Final 2021 MLB Mock Draft
It’s draft day! We ran our first version of the MLB Mock Draft about a 3 months ago, updated it again last month, and here’s the final version heading into the draft. There’s been some movement as the College season wound down and the top high school players faced increasing levels of competition.
#1 Pittsburgh Pirates- Jordan Lawlar, SS, Jesuit Prep HS- Texas
After going back and forth between Jordan Lawlar, Marcelo Mayer, and Jack Leiter, the final decision is Jordan Lawlar. He’s an obvious #1 pick when you consider his ability to stick at shortstop with potentially 5 plus tools, plus the 6th tool of “intangibles” that draw Derek Jeter comparisons. That package will be too hard for the Pirates to pass up. He should be a high impact player that might one day help Pittsburgh become a contender. There might be players that have similar talent, but it’s the all around package that makes Jordan Lawlar the right pick here at the end of the day.
#2 Texas Rangers- Khalil Watson, SS, Wake Forest HS- North Carolina
The Rangers would love it if the Pirates took Marcelo Mayer so that they could draft local product Jordan Lawlar. However, assuming Lawlar is indeed is the #1 pick, the Rangers will go with the player that’s caught their eye the most this spring and that could be Khalil Watson. Watson is one of the toolsiest players and best hitters in this year’s draft class. He’s a double plus runner with an excellent feel for hitting from the left side and despite being just 5’9” he could develop above average power. He has an excellent chance to stick at shortstop and be a great hitter at the top of their lineup. It also makes sense from a money saving aspect as he would cost less than either Marcelo Mayer or Jack Leiter.
#3 Detroit Tigers- Marcelo Mayer, SS, Eastlake HS- California
The Detroit Tigers could go with either Marcelo Mayer or Jack Leiter here, but they likely believe that a bat like Marcelo Mayer’s is too good to pass on here. Plus, their prospect pool could use more hitters. Mayer is in the conversation to be the #1 overall pick and he has the chance to stick at shortstop while batting left handed giving the Tigers another solid hitter to add to a nice young lineup featuring Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene in the next few years.
#4 Boston Red Sox- Jack Leiter, RHP, Vanderbilt
Jack Leiter is the top college pitcher in this year’s draft class and it’s somewhat surprising that he’s lasted this long as pitchers with his ability and polish typically don’t make it past the first few picks. A few factors as to why he might last this long are: questions about his durability, his price tag is high as he absolutely has the talent to be the #1 pick in this year’s draft class. If he does indeed last until this pick, it would be a no-brainer for the Red Sox as he would easily become their #1 pitching prospect.
#5 Baltimore Orioles- Jackson Jobe, RHP, Heritage Hall HS- Oklahoma
This might be somewhat of a surprising pick as the Orioles have a few different players to choose from here that could all make sense. (Kumar Rocker, Brady House, Henry Davis, Jackson Jobe, Sal Frelick) I think at the end of the day Jackson Jobe is too good to pass on here as some mock drafts have him going earlier than this. This also makes sense because Baltimore hasn’t taken a pitcher in the first 4 rounds in over 2 years meaning they could use a pitcher to help add depth to their system. In the past they took high school pitchers. Grayson Rodriguez (2018) and DL Hall (2017) were Orioles first rounders in the past; both of them might make their MLB debut in the next year. Jobe has some of the best stuff in this year’s draft class and has top of the rotation ability.
#6 Arizona Diamondbacks- Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt
Kumar Rocker was the pre-season consensus #1 draft prospect for this year’s draft class. Although he had somewhat of an up and down season at times, he shouldn’t fall much further than this especially with teams that have a need for pitching. Speaking of teams that need pitching, one of those teams happens to be the Diamondbacks that lead Major League Baseball in runs allowed. I think that this would be a great addition for them and help give their fans something to look forward to. The Diamondbacks have drafted pitchers over the past few years but none with a track record of success or hype like Kumar Rocker.
#7 Kansas City Royals- Brady House, SS, Winder-Barrow HS- Georgia
Brady House is the most talented player still on the board here. He is the type of bat that might approach 30+ HR’s consistently, but there are questions as to his ability to hit for average. There are some swing and miss concerns, but you can live with it as the power is real and so is the defense. He could be a plus defender at third base or solid at shortstop. He’s also touched 96 off the mound. It would be fun to see a left side of the infield featuring Brady House and Bobby Witt Jr. in the near future in Kansas City.
