Jim Callis from MLB Pipeline posted a new mock draft late Thursday night. Pipeline also has an updated draft rankings list, now expanded to 250 spots.
With all of the rumors of the Pittsburgh Pirates possibly passing on LSU outfielder Dylan Crews with the first overall pick in the draft on July 9th, you might be surprised to hear that Crews is his pick for the Pirates.
Callis has as many sources in the industry as anyone who does mock drafts. He acknowledges the possible bonus demands centering around Crews, but also notes that he won’t turn down a record setting bonus amount if it’s offered, which could still be below the slot amount.
Callis also gives odds on the pick for the Pirates, ranking Crews ahead of (in order) LSU pitcher Paul Skenes, high school outfielder Max Clark, Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford and high school outfielder Walker Jenkins.
Those five are the consensus top five in this draft class, to the point that there’s a smaller difference between #1 and #5 in this draft class, than there is between #5 and #6. Basically, the Minnesota Twins are going to get a #1 overall type talent with the fifth pick, unless they decide to do something crazy. It’s a great year to pick fifth, they just need to take who is left.
As for the new Pipeline rankings, they have a new #1. Paul Skenes comes out of the College World Series victory by LSU ahead of Crews. Skenes has been ranked second most of the time recently.
They have his updated ranking with an 80 grade fastball and a 70 grade sinker, to go along with a 50 grade changeup and 55 grade control. He’s also called the best college pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg.
He’s followed by Crews, Langford, Jenkins and Clark in that order.
To further emphasis how close they are in the rankings, Clark has higher grades in three categories than Crews (running, fielding and arm) and he’s one grade below in the power/hitting, with Crews getting a rare 70 grade in the latter category.
