2017 MLB Mock Draft, Version 5.2

Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

With the draft less than a month away, a fifth look at the upcoming MLB draft is in order.

Before we get started with this MLB mock draft, a few things:
– These are the selections of the writer, based on discussions with scouts and team officials in the game. However, they are not to be viewed as a prediction, but an idea of the direction a team could go in the given scenario presented.
– Players moving up or down is not necessarily an indication of a player's stock rising or falling. The player is assigned based on a fit, and sometimes that can mean a player moves 10 or more spots in the draft.

1. Minnesota Twins

Kyle Wright

RHP, Vanderbilt University

Impressively, Wright could end up being a guy who did not get selected at all coming out of high school to being the top overall selection in the draft coming out of college. Wright has been a tremendous pitcher for Vanderbilt from the time he stepped on campus, and he's developed into the top collegiate starter in the nation. Wright is a work out warrior that can impress with his power lifting abilities, and he attempted to "air it out" a bit too much this spring initially, leading to his stuff flattening out. Instead, he found as he was willing to pitch within himself, he could maintain 97 at the top end of his fastball velocity deep into games along with his unique ability to manipulate each of his pitches in multiple ways, really giving his three-pitch off-speed mix dozens of true looks that batters will see over the course of a game. Wright has an ability to profile as a top of the rotation starter who may not be among MLB's aces, but certainly could be a top starter for any team in the game, akin to peak James Shields.

2. Cincinnati Reds

Hunter Greene

RHP/SS, Notre Dame HS (CA)

Greene's comments about wanting to skip over the Reds if he doesn't go #1 overall has led many to believe the Reds will be uninterested in Greene if he were on the board. Instead, the Reds have been noted at multiple events for Greene, and they would certainly be more than interested in his incredible talent. Last season, the Reds were not fazed when they needed to give the top bonus of the draft to their selection at #2 overall, Nick Senzel, believing he was worth that bonus, and they would be willing to go that route here as well. Greene's incredible track record off the mound with his elite fastball and off-the-charts athleticism would allow him to be an impact arm in the Reds system.

3. San Diego Padres

MacKenzie Gore

LHP, Whiteville HS (NC)

The Padres have certainly been tied to Greene heavily, and they would open the bank account to bring him in. If they could not get Greene, they would certainly seek out the highest ceiling they could find, and one could certainly argue that in this year's draft, that certainly could be Gore. He has the velocity of an elite starter along with the type of breaking pitch that has seasoned scouts uttering four-letter words under their breath. The big "concern" with Gore is his unusual delivery, which features a high leg kick to open, but he has the ability to keep his location, even when his mechanics get a bit off, and as he gains in strength and maturity into his frame, the delivery should present no real issue.

4. Tampa Bay Rays

Austin Beck

OF, North Davidson HS (NC)

Beck has been the most variant of high school hitters near the top of the draft this spring. Many see the comparisons to some of the game's best and dream big, but the reality is that there is a big question on the ability Beck will have to translate his hit tool to professional ball, and after missing the showcase circuit last summer, scouts weren't able to see him have to face consistent elite stuff the way he will in pro ball. He could end up anywhere from #3 to dropping into the 20s due to that variance, though some compare his current variance to that of Blake Rutherford last spring when his power tool was in question and the Yankees were happy to see him fall. Don't be surprised if the Yankees at 16 could again represent a floor for Beck if he begins to fall. Tamps would enjoy Beck's elite tools in their system and hope to get the hit tool to work to a Reggie Sanders level.

5. Atlanta Braves

Nick Pratto

1B, Huntington Beach HS (CA)

For the Braves, they're sitting in a spot where they're going to be meeting with a host of players to find out what the number will be to sign them, preparing to spend heavy over the team's first 2-4 picks after loading up in the 2016 international market and having a high number of the team's 2016 picks sign, filling up the team's rookie league teams, not leaving a ton of space for 2016 picks, meaning the team will likely go big after a few picks rather than spreading across their 11-40 picks. Last week, I profiled Royce Lewis in this spot, and this week I profile Nick Pratto, and I truly believe that the team could go either direction with the Braves having a very strong history and presence in California in the prep market. They've been noted scouting both heavily, but the Braves will likely be heavy in the market for a number of guys, including Gore, Beck, Lewis, Pratto, Adell, Baz, Carlson, and others, and like last season, a player could impress them such that he's outside of consensus in the media before the draft.Next: Picks 6-10

6. Oakland Athletics

Brendan McKay

1B/LHP, University of Louisville

The Athletics could end up pulling off the top-rated collegiate talent two seasons in a row as they fall just as the draft approaches. Last season, A.J. Puk's inconsistencies caused him to fall to their selection, and this season velocity concerns with McKay could lead to him falling as well. With the bat, McKay could be a guy that profiles as a mid-first round selection, showing impressive bat control through the zone and good zone judgement as well. Off the mound, though his velocity has dropped in recent starts to just under 90 MPH, McKay has been able to keep hitters at bay enough to get his team the win, though with nowhere near glowing statistics. McKay attempted to add a cut fastball in April, and some have blamed this for his velocity drop.

