THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,606 MLB PLAYERS | 16,397 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,606 MLB PLAYERS | 16,397 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
Draft  | Mock Draft | 5/24/2018

2018 MLB Mock Draft Version 3

Photo: Joey Bart (Danny Karnik/GT Athletics)

Mock Draft v. 1 | Mock Draft v. 2 | 2018 MLB Draft Order | 2018 MLB Draft Preview Content

The prevailing thought in the industry right now is that the first several picks all have a pretty good shot to be college players, and although Detroit, San Francisco and Cincinnati are all said to be considering prep players, there's a chance that the first high school player won't come off the board until San Diego at No. 7. Casey Mize is No. 1 on the PG draft board and that won't change leading up to June 4, and he still looks like the odds-on favorite to be the No. 1 overall choice. This is a draft pretty stocked with high school arms, and two of them – Mike Vasil and Mason Denaburg – both returned to the mound healthy this spring after some injury scares. Their stock is still a bit down from where it was given the uncertainty, but they are more likely now to be top 15-20 picks than they were a week ago, though both could be overpays later on to teams with multiple picks in the top 50 or so. 


1. Detroit Tigers | Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn
There are consistent rumors flying that Detroit is heavily considering both Georgia Tech catcher Joey Bart and maybe a prep option or two for an underslot deal, but for now our latest intel says that Mize will be the pick. This won't be decided until a day or two before the draft. 


2. San Francisco Giants | Joey Bart, C, Georgia Tech
The Giants will have their pick of pretty much anyone on the board, and are still being tied to prep arm Carter Stewart and Florida pitcher Brady Singer, but at this moment it seems like Bart will be the pick. 


3. Philadelphia Phillies | Alec Bohm, 3B, Wichita State
The Phillies have seemingly focused in on college hitters, and after Joey Bart, Bohm and Oregon State infielder Nick Madrigal are the next most likely options. Bohm has done nothing but rake this season with big power and surprising athleticism. 

4. Chicago White Sox | Nick Madrigal, 2b/ss, Oregon State
The White Sox are known to like both Bohm and Brady Singer at No. 4, but they've been tied just as heavily to Nick Madrigal, who may be as close to a plug-and-play position player as anyone in the draft. He has a chance to be an impact hitter and defender, even if he's small and likely a second baseman. 

5. Cincinnati Reds | Brady Singer, RHP, Florida
Singer is seemingly in play anywhere from No. 2 on, and while he's not in the top 10 on our board, teams view him as one of the safest prospects in the class, with a significant track record of success in the SEC. The upside is not tremendous but he's a very good bet to be a solid Major Leaguer. 
 

6. New York Mets | Jonathan India, 3B, Florida
The Mets' selection is seemingly between two at the moment in India or Travis Swaggerty, and they've been consistently tied to college players in the last few weeks. This is also a spot where we could see prep lefty Matthew Liberatore as well.  


7. San Diego Padres | Matt Liberatore, LHP, Mountain Ridge HS (Ariz.)
We're sticking with our projection of a few weeks ago here, as the Padres break the seal on high school players, so to speak, by snagging Liberatore. He's not viewed as having the same upside as a McKenzie Gore, for example, but he's stood out at times this spring for his feel, command, and fastball/curveball combo. 


8. Atlanta Braves | Carter Stewart, RHP, Eau Gallie HS (Fla.)
The Braves have been linked to all kinds of players this spring, ranging from Georgia prep arms Ethan Hankins and Kumar Rocker to Joey Bart and Travis Swaggerty. Stewart offers perhaps the best prep upside in the class, with a record-setting curveball and newfound velocity that reaches 98 mph. 


9. Oakland Athletics | Travis Swaggerty, OF, South Alabama
We'll stick with Swaggerty to the A's at this point as well. He didn't have a necessarily special spring, but scouts still like his swing and his potential to hit along with power and the ability to play center field. We believe that Athletics would love for India to fall to them, but that won't happen in this projection. 
 

10. Pittsburgh Pirates | Cole Winn, RHP, Orange Lutheran HS (Calif.)
The Pirates are believed to be all over prep arms with this pick, and Winn may offer the best combo of polish and upside in the class. He's had a monster spring and shows the makings of three plus pitches with command. Prep bats Jarred Kelenic and Connor Scott may also be in play. 


11. Baltimore Orioles | Ryan Weathers, LHP, Loretto HS (Tenn.)
Baltimore, like Pittsburgh, has seemingly been tied predominantly to prep arms at this juncture. They've also been linked to college arms like Shane McClanahan and Ryan Rolison, but their respective command concerns hold them back. Weathers is as good a strike-thrower as any prep arm with solid upside. 