#8 Colorado Rockies- Henry Davis, C, Louisville
Henry Davis is considered the consensus #1 college hitter in this year’s draft class and while college hitters typically go earlier than this, some teams might feel that they need to see more from Henry Davis to meet the price that comes with taking the #1 college hitter. The Colorado Rockies aren’t afraid to pay for talent in the draft as it’s been difficult for them to lure in big name free agents, and this would allow them to develop him as a catcher that might one day hit 25-30+ home runs a year while also being a plus defensive catcher thanks to his arm that gets some 70 grades from scouts.
#9 Los Angeles Angels- Matt McLain, SS, UCLA
Matt McLain is probably my favorite of the college hitters that will go in the first half of this year’s MLB Draft as he offers plenty of defensive versatility while also being one of the more polished hitters in this year’s draft class. While he doesn’t project to have a ton of power, he has enough feel to hit where he could develop into a Michael Young or Whit Merrifield type hitter. There’s a lot to like here and he might be one of the first players in this year’s draft class to make it to the majors.
#10 New York Mets- Harry Ford, C, North Cobb HS- Georgia
The New York Mets aren’t afraid to take high school hitters having taken one in the first round 3 years in a row. Harry Ford is special due to his plus or better speed as well as his ability to play all over thanks to a plus arm. He also is a gym rat that continues to get stronger that might develop plus or better power in time. Ford also has a chance to develop into an above average hitter. If he indeed is able to reach his lofty ceiling he’s the type of player that could be a super star one day.
11 Washington Nationals- Jordan Wicks, LHP, Kansas State
The Washington Nationals love taking pitchers in the first round (they’ve taken one every year since 2016) and Jordan Wicks is considered to be the best left handed pitcher in this year’s draft class. Wicks is an elite college pitcher and one that might be a quick to the big leagues player. He has an excellent feel for mixing speeds and keeping hitters’ timing off thanks to his changeup which gets 70 grades from some scouts and is considered the best changeup in this year’s draft class.
#12 Seattle Mariners- Sal Frelick, OF, Boston College
In most mock drafts I’ve seen, Frelick typically goes earlier than this and rightfully so. He’s one of the most talented college hitters in this year’s draft class and the top left handed college hitter. He obviously has a chance to go earlier, but it seems that he’s the most likely pick here. He has a chance to stick in centerfield thanks to his plus speed which plays well on the bases and in the outfield. He has a chance for average power but is seen more as a 10-15 homerun type hitter with strong on base skills.
#13 Philadelphia Phillies- Benny Montgomery, OF, HS- Pennsylvania
Benny Montgomery has some of the loudest tools in this year’s draft class thanks to his 70 grade speed and plus raw power. The local prep product has been a lifelong Phillies fan whose game is reminiscent of former Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth. There are some concerns with his swing but he’s shown improvement this spring and could be a super star if everything clicks.
#14 San Francisco Giants- Colton Cowser, OF, Sam Houston State
Colton Cowser is similar to Sal Frelick as he’s also considered to be one of the best left handed hitters in this year’s draft class but he might have more power than Frelick. There’s a chance he could go earlier as he’s considered to be one of the top 10 draft prospects in this year’s draft class but there are some concerns that he might fall due to playing in a small conference.
#15 Milwaukee Brewers- Will Taylor, OF, HS- South Carolina
There’s a chance Will Taylor might not last until this pick as he’s been one of the biggest risers heading into the draft. He is a 3-sport athlete that’s won state championships in football and wrestling. There’s belief that he could prove to be one of the better value picks in this year’s draft class when we look back. Taylor has an excellent feel for hitting and could develop into a plus hitter with plus or better speed and at least average power.
#16 Miami Marlins- Andrew Painter, RHP, HS- Florida
Painter is the best prep pitcher available here and there’s a chance he might go earlier than this. He has a chance to develop into a front of the rotation starter with feel for 4 pitches that have a chance to be above average or better pitches. The Florida prep pitcher would be an excellent fit here as the Marlins love drafting pitchers with talent and upside and Painter checks those boxes.
#17 Cincinnati Reds- Gunnar Hoglund, RHP, Ole Miss
Hoglund had a chance to go in the top 10 prior to his season ending due to Tommy John surgery. The Reds aren’t afraid to take talented players that have a chance to be special. It would be a lot of fun to see how a pitcher like Gunnar Hoglund would develop in the Red system and this is close to the range in which many see Hoglund going. He could in time prove to be one of the better values in this year’s draft class.
#18 St. Louis Cardinals- Joe Mack, C, HS- New York
Joe Mack is a power hitting left handed hitter with strong defensive skills behind the plate thanks to his above average arm. He has all the skills desired in a catcher but there isn’t a great track record when it comes to high school catchers but Yadier Molina will retire after this year. This could be a good fit for both as his talent should go somewhere around here and the Cardinals like drafting high school players in the first round.