7. Arizona Diamondbacks

Royce Lewis

IF/OF, JSerra Catholic HS (CA)

The Diamondbacks want to get talent, and the best talent they can find at that. Lewis may be a guy who takes a bit to develop, but his makeup is absolutely tremendous, and he has the profile to work up the middle as either an infielder or outfielder, depending on the organization. Lewis is lightning-quick with his feet and with his bat through the zone. He is built slender right now, but he has the bat speed and the ability to put the barrel on the ball that would allow for power as he matured. An inconsistent start to Lewis' spring had his initial top 3-4 placement in flux, but he will certianly not drop out of the top 10, and the Diamondbacks would be overjoyed to get a guy of Lewis' personal makeup as their face of their porous farm system.

8. Philadelphia Phillies

J.B. Bukauskas

RHP, University of North Carolina

The Phillies want elite talent, and their early hot start in 2016 put them out of the top 5 in the draft, so they're left watching the draft come to them rather than controlling their selection like they did in the 2016 draft. Philadelphia has tremendous depth at the lower levels with high-upside prospects and could be enticed by a selection that could move quicker. I've mocked a number of guys here, but the Phillies are known to be in on top college arms this season. Bukauskas very likely has the best individual pitch in the entire draft in his slider, but many teams have concerns in his stature and his delivery. Philadelphia could take the big swing here, knowing they'd have an elite closer at the least. Bukauskas is one of the youngest collegiate players in the class due to his reclassification in high school during his junior year, and he would instantly become the top pitching prospect in a good pitching system.

9. Milwaukee Brewers

Jordon Adell

OF, Ballard HS (KY)

While Beck has been highly variable, Adell's had a seeming issue with his strikeout ability since last summer when he showed his first real issues with swing-and-miss. He did make adjustments mid-summer after those initial struggles and finished on a high note, but the reports for many were already written. Adell's tools are impressive, with legit double plus arm, speed, power, and defense. His contact has even flashed at that level at the end of the summer, and there are a number of scouts who believe he could be the top overall high school prospect when all is said and done in this year's high school class. Getting him at #9 would be a coup for the Brewers, who got an equally toolsy outfielder last season out of college in Corey Ray and have another toolsy outfielder in Lewis Brinson on the brink of the major leagues.

10. Los Angeles Angels

Adam Haseley

OF, University of Virginia

Haseley got his first collegiate notice as a pitcher with the Virginia College World Series championship team in 2015. He's worked his way from more of a pitching prospect who could also hit to an outfield prospect who also pitches at this point. His experience as a pitcher portends his plus arm in the outfield and his impressive accuracy from the outfield. He likely does not profile as an elite power guy, but he has shown the ability to be an above-average to plus outfielder in all offensive aspects – power, speed, and contact. He would be a guy that would be a big addition to the Angels high-ceiling, low-floor system as a guy with a high-ceiling but also a likely high-floor as well.Next: Picks 11-15

11. Chicago White Sox

Jeren Kendall

OF, Vanderbilt University

The White Sox have always loved athletic outfielders, and there's really not much more raw athleticism than Kendall in the draft class. The problem is that Kendall is a collegiate outfielder, so one would expect him to be more polished than he is both defensively and offensively. He has elite defensive tools and should profile as a center field going forward. He does have double plus speed and power that could also be double plus, but his contact ability has been in high question this season as he's shown heavy contact concerns.

12. Pittsburgh Pirates

Pavin Smith

1B, University of Virginia

Pittsburgh has been hitting the college bat market fairly hard, so while getting Smith would be a definite plus for their goal of the college bat, seeing Haseley and Kendall both go off the board just ahead of them would certainly drive the Pirates a bit bonkers and force their hand a bit. There is plenty of traction that the Pirates could be very heavy into Kentucky 1B/OF Evan White here, but for this scenario, they'll have the guy many view as the best overall hitter in the college class. Smith has some athleticism that could project to an outfield corner, but if he does end up at first base, he is a tremendous first baseman defensively.

