This draft is absolutely loaded with both high school and college pitchers and has a nice mix of high school and college bats. Some call it the deepest draft in recent memory. The Cubs select 9th and the Sox select 47th. I'll do a writeup on some of the potential 1st rounders.


Anthony Rendon 3B Rice: Best player in the draft. Evan Longoria's bat and Scott Rolen's glove. Rendon has had a shoulder issue this season that has prevented him from playing the field but it's not a long term issue. Some see this as a red flag and may cost Rendon being the top pick. Whoever does select Rendon will get a tremendous player with superstar potential.

Gerrit Cole RHP UCLA: Cole (6' 4” 220) is a horse with a smooth, easy delivery and a fastball that sits comfortably at 95-98. His slider is a hammer and his change up has developed into a plus pitch. Cole had a run of 3-4 starts where he didn't look great and some worry why the numbers don't match with his off the charts stuff (5-5 3.25 ERA). Cole has future ace potential and could be the top pick in the draft.

Danny Hultzen LHP Virginia: Hultzen is the most polished pitcher in the draft and is a very good athlete. His fastball sits 90-92 with good natural sink, his slider projects as a plus pitch and his change up as a plus plus pitch. Hultzen has outstanding command and mound presence and could easily be the first in the draft to reach the major leagues.

Sonny Gray RHP Vanderbilt: Gray is a smallish righty (5'11” 180) but don't let his size fool you. Another very polished college pitcher Gray's fastball sits in the low to mid 90's with a great amount of late break. Gray has a hard biting slider (84-86) and a plus straight change. Gray has very good command of all his pitches and scouts rave about his aggressive, competitive style. Gray is a max-effort pitcher and there are concerns about his long-term durability. He should be a fast mover and could join a major league rotation very quickly.

Bubba Starling OF Gardner Edgerton HS: Best athlete in the draft and the highest ceiling. Starling has a commitment to play QB at Nebraska but his future is in major league baseball. His skills are still raw but there is nothing he can not do on a baseball field. He is a true 5 tool player. A team will have to pay dearly to keep him off the football field but they will be getting a potential superstar center fielder with a combination of power/speed that hasn't been seen in a long time.

Francisco Lindor SS Montverde Academy HS : Lindor is a switch hitting SS who should have no problem staying at SS because of his tremendous athleticism, soft hands and a very strong arm. He projects as a potential 20/20 guy and a .300 + hitter with wonderful intangibles. The only knock on Lindor is he needs to work on his pitch recognition.

Dylan Bundy RHP Oswasso HS: Another player with a commitment to play QB in college (Texas) Bundy may have the highest ceiling of any pitcher in the draft. He has a smooth repeatable delivery with a fastball that sits in the mid 90's with late life. His devastating 12/6 curveball is a true wipeout pitch and his straight change should be above average. There are reports Bundy hit 100 mph this summer which shot him in the top 10 and maybe top 5.

Trevor Bauer RHP UCLA: The biggest wildcard in the draft. Bauer is often compared to Tim Lincecum because of his slight build (6'2” 180) and maximum effort delivery. Bauer is enjoying a historic season (9-2 1.43 ERA 154 K's 100.2 IP) thanks to his 92-95 fastball that he hides well and explodes out of his hand with tons of late life with a nasty downward curveball and hard biting slider. His disappearing changeup may be his most effective pitch. Bauer has excellent command of all 4 pitches. Bauer has his share of detractors because of his unorthodox and sometimes diva-ish pre-game routine and extreme workload (avg 124.5 pitches per start). Bauer certainly has the stuff to be 'The Freak II' and a staff ace but his workload has to be a concern

Jed Bradley LHP Georgia Tech: Prototypical power lefty. Has great size (6'4” 225) and a compact, effortless, repeatable delivery. Fastball sits at 92-94 with good downhill action and a power slider with hard bite and an improving changeup. Bradley holds his velocity deep into games and has great command with all 3 pitches and is very aggressive. Bradley projects as a workhorse type with ace potential and could be a fast mover through a system.

