2017 MLB Mock Draft

Last update: Monday, June 12, 2017.
Charlie Campbell was a senior writer at PewterReport.com.
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Minnesota Twins: Kyle Wright, RHP, Vanderbilt
Kyle Wright is the top college pitcher in the 2017 MLB Draft and makes sense for Minnesota as a safe pick. He has polish with arm talent. Supposedly, Wright is the favorite to go to Minnesota over Brendan McKay and Hunter Greene.

Cincinnati Reds: Hunter Greene, RHP, High School
The Reds have a tough choice here between Greene and Brendan McKay. I would take McKay, but it sounds like Cincinnati prefers Greene. Greene is an elite right-handed pitching prospect who is being praised as one of the top prep pitchers in years.

Pick change; previously Brendan McKay, 1B/LHP

San Diego Padres: MacKenzie Gore, LHP, High School
The Padres would love it if the Southern California product Greene fall to them, but it sounds like Cincinnati will take Greene if the Twins pass on him. Gore is a good consolation prize and could be San Diego’s ace for many years to come.

Pick change; previously Hunter Greene, RHP

Tampa Bay Rays: Brendan McKay, 1B/LHP, Louisville
Last year, I nailed the Rays taking Joshua Lowe, and the year before that, I got right Tampa Bay taking Garrett Whitley. This year, I could see Tampa Bay going for a pitcher, but this is the lowest McKay should fall. The Rays reportedly view McKay as a long-term hitter, and given the offensive struggles for Tampa Bay in recent years, it makes sense that the club would want that bat to anchor its offense for years to come.

Pick change; previously MacKenzie Gore, LHP

Atlanta Braves: Royce Lewis, SS, High School
The Braves’ farm system is deep in pitching. Dansby Swanson is their long-term shortstop, but they also have shortstop talent in the minors, so why would they take Lewis? Well, Atlanta could use more position player talent and some have already said that Lewis could move to center field. Lewis also is considered the top position player in the 2017 MLB Draft, so this is a good value for the Braves.

Oakland A’s: Pavin Smith, 1B, Virginia
The A’s are supposedly in on Smith along with North Carolina pitcher J.B. Bukauskas. Smith is clearly one of the top bats in the 2017 MLB Draft, and it seems unlikely that Billy Beane would pass on Smith if he gets to Oakland’s pick. Smith could easily go higher. Entering the ACC tournament, he had more home runs (12) than strikeouts (8) on the season.

Arizona Diamondbacks: J.B. Bukauskas, RHP, North Carolina
The Diamondbacks are in a nice position to sit tight and see who falls to them. Arizona drafted Bukauskas out of high school, so the organization knows him well along with scouting him recently. Bukauskas could be a quick riser in the Diamondbacks’ system.

Philadelphia Phillies: Adam Haseley, OF, Virginia
Haseley has been one of the fastest rising prospects this spring as he has shown five-tool ability. Supposedly, the Phillies would like to get a college bat, and Haseley has nice balance as hitter while hitting for average, improving power, and an impressive walk-vs-strikeout ratio.

Milwaukee Brewers: Jordon Adell, OF, High School
The Brewers grabbed a player with big upside and potential in Corey Ray last year. Adell definitely fits the description, and he easily could go higher in the 2017 MLB Draft. MLB.com’s Jim Callis thinks the Brewers are leaning to the prep ranks, and Adell would fit that, along with outfielder Austin Beck. You can’t rule out Jeren Kendall to Milwaukee either.

Pick change; previously Austin Beck, OF

Los Angeles Angels: Austin Beck, OF, High School
The Angels want players with big skill sets and upside. Beck fits that, and he is one of the wild cards of the first round, as he could go high or might slide a bit.

Pick change; previously Jordon Adell, OF

Chicago White Sox: Jeren Kendall, OF, Vanderbilt
The White Sox want a college bat, and everybody raves that Kendell has star power. They could consider Adam Haseley if he gets to them, but I think the signing of Luis Robert makes Haseley less likely. The White Sox value a good walk-to-strikeout ratio, which casts some doubt on Kendall as strikeouts have been a problem this year. However, the consensus is that Chicago takes Kendall and general manager Rick Hahn has met with Kendall personally. Also, the White Sox have a huge track record of taking good college athletes, and the hefty Burger doesn’t fit that mold.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Jake Burger, 3B, Missouri State
The Pirates are said to be on a college hitter or pitcher. Pittsburgh also could consider some of the college arms who could be available here, like Florida’s Alex Faedo, UCLA’s Griffin Canning or Oregon’s David Peterson. Burger is more rare and has killed the baseball this year with 22 home runs, .333 average, .448 on base percentage, slugging at a rate of .663, an OPS of 1110, and 42 walks to 36 strikeouts. I think Pittsburgh is getting a steal with him.

Miami Marlins: David Peterson, LHP, Oregon
The Marlins could use a potential ace, and Peterson was a hot prospect late in the draft process. Miami has hit the high school ranks hard, including a southpaw last year with Braxton Garrett. Here’s a college pitcher to pair with Garrett.

Pick change; previously D.L. Hall, LHP

Kansas City Royals: Alex Faedo, RHP, Florida
Faedo easily could go higher. He entered the 2017 process as a candidate to go No. 1, but his season was a bit of downer compared to the year before. The Royals need an ace in their farm system, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up being a steal who rises quickly to the majors.

Houston Astros: D.L. Hall, LHP, High School
The Astros are said to be looking all over and are not zeroed in on a prep or college player, much less a bat or a pitcher. With a loaded major league roster, Houston can take a talented high school arm like Hall and be patient with his development. The other route I could see Houston going is a college pitcher who could reach the big club quickly to help the Astros’ pursuit of a championship.

Pick change; previously Shane Baz, RHP

Go to 2017 MLB Mock Draft: Picks 16-30

Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I’ve received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.