2021 MLB Draft Watch: Top 30 Prospects and Mock Draft 1.0

We are seeing updates to MLB Draft ranking lists from major publications and new mock drafts. The actual draft isn’t for another 12 weeks, so everyone will be making their guesses who could go where based on information fed by scouts, scouting directors, and agents. For this week’s 2021 MLB Draft Watch, I take a stab at making guesses if the draft were tomorrow where some guys would land. 

My learning experience from participating in this activity in late April is I feel strongly about who will go in the Top 15. After that, it’s a guess. I hope to have better insight for the White Sox for the 22nd selection, but the outlook is still pretty hazy at this moment. It might be that way until draft day. 

Guiding me in this activity is the MLB Draft Rankings Database, which is now up and running. There will be active updates to the database with more rankings lists added, updates to existing rankings, and links to YouTube videos showcasing the prospects so our Patreon supporters can get a look for themselves. This Draft Rankings Database has been handy for me during the Sox Machine Draft Show. I hope it’s useful for you, too. 

SOX MACHINE 2021 MLB DRAFT RANKINGS DATABASE

Here are the Top 30 2021 MLB Draft Prospects based on average ranking from MLBPipeline, Baseball America, The Athletic, and FanGraphs.

Note: Jaden Hill is out for the 2021 season and needs Tommy John surgery. 

Mock Draft 1.0 

Below are my gut feelings where prospects would land if the MLB Draft were tomorrow. 

Notes:

• I still think there is a chance Pittsburgh could surprise and take Jordan Lawler over Jack Leiter as they see their rebuild going to take longer than usual. While I believe Leiter is the best player in this draft class, I could understand the thought process of taking a Lawler who may need four years in the minors to develop, while Leiter could be ready in two years to take the ball every fifth day. Pittsburgh might not be prepared to take advantage of that timing. For now, I have them taking Leiter, but it’s not a sure thing even if most of the rankings agree that Leiter is the top prospect.
• Following the Detroit Tigers in 2021, there is the feedback that this organization needs more impact position players. Henry Davis is the top college position player in this draft class. Could rise through the organization and join Spencer Torkelson in a couple of years.
• While MLBPipeline has Miami (OH) flamethrower RHP Sam Bachman mocked to the White Sox, I see him going to the Milwaukee Brewers at pick 15. An attempt to mold Bachman in the likes of Corbin Burnes, who is off to a fantastic start in 2021.

• For the Chicago White Sox, I picked prep SS Izaac Pacheco. I think long-term Pacheo’s position will be at third base as he just doesn’t possess the range I’d like from shortstops but has a solid arm to stick at the hot corner. What’s most impressive about Pacheco is his power, which I’ve written about before. In the latest Sox Machine Podcast, one of our P.O. Sox questions was about if the White Sox should start building the next wave of prospects or stock up on tradeable assets.The stock answer is, “Yes. A team can do both.” However, I think it would be a good idea for the White Sox to think prep players in Round 1 to group with their international signings and recently drafted prep pitchers. Thus I prefer selecting a player to plan for the future rather than trade fodder. Yoan Moncada is under contract through the 2024 season with a club option for 2025. The third base position isn’t a worry today, but by the time Pacheco is ready to join the majors, the White Sox may have a need.
• Even though Jaden Hill needs Tommy John surgery that will force him to miss time in 2022, I can’t think of a better team than the Los Angeles Dodgers who can absorb that missed time and add another high-caliber arm to their pitching ranks. The joys of being the best team in baseball with a deep farm system.