Jim Fierkes - c'mon man. You can do better than that. Get yourself out of your mom's basement and actually scout some players. Max Powers is here to save you some research, you're one stop shop for all your MiDraft knowledge. And I don't stop at just the first round...
The Real 2018 Mock MiDraft
By: Max Powers; Baseball Tri-Weekly
We don't need to fill this article with fluff - like who was a past bust and who was a hit. We can all look it up on our own - as long as the EHCC Historians get off their ass and update the website. My sources say that should happen soon as the webmaster - who is definitely not getting paid this year with the league dues, making it two years of free web mastering [that's a word right?] for the EHCC owners - is between careers at the moment and should be able to finally find time to update all the times teams won by a 10-0 margin (hint: it's a lot). With that being said, look forward to scanning through a "will pick" and "should pick" section, based on, well, whatever the hell I think. Which is whatever you want to think. It really doesn't matter. If you're actually using this for research, or whatever Fierkes wrote, you're already in trouble and might as well trade away your picks now. I hear there's plenty of closers available. The market is apparently flooded.
Anyway, here you go....
Round 1
Pick 1 - San Juan
Who they will pick: Tim Tebow, Every position, NYM
This is a no brainer. We've been seeing the writing on the wall since day 1. he's lead off both seasons of professional baseball with a dong. He's a frickin' All-Star. The only reason he's not in the Futures Game this year is a travesty, but probably has to do with all the games he knelt during the National Anthem. Damn politics. San Juan needs a guy who will can come in right away and be a difference maker - the man has the almighty at his side, who else could make more of a difference?! No brainer.
Who they should pick: Jo Adell, OF, LAA
He's very good at baseball. And, unlike Tebow, he's only 19 years old.
Pick 2 - Bridgewater
Who they will pick: Royce Lewis, SS, MIN
"Damn, San Juan picked the guy I wanted" is a guaranteed statement you'll see/hear from Bridgewater ownership after the Guertites make their pick - regardless of who it ends up being. So, they'll go with the best name available, and that's Lewis. Premium position, no one in his way, best hit tool in the minors. It's a good pick. Just not the one they should make. (This goes with out saying, but obviously if we're wrong about the the San Juan pick, Bridgewater doesn't buckle under pressure and ends up grabbing up Tebow here. Just want to be sure that's clear)
Who they should pick: Forest Whitley, P, HOU
This is assuming Tebow is gone obviously.
Pick 3 - Dublin
Who they will pick: Kyle Wright, P, ATL
Fierkes was right on one thing: It's unlikely Dublin will show up and they probably will end up picking a pitcher - but that pitcher will end up being Kyle Wright. Luckily for Dublin, pitching is so thin, they might end up with a steal here after it's all said and done.
Who they should pick: Jesus Luzardo, P, OAK
Assuming Whitley was gone a pick before, also assuming Dublin should grab a solid pitching prospect with this pick, since they don't have another pick until Pick 22. Luzardo is lights out and will do to help the Dublin squad than any one hitting prospect.
Pick 4 - Rakeville
Who they will pick: Jo Adell, OF, LAA
Is he the next Ronald Acuna? Vlad Jr? Juan Soto? No. But he's easily the best overall offensive tool available. Sure, he hasn't gotten past high A ball, but the kid is mashing. The Angels have not been shy about bringing the right player early, so Adell could help a massively struggling Rocket's team by the stretch run of 2019.
Who they should pick: Forest Whitley, P, HOU
The Rockets' offense is fine - or at least that's what ownership tells themselves. Sano will be fine. Thames' thumb injury is nothing. Offensive players come back better than ever from TJ surgery, so Seagar will be fine. So who waste the pick on an outfielder who might not help until the end of 2019, probably not until 2020. Draft Whitley and have Josh Hader 2.0.
Pick 5 - San Fernando Valley
Who they will pick: Forest Whitley, P, HOU
Finally, a smart pitching prospect move by San Fernando. After getting "stuck" picking Kopech last year (fun note: SFV could/should have have the leftover pick of Acuna/Vlad Jr last year as Tokyo was planning on picking Jay Groome with the top pick before selling it to Vegas). Whitley is the 2018 version of this. Whitley is easily the best pitching option on this year's draft, as Kopech was last year (sorry Groome), and even with the Astros history of moving quality pitching prospects to the bullpen simply due to not having space in the rotation, this is the smart move. Or, at least that's what they'll be telling themselves.
Who they should pick: Kestin Hiura, 2B, MIL
Who needs pitching when you got Ohtani, Brent Honeywell, Walker Buehler, and Michael Kopech in the wings? Ian Happ is not the 2B investment they thought he might be, as he's obviously an outfielder to go along with Benintendi and Jesus Sanchez. With 3B, SS, and 1B somewhat "solidified, and Hiura being one of the best hitters in the minors, this should be a no brainer. Unfortunately, for their fans they might be on the same "fun pills" as Whitey was.
