Baseball America posted a new mock draft on Monday, their first updated mock draft since January. This particular attempt comes with just over 100 days left before the MLB draft takes place, so there is still plenty of time for things to change. Baseball America did this mock draft along with an unnamed scout, alternating picks, with BA taking the odd numbered picks and the scout selecting all of the even numbered players.
The Pittsburgh Pirates will have the first overall pick in the 2021 draft, so Baseball America went with high school shortstop Jordan Lawlar as their selection. Lawlar was just ranked third in their draft prospect rankings update released last week.
BA ranked Vanderbilt starters Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter second and third in their updated rankings and those two went in the same order in this updated mock draft. The rest of the top five picks saw high school shortstop Marcelo Mayer go fourth and Miami catcher Adrian Del Castillo go fifth overall.
Lawlar is a five-tool shortstop, with a chance for above average grades in all five categories. The bat is already advance and there’s a chance for plus power down the line. His speed is also above average, and he has the athleticism and arm to stick at shortstop. Here’s a video posted three months ago from Prospects Live on YouTube. It includes defensive drills, batting practice and plenty of game video.
