Well the draft is tonight…and I know most of you on this site are more interested in the NFL draft – but I'll be settling in tonight with the MLB Network to watch a few hours of draft coverage. Tough to predict…after the #1 pick…kind of a crap shoot – lots of talented guys who a lot of teams are very high on. If Harper wasn't in this draft – there is a jumble of guys in the top 10 who could arguably be the #1 talent in this draft.
Here's my breakdown of the top 10 picks:
1—Washington—Bryce Harper, C—this is a no brainer. The LeBron of baseball…maybe even more hype around this kid than Strasburg. Washington is building up quite a stockpile of talent. They may actually be good in a couple of years.
2—Pittsburgh—James Taillon, RHP—The Pirates have passed on high schoolers in the past…but I think Taillon is too good to pass up. Lots of very good pitchers in this draft, Taillon has the most upside. All that said, don't be shocked to see them take a college player here and for Baltimore to jump on Taillon.
3—Baltimore—Manny Machado, SS—I wish they wouldn’t take him here, so the Royals could have him at the #4…but not likely. He can do it all. If Pirates pass on Taillon, the O's will grab him and Machado will likely go to the Royals at #4.
4—KC—Yasmani Grandal, C—Three year starter at catcher for Miami…broke out with the bat in a big way this season. I’d like to see Machado drop, or for KC to take one of the very talented pitchers, but word is they already have a deal worked out with Grandal. Would be a college player to arrive in the big leagues on the fast track.
5—Cleveland—Drew Pomeranz, LHP—Great college arm from Ole Miss. Another one who could be on the fast track to the major leagues. Probably best college arm in the draft (although Chris Sale is right up there with him).
6—Arizona—Chris Sale, LHP—College lefty who could go as early as the number four pick to KC, but as I said…KC would love to have Machado, and appear to have a deal with Grandal worked out as a Plan B. Could also go to Cleveland…if not…don’t see him slipping past 6.
7—Mets—Matt Harvey, RHP—Pitcher from UNC. He could go sooner than this, but the Mets are high on him, and I don’t think they let him slide if he makes it this far.
8—Houston—Michael Choice, OF—College outfielder and the Astros are supposedly all over him…they also like high school OF John Sale. I think they could go either way, but may take the more polished college player this high in the draft as a “safer” bet.
9—San Diego—Karsten Whitson, RHP—Taillon is the class of the high school pitchers, but Whiston is the second best. Great stuff and I think the Padres jump on him.
10—Oakland—Christian Colon, SS—Great college player with a great bat. Should stick at shortstop, but could move to second base down the road. Oakland is a wild card and could go about four different directions here…but I think Colon is the best left on the board at this point.