Taylor Guerrieri RHP Spring Valley HS: Guerrieri has the most helium in the draft. A long, lean right hander Guerrierri sits at 93-95 and has touched 98 this this spring. He has a whip-like ¾ delivery where the ball explodes out of his hand and a knee-buckling curve. His slider and change both need work and he needs to fill out his 6'3” 180 frame and when he does he could be an elite starting pitcher for a long time.

Alex Meyer RHP Kentucky: Meyer is an enormous righty (6'9” 220) with a heavy fastball that sits comfortably in the high 90's and a true wipeout slider. Meyer's changeup is a work in progress to say the least and he has erratic command and control because of an awkward delivery and poor balance. If he can refine his motion and develop a usable changeup he could be a top of the rotation starter because of his two plus plus pitches but he will most likely end up as a shut down closer.

Matt Barnes RHP Connecticut: Barnes is still a little raw but has a very high ceiling because of his outstanding stuff and his ideal frame (6'4” 205). Barnes throws a 2 seam and 4 seam fastball that sits in the mid to upper 90's and his curve, slider and change all project as plus pitches. Barnes has inconsistent command and control and needs to correct a couple flaws in his delivery. If he makes the proper adjustments he projects as a top of the rotation starter with his 4 plus pitches.

Taylor Jungmann RHP Texas: Jungmann might be the forgotten man in this draft. A very polished pitcher Jungmann has enjoyed a stellar college career (30-6 1.67 ERA ). Another tall lanky righty (6'6” 220) Jungmann's fastball sits in the mid 90's with tremendous movement and his slider and change both project as plus pitches. Jungmann has excellent control and is a prototypical workhorse who consistently works deep into games but there are concerns about his across his body delivery and heavy college workload.

George Springer OF Connecticut: Springer is a 5 tool player whose best tool will most likely be power. A very good athlete Springer generates tons of bat speed from a strong frame (6'3” 200) and a natural upper cut swing with great lift and extension. Springer also has excellent pitch recognition which should produce a consistently high batting average. Springer gets good jumps on fly balls and has the speed and arm to stay in centerfield. Springer projects as a middle of the order hitter and has no glaring weaknesses in his game.

Archie Bradley RHP Broken Arrow HS: Another high schooler with an offer to play QB in college (Oklahoma) Bradley is a big (6'4” 220) smooth righty with loose live arm. His fastball that sits in the low to mid 90's with good last life and a hammer 12/6 knuckle curveball. Both project as plus major league pitches but his straight change needs some work. Bradley is an excellent athlete and has very good control and command. Bradley is a workhorse type who could develop into a top of the rotation starter.

Daniel Norris LHP Science Hill HS: The top high school left hander Norris is an advanced pitcher with a smooth easy delivery and a fastball that sits 90-92 with real nice natural sink. His slider has bite with good tilt and projects as a plus pitch. Very good straight change with great deception and downward action. Norris' command and control are excellent on all three pitches and he shows great poise at such a young age. Not a lot of mystery here, if Norris stays healthy he should be a top of the rotation starter for a long time.

Mikie Mahtook OF LSU: Mahtook is another 5 tool outfielder whose best tool will be power. He is a fantastic athlete and has quick hands that generates tons of bat speed and natural lift that allows him to hit for power to all fields. Mahtook has good enough pitch recognition to hit for a decent average and has the superior speed, arm strength and defensive instincts to stay in center field. A fierce competitor Mahtook has the skills to be a middle of the order hitter.

Blake Swihart C V. Sue Cleveland HS: Swihart is a switch hitter with the potential for plus hit tool and above average power. He generates bat speed with strong wrists and a short compact swing that produces consistent hard contact. Swihart is very athletic and is very smooth behind the plate with excellent footwork and body control. He features a plus plus arm, quick release and strong accuracy. Swihart has the tools to stay behind the plate and his rare blend of skills makes him a big time commodity.

Larry Greene OF Berrien HS: Greene has more raw power than any hitter in the draft. A switch hitter Greene produces massive bat speed and lift from strong hands and a powerful lower body. He needs to work on his pitch recognition and his turn and burn mentality. Greene has average speed and an above average arm with very good accuracy. He has solid instincts and projects as a corner outfielder and powerful middle of the order hitter

Levi Michael SS North Carolina: Michael started his college career at 2B and moved to shortstop this season where he has displayed excellent athleticism, good range and a strong accurate arm. Michael is a switch hitter with doubles power and a high batting average. His pitch recognition and contact rate is very good. Michael doesn't possess blazing speed but is a very good baserunner with excellent instincts. Michael projects as a top of the order hitter and doubles machine though a move back to 2B may be in his future.

