Here we go for the Final MLB Mock Draft! We’re finally here. So many surprises. Money seems to be a big factor in the top picks. Let’s dive in.
Join Hard Rock Bet with my link and get a Bonus Bet up to $50 🤝
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS: JJ Wetherholt, West Virginia, SS/2B
In recent days, the Guardians pick went from Travis Bazzana to JJ Wetherholt, and this simply had to do with money. Out of Charlie Condon and Bazzana, Wetherholt is rumored to accept a smaller signing bonus. On the field, there isn’t much of a difference between Bazzana and Wetherholt, which in turn makes the Guardians feel much more comfortable going for a prospect who wasn’t in top-three considerations for most of the pre-draft process. Much like Nick Madrigal and Austin Martin in their draft years, Wetherholt is a similar profile who looks very enticing on paper. He’s in the mold of a Jose Altuve with less power, and a nice second option if whoever selects him loses out on Bazzana. The problem with this is, his game might take a bit to translate at the next level, similar to that of Madrigal and Martin, who I’ve mentioned above. Teams can only hope he catches on faster like a Jordan Westburg or a Nick Gonzales.
2. CINCINNATI REDS: Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Georgia
The Reds get their guy. Some say Spencer Steer is the Reds’ next Joey Votto, but Condon fits the profile much more. His power from the left side of the plate could tempt the Guardians in the same way Spencer Torkelson did with the Tigers back in 2020. But in the end, Charlie Condon seems the most ready for big league pitching and for the Reds’ timeline, this works perfect. He should be able to fly through the minors and join Cincinnati in the near future.
3. COLORADO ROCKIES: Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida
Cags has been predicted in the top-three for a couple years now. I don’t see that changing much, unless he wants more money, which could scare cheaper spending teams like the Rockies and A’s. In that case, the White Sox would jump all over the opportunity to grab the two-way phenom. But on this day, the Rockies should stop thinking about righthand pitcher Chase Burns and think of who can put butts in the seats in the long run, and that’s Cags.
4. OAKLAND A’S: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State
What a drop! Bazzana has been in the top-three for months. This drop is just a matter of circumstance, and with that the A’s get lucky. Bazzana will still want top money, but for a team who is moving out of Oakland, they’ll need a face of the franchise and Bazzana could be that player. The Australian native has a nice blend of power and hit-ability which makes me a perfect number one overall fit. I do think it’ll take a while for his power to showcase in the bigs, but nevertheless, he can hit the ball anywhere at ease. He might not stay at second base long term, but his bat is more valuable than the rest of his tool set.
5. CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M
This is where it gets interesting. I do think Nick Kurtz falling past five is ludicrous, but the White Sox are pretty unpredictable. After a failed rebuild, they are yet again rebuilding. However, the question is: are they looking at a short or long rebuild. Because if it’s a long rebuild, Konnor Griffin or Bryce Rainer would make sense here, but if it’s shorter, then a college bat that won’t take long to develop would make the most sense. Chicago’s fans are pretty impatient right now, and their farm system is light with top outfielders, so with that I’m going with a college bat. The closer we got to the draft, the more Montgomery’s stock rose. At first it was thought he was a hit-over-power player, but scouts have changed their opinions on him in recent months. The kid can do it at the plate and in the field.
6. KANSAS CITY ROYALS: Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA)
Royals want to put the final pieces of their outfield together, and Rainer makes the most sense. They’ve been connected to him for a while. Personally, I believe they should go with a college bat, but since they’re ahead of their winning timeline, they can take risks on prep players. Here is another big shortstop who has about every tool you want. But much like all prep players, there is the prospect’s scouting grades before the draft and then their scouting grades a year into pro ball. If Rainer is still raking a year into pro ball, then his early grades will make sense. For now, I think he is top-10 worthy, but I’m still staying cautious. When a player gets comps to Corey Seager that’s a pretty high bar to reach. Zach Neto flew through the minors and has had his fair share of struggles in the bigs. Then there is the hype that Marcelo Mayer got when he was drafted. Mayer had similar projection, and while he is a top-20 prospect, there are some concerns if he’ll perform as expected at the next level. Rainer might have a similar experience.
7. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest
And here it is: the first true pitcher selected in the draft! What a damn steal! The trend for top-10 selected starters these days ones who can touch 100 MPH. Well, Burns can burn his heater to 102 MPH. The Cardinals want… No, the Cardinals NEED a guy like this in their system.
8. LOS ANGELES ANGELS: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas
Same ole, same ole. I have the Angels drafting a pitcher. Shock. Gasp! Listen, I know they usually take some high school project or toolsy outfielder, but maybe they should actually look into what has been killing their organization for years… Pitching! Reid Detmers can’t be your only stud. You gotta find a guy who can come up sooner than later. Hagen Smith is that dude.
9. PITTSBURGH PIRATES: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest
This one bums me out. I think Nick Kurtz might be one of my favorites in this class. There isn’t any mystery to his game; you know what you’re going to get when you take him. He’s a big kid who can consistently barrel up the ball, inside or out, to all fields. His ceiling is Jim Thome and his floor is Ritchie Sexson. The Pirates get a steal here and inject a big hitter into their system, who will rise pretty fast and will be hitting in PNC Park in no time!
10. WASHINGTON NATIONALS: Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Jackson Prep (MS)
Griffin is gaining traction. He wasn’t near my top-10 to start the year, but the notes on him coming out of Mississippi are pretty eye-opening. He’s close to a five-tool player but not quite there yet in my eyes. I want to see how he fairs against better pitching at the next level. That 6’4″, 215 pound frame, though, are hard to ignore; especially when he’s getting Trea Turner comps overall. Once again the Nats look grab a stud high-schooler with a bright future. I said it before and I’ll say it again: what out for the Nats in a few years!
11. DETROIT TIGERS: James Tibbs, OF, Florida State
Tibbs deserves to be a top-10 guy, but the Tigers somehow get him here. Do I think the Tigers will draft him? No. I’ve got a pretty good sense of the Tigers front office these past couple years, and it’s all about job security and building through the draft with young players. President Scott Harris wants to prolong his stay in Detroit, so he’ll do what Al Avila did before him and draft a high-schooler for the sake of sticking to the “development” plan. If they go high-schooler, LHP Cam Caminiti is the pick. In all reality, though, James Tibbs should be the pick here. He has sky-rocketed his stock in the past couple months. Tibbs is a feel good story. In his third year at FSU, he became a legend. His 1.264 OPS is off the charts and he’s hit 28 dingers in 66 games. He’s the type of hitter the Tigers need right now.
12. BOSTON RED SOX: Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee
What a jump for the College World Series-winning prospect! And rightfully so. His extended play in the tournament gave us all a look at what we were missing out. I wasn’t aware of your game, Mr. Moore. My apologies. He’s a big velocity hitter with Rafael Devers type of hype. He can play shortstop but his arm is better for second. The Red Sox will forego a high school player to get get Moore, who somehow fell out of the top-10.
13. SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro (AZ)
The Giants got their guy at 13. I had him mocked here in my last mock and I’m not backing down from it here. Caminiti is going to take some time in the minors, but if the Giants are patient they might have a stud on their hands. He’s a smaller version of Reggie Crawford, who is in their system. Caminiti has got a deadly fastball and three other pitches that could grade pretty high. He can play the outfield too, but he’s going to be a pitcher at the next level, no doubt.
14. CHICAGO CUBS: Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina
I had Tommy White out of LSU mocked here last time. They could still get him, even though his stock is dropping dramatically, but I think the better bet is an arm here. Yesavage has shown at the high school level and then at the collegiate level that he’s developing into a hell of a pitching prospect. His performance with the collegiate national team catapulted him to first round consideration. I think what’s even more impressive is how he worked his way out of the pen at East Carolina to become the rotation’s ace.
