2021 MLB Mock Draft 2.0

The White Sox appeared to do well with their strategy during the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft. The organization prioritized upside and focused on premium talent under the guidance of new Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Shirley.

Garrett Crochet burst onto the scene in a big way after being taken with the 11th overall pick in June. Second-round pick Jared Kelley was regarded as a top 20 draft prospect by the majority of publications.

This came after the franchise employed a dramatic philosophical shift in 2019 as well. The White Sox used second and third round selections on prep right-handers Matthew Thompson and Andrew Dalquist. They added six more prep players later in the draft.

This year, Chicago is picking 22nd overall and all options are probably on the table. The organization hasn’t taken a prep player in the first round since 2012 when they grabbed outfielder Courtney Hawkins as a Texas prep. The club has been more open-minded to prep players recently though. While they haven’t pulled the trigger in the first round, the bonus amounts allotted are close to what’s expected in the back third of round one. It’s probably still more likely that the team goes with their preferred college route instead. That strategy could be recommended this year due to the reduction of minor league affiliates. However, adding teenage prospects to the system should continue to be a priority.

The 2021 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft will take place from July 11-13. The draft’s location will be in Atlanta during All-Star weekend for the first time. After some speculation, it was determined that the draft order will in fact be based on the reverse order of the 2020 standings. The draft will likely be 20 rounds, but the official number hasn’t been decided upon. Bonus pools are slated to stay the same and slot values won’t be increasing. The draft order is set.

The White Sox are also scheduled to choose at pick No. 57 in round two and No. 94 in round three. Their entire bonus pool will equal $6,618,600.

Here is my second attempt at a 2021 mock draft. It’s way too early to be completely accurate but speculation has started and the college season has begun. Many of the prep players have been seen a ton already as well. Mock draft 1.0 came out in December.

1. Pittsburgh Pirates: Jordan Lawlar, SS, Jesuit Prep HS (TX)

The Pirates have a comp round selection as well and choose to save a bit of cash and go with the best prep player in the draft class. Lawlar is a shortstop with multiple 60 tools that will stay at the position. Plus bat speed and developing strength should lead to at least average power. Ben Cherington could go with a college pitcher as well with three SEC talents expected to go in the top 10 next July.

2. Texas Rangers: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt

The Rangers are right in Lawlar’s backyard and he could be the pick if Pittsburgh goes a different direction but Rocker is the favorite to be the first college player off the board. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder was tremendous as a freshman for the Commodores in 2019 and he’s been stellar for Vanderbilt this spring. Rocker is a physical and overpowering right-hander with a plus fastball and plus-plus slider at its best.

3. Detroit Tigers: Marcelo Mayer, SS, Eastlake High School (CA)

It’s not a year deep in college bats and the college hitters generally rise to the top of the board. This is the year of the prep shortstop however and Detroit gets in on the action early. Mayer displays average or better tools in every area and will definitely stay at the position long-term. He possesses a feel to hit from the left-handed side and displays an advanced approach as well. Marcelo is an above-average runner with raw power as well. He could go higher than this.

4. Boston Red Sox: Jack Leiter, RHP, Vanderbilt

Leiter honored his commitment to Vanderbilt instead of going pro in 2018 and it’ll pay off for him with a bigger bonus in the end. This redshirt sophomore doesn’t have a huge track record, but possesses obvious physical bloodlines. The 6-foot righty comes with that stigma attached, but his fastball sat in the 94-97 mph range recently to go along with a plus curveball. He has been tremendous for the Commodores so far this spring. He should go higher than this, but the big market Red Sox should appeal to him.

5. Baltimore Orioles: Matt McLain, SS, UCLA

McLain went 25th overall to the Diamondbacks in 2018 and honored his commitment to UCLA. This time he heads further east to Baltimore and joins their young nucleus of position players under Mike Elias. He’s a plus runner and defender and has shown an aptitude with wood bats. McLain has developing power and is a versatile defender that should stay at shortstop long-term.