Brandon Nimmo OF Cheyene East HS: Nimmo is a bit of an enigma because Wyoming doesn't play high school baseball. Nimmo was discovered in American Legion games where he showed advanced skills and athleticism for someone who has played so little baseball. Nimmo has a smooth classic left handed swing which produces consistent hard contact. Nimmo has plus speed, good instincts and a strong arm to stay in centerfield and projects as a middle of the order hitter.

Matthew Purke LHP TCU: Purke is another interesting case. He was drafted 14th overall out of high school in '09 by the Texas Rangers but didn't sign. He is a draft eligible sophomore but hasn't pitched in over a month because of a sore shoulder. When healthy Purke (16-0 3.02 ERA as a freshman) is very polished and dominating with a low to mid 90's fastball, a deadly curveball, a nasty biting slider and an average changeup. Purke should pitch 3-4 times before the draft and if he shows no ill effects this future ace could jump back into the top 10 and possibly top 5.

Josh Bell OF Dallas Jesuit HS: One of the most intriguing bats in the draft Bell is an advanced switch hitter with tremendous raw power and projects as a plus hitter from both sides of the plate. Bell produces bat speed and natural lift from a big frame (6'4” 205) and lightning quick hands. Bell has good instincts, is an average runner and has an average throwing arm. He projects as a corner outfielder and a middle of the order power bat.

Javier Baez SS Arlington County Day HS: Baez is moving up draft charts because of his advanced bat and plus power potential. Baez has very good bat control and excellent pitch recognition. He has a good frame and generates consistent hard contact to all fields. Baez has smooth movements and soft hands but limited range. He has an average arm and is an average runner. Baez projects as a third baseman or possibly a second baseman and a top of the order hitter.

CJ Cron 1B Utah: The son of former White Sox farmhand Chris Cron, CJ may be the best available college bat in the draft. A knee injury has limited Cron in the field but not at the plate (.446/.521/.832). Cron (6'4” 235) generates bat speed with great leverage from long arms and strong legs. He has terrific plate discipline and a natural feel for hitting. He projects as a plus hitter and plus power. Cron is a below average runner, has an average arm and has limited range. He projects as a 1B/DH and a middle of the order hitter with superstar hitting potential.

Jose Fernandez RHP Braulio Alonso HS: Another power high school arm Fernandez fastball sits comfortably at 92-95 and has touched 97 and a very good hard slider but his changeup needs a lot of work. Fernandez looks very mature (6'4” 215) on the mound but is a max-effort guy and probably lacks the stamina to be a starting pitcher. With 2 plus pitches and a very good feel for pitching and excellent mound presence Fernandez projects as a shut down closer.

John Stilson RHP Texas A&M: Stilson was one of the best closers in college for 2 years then moved to the friday night starter role this season and has been very good . Stilson's fastball sits at 91-93 with late life but has cranked it up to 98 as a reliever. Stilton’s circle change might be his best pitch and projects as plus plus. He also throws an above average curve and average slider. Stilson pounds the strike zone and will give the team drafting him options as to how best to use him.

Henry Owens LHP Edison HS: Owens is a tall lanky lefty (6'7” 200) with a smooth clean delivery and very good arm action. Owens fastball sit 90-92 with nice downward plain. He also throws a big sweeping curve which projects as a plus pitch a slider with a wider break and an average change. Owens has some control issues that need to be tightened up but with his size, polish and competitiveness he projects as a top of the rotation starter and possible ace.

Kolten Wong 2B Hawaii: Wong has a pure advanced college bat in an undersized (5'9” 190) but powerful frame. Wong uses a max effort swing but has enough bat control to make consistent line drive contact. Wong won't hit for much power but should be a doubles machine. Wong is a solid defender with good instincts average range and an average arm. Wong is an above average runner and a very good baserunner who projects as a top of the order hitter.