13. Miami Marlins

Shane Baz

RHP, Concordia Lutheran HS (TX)

Baz really has come into play from about #2 on to this spot in doing this particular mock draft. The Marlins would be getting an elite arm in Baz, with a fastball that can reach the upper 90s with good movement along with four secondary pitches – and that doesn't include that he's turned his four-seam fastball in his hand to offer a two-seam fastball on top of the cutter, change, slider, and curve he already throws with above-average command for a high school arm. Many have compared Baz to 2016 Atlanta Braves draft selection Kyle Muller in that he has tremendous ability as a two-way Texan high school pitcher that would be a legit hitter in college if he isn't signed. The Braves paid over slot to get Muller in 2016, but this would be about where Baz would expect to likely be paid to forego his TCU commitment.

14. Kansas City Royals

Alex Faedo

RHP, University of Florida

Faedo may not have the elite stuff of Bukauskas, but he has stuff that is just a hair below J.B.'s, and he has the more "natural" frame. On a loaded Florida rotation in 2016 that produced two first round selections and six selections in the first 10 rounds out of the pitching staff, Faedo was the guy that received the most notice from scouts, pitching ahead of top-10 selection A.J. Puk in the rotation. Faedo struggled early on in the spring, but he's gotten hot as the spring has turned to summer. Faedo has a tremendous ability to manipulate his fastball and control his secondary stuff. The Royals would be able to move Faedo quickly as a future rotation member or see him plug in as a future bullpen ace as well.

15. Houston Astros

Trevor Rogers

LHP, Carlsbad HS (NM)

The Astros continue to be linked with a group of high school arms, but it would not surprise whatsoever if the Astros made a move for a college bat like Hiura or Warmoth. In the mold of projection high school arms, they don't come with much more projection than Rogers. He stands 6'6″ tall with long limbs and minimal build. He is one of the older members of this class, but he has had less usage and exposure than many of his classmates that are much younger. With a fastball that can reach mid-90s with ease and a wicked slider, Rogers has a profile that many see emulating that of Andrew Miller.Next: Picks 16-20

16. New York Yankees

Bubba Thompson

OF, McGill-Thoolen Catholic HS (AL)

Many love to talk about selecting a projectable athlete in a baseball draft, and as that, there's none that have received more distinction this high school season than Thompson. An elite high school quarterback in football, he decommitted from Auburn in the fall to consider options to play both football and baseball at multiple D-1 schools. He chose to play just baseball at Alabama in the end, but that was after his draft stock rose to such a point where it was clear that he would be drafted in the first round. This spring he's simply established himself as one of the guys who could jump out early, along the lines of Will Benson in the 2016 draft, as a big athlete that a team chooses to gamble on.

17. Seattle Mariners

Evan White

1B, University of Kentucky

The rare collegiate first sacker that can handle more elite defensive positions like center field, White has a hit tool ahead of his power tool, but his hit tool is so elite that he's working his way up boards in a hurry and could end up in the 10-15 range the way things are going. White does have a body that could add in some more muscle to truly access his power.

18. Detroit Tigers

Sam Carlson

RHP, Burnsville HS (MN)

While some discount Carlson due to his lack of competition in the Minnesota high school ranks and lack of reps this spring, that's also a benefit to him in that his arm does not have anywhere near the wear of many of the other arms in the class, yet he's shown equal or better overall stuff. Carlson has been up to 97 this spring with his fastball, and many consider his change his best pitch overall. A curve that can flash plus and a projectable frame that would be a two-way player if he holds to his collegiate commitment to Florida should allow the athletic Carlson to develop into an excellent starter.

19. San Francisco Giants

Griffin Canning

RHP, University of California at Los Angeles

While the Giants may be more interested in a college bat, in this scenario, the guys they truly want in the first are all off the board, as are the high school bats that would also be of Giants interest. In that case, it'd be a matter of choosing between the likely faster-moving Canning and the possible higher upside Peterson. Either would be a solid selection, but Canning's ability to likely move quickly to the majors as a #3 starter and stay there for quite some time would attract Canning heavily.

