MLB Mock Draft 2021

 

1. Pittsburgh Pirates SS Marcelo Mayer, Eastlake (CA), 6'3"/188, (B/T: L/R)

Mayer has a very smooth swing from the left side that should lead to a good batting average. He has quality bat to ball skills that should help keep the strikeouts down. Of the top high school shortstops, Mayer has the best defensive skills that will keep him at shortstop for the duration of his career. Mayer is not going to be a major power bat, but the combo of batting average and defense helps him go No. 1 to the Bucs.

2. Texas Rangers RHP Jackson Jobe, Heritage Hall (OK), 6'2"/190, (B/T: R/R)

This pick was between Jack Leiter and Jackson Jobe. I think Jobe possesses higher potential with his Fastball-Slider combo than Leiter. Jobe also throws a better changeup than Leiter, and the two pitchers both have a curveball. Leiter's curve should be a better offering in the future than Jobe's. With Jobe being two years younger, he is the pick for the Rangers as they get a potential ace into their fielder-dominant minor league system.

3. Detroit Tigers RHP Jack Leiter, Vanderbilt, 6'1"/205, (B/T: R/R)

Leiter operates with a very good four-pitch mix, giving him a solid floor as a middle of the rotation arm with ace potential. The only concern I have is durability if he is tasked with a large workload. There have been velocity drops with the fastball later in starts. If Leiter is able to maintain his velocity throughout his starts he has the secondary to dominate at the next level.

4. Boston Red Sox C Henry Davis, Louisville, 6'2"/210, (B/T: R/R)

With Leiter and Jobe gone the Red Sox should make a push to land an impact bat. Davis has the potential to be both an impact fielder and impact hitter at Fenway Park soon. There is some development defensively that is necessary, but if catching doesn't work out, Henry is athletic enough and has a good enough arm to be able to play a corner outfield spot. 

5. Baltimore Orioles SS Jordan Lawler, Jesuit Prep (TX), 6'2"/190, (B/T: R/R)

Lawlar is geared to play shortstop for the entirety of his career because of his solid glove and throwing arm. He has a smooth right-handed swing that should allow him to hit for a high average while offering some power as well. He has the ability and speed to be a stolen base threat as well.

6. Arizona Diamondbacks SS Kahlil Watson, Wake Forest (NC), 5'9"/178, (B/T: L/R)

Watson has slowly crept up draft boards this summer and is now a first-tier player. The thing that may separate him from the rest of the high school shortstops is his speed and ability to steal bases. He is a solid defender and has a good enough arm to stick at shortstop. If he focuses on making more contact at the plate, he will be able to become a very good player at the top of the lineup.

7. Kansas City Royals RHP Kumar Rocker, Vanderbilt, 6'5"/245, (B/T: R/R)

The Royals end Kumar's slide and take him here to add to their recent picks of college arms. Rocker has one of the best off-speed pitches in the draft, a mid-80's slider, and he also mixes in a curveball and occasional changeup. The concern I have with Rocker is the drop in velocity later in games, and the inability to consistently throw a third offering with a different shape than his slider. He has a floor of a solid reliever and could turn into the ace with a better development of that third pitch. 

8. Colorado Rockies 3B Brady House, Winder-Barrow (GA), 6'4"/215, (B/T: R/R)

The Rockies get another high school bat when they take House. I view House as a third baseman moving forward because of his size and limited range. He will have an above average arm manning the hot corner. Offensively, the power is there but the big question is whether or not he will make enough consistent contact.

9. Los Angeles Angels RHP Ty Madden, Texas, 6'3"/215, (B/T: R/R)

Madden is a hard throwing righty that operates with a four pitch mix. He has a good fastball with sink, and his slider is his best secondary offering. His changeup is his third best pitch and has a lot of velocity separation when compared to his fastball. His curveball takes a backseat to his other offerings but could be useful to flip over for strikes occasionally.

10. New York Mets OF Colton Cowser, Sam Houston, 6'3"/195, (B/T: L/R)

Cowser has a very nice swing from the left side and is a consistent contact hitter. He should be able to hit atop the lineup because of his good speed and ability to put the ball in play. There is not much power in Cowser's game but he could still provide some pop. Cowser has an average arm defensively, so he may need to move to a corner spot, but the speed will play anywhere.

11. Washington Nationals SS Matt McLain, UCLA, 5'11"/180, (B/T: R/R)

McLain could reach the big leagues very quickly and could be ready to play either second base or shortstop. He has the arm to stick at shortstop but might be better suited for second base because of his range. His bat will profile nicely at either spot. He makes enough contact to hit for a high average, but there is not much upside in terms of power.

12. Seattle Mariners OF Sal Frelick, Boston College, 5'9"/175, (B/T: L/R)

The Mariners add another outfielder into their pool of top prospects. Frelick's game is making contact and using his speed. He does not offer much power from the left side, so he will need to show he can hit for a high average. Frelick will be able to track down balls from centerfield, but he does possess just an average throwing arm.

13. Philadelphia Phillies RHP Will Bednar, Mississippi State, 6'2"/229, (B/T: R/R)

Bednar could go in a wide variety of spots but the Phillies should take the proven college arm here. He has the ability to throw three quality pitches, including a fastball that sits in the mid-90's, a mid-80's slider, and a sharp curveball. He also sprinkles in a changeup as a fourth offering.