6. Arizona Diamondbacks: Jaden Hill, RHP, LSU

Some thought that Hill could end up being the best pitcher in the SEC in 2021 and that’s saying something with the Vanderbilt hurlers in front of him currently. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound former quarterback has been pumping upper nineties heat this fall and his plus changeup could get him drafted even higher than this come July. Hill has had some injury questions and command issues, but he profiles as a front of the rotation starter at his peak.

7. Kansas City Royals: Jud Fabian, OF, Florida

The Royals have used first rounders on college pitchers and prep bats in recent years, but Fabian is too good to fall any further than this. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound outfielder struggled some as a freshman, but was stellar with wood bats since and even hit six homers playing in the Cape Cod League. He has above-average speed and should stay in center field long-term. Fabian throws with his left and hits right-handed, which is a bit unusual. He should be in the running for first college hitter off the board in July.

8. Colorado Rockies: Adrian Del Castillo, C, Miami (FL)

The Miami backstop has a great left-handed swing and an advanced approach at the dish. He hit 14 homers in 350 plate appearances for the Hurricanes and continue to display in game power on the cape. There are some defensive concerns, but his bat will play elsewhere.

9. Los Angeles Angels: Ty Madden, RHP, Texas

Madden’s stuff and command have improved this summer and he’s been really good overall. His fastball touches 99 mph and he shows a plus slider as well. His added strength could actually get him selected higher than this. Anaheim likes college pitchers and he could move quickly in that system.

10. New York Mets: Brady House, 3B, Winder-Barrow High School (GA)

The run on prep shortstops continues and Sandy Alderson swings for the fences with his first draft pick back in New York. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Georgia prep was seen as the top prospect in the class last year, but he’s struggled offensively since then. House possesses raw power to all fields and incredible bat speed, but there’s obvious swing and miss in his game. He won’t stay at shortstop long-term, but he could be a plus defender with enough bat at the hot corner.

11. Washington Nationals: Ryan Cusick, RHP, Wake Forest

The Nationals go back to the college pitching well and they go to the Wake Forest program. Cusick is a 6-foot-6, 225-pound righty that displays a high spin rate fastball. He struck out 43 batters in 22 1/3 innings last spring, but his secondary offerings need some work. Cusick shows a low effort delivery. There is some reliever risk, but he could be dominant in that role if it’s deemed necessary down the road.

12. Seattle Mariners: Henry Davis, C, Louisville

Seattle’s draft model loves college hitters and while they don’t get Alex Binelas here, they will settle for his teammate. Davis has a plus-plus arm behind the plate and should stay at catcher. He makes contact at the dish and handles the zone well and could hit 20 homers annually at a premium position.

13. Philadelphia Phillies: Gunnar Hoglund, RHP, Ole Miss

Hoglund turned down the Pirates after going 36th overall in 2018. The right-hander’s stuff didn’t really improve in his two years at Mississippi, but the fastball and slider had both been better this summer. The 6-foot-4, right-hander has an easy delivery and has looked solid for the Bulldogs so far. Dave Dombrowski likes to add college pitching in the draft.

14. San Francisco Giants: Sal Frelick, OF, Boston College

The Giants love their college bats under Farhan Zaidi and Frelick fits the bill. Frelick is an undersized, but very athletic outfielder from Boston College. The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder shows plus bat speed and could get to average power in the future. He hits from the left side and should stay in center field. He’s gotten off to a great start for the Eagles so far this season and projects as a top of the order hitter.

15. Milwaukee Brewers: Colton Cowser, OF, Sam Houston State

The Brewers also love their college bats and Cowser fits the bill. He has a great left-handed stroke and shows patience at the plate with the look of a player that will know how to get on base frequently. He’s a plus hitter and should stay in center field, but has the offensive profile for a corner if necessary. Milwaukee goes back to college for an outfielder for the second straight year.

16. Miami Marlins: Sam Bachman, RHP, Miami (OH)

Bachman is similar to Miami’s Max Meyer who they took third overall in 2020. He offers premium velocity with a fastball that touches 100 mph and also shows a consistent plus slider. His changeup is a very solid third offering. The Miami of Ohio product doesn’t pitch against the best competition in the MAC, but he’s improved his conditioning and athleticism this past summer. He has the stigma of being a “short right-hander” (6-foot-1), but the premium stuff should get him drafted in this range anyway.

17. Cincinnati Reds: James Wood, OF, IMG Academy (FL)

The Reds go with a prep outfielder for the second consecutive year as well and Wood already looks the part. His father played professional basketball overseas and the 6-foot-6, 230-pound outfielder really thrived with IMG Academy. He possesses huge raw power with a pretty left-handed swing and shows the potential for 30-home run power. He is a plus runner that currently plays center field, but he likely moves to a corner with the arm and power potential for right field.

18. St. Louis Cardinals: Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest HS (NC)

Watson has some apparently minor character concerns, but he fits in this range. The 5-foot-9, 180-pounder will stay at shortstop over the long haul, but his bat will definitely play elsewhere. The Cardinals continue their recent trend of selecting high upside preps early.

19. Toronto Blue Jays: Jordan Wicks, LHP, Kansas State

Wicks is the top southpaw in the class and he should move quickly through the system along with last year’s first-rounder Austin Martin. The lefty compiled 52 strikeouts over 34 2/3 innings this summer and uses a plus-plus changeup as a wipeout pitch. The fastball also sits in the mid 90s. Wicks is 6-foot-3, 220 pounds and shows a low effort, easily repeatable delivery.

20. New York Yankees: Alex Binelas, 3B, Louisville

Binelas is another former Wisconsin prep with huge power. The third baseman hit 14 homers for Louisville as a freshman, but he broke his hamate bone last spring. With left-handed power and premium bat speed, Binelas could fit the mold of a typical college masher that rises throughout the draft process. He should provide on base percentage and power, but he might have to transition to the outfield if he can’t stay at third base as a professional. He’s struggled in the early going at Louisville but the power potential is real.

21. Chicago Cubs: Jackson Jobe, RHP, Heritage Hall High School (OK)

Jobe is a multi-positional star in Oklahoma, but Chicago would draft him as a pitcher in this scenario. The right hander shows a plus-plus slider already with elite spin and possesses multiple plus pitches as a prep. He’s very athletic and efficient and the Cubs have had success with their new pitching infrastructure. Back-to-back preps in the first round for scouting director Dan Kantrovitz.

22. Chicago White Sox: Harry Ford, C, North Cobb High School (GA)

The White Sox haven’t selected a prep position player in the first round since drafting Courtney Hawkins in 2012, but they’ve been all over Ford for the past two years in addition to others on the high school side. Ford is young for the class and currently plays catcher in Georgia. The low hit rate on prep catchers is a real concern, but this athlete could move to second base, third base or any of the outfield spots in the future. He might possess the best bat speed in the 2021 prep class. Ford also has plus speed and makes consistent loud contact in games.

23. Cleveland Indians: Izaac Pacheco, 3B, Friendswood High School (TX)

Pacheco is a 6-foot-4, 220-pound slugger who has experience playing shortstop. He likely shifts to third base where his plus-plus power potential will play. The infielder has some issues with his approach and he could be a high strikeout player. He also has the chance to be a plus defender at the hot corner.

24. Atlanta Braves: Richard Fitts, RHP, Auburn

Alex Anthopoulos goes back to the college pitching well for a second straight year. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound righty shows a plus fastball with a high spin rate slider. He has a projectable frame and a three pitch mix. Physical changes have helped Fitts and he’ll likely go in the first round because of it.

25. Oakland Athletics: Benny Montgomery, OF, Red Land High School (PA)

Oakland took one of the best hitters in the prep class in 2020 with Tyler Soderstrom and they’ll go that route again in 2021. Montgomery is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound outfielder from Pennsylvania. He has multiple plus tools including big raw power and 70-grade speed. There are some questions about the hit tool and signability concerns, but this is a premium center fielder with significant upside.

26. Minnesota Twins: Joshua Baez, OF, Dexter Southfield HS (MA)

The Twins love power and Baez might have the most power in the entire draft. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder has a strong Vanderbilt commitment, but he’d likely go professional in this scenario. There is lots of swing and miss in his game and he likely moves to an outfield corner in the future.

27. San Diego Padres: Andrew Painter, RHP, Calvary High School (FL)

AJ Preller and the Padres haven’t been afraid to tab prep righties in the past and Painter is the best one in this class. The 6-foot-6 Floridian possesses raw stuff and an advanced feel to pitch which is rare for high school hurlers. He has a legitimate four pitch mix and touches 96 mph with his four-seam fastball. He’s big and athletic and already has a plus changeup in tow with the makings of a solid breaking ball as well.

28. Tampa Bay Rays: Mason Pelio, RHP, Boston College

Pelio is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound righty and he’s big, strong and durable. His fastball hits 97 mph consistently and there’s potential for a plus changeup in there as well. There’s lots of reliever risk here, but he’s a solid fit in Tampa Bay’s pitching infrastructure.

29. Los Angeles Dodgers: Eric Cerantola, RHP, Mississippi State

The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder has big stuff highlighted by a plus-plus fastball that has touched 100 mph. Command has always been a struggle but he’s been pretty good for the Bulldogs to start 2021. This is a big upside play for one of the better development programs in the sport.

30. Cincinnati Reds (Compensation for Trevor Bauer): McCade Brown, RHP, Indiana

Brown is a major riser that has been stellar this spring. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound right-hander throws upper nineties with his heater and has shown an above average breaking ball as well. One of the best starters in the B1G, Brown will still be just 20 years old on draft day and could rise even higher than this throughout the process.

Competitive Balance A

31. Miami Marlins: Chase Petty, RHP, Mainland High School (NJ)

Another hard throwing prep for the Marlins.

32. Detroit Tigers: Ethan Wilson, OF, South Alabama

The outfielder struggled during the abbreviated 2020 season, but he did hit 17 homers for South Alabama in 2019. He hits left-handed and draws walks, but probably will need some swing alterations to tap into his power more consistently. He likely only has a throwing arm for left field, but he profiles there offensively as well.

33. Milwaukee Brewers: Joe Rock, LHP, Ohio

Large lefty from Ohio who has hit 100 mph consistently this spring.

34. Tampa Bay Rays: Bubba Chandler, RHP, North Oconee High School (GA)

Big riser in the prep class and a two-way guy. He could end up higher than this but likely pitches in pro ball.

35. Cincinnati Reds: Tommy Mace, RHP, Florida

The Reds take another college righty that bet on himself. Former reliever with a four pitch mix has been very reliable for the Gators.

36. Minnesota Twins: Luca Tresh, C, North Carolina State

Tresh took over full-time catching duties from Patrick Bailey in 2021 and he can really hit with premium bat speed, massive strength and superb exit velocity readings.

White Sox Round 2 and Round 3

2nd Round: Caedmon Parker, RHP, Woodlands Christian High School (TX)

The White Sox have taken prep pitchers the last two years in the second round and the trend continues in 2021. Parker is a multi-sport athlete in Texas. The 6-foot-4, 185-pounder is a projectable athlete that pumps his fastball into the mid 90s. He has also has two breaking balls but his changeup may end becoming his best secondary. He’s committed to Texas Christian University.

3rd Round: Jesse Bergin, RHP, UCLA

The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder was a product of Harvard Westlake High School outside of Los Angeles. His fastball gets into the mid 90s with a solid breaker and changeup. The inverted action on his delivery is a potential red flag but the White Sox haven’t been opposed to funky deliveries in the past.

Image credit: Vanderbilt Athletics

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