MLB Project Simulation June 2

Welcome to the penultimate mockup on MLB.com!

Jim Callis and I will be back for the last time with a nominative screening of the top 34 choices we will use as the "official" scorecard when the draft begins tonight (the draft preview show begins on MLB Network and MLB. com at the address 18:00 ET).

For the moment, the top of this model is very similar to what Callis wrote in his last projection. While the temptation to really blow things up right away is strong, the changes start at numbers 9 and 10.

1. Orioles: Adley Rutschman, C, State of Oregon

The conversation was strong on the fact that the O's are going in a different direction here, with Andrew Vaughn of Cal and JJ Bleday of Vanderbilt, the most likely alternatives (Bobby Witt Jr. also seems to be in the conversation), but he does not. There is not enough written to make the change official.

2. Royals: Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Colleyville, Texas Heritage HS

Even if the Os do not take Rutschman, look for the Royals to stay with Witt (unless Baltimore takes it, of course). This one seemed to be the most profitable projection all the spring.

3. White Sox: Andrew Vaughn, 1B, California

The White Sox continue to debate CJ Abrams and Vaughn's advanced bat. Bleday is also in discussion, and the club has at least investigated an agreement with Texas attendant Brett Baty. It is probably safe to assume that Rutschman would not have passed this place.

4. Marlins: JJ Bleday, OF, Vanderbilt

Bleday seems to be the first choice but there could be a heated debate if Vaughn gets here. Abrams and field player Riley Greene in Florida are the high school options.

5. Tigers: Riley Greene, OF, Hagerty HS (Oviedo, Florida).

The Tigers have long been linked to Greene, but there will also be advocates of Abrams. Arizona State Bishop Hunter and TCU southpaw Nick Lodolo remain in the conversation.

6. Padres: CJ Abrams, SS, Blessed Catholic Trinity HS (Roswell, Ga.)

It is possible that Abrams slips a little. It seems the Padres are looking at college bats, which could mean Bishop.

7. The Reds: Nick Lodolo, LHP, Texas Christian

There was no intelligence to force a change from this projection. Lodolo is the best of the relatively weak crops. If they decide to go with a college bat, Baylor's receiver, Shea Langeliers, could come on the scene.

8. Rangers: Bishop Hunter, OF, State of Arizona

This could be a turning point in most simulacra, the Rangers being mentioned in possible agreements with Baty and Josh Jung of Texas Tech. But Bishop has tools and benefits as a college hitter, not something that comes up every day.

9. Braves: Jackson Rutledge, RHP, JC San Jacinto, Texas

(Compensation for non-signature of Carter Stewart, first member of 2018)

There are rumors that they may be going to bat in high school, Corbin Carroll, at that location. But the gut says he'll stay with the arm, and Rutledge is one of the best in the class.

10. Giants: Josh Jung, 3B, Texas Tech

This could be a Jung debate against Bryson Stott (UNLV) in terms of college bats unless Rutledge slips. Right-hand Matthew Allan high school is also mentioned here.

11. Blue Jays: Alek Manoah, RHP, West Virginia

If the Blue Jays had a choice, the blue Jays might prefer Rutledge, but Manoah's size and high-end options should not last too long. Carroll, Washington high school's fast-paced player, could be an interesting option.

12. Meals: Zack Thompson, LHP, Kentucky

The Mets have their arms bent over here, and certainly a college. Thompson takes advantage by assuming that his medical examinations are correct. Baty's name was also mentioned in an agreement.

13. Twins: Karité Langeliers, C, Baylor

Langeliers certainly did not hurt his cause with his match of 11 points produced Saturday in the regional game. The twins have been widely associated with bats all spring. Keoni Cavaco, SoCal's infielder, could be an option in high school.

14. Phillies: Bryson Stott, SS, UNLV

His name was named one of the top 10 and he could still go. If they want to go to college, George Kirby of Elon could be of the party.

15. Angels: Keoni Cavaco, 3B, HS Eastlake (Chula Vista, California)

Sometimes, pop-up players with helium tray or even sink fall a bit. That did not happen in Cavaco, which should go somewhere in that range.

16. Back: Corbin Carroll, OF, Lakeside HS (Seattle)

There is a good chance that Carroll will be eliminated by this choice and that the D-backs will be delighted if he is available. Allan could be an option if they decided to go to high school here.