15. SEATTLE MARINERS: Seaver King, 3B/OF, Wake Forest
Seattle is going college bat or high school pitcher. I think the latter is pretty risky, given how weak the pitching class is this year. The scouting report on King is intriguing. He does just about everything right. He’s a hard worker who added 20 pounds this past offseason to increase his power at the dish, and so far he’s a few homers shy of 20 for the season. Scouts grade him with average-to-below average power, but I think he has, or will have, better than above average power at the next level.
16. MIAMI MARLINS: Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State
Tommy White walked so Cam Smith could run. I kid, I kid. The later part of the the Seminoles season gave scouts a better look at Smith. What they saw was a big hot corner with incredible arm strength and a consistent hitter who kept producing quality at-bats. The Marlins are in need of a quality corner guy badly. Why not look in their backyard to draft someone?
17. MILWAUKEE BREWERS: Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina
The Brew Crew could go with outfielder Carson Benge, who is gaining a lot of traction or bite on one of the third basemen like Cam Smith or Seaver King if they fall. If not, Honeycutt edges out Benge, if I’m being honest. Honeycutt was another outfielder who was seen in my early mocks. Most scouts think he’s all power and doesn’t have a very strong hit tool. I think his hit tool is actually better than below average. The ACC has very good pitching and Honeycutt has been raking for three years now. The NCAA tournament alone helped his stock to stay in the top-20.
18. TAMPA BAY RAYS: Theo Gillen, SS, Westlake HS (TX)
While they won’t admit it, the removal of Wander Franco from their lineup has left the future of shortstop in dire trouble. There’s going to be some musical chairs with prep shortstops at the end of the first round. Gillen is about the most well-rounded one at this point in the draft. I think he has a true ability to rise. He’s got ideal size and speed and glove work to keep him in the mid-infield. His arm strength might be the only question whether he stays at shortstop or moves to second instead. That shouldn’t deter the Rays from getting him, especially if top prospects Carson Williams or Brayden Taylor can play up the middle. If they don’t go infielder, expect them to seriously consider RHP Brody Brecht out of Iowa.
19. NEW YORK METS: Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State
If there is a high riser in this first round that was originally on the backend, Carson Benge is a prime candidate. At 6’1″, 184 pounds, you’d never expect Benge to have the insane exit velocities he has every time he makes contact. As a hitter, he’s about as complete as you’d hope for. He can hit for average and power and understands the pitches he’s receiving. The Mets need an influx of solid-hitting outfield prospects in their system. Look no further than Benge.
20. TORONTO BLUE JAYS: Tommy White, 3B, LSU
If you feel you’ve seen this name in my mock before, you’re right. I’ve White him in my ‘Way too Soon’ mocks. Him staying in my top-20 makes sense. He’s too good at the plate to drop much farther than 20. His fielding and arm are meh, but his plate presence is obvious. The Blue Jays are in desperate need of a college bat. There has been rumors that they want to keep Vlad Jr., so it’s smart to put quality bats around their star for the future.
21. MINNESOTA TWINS: William Schmidt, RHP, Catholic HS (LA)
Originally, I had the Twins going with catcher Walter Janek here— which they still need. There’s talk that they are hoping Schmidt falls to them in the supplemental round. I think they’re too afraid to lose him, so at 21 they pull the trigger and he comes off the board here. Schmidt brings to the table an insane curveball and a solid fastball. He needs to use a third pitch more to make him starter worthy. Some think his low-80s changeup might be that pitch. And it does have some natural dip.
22. BALTIMORE ORIOLES: Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa
The Orioles want to keep this winning train moving. Bringing in a top-notch college arm is the way to go. Brecht should be a top-15 pick, but in my mock he falls. There are some who feel he might’ve peaked but I don’t see that at all. There’s a lot of Paul Skenes in his fastball game.
