2021 Motor City Bengals Mock MLB Draft 1.0
Jon Says: The Cubs often march to their own drumbeat in the draft, and while Stovall was thought to be going later, the Cubs see Stovall’s bat skills as too good to pass up despite not having a top-rated defensive reputation.
Joe Says: The White Sox have a roster stocked with talent, so they can afford to take a chance on a player who has fallen due to injury. Much like Hoglund, Hill was on track to be picked much higher prior to his injury. When healthy, Hill has a mid-to-upper-90s fastball which he pairs with an excellent changeup and developing slider.
Kellen Says: Cleveland and high schoolers: a mock draft match that has yet to fail analysts. The Baseball Team has picked a prep player with their first pick in six consecutive drafts. Petty sports a high octane fastball with good shape and a wipeout slider. Adding this kind of arm talent to a Cleveland organization that could likely develop my 90 year old grandma into a legitimate MLB rotation option right now is downright scary.
Chris Says: The Braves took Jared Shuster out of Wake Forest last year, and they tap into the Deacons’ pitching lab again with Ryan Cusick. Built like Kyle Farnsworth, Cusick owns a huge arm that has touched triple digits, and he also throws a breaking ball that flashes as a plus offering.
Rogelio Says: Will Taylor has elite speed and he is a very athletic player, playing three sports in high school.
Jon Says: McGreevy has two plus offerings and a 104/10 K/BB ratio. His development over the past year has been impressive to scouts.
Joe Says: Chandler is a Clemson football recruit but this should be high enough to get him to sign. He is an athletic pitcher who is also a legit prospect as a shortstop. As a pitcher, he has a plus fastball which has been up to 97, an above average curveball, and a working changeup.
Kellen Says: Fabian is set up to become one of the more debated first-round picks in recent memory. The hype surrounding his game coming into the year has led analysts to put a magnifying glass to his strikeout issues. The swing-and-miss is very real, but so is Tampa’s ability to help its players refine their approach and swing path.
Chris Says: Bednar is one of the most prolific strikeout pitchers in all of college baseball this year, and his fastball and slider both show the sort of pitch metrics the Dodgers covet. His brother is a reliever for the Pirates, and there’s some risk of Will following suit, but the Dodgers think they can develop him into a starter.
Rogelio Says: With his raw power potential from the left side and strong arm, Wood is a player who could evolve into a prototypical right fielder.