Mock Draft 3.0: Feels a lot like Bohm

We’re now only a week away from the 2018 MLB Draft. We’ll take a look at the big board and who the Phillies may be selecting at pick No. 3.

Headlines

Bart at 1?

Last week we talked about how Georgia Tech catcher Joey Bart has become the odds-on favorite to be the pick at No. 2 for the Giants. It now seems as though the Tigers are also interested in him. Auburn pitcher Casey Mize is still the favorite to go first overall, but Bart’s offensive ability from the catcher’s position has made him a rare talent.

It Will Be a College Kid

It seems as though the Phillies will definitely be taking a college player with the third overall pick.  This draft is loaded with college talent and it would not be a surprise if the first five to eight picks are all from the college ranks.

Updated Big Board

1. Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn
2. Alec Bohm, INF, Wichita State
3. Nick Madrigal, INF, Oregon State
4. Brady Singer, RHP, Florida
5. Joey Bart, C, Georgia Tech
6. Jonathan India, INF, Florida
7. Travis Swaggerty, OF, South Alabama
8. Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Mountain Ridge HS (Arizona)

Names for Round 4

The Phillies do not have a second- or third-round pick (because of the Carlos Santana and Jake Arrieta signings), so their next selection will be in the fourth round, 107th overall.

1. Gage Canning, OF, Arizona State                                                         Scouting report: A legit hitter who hit .369 with nine homers this year for Arizona State. Considered to be an above-average runner and an average defender. He does not have a high OBP considering his high average: it’s only .426.
2. Grant Little, OF, Texas Tech                                                                  Scouting report: Had a great year, hitting .378 with 12 homers and 67 RBI. Walked more than he struck out and only committed two errors in 100 opportunities.  Could be a legitimate top-of-the-order threat who will be an extra-base and on-base machine. Some believe his below-average arm will lead him to the infield.
3. Jonathan Bowlan, RHP, Memphis                                                     Scouting report: Had an ERA of 3.71 in 85 innings of work. Did strike out 104 while only walking 18. Although his stats don’t jump off the page, he’s projectable at 6’6″ and throws 91-94 mph and can reach 97. He posses an above-average slider and has an average changeup. Could be an end-of-the-rotation guy or a valuable bullpen piece.

The Mock

1. Detroit Tigers                                                                                                   The pick: Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn                                                     It’s hard to see this changing. Bart may have won over a few in the Tigers system, but Mize is a safe pick and should be a top-of-the-rotation stud for years.
2. San Francisco Giants                                                                                The pick: Joey Bart, C, Georgia Tech  
                                           Makes sense for a lot of reasons. His offensive ability makes him very valuable behind the plate, and he will allow current Giants catcher Buster Posey to prolong his career with a move to first base, if Bart pans out.
3. Philadelphia Phillies                                                                                The pick: Alec Bohm, INF, Wichita State                                         Considered the best bat in the draft, Bohm had a stellar year hitting .339 with 16 homers in 57 games. Bohm is very durable as he started every game for Shockers this year. Has an advanced approach at the plate as he walked 39 times and only struck out 28. Some scouts are concerned about his defense and his .899 fielding percentage is less than ideal. Whether he has to move to first base from third base or not, remains to be seen, but the Phillies would be getting a very good power hitter, one who won’t sell out just to hit it out of the park.
4. Chicago White Sox                                                                                    The pick: Brady Singer, RHP, Florida
5. Cincinnati Reds                                                                                          The pick: Nick Madrigal, INF, Oregon State

Next week will be our final mock as that night will be the real thing. More information will be made available during the week and we should get a better understanding of what the Phillies, and the teams in front of them, plan to do.