Keith Law’s mock draft v2.0
In his second mock draft (subs. req’d), Keith Law has the Tigers selecting Auburn RHP Casey Mize with the first overall pick. That is no surprise at this point. Mize is the overwhelming favorite to go first overall this year. Here is Law’s mock pick for the Yankees:
23. New York Yankees: Jordyn Adams, OF, Green Hope HS (Cary, North Carolina)
If Adams will sign and forego college football (he’s a North Carolina commit), he could go as high as 16, but the Yankees have been the most strongly connected to him lately; signing him might require that they go under slot at pick 61.
The Yankees have been connected to bats all spring and Adams is one of the most intriguing position players in the draft class. He’s a premium athlete and a top wide receiver recruit who will likely require a large bonus to turn pro. The Yankees have not been shy about buying kids away from other sports (Austin Jackson and Andrew Brackman from basketball, Austin Aune from football, etc.), though those were the wild west days before bonus pools.
Baseball America mock draft v3.0
Baseball America posted their latest mock draft late last week, and, not surprisingly, they have Mize going to Tigers with the top pick. Their mock pick for the Yankees is the same as their previous mock drafts:
1B Triston Casas, American Heritage School, Plantation, Fla. 1B
New York has plenty of pitching depth in its system and has done a nice job of developing homegrown power hitters recently. Imagining Casas’ lefthanded power in Yankee Stadium is exciting.
Here is my profile of Casas. The Yankees are an analytics organization and Casas has posted some insane exit velocities during showcase events, though he is a first baseman, and the history of high school first basemen taken in the first round is pretty ugly. Still, Casas has serious thump, and the Yankees have been connected to bats all spring, so he fits.
MLB.com mock draft v4.0
Jonathan Mayo took the reins of MLB.com’s mock draft this week, and he too has the Tigers taking Mize with the No. 1 pick. Interestingly enough, he says there’s some thought Detroit could instead target a college bat. First time this spring someone has suggested a player other than Mize could go first overall. Anyway, here is the Yankees’ mock pick:
23. Yankees: Kumar Rocker, RHP, North Oconee HS (Ga.)
Rocker wasn’t as sharp late in the spring, and he was outpitched by Cole Wilcox in a key matchup, but he still has a premium heater and potentially plus-slider to go along with size and athleticism.
Not the first time Rocker has been mocked to the Yankees this spring, though this seems more like speculation than a true “the Yankees have interest in him” connection. If the Yankees do go with a pitcher though, Rocker is as good a bet as anyone given his power stuff and high spin rates. The Yankees love dudes like that.
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