American League West Mock Draft Reviews

by John Sickels on Jun 7, 2025 5:02 PM EDT Comment 7 comments

American League West Mock Draft Review

Los Angeles

24) James Paxton, LHP, Kentucky
25) Matt Davidson, 3B, California HS
40) Alex Wilson, RHP, Texas A&M
42) Madison Younginer, RHP, South Carolina HS
48) Josh Phegley, C, Indiana
80) Brooks Raley, LHP, Texas A&M
110) J.R. Murphy, C, Florida HS

COMMENT: With multiple early picks, the Angels have a chance to rebuild their system quickly, and it will be interesting to see if the real draft takes a similar tack to this one. The Angels usually prefer tools and upside. Although Paxton is a college pick, he's very projectable and needs more polish. Davidson might be a slight overdraft, but I don't have a problem with it and he does seem like the kind of hitter they would like. The mixture of high school and college choices that follow seem logical, though I'm not sure Wilson and Phegley are "Angels types." On the other hand, preps Younginer and Murphy fit the Angels profile, and Raley is unusually athletic for a college pitcher, which seems like something they would like. Overall I think this is a good use of multiple picks.

Oakland

13) Donavan Tate, OF, Georgia HS
92) Robert Stock, RHP, Southern Cal

COMMENT: While Tate doesn't fit the stereotype of what the Athletics look for, rumors persist that Oakland is strongly considering him should he fall this far. Stock has huge first round upside as a pitcher but his signability is a question. This pair would be expensive and somewhat risky, but the upside would be outstanding.

Seattle

2) Dustin Ackley, OF, North Carolina
27) Drew Storen, RHP, Stanford
33) Mychal Givens, SS, Florida HS
51) Angelo Songco, OF, Loyola Marymount
82) Andrew Susac, C, California HS

COMMENT: Ackley is a no-brainer. Storen relieved in college, but the mock organization director drafted him as a starter according to his comment in the thread. Givens has a very high ceiling and blends nicely with Ackely and Storen's college polish. Songco provides another power bat for the outfield. Susac has gotten a bit lost in the shuffle of high school catching this year, but is a legitimate pick. Overall, a draft like this would provide a nice combination of tools and skills for the system.

Texas

14) Chad James, LHP, Oklahoma HS
44) Jared Mitchell, OF, LSU
62) Zack Van Rosenberg, RHP, Louisiana HS
93) Billy Bullock, RHP, Florida

COMMENT: A lot of people are projecting home-state product Shelby Miller for the Rangers at 14, but the mock director selected James instead. Either would fit based on talent, fitting the mold of the power arm that the Rangers have been trying to collect. Mitchell at 44 is a steal. I'm also fond of Rosenberg, who may not have the pure stuff of some of the others but has terrific pitchability for a prep. Bullock in the third round is a guy who could help in the pen relatively soon. Overall, I like the mix of high school and college guys, upside with polish.

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I love the Oakland draft

Goes against stereotypical A’s of course, but could be a huge draft. Seattle had a nice little draft as well. In fact, all four teams drafted well here.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Jun 7, 2025 6:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I was just going to say that

Great use of only two picks.

"I didn't realize his velocity was that high," said Macha, noting that radar readings aren't flashed during exhibition games.

by battlekow on Jun 7, 2025 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah with the way the system is shaping up the A's can

afford to take some high ceiling guys. Good draft, I’d be delighted if it turned out this way.

by OldhamA on Jun 7, 2025 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course . . .

Tate isn’t unreasonable . . .the real life A’s really seem to like him, to the point where I’m assuming a hefty expenditure of money has been authorized to bring him in.

But Stock? He’s just not very interested in signing as a pitcher right now, he really wants to catch. He’s so young and has another year of college if he wants, so he’s in the driver’s seat re: negotiations. That’s not to say I couldn’t see him signing . . .but you’d need to put up enough money to make him pass up not only another shot at catching, but another year of development as a pitcher. With some more work on the mound, he’d be a great looking pitching prospect - athleticism, big time raw arm strength, multiple pitches, 4 years of mound work at a big-time baseball program, young enough to learn but not so young that he’s exceptionally injury prone. He could very easily go in the top half of the 2010 first round and maybe better if he really breaks out, so we’re looking at what, probably like $3M or so for him to sign this year, at least?

by mrkupe on Jun 7, 2025 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stock may prefer catching, but I think to say he's "not very interested in signing as a pitcher" is a stretch

“I definitely work more at catching,” he said. “That’s always been what I love to do. But I also want to be a major league baseball player and however I get to do it would be incredible.”

BA on 6/2

"I didn't realize his velocity was that high," said Macha, noting that radar readings aren't flashed during exhibition games.

by battlekow on Jun 7, 2025 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As an Angels fan I don't have a problem with the draft

but I’d be shocked if the Angels didn’t draft at least a couple OF’s w/ power potential. The Angels themselves have talked about the complete lack of OF prospects with power in their system.

by MH252525 on Jun 7, 2025 8:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Angels - Brewers Draft

I know that I stole a player from your Mock SD, and looking at who he took, it looks like he had 3 players from my board (Paxton, Youninger and Davidson). Out of all of the drafts done on the site this weekend, the Angel draft looks like the best (apart from my own of course).

by backtocali on Jun 8, 2025 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs