2021 MLB Mock Draft 1.0

The White Sox appeared to do well with their strategy during the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft. For the first time ever, the annual selection meeting was limited to just five rounds. 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. He quickly progressed to the majors and displayed pure dominance in a bullpen role for the White Sox to close out the abbreviated 2020 campaign.

Jared Kelley was regarded as a top 20 draft prospect for the majority of publications. The organization used their second round pick on the big righty and signed him for $3 million. He’s a big part of the club’s future, was impressive during instructional league this fall and should start his professional career in Low-A with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers in 2021.

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 and secured their commitments with over-slot bonuses totaling $4.1 million. High school outfielder James Beard out of Mississippi signed as well and the club added five more prep talents on the draft’s third day as well.

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 and 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.

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 final draft order isn’t completely decided due to some undecided free agents who have declined the qualifying offer.

The White Sox are also scheduled to choose at pick No. 58 in round two, but that could change slightly depending on free agent activity.

Here is my first attempt at a 2021 mock draft. It’s way too early to be completely accurate and speculation hasn’t even started with the uncertainty of high school and college baseball this spring. Many of the top prep players have been seen already though and organizational trends have been developed in recent years. More mock drafts will drop here at FutureSox periodically.

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 Lawler’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, but he’ll need to be even more consistent next season. Rocker is a physical and overpowering right-hander with a plus fastball and plus-plus slider at its best.

3. Detroit Tigers: Jud Fabian, OF, Florida

It’s not a year deep in college bats, but the college hitters generally rise to the top of the board. 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.

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.

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

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: Adrian Del Castillo, C, Miami (FL)

The Royals have used first rounders on college pitchers and prep bats in recent years, but Del Castillo’s stick is too good to fall any further than this. 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.

8. Colorado Rockies: Marcelo Mayer, SS, Eastlake HS (CA)

This is the year of the prep shortstop and Colorado 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 LH 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.

9. Los Angeles Angels: 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 Reid Detmers. 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.

10. New York Mets: Alex Binelas, 3B, Louisville

Binelas is another 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.

11. Washington Nationals: Andrew Painter, RHP, Calvary Christian HS (FL)

Mike Rizzo and the Nationals 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.

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: Brady House, SS, Winder-Barrow HS (GA)

The run on prep shortstops continues and Dave Dombrowski swings for the fences with his first draft pick in Philadelphia. 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.

14. San Francisco Giants: Colton Cowser, OF, Sam Houston State

The Giants love their college bats under Farhan Zaidi 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.

15. Milwaukee Brewers: Ethan Wilson, OF, South Alabama

Milwaukee goes back to college for an outfielder for the second straight year with Wilson. 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.

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: 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. Toronto likes college players and he could move quickly in that system.

20. New York Yankees: Joe Mack, C, Williamsville East HS (NY)

The Yankees haven’t shied away from being interested in prep catchers and Mack is right in their backyard. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder could stay behind the plate despite the track record of high school catchers overall. He’s a left-handed hitter with an advanced approach at the plate and runs well.

21. Chicago Cubs: Izaac Pacheco, 3B, Friendswood HS (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. Back-to-back preps in the first round for scouting director Dan Kantrovitz.

22. Chicago White Sox: Ryan Cusick, RHP, Wake Forest

The White Sox go back to the college pitching well and they’re very familiar with 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.

23. Cleveland Indians: Jackson Jobe, RHP, Heritage Hall HS (OK)

Jobe is a multi-positional star in Oklahoma, but Cleveland 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 Indians have had success with similar prep pitchers in the past.

24. Atlanta Braves: Jonathan Cannon, RHP, Georgia

The 6-foot-6, 210-pound righty has mostly pitched in relief for Georgia to this point, but he’s expected to be the No. 2 starter this spring. His fastball sits in the 93-96 mph range and has feel for a plus changeup as well. Cannon has a strong physical build and he could go higher than this after his junior season is complete.

25. Oakland Athletics: Sal Frelick, OF, Boston College

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.

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: Chase Petty, RHP, Mainland HS (NJ)

There are some questions about Petty’s size and stature, but his stuff is tremendous. Possessing a 70-grade fastball and plus slider should get him drafted in the first round along with his fearlessness on the mound. There is some reliever risk here as well but Padres GM AJ Preller has taken similar profiles in the past.

28. Tampa Bay Rays: Harry Ford, C, North Cobb HS (GA)

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.

29. Los Angeles Dodgers: 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 have both been better this summer. The 6-foot-4, right-hander has an easy delivery.

30. Cincinnati Reds (Compensation for Trevor Bauer): Mason Pelio, RHP, Boston College

Bauer hasn’t signed anywhere yet, but the Reds will receive this selection once he does so. 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 Cincinnati’s Spin City pitching infrastructure.

Competitive Balance A

31. Miami Marlins: Chase Burns, RHP, Beech HS (TN)

Another hard throwing prep for the Marlins.

32. Detroit Tigers: Steven Hajjar, LHP, Michigan

6-foot-5, 220-pound southpaw that is familiar with new Tigers’ pitching coach Chris Fetter from his Michigan days.

33. Milwaukee Brewers: Richard Fitts, RHP, Auburn

Former reliever with improving stuff. Could go much higher than this.

34. Tampa Bay Rays: Edwin Arroyo, SS, Puerto Rico

Best prospect from Puerto Rico this year will play his senior year in Florida this spring.

35. Cincinnati Reds: Christian McLeod, LHP, Mississippi State

College lefty with high spin rates and a 3/4 delivery fits into Cincinnati’s pitching model.

36. Minnesota Twins: Joe Rock, LHP, Ohio

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

White Sox Round 2 and Round 3

2nd Round: Thatcher Hurd, RHP, Mira Costa HS (CA)

Hurd fits the mold of recent White Sox’s second rounders under this scouting group. 6-foot-4, 205-pounder has a commitment to UCLA, but an over-slot bonus buys him out of that here. He has both projection and feel to pitch and the makings of a four-pitch mix despite his rawness. His fastball sits 90-93 mph, but there’s room for more. Hurd commands the fastball well and also throws a slider and a changeup.

3rd Round: Grant Holman, RHP, California

Holman could be a big riser this year and not even be around at this point. The White Sox have loved the California program in the past and the 6-foot-6, 230-pound right-hander is intriguing. Holman showed improved stuff this fall and will pitch exclusively after being a two-way player for the Bears in previous seasons. He shows a four-pitch mix with a strong, durable build and a fastball that hits the high 90s presently. He’s a college arm with some upside left.

Image credit: Vanderbilt Athletics

Want to know right away when we publish a new article? Type your email address in the box on the right-side bar (or at the bottom on a mobile device) and click create subscription. Our list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time. Also, consider supporting FutureSox on Patreon! You can get early access to special articles and Patreon-only posts, in addition to more benefits.

Shop our exclusive merchandise! Show your support with FutureSox apparel.