Philadelphia owns the first selection and the latest mocks have the Phillies looking for help on the mound, but experts are split on which player that will hear their named called first.
SB Nation has the hard-throwing A.J. Puk of Florida as the likely number one selection. With the added experience of playing college baseball, it would appear he would make a quicker leap to the Majors than a high school prospect, but the lefty has struggled at times this year with the Gators and that has seen his overall player ranking drop with several teams.
Jason Groome is another option, but the 17-year-old lacks game experience against good competition. The young lefty is the top-ranked high school pitching prospect, but would likely need at least three years in the Minor Leagues before giving the big club the help they sorely need.
Cincinnati will pick second and unlike Philly, the Reds will look for a bat to help in the middle of their lineup. Nick Senzel of Tennessee has skyrocketed up draft boards with his play this season in the SEC. The Volunteers infielder has improved his glove work over the last 12 months and is one of the best power hitters available next month.
Atlanta is up next and with a good group of young pitching prospects already on the farm, position players will be the Braves top priority in the MLB Draft. The franchise likes taking high school players and molding them with there terrific coaching staff at the lower levels.
Mickey Moniak of California and Delvin Perez of Puerto Rico are the best teenagers available. Moniak has been on teams radars for three years and has the passion and skills to make a quick run through the Minors. Perez is a slick fielding shortstop that could anchor the middle of the Braves defense for the next decade, making the decision a big one when the team takes the clock next month.
