Baseball America changed their Shock…er…Mock draft today for their fifth try to project the first 34 picks. In this draft, previously named #1 Pick, Jersey lefty Jason Groome dropped to 14th overall in the draft, Puerto Rican Shortstop Delvin Perez drops completely out of the first round in general after being in the top-10 overall for the last six months (will explain why below). Flamethrowing Matt Manning drops to #29, and has the Mets picking outfielder Blake Rutherford at #19.

For those who don’t know, Rutherford, a high school outfielder with five bonafide tools. It has been a foregone conclusion to be selected in the top-10 overall picks. In fact, of all the mocks I’ve surveyed, Rutherford has not been mocked to the Mets once, prior to Baseball America’s Mock Draft 5.0. When you see the tally I’ve accrued, you’ll check out the last name on the #19 pick, and that’s Rutherford. That’s how certain Mock Draftees were about Rutherford not leaving the top 10.

What they said:

19. METS: Rumors are fast and furious for the Mets after weeks of them being tied to Will Craig. They appear to be the team most tied to Rutherford and may be the team to block the Phillies from floating him all the way to their second selection. PICK: Blake Rutherford, of

Anyway, my turn

#19 OF Blake Rutherford, Chaminade (Calif.) College Prep, 5/2/1997 (19), 6’2″, 190, B/T: L/R

Outfielder Rutherford is more of a known quantity in the prospect circles for scouts, especially because he’s older than most prep players, and has been in the USA 18U Squad the last two years. Turning 19 in May, Rutherford is more mature in body type, with less projection, but that doesn’t stop him from being a top caliber in this draft. Already an above-average to plus hitter from the left side, with above-average power to possibly plus if he can make some adjustments to tap into it more.

His swing is geared towards line drives all over the field, with the power going the same way. According to two reports this spring, he has been inconsistent and has not been able to tap into that power so far, but that can come with more practice. His swing reminds some of Grady Sizemore, and Scouts in general compare him to Jim Edmonds.

In the field and on the base paths, Rutherford is a plus runner. He doesn’t take the prettiest routes in the field, but he’s definitely able to track down some balls. His arm is above-average from the position, and should he slow down for any reason, the arm will work fine in right field with time. Rutherford is committed to UCLA, and apparently is asking for a $3,000,000 bonus to buy him out of his commitment.

Just if you’re wondering, the Mets have a $2,378,800 slot at #19, so they would have to go $621,200 over-slot. I’m not sure what would drop Rutherford other than his age, but if the Mets are going to grab someone with great upside, it should be him. This is the pizzazz/sexy pick you’d hope for with a chance to move quicker than usual.

#31 LHP Anthony Kay, Uconn, 5’11”, 186, 3/21/1995, 21, L/L Stats

If the Mets take Rutherford at 19 overall, they’ll try to handcuff him with a safe-bet collegian, and they have confidence in the pitchability of Lauer and UConn’s Anthony Kay. PICK: Anthony Kay, lhp

If you’re familiar with the name of Anthony Kay, i’ll remind you why: He was a Mets’ 26th rounder in the 2013 draft out of Ward Melville High School in Long Island (same HS as Steve Matz), who didn’t sign. During the time of being drafted previous and Thursday, he has upped his consideration to  possibly the supplemental round.  Kay seems like a safe-ish type of guy to get for a lower price at the 31st pick and limited upside.

The book on Kay is that he is a polished arm with above-average control from the left side. A smallish, but sturdy-built guy that sits at 91, he can touch 94 or 95. He also has an above-average to possibly plus changeup that he can use to induce a swing and miss, but requires him to drop his arm slot, which will make him susceptible to being figured out at higher levels. He also has a breaking ball, in which he calls a slider, but has not defined itself yet.

Kay should be easy to sign as he’s getting a raise in his payday from what he was likely offered in 2013. He may have to sign an additional form to state he was re-drafted by the same team as before. He’s a safe pick with the upside of a mid-rotation starter, but likely will drop from the 8.39 K-rate he had before, unless he finds another pitch for is arsenal.

Other Draft Notes: 

Top Puerto Rican shortstop possible draftee Delvin Perez has failed a Pre-draft toxicology for an undisclosed performance enhancing drug according to Baseball America, Jon Heyman, and Keith Law. This will likely cause him to drop, but not past the first round, according to JJ Cooper.

Reports have come in of demands of first rounders including above Rutherford such as:

• RHP Matt Manning $5,000,000
• LHP Joey Wentz $3,380,600+
• RHP Jared Horn $3,000,000
• 3B Drew Mendoza $3,000,000
• OF Will Benson $4,000,000

Top Lefty Jason Groome is committed to Chipola Junior College instead of going to Vanderbilt.

Mock Draft Tally as of 6/7

#19

3B/1B Will Craig 23, C Zack Collins 6, OF Alex Kirilloff 6,  3B Nolan Jones 6, 3B/RHP Josh Lowe 5, RHP Connor Jones 4,  C Matt Thaiss 4, SS/3B Drew Mendoza 3,  RHP Austin Bergner 2, 3B Nick Senzel 2, RHP Cal Quantrill 2,  3B Bobby Dalbec 2, 1B/OF Will Benson 2, RHP Kevin Gowdy 2, RHP Daulton Jeffries 2, RHP Alex Speas 1, LHP Jeff Belge 1, RHP Ian Anderson 1,  C Chris Okey 1, OF Kyle Mercer 1, RHP Kyle Funkhouser 1, OF Nick Banks 1, OF Avery Tuck 1,   RHP Alec Hansen 1,  OF Bryan Reynolds 1,  OF Buddy Reed 1, RHP Matt Manning 1, LHP Anthony Kay 1, OF Taylor Trammell 1, RHP Forest Whitley 1, OF Blake Rutherford 1 

#31

LHP Eric Lauer 5, C Chris Okey 5, LHP Jesus Luzardo 4, RHP Kevin Gowdy 4, 3B/1B Will Craig 3, 3B Drew Mendoza 3, OF Taylor Trammell 3,  OF Buddy Reed 3, SS Gavin Lux 3, LHP Anthony Kay 3, 3B/SS Carter Kieboom 3, OF Nick Banks 2,  OF Bryan Reynolds 3, OF Will Benson 2, RHP Logan Shore 2, LHP Joey Wentz 2, LHP Kyle Muller 2,  RHP Robert Tyler 2, RHP Zach Jackson 2, RHP Kyle Funkhouser 1,   3B/RHP David Lowe 1,  RHP Alex Speas 1, RHP Zach Bergner 1, LHP Braxton Garrett 1, OF Heath Quinn 1, RHP Ian Anderson 1,  RHP Zack Burdi 1, RHP Jordan Sheffield 1,  RHP Justin Dunn 1, C Sean Murphy 1, RHP Cody Sedlock 1

#64:

SS Luis Curbelo 4, OF Heath Quinn 3, C Ben Rortvedt 2, RHP Drake Fellows 2,  SS Grant Bodison 1, RHP Wil Crowe 1, SS Errol Robinson 1, RHP Ian Hamilton 1, RHP Nick Banks 1, LHP Matt Krook 1