20. New York Mets

David Peterson

LHP, University of Oregon

The Mets have built their current run based on the strength of pitching, and adding Peterson to their system would not be an impact on their prospect lists for long. Peterson is a guy who should be a quick mover to the major leagues with four quality pitches at this time, even if none are a double-plus pitch. Peterson has the rare ability to have excellent location with a 6'6″, 240-ish pound frame, with a repeatable delivery that produces heavy feel to all four pitches. He could be a guy to make a major league debut as quickly as 2018, and the Mets could use his left-handed presence in their rotation.Next: Picks 21-25

21. Baltimore Orioles

Jake Burger

3B, Missouri State University

I'm not sure if this is the absolute floor for Burger, but it's probably close. He'd certainly be gobbled up by the Nationals if he were there at 25, so that's probably the absolute floor for him, but he could come off the board as high as 11-12 as well. College power seems to always climb the ranks, but at the same time, college power without a defined position often struggles to find a home. The Orioles have a history of working with guys with some pedigree on the infield/outfield corners and letting them play just to get the bat in the lineup, and Burger would certainly fit that. Burger has the ability to handle premium velocity, and he has showed the ability to handle quality breaking stuff when he's faced it, with his biggest concern being his zone recognition and some swing mechanics that some believe could lead to a low average, high power output as a professional.

22. Toronto Blue Jays

Logan Warmoth

SS, University of North Carolina

Warmoth was known as a high school player, but he was committed to his college time at North Carolina, and that has been a wise decision on his part as he's shown to be the top shortstop in a weak college middle infield class. Warmoth profiles strongly in the mold of J.J. Hardy as a very steady guy defensively that has the ability to handle staying at short but could be elite if he moved over to second or third base. Warmoth has very solid offensive skills that fit a sabermetric darling that could be an all contact and patience guy, but he does have some raw power and instincts on the bases that could lead to fantasy stats as well.

23. Los Angeles Dodgers

Keston Hiura

IF/OF, University of California at Irvine

While Hiura's injury has fans of many teams hoping that he could fall further in the draft, it appears that this could be his floor and he could go as high as #12 overall. On pure overall hitting talent, Hiura is a top-10 talent without question. The Dodgers are very high on Bubba Thompson, but if he were to go ahead of them, L.A. would be very intrigued in Hiura or one of the high school arms in this area. Hiura has an unmatched combination of hit tool and power in this collegiate class, and his ability to handle second base and the outfield when healthy draws natural comparisons to the Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ, though Hiura is more of a pure hitter and less a power hitter while Happ is more power and less contact than Hiura. He also emulates current Dodgers prospect Willie Calhoun in that he brings a bat regardless of what position he's played at.

24. Boston Red Sox

DL Hall

LHP, Valdosta HS (GA)

When the Red Sox grabbed Jason Groome last season, many thought that Boston had grabbed the best high school arm in the 2016 MLB draft class. Many feel Hall is the best lefty in the 2017 high school class, with tremendous polish that Gore and Rogers don't exhibit as fellow prep lefties. Hall can work up to 96 with his fastball, but sits more in the 92-94 range with good movement, and he has exhibited flashes of plus command of the pitch. What many believe will carry Hall is his elite curve ball, a more 1-to-7 breaking pitch than a 12-to-6 breaker, but with excellent results all the same. Hall struggled some this spring with consistency, but he'd be an excellent grab here.

25. Washington Nationals

Tanner Houck

RHP, University of Missouri

After trading away plenty of pitching depth over the winter, the Nationals have been strongly tied to fast-moving pitching in the draft class as well as fast-moving prospects in general. The Nationals could always go after one of their bread-and-butter moves and grab an injured pitcher like Clarke Schmidt or Tristan Beck, but Houck would give them an elite arm that has a perfect frame to sit in the middle of a rotation and rack up innings as a sinker pitcher with an average slider and change that help him keep hitters honest and pounding balls into the ground..Next: Picks 26-30

26. Texas Rangers

Blayne Enlow

RHP, St. Amant HS (LA)

Enlow's elite stuff has already begun to send out rumors of a big signng number to pull him away from LSU. That has caused him to drift from the group of arms that will populate picks 10-17 or so.to more toward the comp picks instead. The Rangers have never been afraid of a big number if the big talent also was present, and they'll certainly be willing to open up the checkbook for Enlow's mid-90s fastball and arguably the best curveball in the entire high school class.

27. Chicago Cubs

Brendon Little

LHP, State Junior College of Florida

While they've shuffled some to begin 2017, the Cubs certainly have the team that should allow them to be playing in the postseason. Little is the type of guy that could move quickly to the major leagues and make an impact as a bullpen pitcher immediately due to his elite fastball and curve. His fastball could be reaching triple digits out of the bullpen, and the curve is a wicked pitch that gets swing and miss. He's shown more feel for a change that would allow Little to return to the minors and work as a starter after helping the Cubs to the playoffs, but he could definitely be one of the few 2017 draftees to make an impact this season.

