While the draft is a long way off, I know how much everyone loves Mock Drafts. So here is my first shot at it. Some of these are off the wall picks, but in all seriousness, you never know who is going to surprise us.
1. Houston Astros: Nick Williams, OF, Galveston, Texas High School
Williams could take a while to make it to the majors but with the current crop of prospects, Williams could lead a wave that is leading the Astros back to prominence in 2017. Yes, it may take that long.
2. Minnesota Twins: Mike Zunino, C, Florida
While the Twins have one of the best catchers in baseball signed for a long time, they do need an impact bat and Zunino could have one. He could also ease Mauer's transition to another position and make catching easier on each of them.
3. Seattle Mariners: Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford
Just because the Mariners play in a pitcher friendly park doesn't mean they need mediocre pitching. If they add another dominant pitcher, they don't need to score runs, right?
4. Baltimore Orioles: Deven Marrero, SS, Arizona State
The last SS they took at the top of the draft seems to be doing well, so why not do it again. Machado at 3B, Marrero at SS and Schoop at 2B could be a really solid infield.
5. Kansas City Royals: Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.)
The Royals are loaded at the top of their system but have a second wave coming. That is how you build a long term contender. Giolito could be the best pitcher in that next wave.
6. Chicago Cubs: Kevin Gausman, RHP, Louisianna State
I don't know where the Cubs are going. I don't know if they do. Gausman is a great talent and they need pitching. That is good enough for me.
7. San Diego Padres: Max Fried, LHP, Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.)
No, that isn't a typo. Two of the top 7 pick in the nation could come from the same HIGH SCHOOL. Not top college program, high school. Crazy, isn't it. The Padres have been taking a lot of high level pitching lately and Fried could be next. Maybe he can follow in another NL West lefties footsteps. The curve isn't quite as good as Kershaw's but it is very good.
8. Pittsburgh Pirates: Gavin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS, Lake Charles, La.
Cecchini is a great defender up the middle and can really hit. He knows how to play the game and comes from a great baseball family as his brother is a top prospect for Boston. While not a standard Pirates pick as of late, I like him here.
9. Florida Marlins: Carlos Correa, SS, Santa Isabel PR PR Baseball Academy
Correa could be another offensive SS to replace Hanley Ramirez after he moves on. I'm not sure Correa can stick at SS due to his size but the bat is for real and his defensive actions are smooth.
10. Colorado Rockies: Alex Bregman, C, Albuquerque, NM
I really like Bregman. He isn't a toolsy player like some but he looks like he belongs on the diamond. He hustles, he hits, he throws and that is why I am putting him at Catcher. I think he is worthy of a spot behind the dish and his skills could be worthy of a top 10 pick.
11. Oakland Athletics: Byron Buxton, OF, Appling County, Georgia
Moneyball? Who needs Moneyball when you have off the charts ability.
12. NY Mets: Kenny Diekroger, SS, Stanford
Maybe they can fast track him to the majors to replace Ruben Tejada. Maybe they'll re-sign Reyes and they will do something else, just throwing darts at this point.
13. Chicago White Sox: Branden Kline, RHP, Virginia
The way the Sox draft, I have no idea who they are going to pick. I can almost guarantee it won't be Kline.
14. Cincinnati Reds: Lance McCullers, RHP, Jesuit HS, Tampa, Florida
The Reds have chosen strong prep arms and McCullers is one of the best.
15. Cleveland Indians: Victor Roache, OF, Georgia Southern
Massive power would go well in the Jake or whatever it's going by these days.
16. Washington Nationals: Lucas Sims, RHP, Brookwood HS, Snellville, Ga.
The Nationals may have drafted the top talent in the draft each of the last 3 years. That likely won't happen this year but Sims would be a great addition to the young talent in their system.
17. Toronto Blue Jays: Hunter Virant, LHP, Camariollo (Calif.) HS
Virant is new to pitching and has a high ceiling, as high as anyone in this draft. Most of that comes from not failing yet, though. This spring could make him jump up of fall down draft boards.
18. LA Dodgers: Jake Elander, C, Texas Christian
Elander should sign for slot and that is what the Dodgers want. He has the bat and the D to make this a justifiable pick, barely.
19. LA Angels: Joey Gallo, 3B, Henderson, Nev.
Gallo crushed a ball at Petco this summer that solidified his status as a 1st rounder.
20. San Francisco Giants: Jake Barrett, RHP, Arizona State
21. Atlanta Braves: Brian Johnson, 1B/LHP, Florida
22. Toronto Blue Jays (comp pick for Tyler Beede): David Dahl, OF, Oak Mountain HS, Pelham, Ala.
23. St. Louis Cardinals: Marcus Stroman , RHP , Duke
24. Boston Red Sox: Trey Williams, 3B, Valencia, Saugus, CA
25. Tampa Bay Rays: Stryker Trahan, C, Acadiana HS, Lafayette, FL
26. Arizona Diamondbacks: Tyler Naqiun, OF, Texas A & M
27. Detroit Tigers: Rio Ruiz, 3B, Bishop Amat (CA) HS
28. Milwaukee Brewers: Jesse Winker, OF, Olympia HS, Windemere, Fla.
29. Texas Rangers: Michael Wacha, RHP, Texas A&M
30. NY Yankees: Fernelys Sanchez , OF, George Washington (NY) HS
31. Philadelphia Phillies: Lewis Brinson, OF, Coral Springs, Margate, FL
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