12. Toronto Blue Jays | Ryan Rolison, LHP, Mississippi 
Rolison has struggled some with command and overall strike-throwing in general this season, but scouts have seen good command in the past and he is athletic. It's very good, loud stuff from Rolison with some projection. Shane McClanahan is also a possibility here. 


13. Miami Marlins | Jarred Kelenic, OF, Waukesha West HS (Wis.)
We're going to stick with Kelenic for this pick as well, as the prep outfielder is seemingly in play up and down the board. He's a bit of a wild card at this point, but with the Marlins tied to prep bats, Kelenic is the best on the board. 


14. Seattle Mariners | Trevor Larnach, OF, Oregon State
The Mariners have been consistently said to want college bats and are likewise known to be heavily interested in Larnach. He's the top college bat left on the board at this point, and while he may be a first baseman long-term, he has huge power and good feel to hit. 

15. Texas Rangers | Ethan Hankins, RHP, Forsyth Central HS (Ga.)
The Curious Case of Ethan Hankins continues, as the uber-talented righthander has proven to be healthy by seeing his velocity come all the way back, but the breaking ball isn't near what it was last summer. Regardless, he's a very high upside pick, which the Rangers are known to love. 


16. Tampa Bay Rays | Connor Scott, OF, Plant HS (Fla.)
Scott is seemingly in play as early as No. 13, where the Marlins are known to love him, and the Rangers could very easily take him at 15 as well. The Rays have been very heavy on Scott all spring, even taking proximity into account, and would likely be thrilled if he fell to 16. 


17. Los Angeles Angels | Jordyn Adams, OF, Green Hope HS (N.C.)
The Angels are known to covet Adams, and while this is a bit early for him given industry consensus, it fits what the Angels are trying to do with upside and athleticism, and them being tied to him also helps make sense of this pick. He's an ultra-athletic outfielder with significant rawness and equally high upside.
 

18. Kansas City Royals | Nolan Gorman, 3B, Sandra Day O'Connor HS (Ariz.)
The Royals are known to covet power, and are tied to several powerful prospects in this class, including Triston Casas and Trevor Larnach. Gorman offers as much power upside as anyone in the class, and has shown an advanced feel for hitting along with solid defensive ability at third base. 


19. St. Louis Cardinals | Logan Gilbert, RHP, Stetson
Gilbert came into 2018 with some potential 1:1 aspirations, but an uneven spring from a stuff perspective has pushed him down the board a bit. At his best, Gilbert works with a plus fastball and curveball along with throwing good strikes and having a strong body. 
 

20. Minnesota Twins | Brice Turang, SS, Santiago HS (Calif.)
The Twins have been tied to Florida righthander Jackson Kowar but that may be too risky of a proposition at this point. Turang is a very athletic, polished shortstop prospect with a feel to hit and developing power, and could be a steal this low on the board. 


21. Milwaukee Brewers | Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Central Heights HS (Texas)
Rodriguez may be in play even 10 or so spots higher than this pick, and it makes sense from value perspective as well a fit. He's been into the upper-90s this spring at times and has shown very good feel for his off-speed stuff, but there is the rawness to the profile. 


22. Colorado Rockies | Shane McClanahan, LHP, South Florida
McClanahan was viewed as a potential 1:1 candidate coming into the season thanks to the premium velocity he has from the left side, but uneven performance in terms of command has pushed him down the board. He's a good fit for the Rockies here at 22. 


23. New York Yankees | Kumar Rocker, RHP, North Oconee HS (Ga.)
Kumar has been on the national radar potentially longer than anyone else, and the extremely physical, power-armed righthander could be a good fit here. He's as physical as anyone in the class and can touch triple digits with his fastball to go along with a plus breaking ball. 


24. Chicago Cubs | Mason Denaburg, RHP, Merritt Island HS (Fla.)
Denaburg had a bit of a health scare this spring but returned just this week and look dominant in doing so, if not a bit rusty. He still has excellent athleticism with mid-90s heat and a hammer curveball and could be the steal of the draft if the Cubs get him here at 24. 


25. Arizona Diamondbacks | Jeremy Eierman, SS, Missouri State
The Diamondbacks are said to be interested in college bats at this pick and Eierman is the best one available. He's a strong, athletic infielder who may end up moving to third base, but he has the raw power and performance history that Arizona is said to covet. 
 