Tyler Anderson LHP Oregon: A very confident college lefty Anderson doesn't have off the charts stuff he's just a very good 'pitcher'. His two-seam fastball sits 88-90 with plenty of movement. Anderson also features a nice cut fastball, an average slider and a plus straight change. Anderson has very good deception a smooth easy delivery and excellent command and control with all 4 pitches. Anderson should be a fast mover through a minor league system and projects as a top of the rotation starter.

Here are some players who may be available when the Sox select at #47.

Nicky Delmonico C Farragut HS: Delmonico is one of the best pure high school hitters in the draft. Delmonico has a smooth left handed swing with lots of bat speed and lift. He projects as a plus power hitter and has an advanced hitting skill for a high schooler. Delmonico moved behind the plate this year where he is still raw but has plenty of athleticism, arm strength and instincts to accel at the position. Delmonico has a solid college commitment (Georgia) and could be a tough sign but any team drafting him this late could get an absolute steal.

Jackie Bradley Jr OF South Carolina: Bradley was a sure-fire 1st rounder coming into the season but a slow start and a wrist injury that required surgery has hurt his draft status. Bradley is plus plus hitter with gap power, an advanced approach, quick hands and tremendous bat control. Bradley is a very good defender with excellent range, a strong accurate throwing arm and very good speed. Bradley projects as a 2 hitter and very good centerfielder and there is still a very good chance he won't be around when the Sox make their pick.

Charlie Tilson OF New Trier HS: Tilson is a toolsy outfielder who gained national prominence at last summers Area Code games. Tilson is a very good athlete with a smooth level line drive swing that produces consistent hard contact. Tilson is a plus plus runner and is avery good defender. He has excellent range, good instincts and an average arm with good accuracy. Tilson has a college commitment to Illinois but no one is taking that seriously. Tilson should be able to stay in centerfield and projects as a top of the order hitter.

Aaron Westlake 1B Vanderbilt: Westlake is one of the best pure left handed power hitters in the draft. His long lean frame (6'4” 230) produces a classic upper cut swing with nice lift and plenty of carry to all fields. Westlake has good bat control and pitch recognition which should allow him to hit for a decent average. Westlake's range is limited and an average arm but has very soft hands and good instincts. Westlake projects as an everyday left handed bat and average/above average first baseman.

Grayson Garvin LHP Vanderbilt: SEC pitcher of the year Garvin is a big (6'6” 220) lefty with a good downhill 4 seam fastball that sits comfortably 90-92 with good late sink. His slider projects as a plus pitch has nice tilt and good late bite. His changeup has potential but needs work. Garvin has very good command and mechanics and is considered a strike thrower. Garvin is still a little raw but has the arm and pitchability to be a middle of the rotation starter or late inning reliever.

Alex Dickerson OF/DH Indiana: Dickerson (6'3” 235) is a 1 tool player. He can flat out bomb. He's been called the left handed Billy Butler. Dickerson generates tons of bat speed and has plus plus raw power and good pitch recognition to draw plenty of walks. Dickerson is a bad athlete with no running ability and a poor arm. He projects as a designated hitter or below average left fielder and a middle of the order power bat.

Peter O'Brien C Bethune-Cookman: O'Brien is a huge (6'5” 225) catcher who is still a little raw but has shown improvement. He has good athleticism and footwork for such a big man and has an above average throwing arm with good accuracy. At the plate O'Brien has raw power but swings and misses too much and needs to shorten his swing. O'Brien is a below average runner but has excellent baseball instincts. O'Brien is a very hard worker and should develop into an everyday major league catcher.

You're a good man, Keyser. Thanks for posting those. They were a very good read.

_________________
We all have private ails. The troublemakers are they who need public cures for their private ails.- Eric Hoffer

My pleasure. I'll be posting my mock draft soon. I'm just waiting for Jim Callis to update his.