Pick 6 - Las Vegas
Who they will pick: Tyler Trammel, OF, CIN
HA! Fierkes thinks a top 20 OVERALL prospect will drop to the bottom of the first round? Ridiculous.
Who they should pick: Jesus Luzardo, P, OAK
The team has 4 picks in this year's draft and [currently, as of press time] 4 picks in the 2019 MiDraft. Now's the time to rebuild that sad excuse of a pitching staff. Enough said.
Pick 7 - Rio de Janeiro
Who they will pick: Keston Hiura, 2B, MIL
Rio simply has too many picks this year, they can play it safe with the obvious pick here. They can take their chances later on. Regardless of their depth at the position - cough, Moncada is still a top player, cough - Hiura is going to be too good to pass up at the 7th overall pick, if he actually finds a way to drop that low.
Who they should pick: Luis Robert, OF, CWS
The correct answer is still Hiura, but where's the fun in saying they will actually pick who they should? Robert is a Rio player through and through, and even if they don't get him here they'll probably get him with one of their other 50 picks in this year's draft.
Pick 8 - San Fernando Valley
Who they will pick: Jesus Luzardo, P, OAK
Well, they missed out on Hiura, so they might as well build on their pitching staff, right? I guess. Sigh. Luzardo is no slouch, he'll fit in nicely. Plus, you can never have too much pitching.
Who they should pick: Carter Keiboom, SS, WAS
No they really should probably pick Luzardo. if not Luzardo, then at least Hunter Greene or Mackenzie Gore. But Keiboom is the sexy pick here. Even if he ends up moving to 2B (cuz I mean, Trea Turner isn't moving from SS), the kid is simply way better than his brother, who will be on the same MLB team.
Pick 9 and 10 - Rio de Janeiro
Who they will pick: Luis Robert, OF, CWS and Wander Franco, SS, TB
Smart to wait on Robert, they'll probably get him with these two picks. That's the luxury Rio has with all the picks they have this year. Franco however, will be too tempting to wait on. Especially since their risky move last year in drafting Kevin Maitan with the 4th overall pick isn't looking so hot. Might as well draft the following year's top J2 pick.
Who they should pick: Luis Robert, OF, CWS and Hunter Greene, P, CIN
I mean, I already said they should pick Robert with their last pick, I can't argue with myself. But Franco, as tempting as he will be, is the wrong move. Not in general, but specifically for Rio. They have NO pitching prospects in the wings beyond the guys they have n their EHCC roster. They are basically in the same boat as Las Vegas, except Vegas might actually make the playoffs this year (maybe). Rio's best move is to build up that pitching staff now, while they have all the picks. And who knows, maybe Greene will turn back into the two-way player S
ports Illustrated thought he would be.
Pick 11 - Santo Doningo
Who they will pick: Carter Keiboom, SS, WAS
The All-Star Factory will grab Keiboom assuming he'll move to 2B, as he's block at SS by teammate Trea Turner. Or, Trea Turner will for some reason or another move to 2B, making way for Keiboom at SS. It's a win-win for Santo Domingo.
Who they should pick: MacKenzie Gore, P, SD
The logic revolving around Keiboom is solid, and it fits very well for Santo Domingo's current roster make up. But ultimately, their offense is not the piece the needs the most help. Gore is arguably the best overall pitching prospect behind Whitley, and the only thing holding SD back from being an elite powerhouse for years to come in the EHCC is their pitching staff (and that's saying a lot since they currently top 5 in EVERY pitching category through Week 14 of the 2018 season).\
Pick 12 - Weymouth
Who they will pick: Austin Riley, 3B, ATL
As much as Fierkes said this made too much sense for San Fernando to make Riley their pick [false], Weymouth is so much more the clearer pick. First of all, there's no way in hell Tramell actually find his way this deep in the draft - that's just silly. Second, Riley is just itching to hit in the majors. There's no one in his way in Atlanta at the hot corner. And even with Suaraz killing it in Weymouth, the Shaddupu will find room in their infield for Riley to produce right away - or can simply stash him like every other EHCC team does for the next four years until Suaraz fizzles out.
Who they should pick: Luis Urias, 2B, SD
Don't get me wrong, Riley is a good pick here, and the log I typed out is sound. The same logic could be used for Urias however, and probably has a stronger case. If Suaraz is the real deal at 3B, the Shaddupu would be better served invested in a future second baseman. Sorry, Jonathan Schoop is not he answer and Willie Adames isn't moving over to 2B. They don't make 2B prospects like this anymore - most of them at failed SS prospects who moved over. Urias's hit tool and defense skills will keep him there for years.
