This week, I’m going to put some focus on Fangraphs, who just submitted their first mock yesterday, as well as their draft board the day before. But first is more importantly the draft pool! On Wednesday, the Draft pools were finally revealed and the Mets have the ninth highest pool in the draft with a $9,580,900 budget.
Here are the slots for the Mets’ top ten picks:
1, #6 $5,525,200
2, #48 $ 1,485,100
3, #83 $705,300
4, #110 $507,800
5, #140: $379,400
6, #170: $285,200
7, #200: $222,300
8, #230: $176,700
9, #260: $152,100
10, #290: $141,800
With some high picks this year in the draft, there is opportunity to sign some nice high-end talent.
FanGraphs
Every year, Eric Longenhagen and Kiley McDaniel provide quality insight into the draft, and have been ramping their content up recently, as we are t-minus 44 days until draft day. On Wednesday, Fangraphs released their top-55 draft board, and there were some surprises.
- Third baseman Alec Bohm has risen greatly, and people are now saying that Alec is athletic enough to stick at the position, along with his superb bat, which has been able to hit for average and power. He is now projected to go high.
- Shortstop Nander de Sedas isn’t on the list at all, because Kiley notes that he just has not hit this spring despite the loud tools.
- Outfielder Griffin Conine has slipped down to #43, because he has been not hitting and has not stayed healthy thus far.
- Right-hander Carter Stewart has risen greatly, becoming the top high school righty, due to increased velocity to mid-90’s and a 70 curveball.
Honestly, there are many surprised on this list, but I have said many times, boards shift a lot. The perception on December 1 of last year is not the same as what people believe now, and it will continue to change as we creep closer to June. If you’re familiar with the draft’s prospects, you will be able to see the difference if you read up on it.
Also… in their first mock released yesterday, Kiley and Eric stated that the first overall pick will likely be Auburn’s Casey Mize, who has pitched masterfully thus far, and no one debates it. The ten for their mock are:
- Detroit Tigers, RHP Casey Mize, Auburn
- San Francisco Giants, 3B Alec Bohm, Wichita
- Philadelphia Phillies, 2B Nick Madrigal, Oregon State
- Chicago White Sox, OF Travis Swaggerty, South Alabama State
- Cincinnati Reds, OF Jared Kelenic, Waukesha West HS
- New York Mets, LHP Matthew Liberatore, Mountain Ridge HS
- San Diego Padres, RHP Carter Stewart, Eau Gallie HS
- Atlanta Braves, RHP Kumar Rocker, North Oconee HS
- Oakland Athletics, C Joey Bart, Georgia Tech
- Pittsburgh Pirates, LHP Ryan Rolison, Ole Miss
As for what they say for #6, here it is:
6. New York Mets – Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Mountain Ridge HS (AZ)
The Mets appear to be leaning college here and have been tied to Ole Miss LHP Ryan Rolison and Bart, who could move quick and help solve their big-league catching situation. Liberatore is the only prep player whom scouts think the Mets would entertain, and he’ll go quickly if the Mets don’t take him here. Liberatore has a huge matchup tonight against Gorman, another projected first-round pick, that should have one of the largest group of scouts of the year on hand.
Fangraph’s scouting report is as follows:
The quality of Liberatore’s stuff waxes and wanes throughout his outings. At his best, though, he’s a lefty with a mid-90s fastball, a plus curveball, above-average changeup, and feel to pitch along with projection on his frame.
It’s a great pick with outstanding upside. I have also figured after the last few drafts that the Mets will go back to college, but if they go for Liberatore here, it’s high-risk, High-reward.
That’s it for now, next week will have added intrigue as we creep towards draft season.
