2021 OSA Round 1 Mock Draft Review

Zac Berwick
Sep 2, 2020
7 min read

Austin was kind enough to write up a review on this year's OSA Mock Draft Round 1 selections. Here's what he had to say for each pick!

1.1 Orioles – SP Christian Little

Little is the premier arm of the draft, with 4 plus-plus pitches and outstanding control don’t be surprised when the O’s take him 1st overall. Over two high school seasons he’s put up 186IP with an 18-0 record, .48 ERA, 372 Ks to 35 BBs and nearly 15 WAR, straight nasty.

1.2 Marlins – RF Judson Fabian

Fabian is arguably the top bat in the draft. Fabian possesses 70 grade power to go with a solid hit tool and eye making him a highly coveted corner outfielder. Over 107 college games he’s put up a slash of .291/.376/.573, the kid can hit, and the marlins need hitting. Tork and Fabian? Drool.

1.3 Tigers – 3B Brady House

House is a bit of an enigma. He can be the best hitter in this class, but he also can be a wipeout reliever with some seasoning. The Tigers could use a bat like House for their future, as he was a .450 hitter over two high school seasons. House will be coming to spray line drive doubles to a field near you.

1.4 Mariners – TJ Reeves

Reeves is your prototypical leadoff hitting center fielder. Great hit tool, great glove, good speed, and a hell of an eye to get on base. Over two college seasons that saw him hit nearly .300, with more walks than strikeouts, he should have no problem adjusting to the bigs and getting on base for Seattle for a long time.

1.5 Rangers – C Ian Moller

Moller is the top catcher for the 2021 class, he has a solid glove to play catcher, but what sets him apart is his bat. The bat has the potential for 30+ homeruns a year, as well as maintaining a .340 or better OBP. The pop at the catcher position will be enticing.

1.6 Royals – SS Luke Leto

Leto has been one of the more polarizing draft prospects for a few years now. He possesses a good hit tool, good speed, and a good glove. While he doesn’t have the most pop, he will still hit a few homeruns. He also has the ability to be a solid reliever with some refinement if the Royals chose to keep him a two way player.

1.7 Diamondbacks – SS Izaac Pacheco

The power hitting, smooth gloved Pacheco will catch some eyes. With the 40+ HR potential and good shortstop ability, he immediately profiles to a guy like Trevor Story. If he can continue to work on some holes in his swing, he can have a successful career.

1.8 Reds – C Henry Davis

Davis is another catcher that can knock the stuffing out of the ball, but he does not posses the glove that a guy like Moller does. Davis will be a hitter in the MLB, but I don’t foresee it as a catcher, look for him to work on a transition to left field where he can put his full power on display. Davis is advanced at hitting and can become a name we see in the MLB in two or three years.

1.9 Padres – CF Braylon Bishop

Bishop, a high school outfielder should be able to make an impact in the future. Only 17 years old, he has a long way to go before he sees MLB pitching. He hit in high school for both contact and power, so If the bat catches up to the already formidable CF glove, then the 29 teams that don’t take him better be on high alert.

1.10 Pirates – SS Jordan Lawlar

Lawlar has elite contact to go with elite speed, plus his glove is something scouts will covet. While he does have some downfalls (baserunning, will he stick at short due to the average arm?), the hit tool is just too shiny to miss out on.

1.11 Giants – 2B Davis Diaz

Diaz might just have the best eye of the draft, his patient approach and ability to avoid striking out is a recipe for success. His makeup is excellent and can play a decent second base. Look for Diaz to consistently put up a higher than average OBP that scouts will love.

1.12 White Sox – CF Tyree Reed

Reed is another center fielder that has the ability to be very special. He may never be a power hitter but he will most certainly spray the ball around the field for doubles and triples with his speed, while routinely flashing the leather in the outfield.

1.13 Cubs – SS Noah Smith

Noah is a slick fielding shortstop who can put the bat to the ball. Largely considered a ground ball hitter, that’s okay when you can beat them out with blazing speed. A local kid look for Chicago to jump on him if hes there.

1.14 Brewers – CF Christian Franklin

Franklin is a glove first outfielder that has the potential to become an average hitter. Showing some advance in power and eye will help, but he needs to get the hit tool up if we are going to see him unleash his full potential. Currently a good 4th OF type.

1.15 White Sox – SS Marcelo Mayer

Mayer is an exciting talent, as he possesses a solid glove and a potentially great bat. The 18 year old has some pop that will catch many scouts eyes, but once again a prospect that is going to really need to work to improve the contact skill.