Round 2
Pick 13 - Las Vegas
Who they will pick: Yordan Alvarez, 1B, HOU
Fierkes was right - The Doggs are focused on finding their first baseman of the future. But it isn't Peter Alonso, its Yordan Alavarez. I mean, the man's name rhymes with Jordan. It's a can't miss. Sure, he's from Cuba, so he might actually be 29 years old already, but who cares. he can mash and he has proven he can't play out field so he's going to stick at 1B. Luckily, the Astros are in the American league now so he might be able to DH down the line and qualify just enough to keep 1B eligibility, a la David Ortiz.
Who they should pick: Hunter Greene, P, CIN or Mackenzie Gore, P, SD
See comments from previous Las Vegas pick 6. They need to build their pitching staff, and if either of these guys are available they need to pounce.
Pick 14 - Bridgewater
Who they will pick: Hunter Greene, P, CIN
Dammit, don't pick someone that makes too much sense. It make my "who they should pick" choice that much more difficult. Seriously, this has got to happen right? Greene has fallen too far not to have Bridgewater snatch them up. Can we also talk about how Bridgewater got the 2nd overall pick in both the 1st and second rounds of the draft - without trading for either of them? That's seems strangely odd. (Is "strangely odd" a double negative? It wasn't meant to be.)
Who they should pick: Heliot Ramos, OF, SF
Who doesn't need more outfielders? Especially with 4 starting spots on the EHCC roster. It may come down to the sexy pick and name recognition of Greene, but Ramos's brings the goods. He's a five tool guy that can pair well with Judge and Cain on the Weasels' EHCC roster to round it out.
Pick 15 - Rakeville
Who they will pick: Mackenzie Gore, P, SD
About damn time.
Who they should pick: MacKenzie Gore, P, SD
I promised myself I wouldn't do it, but dammit, this is a good pick. (Or is it?)
Pick 16 - Las Vegas
Who they will pick: Heliot Ramos, OF, SF
Somehow Las Vegas found a way to grab 4 picks in this year's draft so they can get a little risky with some picks, but Ramos is a safer bet. As a guy that shows above average power potential and average/above average speed potential he could fit in rather quickly to any line up. The Giants don't have a whole lot of road blocks in their outfield, and we could see Ramos in the EHCC before you know it - though with recent trends don't expect to see him producing at the EHCC level until 2023.
Who they should pick: Chris Paddack, P, SD
All the former comments about how the Dogg's need to fix their pitching staff apply here.
Pick 17 - Rio de Janeiro
Who they will pick: Chris Paddack, P, SD
The guy has struck out 83 in 52 innings in high A ball. C'mon. How does that get dropped to the 2nd round? Oh ya, did I mention he got called up to AA already too? Tommy John be damned!
Who they should pick: Alex Kiriloff, OF, MIN
Really this just goes back to the need to have extra outfielders. But the same argument can be made for starting pitching, so fuck it. Kiriloff is just a good hitter.
Pick 18 - San Fernando Valley
Who they will pick: Alex Kiriloff, OF, MIN
Futures game: check. Promotion this season: check. You can't go wrong with an OF prospect who can hit (but don't tell that to Byron Buxton). Ok, it's getting late, I need to streamline some of these synopsis.
Who they should pick: Brandon Marsh, OF, LAA
Ok, He got passed over by Jo Adell in the Angels' system, but the kid can still mash and probably has more long term speed than Adell. An outfield of Trout, Adell, and Marsh will look pretty damn nice in 2020 - if only Justin Upton didn't have a long term contract to contend with. Something tells me someone is getting traded, or possibly trout is going elsewhere after 2020.
Pick 19 - Weymouth
Who they will pick: Brandon Marsh, OF, LAA
It's gotta be too tempting to not pick Trout's replacement in the Angels' outfield right? Fine, maybe Adell is Trout's replacement, but if so, Marsh is Adell's replacement.
Who they should pick: Brandon McKay, P/1B, TB
Give it up to Tampa Bay to allow a talent like this to develop into a two-way player at the major league level. The EHCC has already set the precedent that players who qualify as hitters and pitchers will be treated as one human being (which in life is how it should be), making McKay more valuable than his actual numbers.
Pick 20 - San Juan
Who they will pick: Brandon McKay, P/1B, TB
The allure of the playing both sides will be just too tempting to pass up here, and McKay will play out his days wondering if he'll be traded away for a win-now component before the end of the season.
