2021 MLB Mock Draft: Third Edition

Here is the third edition of my 2021 MLB Mock Draft.

1. Pittsburgh Pirates- Marcelo Mayer, Shortstop, Eastlake HS (CA): It's looking more and more likely that Mayer will be the guy for the Pirates come next weekend for the first overall pick. He is not a perfect player per say, but he does just about everything right and has high upside.

2. Texas Rangers- Jack Leiter, RHP, Vanderbilt: Due to a strong showing, in the College World Series, Leiter's stock rose even more. He is the best pitcher in this draft class and could have been a first round pick several years ago, but opted to go to school, which was the right call.

3. Detroit Tigers- Jackson Jobe, RHP, Heritage Hall HS (OK): The Tigers have some options here and this mock I have them adding to their young collection of pitching with Jobe. His stock is absolutely rising, even after he went from a guy that occasionally showed flashes to perhaps the best prep arm in the draft.

4. Boston Red Sox- Henry Davis, Catcher, Louisville: Davis is somebody else who's stock is soaring as we get closer to the draft. He's somebody who broke out onto the scene this college season and would instantly become the Red Sox catcher of the future.

5. Baltimore Orioles- Jordan Lawler, Shortstop, Jesuit Prep HS (TX): A lot of people seem to think that the O's are going to go with a bat here. Lawler is a two-way player, but is most likely to be drafted as a shortstop due to his tremendous upside that would be too tempting to pass up.

6. Arizona Diamondbacks- Khalil Watson, Shortstop, Wake Forest HS (NC): The Diamondbacks are a team that is under some pressure to get it right with this pick. Watson is somebody that is a great hitter with a ton of power and has a shot to go higher than this.

7. Kansas City Royals- Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt: The second of two Vanderbilt pitchers lands here with the Royals. Despite a rocky decisive game in the College World Series, Rocker should still be a high pick come next Sunday and he would just be yet another asset to go with the Royals young pitching collection.

8. Colorado Rockies- Brady House, Shortstop, Winder-Barrow HS (GA): The Rockies go with a possible need pick here with House with the thought of Trevor Story being traded. House has gotten some lofty comparisons due to his high upside so this would be a tough pass for the Rockies.

9. Los Angeles Angels- Ty Madden, RHP, Texas: This would be a very nice pick for the Angels, who can use some more pitching in their system. Madden helped the Longhorns in their run to the College World Serires and has potential to be a top-end starter and could buzz through the minors.

10. New York Mets- Sal Frelick, Outfielder, Boston College: This would be a solid pick by the Mets, who can use some college bats in their system. Some people are concerned about his height, but does have pop in his bat.

11. Washington Nationals- Sam Bachman, RHP, Miami (OH): For the second mock in a row, I have Bachman here to the Nationals, who could use college arms. He's somebody else that I can see breezing through the minors and end up at The Show, whether it's a starter or a reliever.

12. Seattle Mariners- Matt McLain, Shortstop, UCLA: McLain and the Mariners has been a popular match among recent mock drafts. McLain is somebody that has a solid bat and speed, but does not hit for power.

13. Philadelphia Phillies- Colton Cowser, Outfielder, Sam Houston State: The Phillies to me are a bit of a wild card here as the draft gets closer. Cowser has a sweet lefty swing, but it's unknown what outfield spot he will end up at.

14. San Francisco Giants- Benny Montgomery, Outfielder, Red Land HS (PA): The Giants may land themselves a possible steal here with Montgomery, which would only add to a suddenly great farm system. His athleticism is outstanding and has great power with his bat.

15. Milwaukee Brewers- Jordan Wicks, LHP, Kansas State: I really would like this pick for the Brewers, who could use some college arms in their system. Wicks has a solid pitch selection, throws for quality speeds, and is an innings eater.

16. Miami Marlins- Harry Ford, Catcher, North Cobb (GA): This would be an interesting selection for the Marlins and it would tell you about how they really feel about Jorge Alfaro. Ford has tremendous offensive upside and is a good athlete.

17. Cincinnati Reds- Gunnar Hogland, RHP, Ole Miss: This would be a nice pick for the Reds here. Hogland is recovering from Tommy John Surgery and if it weren't for that, he would have had a quicker path to The Show and certainly would have gone higher in this draft.

18. St. Louis Cardinals- Bubba Chandler, RHP/Shortstop, North Ocenee HS (GA): The Cardinals are supposedly looking at pitching for this selection and here I have them snagging the two-way talent with Chandler. There is some uncertainty whether Chandler is better off as a shortstop or a pitcher, but Shohei Ohtani is proving it's possible.

19. Toronto Blue Jays- Ryan Cusick, RHP, Wake Forest: This would be a nice pick for the Jays to add to their collection of young pitching here with Cusick. He is one of the hardest throwers in the draft and the Jays have a history of drafting hard throwers.

20. New York Yankees- Andrew Painter, RHP, Calvary Christina HS (FL): Painter is one of the wild card entrees in the draft because of the unknown that is where exactly will he be picked. He is one of the better athletes in terms of pitchers in this draft, but has boom or bust potential.

21. Chicago Cubs- Colson Montgomery, Third Baseman, Southridge HS (IN): The Cubs go with a potential position of need here due to the uncertain future of Kris Bryant. Montgomery has that bat-to-ball skill that some teams die for in the strikeout era.

22. Chicago White Sox- Jud Fabian, Outfielder, Florida: The White Sox could go anywhere with this pick and here I have them going with the talented outfielder in Fabian. He has swing and miss concerns, but he has great tools.

23. Cleveland Indians- Joe Mack, Catcher, Williamsville East HS (NY): The Indians have been heavily linked to catchers as the draft gets closer. Mack is a great two-way catcher, but he may not sign if he isn't chosen in the first round.

24. Atlanta Braves- Michael McGreevy, RHP, UC Santa Barbara: The Braves and McGreevy has been another popular mock draft match of late. McGreevy came into his own this past season with his stuff and pitch ability.

25. Oakland Athletics- Alex Mooney, Shortstop, St. Mary's Prep (MI): Mooney has been a fast riser as the draft gets closer and the A's have been linked to him heavily. There is quietly some power in his bat and some consider him a can't miss at the next level.

26. Minnesota Twins- Adrian Del Castillo, Catcher, Miami: Del Castillo is someone that was considered a top ten pick not long ago, but his stock fell due to being inconsistent. When he is on his game, he has some big time power and a good approach.

27. San Diego Padres- Frank Mozzicato, RHP, East Catholic HS (CT): The Padres are pretty much stacked in their farm system sans graduating some big names recently and being a contender now. Mozzicato is somebody with an interesting arsenal and has different speeds for his pitches.

28. Tampa Bay Rays- Wes Kath, Third Baseman, Desert Mountain HS (AR): Kath is somebody else that is flying up boards of late. His pure hitting is what might have Kath selected in the first round.

29. Los Angeles Dodgers- Peyton Stovall, Second Baseman, Haughton HS (LA): The Dodgers are sometimes an unknown when it comes to the draft. Stovall has a very sweet swing and has tremendous upside with the bat.