1. Pittsburgh- Gerrit Cole RHP UCLA
2. Seattle- Anthony Rendon 3B Rice
3. Arizona- Danny Hultzen LHP Virginia
4. Baltimore- Dylan Bundy RHP Oswasso HS
5. Kansas City- Bubba Starling OF Edgerton-Gardner HS
6. Washington- Trevor Bauer RHP UCLA
7. Arizona- Francisco Lindor SS Montverde HS
8. Cleveland- Sonny Gray RHP Vanderbilt
9. Chi Cubs- Taylor Jungmann RHP Texas
10. San Diego- Matt Barnes RHP Connecticut
11. Houston- Archie Bradley RHP Broken Arrow HS
12. Milwaukee- Javier Baez SS Arlington Country Day HS
13. NY Mets- Mikie Mahtook OF LSU
14. Florida- Daniel Norris LHP Johnson City HS
15. Milwaukee- Taylor Guerrieri RHP North Augusta HS
16. LA Dodgers- Jed Bradley LHP Georgia Tech
17. LA Angels- Alex Meyer RHP Kentucky
18. Oakland- George Springer OF Connecticut
19. Boston- Austin Hedges C J Sierra HS
20. Colorado- Brandon Nimmo OF Cheyenne East HS
21. Toronto- Josh Bell OF Jesuit HS
22. St Louis- Levi Michael SS North Carolina
23. Washington- CJ Cron 1B Utah
24. Tampa Bay- Blake Swihart C Cleveland HS
25. San Diego- Cory Spangenberg 3B Indian River JC
26. Boston- Matt Purke LHP TCU
27. Cincinnati- Henry Owens LHP Edison HS
28. Atlanta- Kolten Wong 2B Hawaii
29. San Fran- Robert Stephenson RHP Alhambra HS
30. Minnesota- Tyler Anderson LHP Oregon
31. Tampa Bay- Jose Fernandez RHP Alonso HS
32. Tampa Bay- Brian Goodwin OF Miami Dade JC
33. Texas- Josh Osich LHP Oregon St
47. Chi Sox- Nicky Delmonico C Farragut HS

Here are a few more possiblities for the Sox.

Chris Reed LHP Stanford: Reed (6'4” 190) is currently Stanford's closer but many scouts believe he can be a starter. Reed is very athletic good smooth mechanics. Reed's fastball sits comfortably 92-93 but has touched 96 with very good late movement. Reed also throws a good hard slider and a nice changeup which both project as plus pitches but his command is average. If the team drafting him makes him a starter he could take a couple years to develop because he's still a little raw but if they leave him in the bullpen he could be a quick mover through the system.

Andrew Chafin LHP Kent St: Chafin is a draft eligible redshirt sophomore after missing his freshman year with Tommy John surgery. Chafin (6'2” 210) is a very aggressive pitcher who features a fastball that sits 90-92 but has touched 95 with late sinking action. His slider is a true swing and miss pitch and his changeup is average but has potential. Chafin's command and control are average and he will need to make a change in his delivery. He projects as a middle of the rotation starter.

Dillon Howard RHP Searcy HS: Howard (6'3” 200) is very athletic with near perfect mechanics. His fastball sits comfortably 93-95 and has touched 97 with nice late life. Howard's curveball is inconsistent and his changeup is a work in process but with his clean delivery and solid command these pitches have a chance to be plus offerings. Howard has the makings of a top of the rotation starter but has a solid commitment to Arkansas and is advised by Scott Boras and could be very difficult to sign.

The workload is a concern but he's big and strong enough to handle it. The delivery issue is more of a head bob that is a concern for some teams and not others. There is no way a team can overlook Jungmann's numbers. He could be college player of the year though it will probably go to Trevor Bauer.

13-0
0.95 ERA
122.2 innings pitched
67 hits allowed
27 walks
116 strikeouts
5 complete games
3 shutouts

It may not matter because it seems the Cubs are in love with Bubba Starling and Archie Bradley. This makes sense because they are both high school players with commitments to play college football which means the team drafting them can spread out the signing bonus over 5 years. Not sure Starling drops to #9 but Bradley is a pretty good possibility.

MLB Network has complete coverage of Monday's 2011 MLB Draft starting at 5p, if anyone's interested...

