At this point, you probably just want the Phillies to pick so you can stop thinking about it, right? Well, here’s Kevin’s latest guess. I’m assuming this is his last mock, but of course, lots can change tomorrow. Blurbs for a few guys in here as well
01. Tampa Bay – David Price
02. Kansas City – Josh Vitters
03. Chicago Cubs – Jarrod Parker
04. Pittsburgh – Devin Mesoraco
The Pirates would like to take Wieters here, but a request submitted to ownership to spend big money was quickly denied. That had the team turning to college pitching, with Detwiler their number one target. Unfortunately, the Pirates have been taking college pitchers in the first round for years, with each one requiring surgery and making the Pirates feel like they are stuck in the movie Groundhog Day. Which brings us to Devin Mesoraco. The catcher from Punxsutawney is the fastest rising player in the draft, thanks to outstanding private workouts, including one in front of Pittsburgh decision makers on Sunday in which he sprayed balls all over the field hitting with a wood bat. His combination of offensive and defensive skills rank with anyone around at this point and the local product angle makes for some much-needed good PR for a team that desperately needs it.
05. Baltimore – Ross Detwiler
06. Washington – Matt Wieters
Are the Nats making a big splash, as many have rumored? Right now, the answer looks like yes. Washington has money to spend, and they’ve made no secret of their desire to invest heavily in their scouting and player development system. They’ll have their choice of Boras’ two top clients in Porcello and Wieters, but with pressure to improve the big league team as soon as possible, they’ll opt for Wieters, the powerful switch-hitting catcher who could move through the minors quickly. Early indications are that Wieters will require a deal similar to the one that the Rangers gave to fellow Boras client Mark Teixeira six years ago, which means a big league deal approaching $10 million. Washington is ready to pony up.
07. Milwaukee – Mike Moustakas
08. Colorado – Matt Dominguez
09. Arizona – Daniel Moskos
10. San Francisco – Casey Weathers
11. Seattle – Nick Schmidt
12. Florida – Jason Heyward
13. Cleveland – Blake Beaven
14. Atlanta – Josh Smoker
15. Cincinnati – Phillippe Amount
16. Toronto – JP Arencibia
Looking for a quick and easy sign while also looking to address an organizational need, Toronto is reportedly all over college catcher J.P. Arencibia with one of their two first-round picks. Arencibia went into the spring as a possible top ten pick, but a nagging back injury kept him from playing at his best. If he can get healthy, he’s a solid pick here, and the team is suddenly worried that he won’t be around at 21.
17. Texas – Matt Harvey
The Rangers have a pair of first-round picks, and seemingly no budget concerns with the first of the duo. They have a positive relationship with Boras, and have been on Matt Harvey all year. Harvey entered the year as the second-best high school pitcher in the draft, but his stock dropped a bit due to inconsistent performances. Texas is still trying to gage his signability, and if it’s considered even halfway reasonable, they feel the power righty would be a steal this low.
18. St Louis – Julio Borbon (please let this be true)
19. Philadelphia – Michael Main
The Phillies love athletes with high ceilings, and conveniently enough, there will be a couple of options for them at this stage. Tampa-area high school outfielder Michael Burgess fits the bill, but he might be too raw for even Philadelphia’s taste, and there should still be some high-ceiling pitchers to choose from. In that case, Florida high school star Michael Main makes sense for Philly, as he’s a supreme physical specimen, with second- to third-round talent as a center fielder, although they’ll put him on the mound.
20. Los Angeles Dodgers – Madison Bumgarner
21. Toronto – James Simmons
22. San Francisco – Beau Mills
23. San Diego – Joe Savery
24. Texas – Kevin Ahrens
25. Chicago Whitesox – Tim Alderson
26. Oakland – Aaron Poreda
27. Detroit – Rick Porcello
The Tigers are laying in wait, seeing which talent falls in their lap because of signability concerns. It worked last year with Andrew Miller at number six overall, and will work again this year. Porcello is the perfect fit here, and an absolute steal this low. Scouting director David Chadd loves tall pitchers who throw hard, and could be willing to open the checkbook for a talent like Porcello.
28. Minnesota – Will Middlebrooks
29. San Francisco – Todd Frazier
30. New York Yankees – Matt LaPorta
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Now, read pick #27, especially the last line, and remember how good it is to be a Phillies fan
Phuture Phillies 