Mocking the mock draft

Last year I represented the Yankees in John Sickel’s mock draft over at Minor League Ball, but this year I decided against it because it was just way too time consuming. Mock drafts are still fun however, so I kept track of who I would have taken in each of the Yanks’ spots. Here’s a little breakdown of my mock mock draft, as well as the picks that were actually made.

Round 1, Pick 28
Mike’s Pick: Robbie Ross, LHP, Lexington Christian Academy (Ky.)
Actual Pick: Zach Collier, OF, Chino Hills HS (Ca.)

Gerrit Cole was off the board, having gone to the Cubbies with the 19th pick. Collier has a ton of helium right now as a toolsy, Austin Jackson type player, and is a very good pick at 28. I went with Ross because, well, I felt he was the best player left on the board. He’s a power lefty with a very good slider and lots of polish. I was really hoping for Illinois prep RHP Jake Ordorizzi, but he went to the Padres at 23. (Ross eventually went to the Royals at #36, and I took him in the sandwich round of the UBBMD)

Sandwich Round, Pick 44
Mikes’s Pick: Danny Webb, RHP, Heath HS (Ky.)
Actual Pick: Anthony Ferrara, RHP, Riverview HS (Fl.)

Frankly, I thought Ferrara was a terrible pick not because he’s a bad player, but because he could have been had later in the draft. He’s got very good stuff with a low-90’s fastball and advanced secondary pitches (curve and change) to go along with command, but he’s had shoulder issues in the past (as recently as last year). He’s a good player, but taking him in the sandwich round is an overdraft. There were still plenty of better players available at this point. I was debating between Webb and Ross for the 28th pick, so I was delighted to get Webb in the sandwich round. Touching the mid-90’s with an electric fastball, Webb also sports power breaking stuff and a strong delivery. (Webb eventually went to the Mets at #68, an absolute steal)

Round 2, Pick 75
Mike’s Pick: Nick Maronde, LHP, Lexington Catholic HS (Ky.)
Actual Pick: Ricky Oropesa, 1B, Etiwanda HS (Ca.)

Three picks, three high school pitchers from Kentucky. How’s that for unexpected? I wrote up Maronde here, so I’ll just refer you to that. Oropesa is a two way talent, but he offers more potential as a power hitting first baseman. He has issues making contact against quality pitchers, which is a red flag. Oropesa is a good pick, but I just prefer Maronde, even if it costs an extra $200,000 to sign him. (Maronde eventually went to the Pirates at #79)

Round 3, Pick 106
Mike’s Pick: Javy Rodriguez, OF, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Actual Pick: Ryan Westmoreland, OF, Portsmouth HS (RI)

Westmoreland is one of the drafts’ bigger signability guys, reportedly seeking a 7-figure bonus to skip out on his commitment to Vanderbilt. He’s uber-athletic, and does just about everything you could ask him to do. He does need to get stronger, which will allow him to drive the ball with more authority. He’s likely to fall way down in the actual draft, possibly down into the teen rounds, but still a good pick at this spot based on ability. Javy-Rod is a 5-tool outfielder, as in three good tools (hitting for average, fielding, running) and two great tools (hitting for power, throwing). He’ll slow down as he fills out his wiry frame, but that will give him even more power. My original target for this pick was prep 3B Zach Cox, who went to the Blue Jays at #95. That would have given me four high schoolers from Kentucky with my first four picks. I sure as heck didn’t plan it like that.

I stopped paying attention after that, the Missouri-Miami game got really good really quick.