14. San Francisco Giants LHP Jordan Wicks, Kansas State, 6'3"/220, (B/T: L/L)

Wicks possesses a devastating changeup that he pairs well with his fastball. He also works in a low-80's slider that will work well down and away to lefties and down and in to righties. He has a curveball that definitely takes a backseat to his other offerings. 

15. Milwaukee Brewers RHP Sam Bachman, Miami (OH), 6'1"/235, (B/T: R/R)

The Brewers get a hard throwing righty that will hopefully join the rotation very soon. Bachman's slider is his best secondary offering that pairs well with his heater. He also mixes in a quality changeup to give him a third offering. The floor here is a very good back of the bullpen arm.

16. Miami Marlins C Joe Mack, Williamsville (NY), 6'1"/210, (B/T: L/R)

Mack goes to the Marlins as the second catcher selected in the draft. Mack is an average defensive catcher currently but has a very strong arm from behind the plate. He does not offer too much power but should be able to be a consistent contact hitter.

17. Cincinnati Reds RHP Andrew Painter, Calvary Christian (FL), 6'7"/215, (B/T: R/R)

Painter towers over competition and works with a four-pitch repertoire. He does not have a dominant secondary offering but will throw a solid curveball, changeup, and slider. He needs to develop at least one of the off-speed pitches more to become a dominant pitcher, but he has the frame to be a very good starting pitcher.

18. St. Louis Cardinals RHP Gunnar Hoglund, Mississippi, 6'4"/220, (B/T: R/R)

Hoglund is currently rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery so the Cardinals will grab him so he can finish rehab in their system. There is not an elite secondary pitch that Hoglund relies on, but he pounds the zone for strikes consistently. He has a floor of a decent middle of the rotation arm and the Cardinals could use him in their rotation very soon.

19. Toronto Blue Jays LHP Anthony Solomento, Bishop Eustace (NJ), 6'5"/218, (B/T: L/L)

Solomento has a solid three pitch mix currently featuring a low 90's fastball, slider, and changeup. He has great size and shows decent command. He could use some development with a secondary pitch for him to reach his full potential. 

20. New York Yankees RHP Bubba Chandler, North Oconee (GA), 6'3"/200, (B/T: R/R)

I think Chandler has a better future as a pitcher but the Yankees could give him a shot at being a two way player for a few seasons. Chandler has a fantastic arm and uses a fastball and power curveball as his two primary pitches. He also works in a slider and changeup that could turn into decent offerings.

21. Chicago Cubs 3B Colson Montgomery, Southridge (IN), 6'4"/190, (B/T: L/R)

Montgomery has a solid frame currently, and should be able to fill it out. He has the potential to have above average power. He has a smooth swing from the last side that also should allow him to make plenty of contact to hit for a solid average. Montgomery could be a solid defender at third base, but may need to move to first base eventually. He will need to produce even more offensively if he does move to first.

22. Chicago White Sox RHP Chase Petty, Mainland (NJ), 6'2"/190, (B/T: R/R)

Petty has an explosive fastball that has good sink to it. He throws it in the mid 90's and pairs it with a solid slider. He must develop a third offering to stay as a starting pitcher. He currently throws a changeup as a third offering.

23. Cleveland Indians OF Benny Montgomery, Red Land (PA), 6'4"/200, (B/T: R/R)

Montgomery falls a little bit to Cleveland here as they look to acquire someone to roam the outfield for them in a few years. Montgomery has a large frame that allows him to tap into great power. The concern is whether or not he will make enough contact to hit for a decent average. He has great speed and that should allow him to stay in centerfield long term.

24. Atlanta Braves 3B Izaac Pacheco, Friendswood (TX), 6'4"/225 (B/T: L/R)

Pacheco is a very solid defender from the hot corner and will stay there for the duration of his career. He has an above-average arm. Offensively, he has some potential to be a very good power hitter due to his large frame. Pacheco needs to make sure he does not sell out for home runs or strikeouts could become a problem.

25. Oakland Athletics OF Will Taylor, Dutch Fork (SC), 6'0"/175, (B/T: R/R)

Taylor is a very good athlete, as his speed is his greatest asset. He does not have a great arm, but his speed alone could help him become an above average defender. Offensively, he does not offer much power, but could turn himself into a decent contact hitter.

26. Minnesota Twins C Harry Ford, North Cobb (GA), 5'10"/200, (B/T: R/R)

The Twins end Ford's slide as he becomes the third and final backstop taken in the first round. Ford is going to be an above average defender because of his arm mostly. The question is whether or not he will hit enough to be a solid player in the big leagues. He does not have much power so he needs to focus on being a solid contact hitter.

27. San Diego Padres RHP Jaden Hill, LSU, 6'4"/234, (B/T: R/R)

Before Hill got injured, he had the potential to be a very high first round pick. The Padres should bet on a solid recovery and his potential. Hill has three above average pitches including a fastball, changeup, and slider. He has the chance to become the ace of the staff if his recovery goes smoothly and his command sharpens just a bit.

28. Tampa Bay Rays RHP Ryan Cusick, Wake Forest, 6'6"/235, (B/T: R/R)

Cusick is a hard throwing right hander that seems to fit the mold the Rays like. His curveball is his best secondary pitch and he also mixes in a slider and changeup. He needs to improve on his command to be able to stick in the rotation.

29. Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Gavin Williams, East Carolina, 6'6"/238, (B/T: R/R)

Williams has everything you want in a pitcher - a deep repertoire and solid size. He has a four pitch mix with a curveball and changeup as his best secondary offerings. He also mixes in an occasional slider. The Dodgers have the resources to turn Williams into their next rotation piece.