With the 2018 MLB Draft in the books, the 2019 MLB draft is ready — is it too early? It’s only Mock #1 and we’re months away, so this will change drastically as we approach next June. There will be a higher focus on High School in next year’s draft it looks like. Remember, check in here frequently for updates on all college and high school levels as well as draft insider information.
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1. BOBBY WITT JR., SS, Colleyville Heritage HS (TX)
Much like recently drafted Brewers pick Brice Turang had in 2017, Witt has had a lot of hype this year. He’s everything a team would want with a number one pick. Good makeup, five-tool potential and strong MLB bloodlines. High school position players are tough to evaluate in their junior years as they’re still growing into their bodies. It’s hard to say if Witt will remain a number one pick in the 2019 MLB Draft or if he’ll fall like Turang did.
2. RILEY GREENE, OF, Hagerty HS (FL)
There’s a lot to like about Riley Greene. Some say he’s the best pure hitter in the class. He’s a left-handed hitter with power and a plus hit tool. Average defender who will most likely end up in one of the corners of the outfield. He is a Florida Gators commit.
3. TYLER DYSON, RHP, Florida
Here we go again. A Florida pitcher in the top 10. No surprise. The Florida Gators have been a pitcher factory, churning out some great arms in the past five years. Whether these arms provide legitimate impact for their respected teams is a wait-and-see kind of thing for now. A shortstop in high school, Dyson emerged as one of the best arms for the Gators in 2017. He’s 6’3” and still growing with a lively fastball.
4. HUNTER BARCO, LHP, The Bolles School (FL)
Barco is notably the best high school arm in the class. Every year a player gets the title, and for the upcoming year he’s got it. Much like most pitchers that will go in the first 15 picks, Barco is a big boy with a strong arm. He throws three pitches and gets good marks on all of them.
5. C.J. ABRAMS, Blessed Trinity HS (GA)
Abrams is a tremendous athlete with a plus arm to go along with his 70 speed. He’s an Alabama commit and his ceiling is extremely high. There’s some comparison here to Nander De Sedas, who at one time was considered a top 10 but drastically fell in the draft and decided to commit to Florida State.
6. ADLEY RUTSCHMAN, C, Oregon State
We’re starting to see a rise in big-hitting catchers the past few years. For the longest time, only defensive gems with hitting potential would slide into the first rounds. Rutschman eerily compares to newest Giant Joey Bart. He’s the best all-around backstop in his class. Scouts rate him a plus defender with a rifle for an arm. And he’s a switch-hitter with raw power that GM’s will drool over in the 2019 MLB Draft.
7. SHEA LANGELIERS, C, Baylor
While Rutschman is the top catcher in the 2019 MLB Draft class, Langeliers isn’t far behind. He, too, is a great defensive catcher with a great arm and pop in his bat. Langeliers can drive to all fields and can hit for average and power.
8. RECE HINDS, SS/3B, Niceville HS (FL)
Hinds is a big shortstop with a power bat and plus arm. He plays short, but his size and arm strength might be better suited for the hot corner. Hinds recently committed to LSU. The Tigers made sure to get the #2 shortstop to commit quickly, whether he ends up there is up in the air.
9. MATT WALLNER, OF, Southern Mississippi
Wallner is a two-way player that most think will end up being an outfielder when it’s all said and done. His bat is too good for the mound. But make no mistake, his arm is no joke. He’s closer for Southern Miss and has a mid-to-upper 90s fastball with serious life. His bat, however, is intriguing. And for his 6’5” frame, he’s uniquely athletic.
10. NICK LODOLO, LHP, TCU
The big lefty was snagged by the Pirates in the 2016 Draft with the 41st pick. He opted to go back to school, which has proved to be a heck of a choice. He’s become the veteran leader of his TCU rotation with a mid-90s fastball and an improving breaking ball. Even at 6’6” many say he’s still growing.
Sleepers
BRADY MCCONNELL, SS, Florida; NICK QUINTANA, SS, Arizona; ZACK THOMPSON, LHP, Kentucky; MATTHEW THOMPSON, RHP, Cypress Hills Ranch (TX); DREW MENDOZA, 3B, Florida State; LOGAN DAVIDSON, SS, Clemson
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