23. LOS ANGELES DODGERS: Kellon Lindsey, SS, Hardee HS (FL)
The Dodgers are scouring the lands near and far for a prep shortstop. Since Rainer, Griffin and Gillen are gone, they’ll land on Kellon Lindsey; a top-tier athlete with wheels. While Lindsey’s power is below-average, he still finds ways to get on base. The Dodgers would love a prospect like this. If they don’t go prep shortstop, high school outfielder Slade Caldwell is an option, or they might be intrigued of Cijntje enough to snag him.
24. ATLANTA BRAVES: Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP/LHP, Mississippi State
If anything, the Braves found out they need pitching and fielder depth. They go big with Cijntje here. Probably the most interesting out of all the prospects, Cijntje can pitch as a lefty or righty. There’s endless possibilities with a guy like this. His dad was a versatile pitcher too, and played professionally in the Netherlands. The fact that Cijntje taught himself to throw both ways shows his work ethic. And he also worked on his control and IQ and it showed this season.
25. SAN DIEGO PADRES: Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk City (OK)
I’m playing the odds. The Padres have chosen high schoolers for eight consecutive drafts. With this pick it’ll be nine. Mayfield’s fastball can scratch 97 and he’s still developing. He’s got a slurve that he can place just about anywhere.
26. NEW YORK YANKEES: Ryan Sloan, RHP, York HS (IL)
The Yanks miss out on Cijntje and Bretcht. Sloan is a hell of a consolation prize. There is some risk here. Even though Sloan projects as a first-rounder, if he bets on himself, he could take his Wake Forest commit instead. I can see him doing that if he falls out of the top-20. He’s a well-built pitcher with incredible life on his fastball. Also, he’s a future innings eater. If he chooses to go back to school, he’ll return one day to the first round, but in the top-10 this time.
27. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: Walter Janek, C, Sam Houston
With Realmuto’s best years behind him, the Phillies need to start thinking of his replacement. I haven’t had a mock like this in a handful of years where a catcher isn’t in my top-20. Janek is about the best out of the class. He’s a defensive mastermind, and his hitting will keep him in lineups. At the next level, I do think he’ll have to adjust his approach at the dish, however.
28. HOUSTON ASTROS: Billy Amick, 3B, Tennessee
Bregman’s days in Houston are numbered. They’ll find his replacement in this draft, if not in the first round. Amick worked hard to stay at third base with the Volunteers. Starting his collegiate career with Clemson, he wasn’t a fan of playing first base or DH, so he transferred to Tennessee to show he can play the hot corner. He’s got a solid tool set, so staying at the hot corner isn’t unimaginable. His raw power is most intriguing, though.
29. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS: Dakota Jordan, OF, Mississippi State
The D-Backs almost have back-to-back-to back picks. Expect one of these to be a college bat. The other could be prep shortstop or outfielder. If Dakota Jordan didn’t have a high strikeout rate and could show his ability to hit for average, he would easily become a top-10 pick. His defense is above average and his plus-speed is undeniable. But right now he’s all power. A good hitting coach could do Jordan wonders at the next level.
30. TEXAS RANGERS: Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford
Moore draws hard contact and developing power that could materialize into 15-20 homer runs a season at the next level. Unlike Janek, though, he’s not as complete as a defensive backstop. The Rangers are drafting Moore solely for his bat.
SUPPLEMENTAL 1ST ROUND
31. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS: Slade Caldwell, OF, Valley View (AR)
32. BALTIMORE ORIOLES: Jonathan Santucci, LHP, Duke
33. MINNESOTA TWINS: Caleb Lomavita, C, California
34. MILWUAKEE BREWERS: Braylon Doughty, RHP, Chaparral HS (CA)
35. ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS: Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Kansas State
36. CLEVELAND GUARDIANS: Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Kentucky
37. PITTSBURGH PIRATES: Ryan Johnson, RHP, Dallas Baptist
38. COLORADO ROCKIES: Wyatt Sanford, SS, Independence HS (TX)
39. KANSAS CITY ROYALS: David Shields, LHP, Mt. Lebanon (PA)
Join Hard Rock now here and get a No Regret First Bet and a free $50 bonus bet after your first deposit and play! BET RESPONSIBLY!
