I’m going to start a new feature covering the draft. Due to Mock Drafts if tallied correctly could be a predictor for a specific team, they at least should at least pique interest when surveyed. I have in the last few years surveyed mock drafts, and in the last two where Mets have had a top pick, they have been a top 3 choice within mock drafts that were tallied up to the time of the draft. Because of the draft being such a predictor, what I’m going to do is highlight one or two guys that are selected in these mocks and give a preview of what they are right now, and what their tools and projections are. I’ll even give the Mock, and the date it was posted, so you can see for yourself what they projected at the time the mock was posted.

This mock was posted by Bleacher Report last year on June 10th, and has talented Right-Handed Pitcher Alex Speas being drafted 18th overall (our standing at the time).

RHP Alex Speas

School: McEachern High School, Georgia 

Height: 6’4″ Weight: 190

Speas has a big arm, huge actually, where he is already touching the mid-90’s and touching 97 as a teenager. It is excellent, and colleges and scouts have taken notice. However, while it is overpowering, the right-handed slinger does not know where it is going most of the time.

6’4″ and lanky at 190 pounds, he still has more in the tank, and maybe when he’s maxed out in height, he can work harder on his mechanics, but for right now, he’s having a few issues repeating them despite having a very athletic figure.

As for his curveball, it is already plus, and can stand to get even better if he learns to harness his control. Right now his changeup shows up as average, but the Mets are very good at developing a changeup, should he get drafted by them.

Here’s some video:

There is clashing data between MLB.com and Baseball America, where MLB.com states he is committed to pitch at Auburn, while Baseball America states he is committed to Mississippi State University. I believe the latter.

Considering Speas’s Ace upside, I find him to be a wildcard in general, and whoever will pick him early is going to be betting that he is going to live up to it.

Next installment will be Drew Mendoza next week.

Ted’s Mock Draft Tally Count as of 2/28/16:

First pick:

RHP Alex Speas 1, LHP Jeff Belge 1, SS Drew Mendoza 1, 1B/OF Will Benson 1, 3B Bobby Dalbec 1, RHP Ian Anderson 1, LHP Kevin Gowdy 1. C Chris Okey 1, OF Kyler Mercer 1, RHP Kyle Funkhouser 1

Comp Pick:

RHP Kyle Funkhouser 1, RHP Zach Jackson 1, 3B/RHP David Lowe 1

Round 2:

SS Grant Bodison 1, RHP Drake Fellows 2