Here is my first look at the 2010 draft. The draft is just about 7 months away, so I'm sure this will change a lot throughout those months.
1. Washington Nationals- Bryce Harper, C, CC of Southern Nevada
Although it is nearly impossible for Harper to live up to ALL the hype surrounding him, he is still the clear number one talent in the draft. Unless something catastrophic happens between now and June, Harper will be the first player taken in the draft.
2. Pittsburgh Pirates- Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands HS (TX)
The Pirates almost always lean on the college side with their first pick. However, Taillon has established himself as the front runner for this pick. Pittsburgh saved money with their first pick last year in Tony Sanchez, but signed some good HS players late. When drafted, Taillon would immediately become the number one pitcher in the system.
3. Baltimore Orioles- Christian Colon, SS, Cal State Fullerton
Colon is the best position player in the draft. The Orioles are pitching heavy, and Colon would be a nice fit in the system. He does everything well, and the Orioles are in need of an impact position player in the system.
4. Kansas City Royals- Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, LSU
Ranaudo comes into the year as the best college pitcher. He is represented by Scott Boras, so that always has an effect on where a player is drafted. When it comes to draft day, the Royals will take the best player available. That is Ranaudo.
5.Cleveland Indians- Drew Pomeranz, LHP, Ole Miss
The Indians are lacking a power LHP in the system, and Pomeranz would change that. At 6'5, Pomeranz sits low 90's with a curveball that is a legitimate swing and miss pitch. Cleveland will not pass that up.
6. Arizona Diamondbacks- AJ Cole, RHP, Oviedo HS (FL)
Cole might be the most projectable pitcher in the draft. At 6'4, 180 pounds, he still has a lot of room to get stronger. He has two plus pitches and when he fills out they should both improve. He is a top of the line starter.
7. New York Mets- Chris Sale, LHP, Florida Gulf Coast
Sale came out of nowhere this summer on the cape to become one of the top LHPs in the draft. The Mets would love to add a 6'6 lefty who is always around the plate into their system. Sale still has room to fill out too, as he is only 175 pounds.
8.Houston Astros- Brandon Workman, RHP, Texas
Armed with a solid fastball and above average curveball, Workman will be on Houston's radar all spring long. A safe pick who should be able to eat up innings.
9.San Diego Padres- Stetson Allie, RHP, St. Edward HS(OH)
The hardest thrower in the draft, Allie has already flashed up to 99 mph. Usually a safe picking team, the Padres have showed recently that they are not afraid to spend the money to sign the best player available. The only negative about Allie is that due to his high effort delivery, he might just be a reliever. At worst case, Allie should be able to develop into a power closer, but he will be given his shot in the rotation.
10.Oakland Athletics- James Paxton, LHP, Kentucky
Paxton was taken in the first round last year, but didn't sign. A power lefty who can hit upper 90s, Paxton will be the first senior taken on draft day. However, Paxton will still be 21 by the signing deadline, and he still has yet to open his true potential. He has a good fastball/slider mix that he uses well, and a developing change up as well.
11.Toronto Blue Jays- Zach Cox, 3B, Arkansas
Cox, a draft eligible sophomore, might just be the best hitter in the draft after Harper. He is a power left handed bat that the Blue Jays need in the system. Some have questions about the defense, but Cox should be able to stay at third base.
12. Cincinnati Reds- Bryce Brentz, OF, MTSU
Shuffled a lot on this pick, but ultimately settled on Brentz. All he has done since he entered college was mash. A true power hitter, Brentz has the ability to hit for power to all fields. With another big year at Middle Tennessee, Brentz will land himself in the middle of the first round.
13. Chicago White Sox- Matt Harvey, RHP, UNC
Harvey was viewed as a top 5 pick, if not the top pick in the draft for quite some time. That was before Harper entered the draft, and before Harvey has a disapointing season at UNC. If Harvey bounces back to form, he could find himself near the top of the draft again.
14. Milwaukee Brewers- Karsten Whitson, RHP, Chipley HS(FL)
Whitson is a personal favorite of mine, who doesn't get enough love from the scouts. I feel he is right there with Cole as the number two pitcher in the class. He has a live arm, and a good feel for his slider. Look for Whitson to have a big spring.
15. Texas Rangers- Deck McGuire, RHP, Georgia Tech
McGuire is a guy with an impressive repetoire. He throws all his pitches well, and at 6'6, he is a very intriguing pick. This pick is the compensation pick for not signing Matthew Purke, so the Rangers have to make sure they pick a player that they know is signable. Look for McGuire to have a big spring in the ACC.