28. Toronto Blue Jays

Alex Lange

RHP, Louisiana State University

Lange blew away the SEC his freshman year to put himself onto the map, and he's been seemingly shuffling ever since, though that's still a very good pitcher. Lange sits low 90s with the fastball, touching 96-97 with excellent late life, and his hard curve may be the best hard curve in the draft. Lange has struggled some this spring with command, which has dropped him from a top 15 pick to more of the back of the first round, but a pitcher getting him this late will be a very nice value for the Blue Jays.

29. Texas Rangers

Heliot Ramos

OF, Leadership Christian Academy HS (PR)

After going high for Enlow, the Rangers would likely have to also spend their fair share to lock down Ramos as well, but in doing so, they could be getting the best set of raw tools in the entire draft. Ramos may be the youngest prospect that gets selected in the first two days of the draft, and he has an incredible amount of raw athleticism. Ramos flashed incredible power in the batting cages this past summer while also showing double-plus speed as well.

30. Chicago Cubs

Nick Allen

SS, Francis Parker School (CA)

One of my personal favorites, Allen has slipped down many boards that believe his lack of size will inhibit him being an impact big leaguer. However, he should have a high floor as a defender, and his double-plus run tool along with excellent bat-to-ball ability should allow him to produce on the offensive end as well as seeing his body fill out to produce some natural power on top of his bat speed. Many teams have discussed that Allen would be a target as a 2nd pick in the draft, not their first pick, and this would be an excellent fit with the Cubs' emphasis on defense across their entire system.Next: Picks 31-36

31. Tampa Bay Rays

Nate Pearson

RHP, Central Florida Junior College

While Little could reach the majors, his fellow Florida junior college prospect Pearson could be the better pro in the end. Pearson was a lanky high schooler that could reach into the low-90s and had projection coming out of high school, and he's made himself into a pitcher that has cleared triple digits and has a plus change, possibly even double-plus. Pearson offers two breaking pitches with both needing some work to be pro-caliber pitches, but he has the chance to be an effective starter just due to the heavy fastball/change combination, let alone if his breaking stuff can develop as well.

32. Cincinnati Reds

Tristen Lutz

OF, Martin HS (TX)

There may not be a more powerful high school bat in the 2017 draft than Lutz. While he may not stick in center field as a pro, he has the athleticism to play there initially, which leads to just how well he should handle defense at the corner when he does move there. Lutz does have the traditional right field profile with a power arm and power bat. At 6'3″ and 220 pounds, he looks like he has been working with professional training for years already, and adding that pro coaching to his possible double-plus future power could allow him to be a very special bat indeed.

33. Oakland Athletics

Matt Sauer

RHP, Ernest Righetti HS (CA)

After sitting low-90s in summer showcase circuit games, Sauer has seen his physical projection begin to come through as he's flashing 97 and sitting 92-95. He has a hard-breaking slider that he pairs with his hard fastball that really befuddles high school hitters. Sauer will need work with his change and/or another secondary offering in order to work as a starter, but even as a reliever, his upside would be incredible and a value at this spot for the Athletics

34. Milwaukee Brewers

Michael Mercado

RHP, Westview HS (CA)

Drafting Adell earlier would require a significant investment, and while this would likely be a bit of a money-saving pick, by no means is Mercado unfit to be a selection here. A tall right hander that can be described no other way than "skinny" at this point, Mercado has a great frame to add size but he already has solid velocity and excellent feel for his curve and tremendous control. He reminds strongly of Braves prospect Mike Soroka in his profile.

35. Minnesota Twins

Mark Vientos

3B, American Heritage HS (FL)

This would be an ideal haul for the Twins. Taking the top pitcher on most boards in Wright at #1 overall and getting a guy that many people believe has the best hit tool in the entire draft class in Vientos, the Twins would be keyed up to move in a lot of ways at pick #37 when it came around in round 2. Vientos will likely move over to third, and his powerful arm and fluent movement should allow him to be an above-average to plus defender at the hot corner, but the thing the Twins would be drafting here is Vientos' bat. He has driven the ball well this spring after showing a unique ability to make excellent contact against the best arms of the class in the showcase circuit last summer. Vientos projects with elite bat speed and high contact skills along with plus power projection as well.

36. Miami Marlins

Drew Ellis

3B, University of Louisville

What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Drop a note in the comments!