Who they should pick: Kahlil Lee, OF, KC
Maybe hey gets suggested higher if he doesn't play in KC long term. Maybe he gets suggested higher of he was drafted higher originally. Either way, the kid is is hitting and received a promotion this year already, and lasting this long in the EHCC MiDraft is a slight travesty.
Pick 21 - Rio de Janiero
Who they will pick: Keibert Ruiz, C, LAD
The only catching prospect worth taking will get nabbed by the only team not rostering a catcher on their EHCC roster - but there's no reason for them to take him in the first round. Stupid Fierkes. Hell, this suggestion might be a bit aggressive, but catcher is so tough to grab that I don't think Rio chances letting him fall to the 3rd.
Who they should pick: Peter Alonso, 1B, NYM
No, the correct answer is Ruiz, but I've gotta play devil's advocate to myself here. The only reason for Rio to take Alonso here is to pair him with the other, not so talented Mets' first base prospect Dominic Smith. Plus, they also don't have a 1B....oh, I can't wait to hear the comments about "who's this Jesus Aguilar guy then?"
Pick 22 - Dublin
Who they will pick: Luis Urias, 2B, SD
This team just loves second basemen. Remember when they rostered 6 of them at one time? And they weren't even multi-position eligible, they were all pure 2B's. Crazy. Well, now all Dublin's second basemen are terrible (looking at you Jason Kipnis and Rougned Odor). Urias could actually help out for the stretch run if the Padres decide to give him a cup of coffee in August, but there's no way the Snake Chasers call him up until 2023.
Who they should pick: Brusdar Gaterol, P, MIN
Fierkes thinks Dublin will end up picking him as a make up pick. I'm not going to argue the likelihood of the Snake Chasers skipping the draft and texting in their picks a day later. It's a bad bet to make against. But they'll have to get pretty lucky to get "stuck" picking this guy. They should show up and pick him outright at pick 22.
Pick 23 - Rakeville
Who they will pick: Peter Alonso, 1B, NYM
With Rhys Hoskins making the move to the outfield, the Rockets need to look for their first baseman of the future. Having Alonso fall to them here is icing on the cake.
Who they should pick: Brusdar Gaterol, P, MIN
Why the hell does Rakeville need to invest in a first baseman? That's stupid.
Pick 24 - San Fernando Valley
Who they will pick: Brusdar Gaterol, P, MIN
Finally.
Who they should pick: Leody Taveras, OF, TEX
Didn't they pick enough starting pitchers to risk their future on already? Let's get some more offense in there.
Round 3
I'm too drunk to finish out the 3rd round....maybe look for an update right before the draft
Update: After 4 cups of coffee and a few aspirin, here's the mock of the final few picks.
Pick 25 - Las Vegas Doggs
Who they will pick: Yusniel Diaz, OF, LAD
Perhaps his Futures game performance got your attention.
Who they should pick: Justus Sheffield, P, NYY
Again, pitching. And with his name swirling in trade rumors you'd think he would have went earlier.
Pick 26 - Santo Domingo
Who they will pick: Justus Sheffield, P, NYY
The next best pitching prospect still left. Good way to end the day.
Who they should pick: Leody Taveras, OF, TEX
He's got all the tools, just hasn't shown it fully in the minors yet - but go back and look at Gleybar Torres' minor league numbers. Not too impressive, but most knew he had the tools.
Pick 27 & 28 - Rio de Janeiro
Who they will take: Leody Taveras, OF, TEX and Jon Duplantier, P, ARI
I'm just throwing darts at this point.
Who they should take: Drew Waters, OF, ATL and Adrian Morjon, P, SD
If you're going to throw darts this late in the draft, go for the guys making the most noise.
Pick 29 - San Juan
Who they will take: Garrett Hampson, 2B, COL
Speedy infielder (maybe outfielder), might go well with Jorge Mateo if he remembers how to hit.
Who they should take: Nate Lowe, 1B, TB
Masher. Didn't hurt his stock in the Futures game, even if he was overshadowed by the guy who hit for him later in the game (Peter Alonso).
Pick 30 - Rakeville
Who they will take: George Velara, OF, CLE
Some pretty damn good players have been selected with the last overall MiDP - Gleybar Torress (AL ROTY candidate), Jesus Sanchez (now top 20 prospect in most circles), and Dee Gordon come to mind. It's a fun pick to have if for no other reason it's like playing with house money - why not throw it at a J2 kid.
Who they should take: Ryan Mountcastle, 3B, BAL
If you're going to throw a flyer out there with the last pick, might as well pick one of the best prospects still on the board. Obviously that would be debatable this late in the game, but it's a good bet its Mountcastle.
Max Powers is a contributed for Baseball Tri-Weekly and submits the somewhat regular Powers Rankings column. Some people think he's a GM of an EHCC franchise, but those people are delusional.
