Things continue to be very fluid through the top eight to nine picks of the draft (depending if you include wildcard RHP Lucas Giolito), and indeed throughout the entire first round. It seems evident that there is a very defined demarcation line between the players in the top nine picks below and the tenth pick that belongs to the Colorado Rockies, although scouts always caution that a surprise contender could force themselves into the top 10 slots.
I think there has also has been a realization over the past month on the part of many scouts that this draft class is not actually that bad. There may not be that comfortable Strasburg/Harper/Cole type of No. 1 overall pick and the lack of promising college bats is a disappointment, but really shouldn’t be given team’s ability to sign those hitters out of high school. However, relatively few top players have had injury problems over the last half of the spring and the high school class around the country has been better than expected. Teams in the second and third rounds won’t be wringing their hands about the lack of desirable talent.
As usual, this mock is combination a talent evaluation, industry sources, common sense and an understanding of draft/team history.
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