#19 Toronto Blue Jays- Sam Bachman, RHP, Miami (Ohio)
Sam Bachman is somewhat reminiscent of another former 1st round draft pick of the Blue Jays, Alek Manoah. Just like Alek Manoah, Bachman has a plus or better fastball and a slider that has earned 70 grades from scouts. There is some reliever risk with Bachman but he has the stuff to profile well as either a starter or a power arm reliever.
#20 New York Yankees- Will Bednar, RHP, Mississippi State
Will Bednar has seen his stock roar recently as he helped lead Mississippi State to its first ever College World Series championship. He has the body type that teams like as he should provide durability and develop into a mid-back of the rotation starter. Bednar has shown he can pitch well in big situations and there’s a chance he will go somewhere around here or possibly earlier on draft day.
#21 Chicago Cubs- Ty Madden, RHP, Texas
Ty Madden is considered to be one of the top college pitchers in this year’s draft class and with his talent there’s a good chance he might not last until this pick. If he is indeed here it’d be hard for an organization like the Cubs to pass on a player that should make an impact as a starting pitcher in just a few years. Something they are very much in need of.
#22 Chicago White Sox- Gavin Williams, RHP, East Carolina
The White Sox have one of the better lineups in baseball when their players are healthy and they could use more pitching at the major league level. Williams has both started and relieved and he has the talent to do both at a very high level. Gavin Williams was one of the biggest risers this spring and there’s a chance he could go earlier than this. He starred in the College World Series regional game against runner-up Vanderbilt, in that game he showcased his ability to throw 4 different pitches for strikes and that he might be able to develop into a mid-rotation starter. He has a chance for 4 above average or better pitches and could prove to be a steal in time.
#23 Cleveland Indians- Michael McGreevy, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
The Cleveland Indians took their ace Shane Bieber out of the same school and they would probably be willing to take another one. McGreevy is considered the top college pitcher in California and would be a welcome addition to the Cubs system that needs pitching. He has a chance to make it to the big leagues faster than most thanks to his pitchability and consistency throwing strikes. The Cleveland Indians love taking pitchers early.
#24 Atlanta Braves- Bubba Chandler, RHP/SS, HS- Georgia
Bubba Chandler’s one of the best athletes in this year’s draft class. He earned a football scholarship to play at Clemson as a quarterback, due to this there are some signability concerns that might allow him to fall to the Braves here. He’s an excellent two way talent that can switch hit while showing the ability to also hit for power. On the mound, he has feel for 2 above average or better pitches in his fastball and his slider.
#25 Oakland Athletics- Colson Montgomery, SS, HS- Indiana
Colson Montgomery has been one of the biggest risers this spring and he has a chance to go in the first half of this draft. If for some reason he’s available here, I believe he’s the pick. There’s an awful lot to like with the strong, athletic, left handed hitter that reminds some of a young Corey Seager and he has a chance for plus power while possibly having the chance to stick at a premium position. There’s a good chance he doesn’t last this long as he’s one of the more talented players in a deep shortstop class.
#26 Minnesota Twins- Jud Fabian, OF, Florida
Fabian was once considered a top 5 or top 10 pick at the start of the year but swing and miss concerns have allowed him to fall. He is still one of the younger college hitters available in this year’s draft class with the chance for plus or better power to go along with the ability to stick in centerfield thanks to plus speed and good instincts. There’s a chance he goes earlier than this.
#27 San Diego Padres- Ryan Cusick, RHP, Wake Forest
The Padres get one of the best pitchers in the ACC in Ryan Cusick, a pitcher that’s touched triple digits. There are some concerns about Cusick’s control that has allowed him to fall but he has a ton of upside thanks to his fastball which could play up even more out of the bullpen if indeed that’s where he ultimately ends up.
#28 Tampa Bay Rays- Anthony Solometo, LHP, HS- New Jersey
Anthony Solometo is the top prep left handed pitcher in this year’s draft class and there’s a chance he could go earlier than this due to that fact. If he lasts this long it would be exciting to see him make it to Tampa Bay. There are some concerns about Solometo’s delivery but his ability which might remind some of a Blake Snell type could quiet most of those concerns.
#29 Los Angeles Dodgers- Chase Petty, RHP, HS- New Jersey
Chase Petty is one of the top high school pitchers in this year’s draft class thanks to his fastball that already touches triple digits. He will need to work to improve his delivery as well as his ability to throw strikes consistently, but the Dodgers are a great organization for developing players and this seems like a good fit as he could go earlier than this.
