1
Pick: 2B Termarr Johnson, Mays HS (Georgia) ($8,842,200 slot value)
Even the O’s don’t know who they’re picking No. 1 right now. Elias says they’ve narrowed the list down to five players — Cal Poly shortstop Brooks Lee, LSU shortstop Jacob Berry, high school shortstop Jackson Holliday and high school outfielders Drew Jones and Elijah Green are the most rumored names — though there’s some smoke. featuring Johnson over the past month or so. Johnson has many fans in the industry and is considered the best pure hitter in the draft class, college or high school.
If he’s not the No. 1 pick, there’s a chance Johnson could fall to the No. 6 pick or even later. In that case, a sub-slot deal at No. 1 would be more financially beneficial than a slot deal at No. 6 or later, plus Johnson could say he’s the No. 1 pick in the country. For the O’s, trading Johnson at No. 1 would allow them to spend big on later picks (Nos. 33, 42 and 67) and add a ton of top talent to their farm system. All told, confidence in this mock pick is low, even with the draft just days away. Baltimore tends to keep things very close to the vest and this year is no different. (CBS Sports Top 30 Ranking: No. 4)
June 16 mock pick: SS Jackson Holliday, Stillwater HS (Oklahoma) June 30 mock pick: OF Druw Jones, Wesleyan School (Georgia)
2
Pick: OF Druw Jones, Wesleyan School (Georgia) ($8,185,100 slot value)
This is the most predictable pick in the top five. If Jones is available, as he is in our mock, the Diamondbacks will take him. If not, they are very likely to go with Jackson Holiday over Termar Johnson or Brooks Lee. Jones is Andrew’s son and is the consensus #1 prospect in the draft class. He fits Arizona’s preferred profile of loud tools and elite athleticism. (CBS Sports Top 30 Ranking: No. 1)
June 16 mock pick: Jones June 30 mock pick: SS Jackson Holliday, Stillwater HS (Oklahoma)
3
Pick: SS Jackson Holliday, Stillwater HS (Oklahoma) ($7,587,600 slot value)
Like every other team, the Rangers want Drew Jones, but the odds are against him making it this far. Holiday and, to a lesser extent, Elijah Green are also rumored to be high on their rankings, and given how heavy Texas has been in the last few first rounds, I wouldn’t rule out Brooks Lee or Georgia Tech catcher Kevin Parada either. Signs point to the Rangers preferring Holiday over Green, so we’re rooting for them to take Matt’s son. (CBS Sports Top 30 Ranking: No. 3)
June 16 mock pick: OF Elijah Green, IMG Academy (Florida) June 30 mock pick: Green
4
Pick: 3B Cam Collier, Chipola JC (Florida) ($7,002,100 slot value)
The Pirates were linked to Collier, the son of former major leaguer Lou Collier, in the spring, and the rumors have intensified in recent weeks. Collier is a fascinating prospect as a 17-year-old who earned his GED and graduated high school early, and enrolled in a junior college to become eligible for what amounts to a junior high. He tackled college players in the prestigious Cape Cod Wood Bat League this summer. (CBS Sports Top 30 Ranking: No. 6)
June 16 mock pick: SS Brooks Lee, Cal Poly June 30 mock pick: Lee
5
Pick: OF Elijah Green, IMG Academy (Florida) ($6,494,300 slot value)
The most consistent connection in the spring was the Nationals and Kevin Parada, the top catcher in the draft. Parade is still very much in the mix, but given Washington’s long-standing obsession with a high first-round ceiling, I think the Nats will turn to Green if he’s still available here, as he is in our mock draft. It looks like Parada will be the guy if none of the top players in high school make it this far. (CBS Sports Top 30 Ranking: No. 5)
June 16 mock pick: C Kevin Parada, Georgia Tech June 30 mock pick: Parada
6
Pick: 1B/3B/OF Jacob Berry, LSU ($6,034,300 slot value)
Last year, the Marlins pounced on Kahlil Watson, a projected top 5-10 pick who fell into their lap at No. 16. Expectations are they’ll jump on Jackson Holiday or Themar Johnson here, less on Elijah Green, but neither of those players are available in our mock draft. Miami and Berry have been buzzing lately, and while he’s a controversial prospect given his lack of defensive value, there are some who believe he’s the best all-around offensive talent in the draft class. (CBS Sports Top 30: No. 19)
June 16 mock pick: 2B Termar Johnson, Mays HS (Georgia) June 30 mock pick: Johnson
7
Pick: SS Brooks Lee, Cal Poly ($5,708,000 slot value)
It’s no secret that the little ones long for Cam…
Add Comment