MLB Draft Odds – Will Phillies Take Pitcher at No. 1?
The 2016 MLB Draft will be held June 9th. Pitchers and outfielders will dominate the early picks; the top eight prospects in this year’s draft class all either hurlers or outfielders.
Thanks to an abysmal 63-99 regular season record, the Philadelphia Phillies are on the clock, with the Reds, Braves, Rockies, and Brewers rounding out the top five.
Who will Matt Klentak nab for the Phils at no. 1? A pitcher, in all likelihood. But I won’t spoil the ending completely.
Find the odds, below! And keep scrolling for my first mock draft of the top five picks.
2016 MLB Draft Odds:
Odds on being selected first overall:
Jason Groome, LHP (Barnegat HS, N.J.): 18/7
The 6’5 lefty with a fastball in the mid-90s is the best bet to be selected first. Lord knows the Phils need pitching.
A.J. Puk, LHP (Florida): 4/1
Another left-handed fire-baller, Puk can do some damage with the bat as well. He must stop climbing cranes though. (That’s not a euphemism.)
Alec Hansen, RHP (Oklahoma): 6/1
Hansen’s stuff is not in question, but heeds to overcome a developing pattern of elbow soreness.
Corey Ray, OF (Louisville): 7/1
Ray, a five-tool star, may be the best position player in the draft. As I said, the Phillies need pitching. But the Phillies also need … basically everything else, too.
Riley Pint, RHP (St. Thomas Aquinas HS, KS): 12/1
Pint is another pitcher who can hit. He’s committed to LSU but the big leagues are calling now.
Blake Rutherford, CF (Chaminade College Prepatory HS, CA): 16/1
Rutherford has a nice combination of speed and power. He’s the top high school position player on the board.
Kyle Lewis, RF (Mercer): 24/1
Basketball was Lewis’ first love but he figured out he’s a top-ten pick in baseball. That makes the decision pretty easy.
Buddy Reed, CF (Florida): 32/1
Reed’s speed and defense are top notch. Will his bat be good enough to move up the professional ranks?
Mock Draft, No. 1 – 5:
1. Philadelphia Phillies: Jason Groome, RHP (Barnegat HS, N.J.)
2. Cincinnati Reds: Corey Ray, OF (Louisville)
3. Atlanta Braves: Blake Rutherford, CF (Chaminade College Prepatory HS, CA)
4. Colorado Rockies: A.J. Puk, LHP (Florida)
5. Milwaukee Brewers: Alec Hansen, RHP (Oklahoma)
(Photo: Alec Hansen, via Youtube.)
