MLB Draft : A Mock with Complete Analysis of Every Team

#13: Tampa Bay Rays

Nick: Joey Wentz, Left-Handed Pitcher, Shawnee Mission East High School (Kansas)

The Tampa Bay Rays have a lot of success with such a small payroll because they continue to develop young pitching.  They have developed pitchers like David Price, Matt Garza, and most recently Alex Cobb, Matt Moore, and Chris Archer.  They Rays know that pitching is the most expensive commodity in baseball, and they can get hitters by trading from their pitching depth.  They add to that depth by taking Joey Wentz.  The 6’5” lefty is arguably the top left-handed prep pitcher in the draft and is his fastball has already hit 95 miles per hour on the gun.  The Rays are looking to get another valuable arm working in their system.

David: Blake Rutherford, Outfielder, Chaminade College Prep (California)

The Tampa Bays selected a top outfield high school outfielder last year with Garrett Whitley at this same pick. This year they will draft another top outfield prospect in Blake Rutherford. Rutherford is already 19, but he possesses a great hit tool and he can fly. The left-handed swing is one of the best in the draft. At 6’2” and 190 pounds, he should develop more physically, moving him into right field, but with his talent the Rays will pick up a solid prospect to put in their system.

#14: Cleveland Indians

Nick: Josh Lowe, Third-Baseman, Pope High School (Georgia)

   A few years ago the Indians thought they had their third baseman of the future in Lonnie Chisenhall.  However, they have moved him to the outfield.  Lowe is the stop third base prospect on the board and the Indians need a future third baseman.  The Indians have struggled with developing offensive, but with adding Lowe to the core of Frazier, Zimmer, Naquin, and Lindor could lead to a strong offensive core for year to come.

David: Alex Kirlilloff, Outfielder, Plum High School (Pennsylvania)

  The Indians seem to love taking outfielders in the first round, taking Clint Frazier, Bradley Zimmer, Mike Papi, and Tyler Naquin all in the first round since 2012. This time around – after taking two arms last year – they take another outfielder in Kirlilloff. Alex will be develop into a corner outfielder with pop, something the Indians seem to always be missing.

Next: #15 Pick and #16 Pick