26. Boston Red Sox | Steele Walker, OF, Oklahoma
Walker is one of the better pure hitters in the class and the Red Sox are known to covet college bats plus they've been very heavy on Walker specifically in recent weeks. He may not play center field in pro ball but he's believed to really be able to hit, and there's some power there as well. 


27. Washington Nationals | Jackson Kowar, RHP, Florida
Kowar has been a bit erratic in his career with the Gators, looking like a top-end talent in one look and then struggling to throw consistent strikes in the next. At his best he works in the mid-90s with a plus changeup and solid average curveball, but there is a fair amount of risk, and the Nationals love upside. 

28. Houston Astros | Triston Casas, 1b, American Heritage HS (Fla.)
Casas has some of the best power in the high school class from the left side and has been a consistent performer on the circuit, both at the major summer events as well as for Team USA. He has a very good chance to hit and hit for power, and the Astros are known to like him. 

29. Cleveland Indians | Alek Thomas, OF, Mt. Carmel HS (Ill.)
The Indians are not ones to shy away from athleticism and feel to hit, and Thomas – along with the fact that he's just turned 18 years old – has both of those desirable traits. He's a high-level football player too with a commitment to play two sports at TCU, but if he's drafted high enough he may sign. 

30. Los Angeles Dodgers | Jameson Hannah, CF, Dallas Baptist
Hannah has been a real riser this spring as a college center fielder with good athleticism who has shown a very good feel to hit. The Dodgers are known to like the speedy outfielder and he could be considered one the lower risk prospects in the class given his contact skills and approach. 


31. Tampa Bay Rays | Greyson Jenista, 1b/of, Wichita State
32. Tampa Bay Rays | Anthony Seigler, C, Cartersville HS (Ga.)
The Rays have the ability to get really creative with all of their picks this high, and we have them going with big upside in Scott and Seigler as two of those picks. Jenista doesn't get the pub that his teammate Bohm does but offers significant power from the left side along with intriguing athleticism. 


33. Kansas City Royals | Cole Wilcox, RHP, Heritage HS (Ga.)
34. Kansas City Royals | Kris Bubic, LHP, Stanford. 
The Royals, like the Rays before them, have a chance to get really creative in this draft. They've been on Wilcox perhaps heavier than anyone this spring, and he may be in play for them at their first pick. With two upside prep picks, we like Bubic as a pretty safe college arm to pair with the upside prep players. 


35. Cleveland Indians | Adam Kloffenstein, RHP, Magnolia HS (Texas)
Kloffenstein is, like Alek Thomas before him, one of the youngest players in the class, but with his command and present stuff, it's a rare combination of youth and upside to go along with a fair bit of polish. All of that makes a ton of sense for Cleveland here, who has three of the first 41 picks. 
 
36. Pittsburgh Pirates | Mike Vasil, RHP, Boston College HS (Mass.)
Vasil was viewed as a potential top 15 pick this year with an outstanding delivery and arm action paired with mid-90s heat, command, and feel, but a bit of an injury scare has pushed him down boards. If he's available and healthy this would be an absolute steal of a pick for Pittsburgh. 
 
37. Baltimore Orioles | Noah Naylor, C, St. Joan of Arc Catholic HS (Ont.)
Naylor is in play much higher than this, as he's viewed as one of the better pure prep bats available.
Scouts are split on if he can catch long term, but he has solid athleticism and a plus arm, so even the more pessimistic scouts feel that he'd be a good fit a third base if he can't catch. 


38. San Diego Padres | Jordan Groshans, ss/3b, Magnolia HS (Texas)
One would be hard-pressed to find a prep bat who performed more consistently than Groshans did last summer, and while some scouts believe he may end up in left field long term, he has serious righthanded bat speed and power, giving him very high offensive upside, making this a good fit with San Diego. 


39. Arizona Diamondbacks | Will Banfield, C, Brookwood HS (Ga.)
After going for the relative safety of the college bat in Jeremy Eierman with their first selection, it would have to be tempting for Arizona to go for the upside of Banfield here. He's widely viewed as the best prep catcher in the class and has good raw power, but there are some hit tool questions. 


40. Kansas City Royals | Jeremiah Jackson, SS, St. Lukes HS (Ala.)
Kansas City, as they should, is looking for upside in this draft as they begin what promises to be a lengthy rebuild. Jackson offers intriguing upside as an impact athlete who plays a premium position, and whose bat has shown the makings of potentially being an impact tool. 

41. Cleveland Indians | Xavier Edwards, SS, North Broward Prep HS (Fla.)
It's probably pretty unlikely that the Indias would take three consecutive high school players, but the fit is too good here for us to pass up in this projection. Edwards could play second base in pro ball but he's an impact athlete and runner with premium contact skills and more pop than you'd think. 