16. Chicago Cubs- DeAndre Smelter, RHP, Tattnall Square Academy(GA)
Smelter is a great athlete. The Cubs have been known to love athletes. Smelter mixes his pitches very well, while hiding the ball effectively. He still has yet to tap into his full potential as a pitcher, and when he does he could sneak his way even higher into the first round.
17. Tampa Bay Rays- Nick Castellanos, 3B, Archbishop McCarthy HS(FL)
Castellanos had a big summer to put himself into the mix. He is a pure hitter, and has solid power to all fields. He is a good athlete, and runs well for being 6'4.
18. Seattle Mariners- Austin Wilson, OF, Harvard-Westlake HS(CA)
The best high school outfielder in the draft. Wilson is a good athlete with an absolute cannon from the outfield. Wilson already has a major league ready outfield arm. He has some good power, and those balls he hits in the gaps should turn into home runs down the road.
19. Detroit Tigers- LeVon Washington, OF, Chipola JC
A first round pick from last year, Washington decided to take the JUCO route. He is represented by Boras, and the Tigers never shy away from the Boras client. Washington will be on most teams radars as we reach the mid to late first round.
20. Atlanta Braves- Cameron Bedrosian, RHP, East Coweta HS(GA)
The Braves love the local pick, and Bedrosian could be their guy. He has been around the game for a while, as he is the son of Cy Young Award Winner Steve Bedrosian. Bedrosian has a solid fastball, and a breaking ball that made even Bryce Harper look foolish in the AFLAC game.
21. Minnesota Twins- Manny Machado, INF, Brito Private HS(FL)
Machado has some questions on his bat, and if he can stay at shortstop. In both cases, I trust that he can stay at shortstop even if he is already 6'2. He takes good routes to the ball and is relatively smooth. He hits the ball hard, and can handle fastballs well.
22. Texas Rangers- Kevin Keyes, OF, Texas
Another first round pick for Texas. I see the Rangers staying local, and selecting the power hitting Keyes. They have been on Keyes for a while, since selecting him in the 2007 draft before he attended UT.
23. Florida Marlins- Josh Sale, OF, Bishop Blanchet HS(WA)
Possibly the best pure hitter in the whole 2010 HS class. Sale is a left handed power bat that could be a middle of the order hitter for a long time. He is destined for either left field or right field, and he is not that athletic, but the bat is a special one.
24. San Francisco Giants- Kris Bryant, 3B, Bonanza HS(NV)
Bryant is a true power hitter. The giants are lacking the big bat in the lower levels, and Bryant would quickly become the best option. He is a fantastic hitter, but the defense is a question. Some think his ultimate destination might be first base.
25.St. Louis Cardinals- Brett Eibner, OF/RHP, Arkansas
Eibner might just be the best two way college player. I'm still 50/50 with him right now. Either way, this season should decide that.
26. Colorado Rockies- Kevin Gausman,RHP,Grandview HS(CO)
Gausman is intriguing. He still has a lot of room for him to fill out, as he is 6'4, 180 pounds. He is ultra projectable, and the home state Rockies would love for him to fall to them.
27.Philadelphia Phillies- Yordy Cabrera, SS, Lakeland HS(FL)
One of the best power displays I've seen from a HS player. During the week of the AFLAC game Cabrera put on a show in the first round at the University of San Diego. He is big, so he might outgrow SS, but either way, his bat is special.
28.Los Angeles Dodgers- Victor Sanchez, 3B, San Diego
Sanchez was a top prospect in HS too, but he has only improved since going to USD. With a big year, Sanchez will move right up the draft boards.
29.Boston Red Sox-Dylan Covey, RHP, Marantha HS(CA)
Covey had a great summer. Some like Covey up with Cole, as the 2-3 behind Taillon. He's in that next level down for me, with Whitson, Smelter, Allie and Bedrosian. The Sox would love to add an arm like this into the lower levels.
30.Los Angeles Angels- Stefan Sabol, C, Aliso Niguel HS(CA)
Sabol has a lot riding on this season. A lot of questions about him staying behind the plate. Sabol is a blazer though, and he has the ability to hit to all fields.
31. Tampa Bay Rays- AJ Vanegas, RHP, Redwood Christian HS(CA)
Vanegas has some great stuff. A solid fastball, and a power curveball. He is committed to Stanford and that could come into play. If not, his talent is deserving of a late first round pick.
32. New York Yankees- Garin Cecchini, SS, Barbe HS(LA)
Cecchini has been flying up the boards. The Yankees have to start thinking of a long term replacement for Derek Jeter. Cecchini will need time to develop in the minors, and by the time he's ready, Jeter might be done.
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