Mid-Season Mock Draft

Things are starting to become more clear as players are rising and solidifying themselves at top of the draft while others are sliding based on performance.

1. Pirates - Gerrit Cole, SP, UCLA - Has been impressive the early going. The Pirates will have to make a decision on whether they want pitching or hitting.

2. Mariners - Anthony Rendon, 3B, Rice - The consensus #1 pick coming into the season is not getting a lot of pitches to hit, while keeping his amazing plate discipline. That's the main reason for him sliding from #1 to #2.

3. Diamondbacks - Danny Hultzen, SP, UVA - The biggest riser so far is having an amazing season. The DBacks drafted him out of HS and like him even more now.

4. Orioles - Sonny Gray, SP, Vanderbilt - A short righty but with an amazing arm. Has the best stuff in the draft behind Cole and has a chance to move fast through the minors.

5. Royals - Bubba Starling, OF, Gardner-Edgerton HS, KS - One of the best HS athletes to come into the draft in a while. Comparisons to Josh Hamilton because of their physical tools. Do the Royals have the $5 million that it will likely cost to buy him out of a Nebraska Football commitment?

6. Nationals - Francisco Lindor, SS, Montverde Academy, Fla - The Nationals go with up the middle talent. Lindor is one the most sure bets to stay at the position and has the tools to become an all star SS.

7. Diamondbacks - John Stilson, RP, Texas A&M - This pick isn't protected so the DBacks go with a player that they could sign relatively easy.

8. Indians - Matt Barnes, SP, Connecticut - Powerful righty with a pitchers frame. The Indians have been loading up on pitchers and could have a very strong rotation in the near future.

9. Cubs - Matt Purke, SP, TCU - One of the draft best left handers is sliding do to concerns about his below par stuff this season none the less he's still a top 10 pick. The Cubs may have one of the biggest steals in the draft.

10. Padres - Jed Bradley, SP, Georgia Tech - Lefty starter with a mix of pitches. This pick is not protected so San Diego goes safe but don't underestimate Bradley as he is one of the best pitchers in this draft.

11. Astros - George Springer, OF, Connecticut - Five-tool college out-fielders normally don't last this long but Springer has not shown he can cut down his strike outs. None the less his raw ability will get him drafted, probably higher that this.

12. Brewers - Daniel Norris, SP, Science Hill HS, Tenn - The Brewer need to re-stock their system and need to produce home grown pitching. Norris is one of the best HS lefties and one of the best pitchers overall.

13. Mets - Jackie Bradley Jr, OF, South Caroline - The Mets are an enigma with their new money ball front office. The new front office has a reputation of favoring the College player so they go with one of the best college bats in the draft.

14. Marlins - Dylan Bundy, SP, Owasso (Okla.) HS - The Marlins have a connection with Oklahoma and like to draft HS righties. Bundy fits the mold and could one of the steals of the draft.

15. Brewers - Mikie Mahtook, OF, LSU - Mahtook is a very athletic player that can do a little bit of everything on the baseball field. He is making adjustments and answering question about his approach at the plate. Definitely a riser.

16. Dodgers - Trevor Bauer SP, UCLA - The Dodgers draft pitchers with their first pick of the draft going back to James Loney in 2002. This is not the year for that to change since this draft if deep in pitching. Bauer will be an absolute steal, teams will shy away because of some of the antics but he can pitch.

17. Angels - Archie Bradley, SP, Broken Arrow (Okla.) HS - Archie is only sliding do to signability concerns. He is one of the best athletes in the draft, committed to Oklahoma on a football scholarship, but is also highly touted on the baseball field. The Angels have the deep pockets to buy him out of that commitment.

18. Athletics - Taylor Jungmann, SP, Texas - One of the best college arms. Has inconsistent mechanics if no he would go higher. The A's have gone with position players in the last few drafts, this draft is strong in college pitching, this is their opportunity.

19. Red Sox - Josh Bell, OF, Jesuit College Prep, TX - One of the most powerful bats in the draft. Switch hitter with a good hit tool for a highschooler, having a big Senior season in Texas.

20. Rockies - Dillon Howard, SP, Searcy (Ark.) HS - Strong HS right hander with a mid 90s fast ball and shows a pretty good slider. You can never have enough pitching and the Rockies need to produce their own.

21. Blue Jays - Jose Fernandez, SP, Alonso HS, Fla - Powerful right hander with a fast ball that has touch 97. The Blue Jays showed last year that they are not afraid to go with the projection pick.

22. Cardinals - Andrew Sussac, C, Oregon State - Last year the Cardinals drafted a sophomore college player this year they do the same with Sussac. A powerful bat behind the plate is a pretty good commodity.

23. Nationals - Tyler Anderson, SP, Oregon - An aggressive 4-pitch lefty with a strong arsenal of pitches. Profiles as a mid of the rotation starter. Every team needs to develop their own pitchers, Anderson is one of the safest bets.

24. Rays - Blake Swihart, C, Cleveland HS, Rio Rancho, NM - One of the most athletic catchers in the draft. Strong defense behind the plate with a lot of physical projection left. Definitely a projection pick.

25. Padres - Henry Owens, SP, Edison HS, Huntington Beach, CA - Tall, lean left hander with a low 90s fast ball but with a lot of projection. Could go higher on draft day.

26. Red Sox - Tyler Beede, SP, Lawrence Academy, Mass - 4-pitch right hander from the HS ranks are not very common. Beede has the celing of a 1-2 pitchers. The Red Sox go with a player from their backyard.

27. Reds - Taylor Guerrieri, SP, Spring Valley HS, SC - One of the fastest movers from the HS ranks. Showing mid 90s fast ball with life. Should go higher on draft day.

28. Braves - Nicky Delmonico, C/3B, Farragut HS, Knoxville, TN - High ceiling HS hitter, questions about his defense behind the plate but his bat should play anywhere.

29. Giants - Alex Dickerson, OF/1B, Indiana - Powerful, strong, right hander power hitter from the college ranks.

30. Twins - Jason Esposito, 3B/2B, Vanderbilt - Having trouble with the new bats so he could go lower, need to start producing.

31. Rays - Javier Baez, SS, Arlington Country Day School, Fla - Riser that has shown the ability to play in the middle of the field. Shows the depth of the draft, that he would last this long.

32. Rays - Michael Kelly, SP, Community HS, Boca Raton, Fla - Tall right hander from the HS ranks with a mid 90s fast ball. Inconsistency has hurt him a bit.

33. Rangers - Alex Meyer, SP/RP, Kentucky - Tall right hander with high 90s heat has trouble with his command. A wild card on draft day.