42. Colorado Rockies | Nick Schnell, OF, Roncalli HS (Ind.)
Schnell, along with Alek Thomas and Mike Siani amongst others, seems to be in that range of valuation where they end up going a bit later than they should, but still get paid like a top-20 pick. Schnell's loaded with tools and has been outstanding this spring, so we may see him go as high as the top 20-25 picks. 
 
43. St. Louis Cardinals | Nico Hoerner, SS, Stanford. 
After going with a college pitcher at their first selection, St. Louis could very well be in the market for a high school player here, but Hoerner seems to fit in this range as well as a steady college performer with solid tools across the board and the ability to potentially stay at shortstop long term.


According to the PG Draft Top 500, if the draft happens to fall this way these would be the five remaining best available players:
 
• Lineras Torres Jr., RHP, Beacon HS (N.Y.) 
• Sean Hjelle, RHP, Kentucky 
• Osiris Johnson, SS, Encinal HS (Calif.)
• Nander De Sedas, SS, Montverde Academy (Fla.)
• JT Ginn, RHP, Brandon HS (Miss.)


Give us your feedback
Draft | Story | 8/22/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL East
Tyler Henninger
Article Image
With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. AL East Baltimore Orioles Grade: 50 Risk: High Notable Selections: OF Eric Booth Jr. (1st rd) | OF Ty Head (2nd rd) | OF Kevin Roberts Jr (4th rd)  Eric Booth Jr. (26 MS) goes big fly 💣 that carried out oppo. Explosive athlete w/ huge LH juice & tools. Big time in several facets. #NatElite #Vandy commit. @PG_DeepSouth pic.twitter.com/kXl7ZVyD9G — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 12, 2025 Baltimore was about middle of the pack in terms of money available this year, having $13.1m to spend on their class. Booth Jr. is a...
Read More
College | Story | 8/21/2026

2027 Draft Preview: Collegiate RHP

Ryan Miller
Article Image
2027 MLB Draft Profile Preview: College Right-Handed Pitchers  Throughout the 2027 draft cycle, I’ll be breaking down different demographics in the class. Today we begin with collegiate right-handed pitching, a strong group that is headlined by a legitimate 1-1 candidate in Dax Whitney. Most of the group is made up of high-quality power four arms, with a handful of mid-major arms mixed in. Below are the top college right-handers in the 2027 class:  Dax Whitney (@BeaverBaseball) showed LOUD stuff. FB up to 100, cruised at 95-98. Pair of plus secondaries. CB at 77-79 (2923) with sharp, 12-6 action. Firm SL at 89-91 (2714) with bite. Flashed fading CH at 87-88 (1425). Ranked No. 1 on the ‘27 board @PG_Draft So./‘27 elig. pic.twitter.com/9PNbjJ53Zo — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) February 13, 2026 Dax Whitney, Oregon State  Whitney has maintained...
Read More
All American Game | Story | 8/21/2026

Brotherly Love Inspires Carter Hadnot

Jim Salisbury
Article Image
PHILADELPHIA – Perfect Game has been a big part of Carter Hadnot’s life since he was 12. He participated in more than a dozen tournaments and showcases, including prestigious Select Festivals as a 13U and 14U player, as well as last summer’s PG All-Star Game for underclassmen in San Diego.   The PG event that Hadnot always wanted to be part of was the DICK’s All-American Classic. Now, that’s on his resume, too. He played in the 24th annual Classic earlier this week at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. “This means a lot to me,” he said during the event. “I always wanted to make it to Select Fest when I was younger. So, every time I get invited to an event it’s an honor and it’s fun. I don’t take it for granted. “This is definitely the one I always wanted to make it to. A lot of big names have...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 8/18/2026

Perfect Game & Delano Partner Up

Article Image
  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME NAMES DELANO BAT COMPANY OFFICIAL WOOD COMPOSITE BAT PARTNER, LAUNCHES LIMITED-EDITION BAT SERIES   Delano Bats will serve as the Official Game Bat of the 13U Select Festival, taking place this coming weekend in East Cobb, Georgia   Sanford, Florida (Tuesday, August 18, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new partnership with Delano Bat Company, LLC, naming the company an Official Wood Composite Bat Partner of Perfect Game. The partnership will feature three exclusive limited-edition bat releases, which began with the Original Glory American Flag Bat in celebration of the United States' 250th birthday, that...
Read More
Draft | Story | 8/17/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: NL Central

