The draft is only a few days away. After studying and analyzing potential All-Stars in MLR, I have gone through my first mock draft. Note, this is not a definite order. If I change my mind come tomorrow or Sunday morning, I will likely update this.

I will only do the first round

Pick 1 – Minnesota Twins

SS /u/jp1704

There are two things that are commodities in this draft: shortstops and power hitters. /u/jp1704 is one of few players who embody both. The Twins GM has expressed his need for power, and has already been mentioned alongside /u/jp1704 by fellow MLR reporter @NikcCafardo. He is higher in the eyes of more scouts than fellow power SS /u/grahm03.

Pick 2 – TBA Team 1

SS /u/grahm03

The team that occupies this spot will likely not be known until the morning of the draft. Despite this, though, many people think that Oakland could be the team to fill this gap, and /u/grahm03 represents the highest of Oakland born talent. Though not seen with as much prestige as /u/jp1704, scouts laud his plate approach and he still occupies that niche of power shortstops that don’t come around every day.

Pick 3 – Houston Astros

P /u/sardinka

/u/sardinka is widely considered the most talented arm in the draft. The finesse southpaw is said to have a high control of his number range, and could prove to be an ace in the Inaugural season of MLR. His active role in the league’s preseason hype is promising, though there are concerns regarding his strange timezone.

Pick 4 – Baltimore Orioles

2B /u/ClipDodgeCharge

It’s no secret that Baltimore has taken a shine to /u/ClipDodgeCharge. The confident 2B could be the best at his position. Scouts like his makeup and his ability to make guesses, but some question if he could be overrated. The Orioles pick is still up in the air, and with a 48 hours left until the Draft, /u/ClipDodgeCharge may fall a few picks; especially if one of the three aforementioned players slips down to Baltimore.

Pick 5 – TBA Team 2

2B /u/metssuck

Another highly-toted power hitter with little doubts on activity, /u/metssuck is a player that could deliver a lot of RBIs for their team. Right now, his favorability is unknown among teams, but he may prove a safe pick for a GM arriving at the last minute.

Pick 6 – Detroit Tigers

LF /u/almostthenewestdad

The Tigers GM finished a press conference earlier today stating he would ignore all mock drafts. Nevertheless, with his previous comments about wanting powerful players and being in Win Now mode, /u/almostthenewestdad is likely the safest bet in the draft. A power outfielder with more karma than most participators, /u/almostthenewestdad boasts a lot of activity in /r/fakebaseball threads leading up to the Draft. His disinterest in Discord is concerning, however, with many GMs wondering if they are willing to take a lottery ticket such as that.

Pick 7 – Arizona Diamondbacks

P /u/smoothtyl

The Diamondbacks have expressed a longing for an arm in the first round. With /u/sardinka gaining popularity, a realistic choice would be /u/smoothtyl. The right hander sports a powerful fastball with great command of his numbers. His reddit activity could spark some concerns, though he was one of the first pitchers to give his pitching style and hand, hinting at a possible high activity.

Pick 8 – New York Mets

1B /u/cvanvacter77

/u/cvanvacter1 sits as one of the most powerful players in the draft, something that could benefit the Mets greatly. In a power-hungry draft, this righthander has value that could see him high in the pool. His activity is also something to be valued. His only problem is his lack of baseball-themed shitposting, which may be a problem for some teams. Not likely a problem that pushes him out of the first round, however.

Pick 9 – Pittsburgh Pirates

C /u/GareDR333

The catcher pool is a confusing and vast range of talent. From /u/inocain to /u/MasterCashier to /u/TwinklePower, many garnish potential without jumping out at your face. The best of the bunch would arguably be /u/GareDR333, the FBPA president and player-favorite. His activity is unrivaled, as the man spent 5 hours by himself in the /r/fakebaseball Discord Voice Channel. Possessing a strong arm behind a plate and an even stronger bat in front of it, he is a safe bet as a Neutral-type hitter.

The Pirates have been mentioned alongside /u/jaybedia, though he is more likely to be a second-round sleeper pick than a first rounder.

Pick 10 – Philadelphia Phillies

SS /u/recoveringhipster

It is no mystery that /u/recoveringhipster has tendencies to be something of a hot head. It has left him with a polarizing sort of popularity in the league. Some question his clubhouse ethics, but the Philly-born player is predicted to thrive on the field. With the comfort of being on his hometown team, the left-handed contact shortstop is one of the best in his position, and boasts an activity worth a first-round snatch-up.

Pick 11 – Atlanta Braves

3B /u/mongster_03

In a shallow 3B pool, /u/mongster_03 has quickly revealed himself to be an active and enthusiastic player with a very high ceiling. He plays his position well and has a good grasp on the numbers of MLR, making him a sleeper pick in the 1st round of the Draft. As Draft Day approaches, this player could make a rise to the top of the lists.

Pick 12 – Washington Nationals

2B /u/AdmiralJones42

The Nationals seem to have a relationship with their homegrown 2B /u/AdmiralJones42, the Statistician of the OotC. Whether or not he is first-round quality, his creation of the game rules is sure to catch the eye of suitors. The Nationals definitely want him, though with the 12th pick, they are buried below a minefield of NL East maybes that could spell trouble for the Natitude-having /u/AdmiralJones42. If the Draft doesn’t go as planned for some teams, he may be looking at a higher pick, especially if he continues his popular rise.