1.16 Phillies – 1B Aaron Sabato

Sabato is the definition of power hitter. After being drafted in the supplemental round last year, we think he improved enough to find himself in the middle of the first round. A big, heavy hitting bat with a competent glove at 1B will be sought after as the league continues to covet hitters that excel in the 3 true outcomes.

1.17 Blue Jays – C Joe Mack

Mack is another catcher who will probably not end up at catcher. Mack can become a competent 3B or corner outfielder though while giving his team some good pop. He has potential to be a useful utility type player.

1.18 Rays – 3B Maxwell Muncy

Max Muncy’s better fielding, less homerun hitting twin? All jokes aside, Muncy has a slick glove for 3B and really knows how to get on base. His makeup and good speed are pluses, we can see Muncy having a long a fruitful career.

1.19 Indians – 2B Cody Schrier

Schrier is an ultra-utility guy who can find himself playing every position in the future. He has a captain type mentality about him and should be a league average hitter when it is all said and done. While not a sexy pick, an important one, nonetheless.

1.20 Cardinals – SP Willie Weiss

Weiss is a guy who can eventually be a reliable ace. He’s not quite there yet as the control needs to catch up to the stuff, but if that happens, expect him to be in the Cy Young race for multiple years. With 4 excellent pitches and great stamina, he can be a team’s workhorse for years to come.

1.21 Nationals – SS Cal Conley

Expect Conley to make the move to 2B shortly after being drafted as he is a slick defender, but the arm just isn’t there for SS. Conley has a good hit tool to go with a good eye and average pop. Conley will be a useful player soon.

1.22 Athletics – 2B Matt McLain

McLain is very similar to Conley with the bat but possesses a slightly lesser glove. McLain wont hit for much power but he will be relied on for singles and getting on base.

1.23 Angels – SS Brandon Dieter

Dieter is a fast, smooth fielding defender who could be a web gems staple. While he isn’t expected to do a ton with the bat, his eye mixed with his defense is enough to get him to the show.

1.24 Yankees – OF Roc Riggio

Riggio is a jack of all trades, master of none type. While he will hit the ball and play good defense, he will not hit for much power and he might strike out a bit too much. A good 4th OF type at the very least.

1.25 Braves – 2B Branden Comia

Comia is another guy who might not ever impress enough with the bat, but due to his speed and ability to play a great 2B, he should have a place in this league as a super utility guy. Comia has a long way to go, but with his makeup and effort, I would never doubt this guy.

1.26 Rockies – 2B Jack Sigrist

Sigrist found some pop in his junior year after only being considered a glove first guy. While I still see him as glove first, his eye and speed should do enough to get him play.

1.27 Red Sox – C Tyler Soderstrom

Soderstrom saw himself get drafted by the Yankees in the second round last year, but a deal could not be reached. A line driving catcher who has a lot of Stephen Vogt in his game, should be a useful backup catcher at the very least.

1.28 Dodgers – C Mark Black

Black is another backup catcher type, but rather than line drive doubles, he has enough pop to push the ball over the fence. He’ll never blow anyone away with his ability to frame, but he is tough as nails and finds away to get the job done.

1.29 Mets – C Dominic Keegan

A run on catchers! Keegan will never hit for high contact, and he will strikeout a ton but he has a good approach at the plate that will lend itself to homeruns and walks. He is a good enough catcher to stick around at the position but will need to sharpen up his ability of putting the bat on the ball to succeed.

1.30 Twins – C Brendan Tinsman

Another catcher! Although this one is a bit different as Tinsman will almost certainly make a move to a corner outfield spot or first base. He looks to be about a league average hitter with some decent power to left field.

1.31 Astros – SS Chase Spencer

Spencer is a young gun who will more than likely find himself at 2B as his arm isn’t as strong as your typical SS. Chase has a good approach at the plate but doesn’t really hit much and the speed isn’t all that impressive. A solid piece for any team however.

1S.1 Athletics – C Noah Cardenas

Cardenas is a versatile catching prospect that can play all around the diamond. He has a great makeup and shows advanced power to left field. Look for him to be a sleeper pick with his versatility, power, and speed.

1S.2 Braves – C CJ Willis

Willis is a power hitting catcher that might not see himself stick at catcher. Arguably a better 1B, he has the power to hold a spot at first, or even be a backup corner infielder. He needs to work on his approach if he wants to succeed, however.

1S.3 Indians – SS Deric Fabian

Fabian might hit 40 home runs a year, and he plays a decent second base, but he really struggles to make contact. His glove is good enough to stick at 2B and the power might just be tantalizing enough for him to go in the first round.