17. Nationals: Matthew Allan, RHP, Seminole HS (Sanford, Florida)

It is assumed that the price asked for Allan to get away from his commitment to the University of Florida will be high, but the Nationals have never feared this challenge before. A lot of university hitters they might consider here instead.

18. Pirates: Quinn Priester, RHP, Cary Grove HS (Cary, Ill.)

Another high school member, Brennan Malone, might be interested, or the Pirates could join Kirby if they want a college pitcher to help a smaller system. Last year, they took a striker position at Travis Swaggerty to be intrigued by the short-stinged Greg Jones tool, or by a pure bat like Michael Busch.

19. Cardinals: Logan Davidson, SS, Clemson

Several university sticks are available here (Busch, Jones, Will Wilson, Kameron Misner) and the Cards can choose their favorite before a race occurs later in the round.

20. Mariners: George Kirby, RHP, Elon

Anthony Volpe continues to be mentioned here and there is interest, but it could go down as last year when M's left with Logan Gilbert.

21. Braves: Greg Jones, SS, UNC Wilmington

How many players with 80 speeds did you see in a repechage? Jones also had the chance to play at the right time in conference tournaments.

22. Radiuses: Gunnar Henderson, SS, Morgan Academy (Selma, Ala.)

Henderson 's name starts to appear a little higher than that, but Rays could still be the best landing spot for him.

23. Rockies: Kody Hoese, 3B, Tulane

Hoese's offensive profile in the hot corner made him climb and he could have left at that time. It is perhaps the best of the second group of university bats. The Rockies are debating college bats against high school guns still on the board.

24. Indians: Will Wilson, SS, State of North Carolina

If this happens, Indians could choose between candidates like Wilson and Busch. A preparatory pitch like Malone or Daniel Espino could also be an option.

25. Dodgers: Michael Busch, 1B, North Carolina

I do not know if I mentioned it, but there are a lot of solid college hitter to choose from in this class, especially at this stage of the repechage. The Dodgers could tackle one of these weapons in high school if they think that a weapon they like will not last until their second choice (spoiler alert: I think we will).

26. Back: Brett Baty, 3B, Travis Lake HS (Austin, Texas)

(Compensation for non-signature of Matt McLain, member of the first round 2018)

Baty's name appears in many places much higher. Because of his age (19 years and a half), he is one of the most difficult players to place, but the D-backs, with their additional choices, could be ready to give up the model (who does not like the older players from high school) and take the risk on his bat.

27. Little ones: Kameron Misner, OF, Missouri

So many tools, so little performance, especially in SEC games this year. As a result, it is possible that Misner may come out of the first round, but there is a serious advantage if a team thinks it can replace it.

28. Brewers: Brennan Malone, RHP, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida).

Malone could have as much ceiling as any high school launcher in the class and Brewers would be happy to add its positive side to their system, while they would also monitor transactions exceeding their expectations in the classroom. hope that someone falls on them.

29. Athletics: Seth Johnson, RHP, Campbell

It is still possible that the A will go to college here, but with the race over, there may not be one that is coveted. Johnson, a converted field player, is a rare university arm with a benefit.

30. Yankees: Tyler Callihan, 3B, Providence HS (Jacksonville, Florida).

The Yankees could be happy if Misner was still available and if Baty would spark interest. With them gone, Callihan is a solid, pure bat that the Yankees seem to covet.

31. Dodgers: Daniel Espino, RHP, Georgia Premier Academy (Statesboro, Georgia)

(Compensation for non-signature of the first round 2018 J.T. Ginn)

In this model, I had the Dodgers take a college bat with their first choice. They can then put themselves in the lead with Espino, who has the best fastball of the class.

32. Astros: JJ Goss, RHP, Cypress (Texas) HS Ranch

The Astros could very well stay in their backyard to take Goss to Cypress Ranch, located only about 30 miles from Minute Maid Park.

33. D-Dos: Braden Shewmake, SS, Texas A & M

(Compensation for loss of free agent Patrick Corbin)

Arizona could go to a safer player, like Shewmake, or high school student, like Matthew Lugo, to save money so they can continue …

34. D-Dos: Jack Leiter, RHP, Delbarton Prep (Morristown, N.J.)

(Compensation for Loss of Free Agent A.J. Pollock)

Leiter seems unable to sign, with a strong commitment to Vanderbilt. But if anyone can afford to pay what is a high price, it's the D-backs, with all their extra choices.