball, a 91-mile per hour 2-seam fastball, a changeup, curveball, slider, and sinker. All of these pitches are at an MLB level. Canning has excellent command and accuracy on his pitches.
- Other Baltimore Orioles Selections
Toronto Blue Jays: David Peterson, P, Oregon 
- Toronto drafts the top pitcher on the board. The 6-6 240 lb David Peterson is 11-4 with a 2.51 ERA in 2017. Threw 140 strikeouts in 100.1 innings. Peterson had 20 strikeouts versus Arizona State which was a school record plus he had 1 complete game shutout in 2017.
- David Peterson has a 95-mile per hour 4-seam fastball, a 93-mile per hour 2-seam fastball, a 91-mile per hour sinker, a changeup, and a curveball. Works from a low 3/4 arm slot. David Peterson is a strikeout machine.
- Other Toronto Blue Jays Selections
Los Angeles Dodgers: Evan White, 1B, Kentucky 
- One of the best first baseman in College Baseball is Evan White. White has a power bat and batted .318 in 2015 and .376 in 2016. White has a .385 batting average so far in 2017. White has the tools to develop into a 35-40 home run hitter if you are patient with him in the minors. He already has power hitting, batting average, and speed to get doubles consistently. He's not a home run hitter yet, but Los Angeles can develop that part of his game in the minors.
- Other Los Angeles Dodgers Selections
Boston Red Sox: Nick Brueser, 1B, Hamilton HS (AZ) 
- Nick Brueser's .347 batting average may be a career low. He does everything well on tape though and can already hit home runs in Petco Park as a High School senior. Brueser has 5-tool ability and reminds me of Paul Goldschmidt on tape. Some scouts have a fifth to sixth round grade on Brueser, but based on him bating .340 or higher in all 4 years of High School, you can argue he's a top 20 talent as well as a future starter for a team like the Boston Red Sox at 24.
- Other Boston Red Sox Selections
Washington Nationals: Brent Rooker, RF, Mississippi State 
- The 6-4 220 lb Brent Rooker had a .404 batting average, 21 home runs, 76 RBI's, and 18 stolen bases. What Rooker has done for Mississippi State in 2017 is simply mind boggling.
- Bryce Harper will be a Free Agent soon. I think Harper leaves the Nationals unless they win a World Series. Brent Rooker is a perfect player to develop in the minors while Harper plays out his contract with the Nationals.
- Other Washington Nationals Selections
Texas Rangers: D.L. Hall, P, Valdosta HS (GA) 
- D.L. Hall is an awesome value pick at this point. Hall is the best player on the board for Texas at this point.
- Other Texas Rangers Selections
Chicago Cubs: Wil Crowe, P, South Carolina 
- The Cubs take the best player available. Wil Crowe is the top pitcher available as well as a perfect candidate for the Chicago Cubs to develop.
- Other Chicago Cubs Selections
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Toronto Blue Jays: Mark Vientos, SS, Charles W. Flanagan HS (FL)
- Mark Vientos is the best player on the board at this point. Vientos makes a lot of sense for Toronto here.
- Other Toronto Blue Jays Selections
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Texas Rangers: Drew Waters, CF, Etowa HS (GA)
- Drew Waters is the best player on the board at this point. Waters makes a lot of sense for Texas here.
- Other Texas Rangers Selections
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Chicago Cubs: Austin Beck, CF, North Davidson HS (NC)
- Austin Beck failed to impress me on tape. Some have this guy in their top 5 which is absolutely insane since I see a late first round pick. Either way the Cubs would pounce on Austin Beck if he fell this far.
- Other Chicago Cubs Selections
