The MLB Draft is just over a week away, and unlike in past years, there is no slam dunk pick for No. 1.In past years, it was just a question of how fast the Orioles could announce the pick of Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman (2019) or whether the Tigers would start playing Arizona State hitter Spencer Torkelson at first base or third base (2020).This year, there is a strong group of high school shortstops, a pair of exciting Vanderbilt pitchers and a few college bats that could generate some buzz anywhere in the top 10.We're taking our best shot at what the draft will look like when the commi sioner reads the first-round picks on July 11.MORE: Jordan Bowden Jersey ?Here's our latest projections for a 2021 MLB Draft first round.1. Pirates Marcelo Mayer, SS, Eastlake High (Chula Vista, Calif.)The discu sion around this draft has been that there is no consensus No. 1 pick as there has been in previous years, but the Pirates have been linked to Mayer for a long time. The high school shortstop has one of the best hit tools and some raw power that excites many scouts, especially when combined with his above-average defense at shortstop.2. Rangers Jordan Lawlar, SS, Jesuit Prep (Dallas)The Rangers are going with the local product second overall here. Lawlar is perhaps a more dynamic NBA Brooklyn Nets Jeresy talent than Mayer with his speed and power combination, but his hit tool and defense are behind the California product. A shortstop with tons of upside and a home just a few miles from Globe Life Park? It feels like a perfect fit for the rebuilding Rangers.3. Tigers Brady House, SS, Winder-Barrow (Ga.) HighPrep shortstops now round out the top three as the Tigers opt to go for the upside in Houses bat over the dynamic arms of Jack Leiter and Jackson Jobe. House might have to move off shortstop eventually to play third base as he is not the most agile, but his bat will play anywhere on the diamond. House and Spencer Torkelson could make for an enviable middle-of-the-order combination down the road.4. Red Sox Jack Leiter, RHP, VanderbiltThe run on high school shortstops finally comes to an end at No. 4 with the Red Sox landing the son of former big leaguer Al Leiter. Vanderbilts ace has reportedly wanted to land in Boston and hell have the leverage himself down to the Red Sox as the top college arm. Hes so refined on the mound that he might not take Chris Chiozza Jersey long in the minors and could help the resurgent Red Sox earlier than many other prospects in this years draft.5. Orioles Sal Frelick, OF, Boston CollegeThe Orioles might be tempted to take the best talent off the board left in catcher Henry Davis of Louisville, even with top catching prospect Adley Rutschman in their system, but Baltimore is saving money and taking the Boston College outfielder early. Baltimore made a similar move last year in reaching to take Arkansas outfielder Heston Kjerstad second overall, but this time instead of power upside, the Orioles go for Frelick and his hit/speed combination.6. Diamondbacks Henry Davis, C, LouisvilleArizona has been linked to other names like Kahlil Watson and Jackson Jobe, but if Davis is available here, the Diamondbacks would probably jump at the chance to take him. Hes a college catcher with a refined hit tool and plus power who should be able to stay at the position as hes continued to improve behind the plate. Even if he cant hold up there defensively, Davis offers plenty in the bat to make him worthy of a high pick.7. Royals Kumar Rocker, RHP, VanderbiltWith recent high-round picks of Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar and Asa Lacy, the Royals have established theyre big on SEC pitching. It just so happens that a dynamic SEC hurler is available for them to take at this spot. Rocker was already coveted out of high school, and hes gotten even better with improved command and refined secondary offerings. He might have the most upside of any of the college arms taken by Kansas City in recent years.8. Rockies Kahlil Watson, SS, Wake Forest (N.C.) HighWatson has generated a lot of buzz to go higher than Brooklyn Nets Hoodie No. 8 and could be a potential pick to go as high as No. 2 to the Rangers, but here, hes falling to the Rockies. He has flown up prospect rankings of late due to his complete game, with the ability to hit for average and power, his speed and his slick defense at shortstop. The Rockies reportedly want a hitter, and theyd be more than happy with landing Watson.9. Angels Jackson Jobe, RHP, Heritage Hall High (Oklahoma City)Another team very happy to land a high upside prep player, the Angels watch as Jobe falls to them at No. 9. Evaluators have said Jobe might have the most upside of any pitcher in this cla s yes, even higher than the Vandy arms with premium velocity and the best slider in the draft. Jobe has ace potential and the Angels would welcome the chance to work on developing him into that arm.10. Mets Matt McLain, SS, UCLAThe Mets have been linked to several college bats, as well as prep third baseman Colson Montgomery as a bonus-saving pick, but here theyll take the top college infielder in this years cla s. McLain came into the 2021 year ranked much higher by evaluators, but got off to a slow start. He put it together near the end of the season and his plus hit tool, speed and the potential to add power could make him an enticing prospect.11. Nationals Ty Madden, RHP, TexasThe Nationals would love it for Jobe to fall to them, but its not happening in this mock. Instead, theyre going to draft the top college arm left in Texas Ty Madden. The right-hander has mid-90s velocity, a sharp slider and above-average control that makes him a refined pitching prospect and a pitcher many see Jamal Crawford Jersey as being a potential front-of-the-rotation starter.12. Mariners Colton Cowser, OF, Sam HoustonAn outfield of Jarred Kelenic, Kyle Lewis and Taylor Trammell already sounds pretty good. Do Reggie Perry Jersey the Mariners need more? Well, its always best to take the most talented player left and thats the case with Cowser still on the board. Seattle wants a bat to draft, and Cowser offers one of the best college hit/speed combinations in this years cla s.13. Phillies Benny Montgomery, OF, Red Land High (Lewisberry, Pa.)The Phillies have been consistently linked to the central Pennsylvania product, who might have the most upside of any player in the draft. The hit tool has drawn questions from scouts, but hes one of the fastest players in the draft, offers tons of raw power and can play above-average defense in center field.14. Giants Jordan Wicks, LHP, Kansas StateAfter Cowser and Frelick are off the board, San Francisco will probably be looking at Wicks as their pick. Far and away the best left-handed college pitcher in the draft, Wicks has perhaps the cla s best changeup and above-average command. He could be a quick riser in the minors given his advanced feel for pitching and w
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