1. Pittsburgh- Gerrit Cole RHP UCLA
2. Seattle- Anthony Rendon 3B Rice
3. Arizona- Trevor Bauer RHP UCLA
4. Baltimore- Dylan Bundy RHP Oswasso HS
5. Kansas City- Danny Hultzen LHP Virginia
6. Washington- Bubba Starling OF Edgerton-Gardner
7. Arizona- Francisco Lindor SS Montverde HS
8. Cleveland- Jed Bradley LHP Georgia Tech
9. Chi Cubs- Archie Bradley RHP Broken Arrow HS
10. San Diego- Matt Barnes RHP Connecticut
11. Houston- Levi Michael SS North Carolina
12. Milwaukee- Javier Baez SS Arlington Country Day HS
13. NY Mets- Taylor Jungmann RHP Texas
14. Florida- Daniel Norris LHP Science Hill HS
15. Milwaukee- Taylor Guerrieri RHP North Augusta HS
16. LA Dodgers- Sonny Gray RHP Vanderbilt
17. LA Angels- Alex Meyer RHP Kentucky
18. Oakland- George Springer OF Connecticut
19. Boston- Josh Bell OF Jesuit HS
20. Colorado- Mikie Mahtook OF LSU
21. Toronto- Robert Stephenson RHP Alhambra HS
22. St Louis- Henry Owens LHP Edison HS
23. Washington- CJ Cron 1B Utah
24. Tampa Bay- Jose Fernandez RHO Alonso HS
25. San Diego- Cory Spangenberg 3B Indian River JC
26. Boston- Austin Hedges C J Sierra HS
27. Cincinnati- Sean Gilmartin LHP Florida St
28. Atlanta- Kolten Wong 2B Hawaii
29. San Fran- Joe Ross RHP Bishop O'Dowd HS
30.Minnesota- Tyler Anderson LHP Oregon
31. Tampa Bay- Blake Swihart C Cleveland HS
32. Tampa Bay- Brian Goodwin OF Miami Dade JC
33. Texas- Brandon Nimmo OF Cheyenne East HS
47. Chi Sox- Andrew Chafin LHP Kent St

Reports are coming out that the Orioles are scared off by Bundy's asking price and are now targeting Archie Bradley. Some think Starling may fall to the Cubs but I still find that hard to believe. Others have them taking outfielder George Springer. If Starling is there they have to take him otherwise with the lack of organizational pitching depth I'm not sure how they can pass up one of the many available pitchers (preferably a college pitcher).

The Pirates are about to select RHP Gerrit Cole and in a couple years team him with last years 1st rounder (2nd overall) RHP Jameson Taillon and 2nd rounder RHP Stetson Allie. Have fun with that, NL central.

Al Oliver looks like he just finished nine innings in 1981.

_________________

Nasty McNasty. He needs to make a couple adjustments but he's going to be downright scary when he puts it all together.

Seattle pops Rendon here and will have a future infield of 1B Smoak, 2B Ackley, SS Franklin 3B Rendon. They'll be the envy of baseball.

Wow. First semi surprise. Hultzen goes 2nd to Seattle. Nothing against Hultzen he's damn good but someone is getting a gift in Rendon.

D'Bags take The Freak II. Not sure Rendon goes here either.

Why does every picks delivery scare the hell out of me?

_________________

Cole's shouldn't. He's free and easy. Bauer is going to be interesting to follow the next couple years.

UCLA has the 1st and 3rd overall picks and they can't get out of the regional. Unbelievable

The O's went with Bundy afterall. He could be the best of the class.

Boras fucked Rendon by not releasing his medicals. I hate that fuckin guy.

Bubba's gone. What a great pick. The guy's a tool shed. He's going to fit in perfectly with the rest of those young studs.

Will Rendon fall to the Cubs??

If Rendon is drafted ninth, he's definitely hurt and impossible to sign.

_________________

The Nats pop Rendon. That's a hell of a nucleus they got workin there.

Mr. Rendon, WAKE UP! Your son has been drafted and is being interviewed.

_________________

D'Bags get Bauer and Bradley. Nice haul.

The Cubs are going to have their pick of some damn good college pitchers.

_________________

Loux never should have been drafted that high anyway. After that fiasco the D'bags shit canned everyone in the front office and rightfully so.

Wow Cleveland take a high school player in the first round for the first time since '01. Cubs are on the clock.

I say Jungmann.

Are you fucking kidding me?

_________________

Javier Baez. Huh. He can really hit but he probably won't stay at SS.

Jungmann? Barnes? Gray?