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West | NL West | AL Central With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. NL Central Chicago Cubs  Grade: 40 Risk: Medium Notable Selections: RHP Cade Townsend (1st rd) | OF Caden Sorrell (2nd rd) | 1B Myles Bailey (2C)   RHP Cade Townsend (@OleMissBSB) sat 95-96 T97 w/ riding FB from fast arm. Nasty cutter at 88-91 is the go-to, showed biting 2 pln SL. Low-80s top to bottom CB & CH ~ 1300 RPM to round out mix. Has had a great spring & risen up boards. Soph./'26 elig. @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/TAFbM37f5j — PG College...
Read More
Draft | Story | 8/17/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL Central

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West | NL West With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. AL Central Cleveland Guardians  Grade: 45 Risk: Moderate  Notable Selections: RHP Liam Peterson (1st rd) | Tre Broussard OF (3rd rd) | RHP Savion Sims (7th rd)  Liam Peterson (@GatorsBB) has been pure power stuff through the first 3.0 IP in his start vs Bama…imposing his will on hitters with a fastball that has grabbed 100 mph a few times, backed up by his power slider and curveball @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/RVThNrdMTn — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) May 21,...
Read More
High School | General | 8/17/2026

Scott Wins MVP Two Ways

Jim Salisbury
Article Image
PHILADELPHIA – When the folks at Perfect Game reached out to invite him to pitch in the 2026 PG All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors, Cullen Scott had one request. “You mind if I get a couple of at-bats, too?” Along with his dad, Scott traveled from the family’s home in Texas to Citizens Bank Park. The trip proved to be a huge success as he starred on the mound and at the plate and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Scott, 16, pitched a scoreless first inning and struck out two. In the fourth inning, he belted a grand slam six rows up into the left-field seats to lead the National team’s 6-1 win over the American team. “He showed us why he’s here as a pitcher and a hitter,” said Greg Sabers, PG’s vice president of scouting and showcases. "He’s one of the top pitchers here, but he’s too good a...
Read More
All American Game | Story | 8/16/2026

Romero Slams His Way to Classic MVP

Jim Salisbury
Article Image
PHILADELPHIA – Sunday’s DICK’s Perfect Game All-American Classic was a pitching-dominated affair until the bottom of the eighth inning when the rain started to fall at Citizens Bank Park and Koa Romero stepped to the plate and did his best impression of Kyle Schwarber. Romero wears No. 12, just like Schwarber. He bats left-handed, just like Schwarber. He’s got big power, just like Schwarber. And at 5-10 and a rock-solid 225 pounds, he’s even built like Schwarber. Needless to say, Schwarber is Romero’s favorite player. So, it was all kind of storybook when Romero belted a grand slam to dead center to cap off the scoring in the West team’s 8-3 win over the East club in the 24th annual Classic. “This is a dream come true,” said Romero, who was named MVP of the game. “It’s amazing to be able to put a ball like that out of a...
Read More
All American Game | Story | 8/15/2026

A Philly Dream for Steingall

Jim Salisbury
Article Image
PHILADELPHIA – Carson Steingall had been to Citizens Bank Park many times over the years. After all, he hails from Nazareth, Pa., about 90 minutes up the road from the home of the Philadelphia Phillies and he counts himself as a big fan of the team. Zack Wheeler is his favorite. Steingall realized a dream when he pitched from the same mound that Wheeler does in Perfect Game’s fourth annual All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors on Friday. The dream got even better when Steingall, a 16-year-old right-hander, was named Most Valuable Pitcher after striking out the side in the third inning of the National team’s 6-1 victory over the American team. “It’s just an honor to be here,” Steingall said after receiving his trophy. “This event is the best of the best. It’s really cool to win something like this.” Steingall, who’ll...
Read More
Showcase | Story | 8/13/2026

PG Honors Pat Gillick With Philly Showcase

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Perfect Game to honor Pat Gillick in new Philadelphia Showcase  By Maya Heyman Perfect Game is bringing its elite showcase experience to Philadelphia’s FDR Park for the inaugural Philly Stars/Pat Gillick Showcase this weekend, honoring one of the greatest executives in MLB history in the city where he constructed his final of three World Series winners. The event will take place on Sunday, the same day as the DICK’S All-American Classic, taking place just across the street at Citizens Bank Park.  The showcase will allow Philadelphia-area players to gain exposure and will also honor Gillick, who has been a tremendous influence in both professional and amateur baseball.   Jered Goodwin, Vice President of Scouting Operations for Perfect Game, said the idea came naturally.  “Going to Philly made a lot of sense to honor Pat Gillick, who's been a...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.