Keith Law released his first mock draft of the year today. With the eighth overall pick, Law has Deven Marrero going to the Pirates. That’s the same as Baseball America’s mock draft last week.
In the top seven picks, Law had Mark Appel, Byron Buxton, Lucas Giolito, Kevin Gausman, Mike Zunino, Albert Almora, and Carlos Correa, in order. The big surprise there was that he had Kyle Zimmer falling to 14th, citing Zimmer’s hamstring issue. Law had Max Fried going ninth, who is a guy I’d take over Marrero.
As for Marrero, Law notes that the entire industry thinks the Pirates want him eighth overall. He also notes that they’ve been looking at Mississippi State right hander Chris Stratton, who Law had rated 22nd overall in his rankings last week.
This mock draft might be more telling than the Baseball America one, just because it comes from Keith Law. Law was all over the Tony Sanchez pick in 2009, suggesting the Pirates could take him a month before the draft. He also correctly guessed the picks of Taillon and Cole in the last two years. He’s been very accurate with the Pirates, and he’s been suggesting Marrero for a while now.
