ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
16) Kyle Schwarber, C-1B, Indiana University
54) Carson Sands, LHP, Florida HS
69) Michael Cederoth, RHP, San Diego State
70) Matt Railey, OF, Florida HS
89) J.D. Davis, OF, Cal State Fullerton
120) Jake Godfrey, RHP, Illinois HS
SUMMARY: Balanced usage of multiple picks. Schwarber has one of the most advanced bats available and if a fine choice even if he ends up at first base. Cederoth has a huge arm and would be a first-round guy in a class with less pitching. Davis is a two-way guy but scouts want to use him as a first baseman due to his power potential, with pitching the backup option should he fail with the bat. Sands and Railey are high school teammates, Railey intriguing as a power hitter and Sands as a powerful fastball/curve lefty. Godfrey has mid-rotation projection but an LSU commitment to use as leverage. Strong group if the money works.
COLORADO ROCKIES
8) Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt
35) Forrest Wall, 2B, Florida HS
48) Alex Blandino, 2B, Stanford University
82) Trace Loehr, SS, Oregon HS
113) Jace Fry, LHP, Oregon State University
SUMMARY: Beede was controversial in the discussion section on Mock draft day; he has the arm strength to go here, but will he have the command? Maybe the Mock Rockies do a pre-draft deal and save some money to apply to Forrest Wall and Trace Loehr, two of the better prep infield bats on the table this year. Blandino and Fry are successful college guys who can move through a farm system quickly. Positionally, Wall, Blandino, and Loehr could all wind up as second basemen, so there could be a logjam there. Much would ride on if Beede can harness his stuff.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
22) Luis Ortiz, RHP, California HS
62) Josh Morgan, SS, California HS
98) Connor Joe, C, University of San Diego
129) Jacob Nix, RHP, California HS
SUMMARY: Ortiz has been on and off first-round lists; he has the talent to go in the 20s if teams are convinced that he’s healthy after some bouts of arm trouble this spring. He throws four pitches for strikes and is dominant when right physically. Morgan has unusual power in his 5-11, 180 frame and would need to be bought away from UCLA, but if the money works I like him here. Joe is also intriguing, a former first baseman and power hitter who is still polishing his defense. Good value here if he sticks behind the plate. Nix is very projectable and seems like a Dodgers guy, but presents a signability risk in the fourth round due to another UCLA commitment.
SAN DIEGO PADRES
13) Aaron Nola, RHP, Louisiana State University
51) Jakson Reetz, C, Nebraska HS
86) Gavin LaValley, OF-1B, Oklahoma HS
117) Jordan Foley, RHP, Central Michigan
SUMMARY: I’d have to think that the Padres would be very happy if Nola falls this low in real life. His track record is impeccable and it’s not like he’s throwing 86 MPH or something; he is not a smoke/mirrors pitcher. Reetz and LaValley are interesting five-year development projects, Reetz for his athleticism and potential abilities on both sides of the ball, LaValley for his power potential. Both will take a lot of time. Foley is a strike-throwing college arm that I frankly don’t know much about. He posted a 3.69 ERA with an 89/28 K/BB in 98 innings this year.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
14) Grant Holmes, RHP, South Carolina HS
52) Jack Flaherty, 3B-RHP, California HS
87) Dylan Davis, OF, Oregon State University
118) James Norwood, RHP, St. Louis University
SUMMARY: Holmes is just a really good pitching prospect all-around and seems to fit the Giants organization well. Flaherty is a two-way guy who is a top prospect as both a hitter and pitcher. I’d probably try him as a hitter first and you can always switch him to the mound later if that doesn’t work. Davis gets press for his strong bat but he would be a prospect as a pitcher, too, given his arm strength. I see him as good value in the third. Norwood is a New York kid who went to college in the Midwest and has developed a mid-90s fastball. I like the balance in this class, with Flaherty’s signability away from North Carolina being the main caution flag.