2021 OSA Round 2 Mock Draft Review

Bonus Amateur Draft coverage! If you missed it, Austin recapped the first round of the OSA Mock Draft earlier today. Here is a direct link to that coverage. Now, Jason takes the time to recap each of the 36 picks in the OSA Mock Draft for round 2. Here's what he had to say!

2.1 Orioles – SP Philip Abner The Orioles go back to back pitchers by taking North Carolina high school pitcher Philip Abner. Abner, a Florida commit, has the stuff to compete at the Major League level with three plus pitches but will have to reign in some control issues to become more than a back-end starter.

2.2 Marlins – SP Grant Taylor Taylor may be the second best pitching prospect in the draft class, but a strong commitment to UCLA has made some weary about his price tag to go pro. The Alabama righty features a plus fastball and an elite curveball that, along with strong command, gives him the floor of an elite bullpen arm. If his changeup can become an above average pitch, he has the ceiling of a #2 starting pitcher.

2.3 Tigers – SP Mike Vasil Vasil is the best lefty in the draft class. Like Grant Taylor, Vasil features a plus fastball and elite curveball but also features a changeup that many believe can be an above average third pitch. However, Vasil’s control issues could limit him to a #4 or #5 starter. With improved command, Vasil has the potential of a #2 starter.

2.4 Mariners – 3B Zack Gelof Gelof becomes the second straight University of Virginia product off the board. The college third baseman sports above average power and a plus eye at the plate but scouts question his bat to ball skills, which could limit his bat to ball skills. He has average range and a solid arm that should make him an average third baseman. At various times, his work ethic has come into question and may limit his ability to reach his full potential.

2.5 Royals – SP Garrett McDaniels McDaniels is a sinker/slider pitcher from Coastal Carolina. The Junior also throws an above average changeup that gives him three solid pitches to go along with average command. McDaniels has the upside of a mid-rotation arm.

2.6 Rangers – 2B Dru Baker The Texas Tech second baseman’s calling card is his range and smooth fielding ability. Baker will likely make for a very good second baseman in the pros and may even be able to move over to shortstop. However, scouts question how much you can expect with the bat. He doesn’t strike out much but he posted just a .443 SLG as a Junior and his power is expected to decrease when moving to wood bats. Ultimately, the glove will have to carry him if he’s to ever reach the Major League level.

2.7 Royals – SP Andrew Painter Painter is expected to be one of the tougher signs in this draft class. The high school righty has a commitment to Texas that most scouts expect him to keep, but in this mock he’s taken by the Royals. Painter features four pitches, all of which flash

average or above. However, he lacks a premier pitch and the control you would be hoping for out of a high school arm. Right now, his upside likely sits at the back of a rotation or swing man role.

2.8 Diamondbacks – C Cole Stilwell The Texas Tech catcher is one of the better defensive catchers in this class. Both his overall ability behind the dish and arm are above average. Offensively, he’s likely to provide moderate production. Stilwell is not expected to be a guy who hits for a high average or much power and likely maxes out as either a backup or bottom tier starter.

2.9 Reds – C Wes Clarke Clarke is an above average catcher with a plus throwing arm and solid framing ability. While his bat to ball skills are considered below average, he makes the most of his contact with above average pop to go along with a solid eye at the plate. His coaches have raved about his work ethic and how he works with pitchers, which allows him to get the most out of his abilities.

2.10 Rockies – CF Grant Richardson Richardson is probably one of the better all-around college talents in this draft class. He has the ability to pair bat to ball skills with above average pop, plus speed and a solid range in the outfield. Richardson’s ceiling ultimately depends on whether he will stick in center, something that scouts seem to differ on.

2.11 Angels – SP Kumar Rocker Rocker would have been one of the top players off the board in 2018 if not for signability concerns. Three years later, he falls to the second round. Rocker has three plus pitches to pair with average control. Rocker is a player who likely moves quickly through a system and could find himself in a major league rotation as soon as late 2022.

2.12 Padres – CF Isaiah Thomas Scouts vary on Thomas. Some think he has the makings of a five-tool talent while others question his hit tool and ability to make contact. The upside on Thomas is potentially an elite talent with plus-plus power, a great eye, elite speed and above average defense in a corner. The downside is a player who hits home runs but fails to make enough contact to make him playable.

2.13 Pirates – SP Landon Marceaux Marceaux’ calling card is his elite command, which he uses to mask a repertoire that lacks elite stuff. He features a three pitch mix, but will likely rely more on inducing weak contact than overpowering hitters in the pros. His upside is that of a #3 starter if he can find a solid defensive team behind him.

2.14 Giants – C Sam Hunt

Hunt is a switch hitting high school catcher from Minnesota. He has a solid arm behind the plate that goes along with solid power and plate discipline. However, his ability to put the ball in play is in question and may limit his ultimate upside. If he can up his ability to make contact, he likely carves out a career as a backup catcher.

2.15 Cubs – Drew Hamrock The third Virginia Cavalier to go in the second round. Hamrock features well above average potential behind the plate with a solid arm and good pitch framing ability. As a hitter, he struggles to consistently make contact and doesn’t provide much power when he does. However, he has an above average eye and runs pretty well for a backstop. Scouts rave about his work ethic, which may allow him to get more out of his ability than one might expect.

2.16 Brewers – CF Levi Usher Usher, a Louisville outfielder, shows solid all-around skill. He shows extra base power and will likely be able to provide 10-15 home runs per year at the next level. He has premier range, good speed and a solid arm, which should allow him to stick in centerfield long term. Usher will likely carve out a career as a 4th outfielder if not more.

2.17 White Sox – SS Connor Simon Simon will likely max out as a slightly below average offensive player. He provides average bat to ball skills along with slightly below average power and a solid eye. However, he is potentially a plus base stealer due to good instincts and well above average speed. In addition, he grades out well on the infield and should stick as a well above average glove at shortstop.

2.18 Phillies – SP Tyler Fullman Fullman is believed to have a very strong commitment to Michigan. The team that takes him will have to believe highly in the upside which is there. He features three plus pitches including the potential for an elite slider. Adding this to above average control gives him the potential to be #2 or #3 starter. Signing him won’t be easy but the risk may be worth the reward.

2.19 Blue Jays – SP Kerry Wright Wright features a four above average to plus pitches that should help him remain in a major league rotation. However, his struggle to control those pitches might keep him at the back of a rotation. Wright’s future likely finds him as a #4 or 5 starter.

2.20 Rays – SS Ethan Murray As a shortstop, Murray shows good range and movement and flashes an above average arm which will allow him to stay at the position long term. Offensively, he struggles to make consistent contact but flashes above average gap power when he does to go along with solid plate discipline. Murray lacks elite upside but has a high floor as a potential utility infielder.

2.21 Indians – C Jacob Campbell Campbell is one of the better defensive catchers in the class showing an above average arm and plus all around catching ability. He struggles to make consistent contact but has the ability to provide power when he does. His coaches speak highly of his intelligence and ability to manage a pitching staff. Campbell’s upside is that of a starting caliber catcher but likely not on an elite level.

2.22 Cardinals – SP Jack Neely Neely was drafted in the second round by the Angels last year but failed to sign and stayed at Ohio State. He comes out again this year with, possibly, the best stuff in the class. Neely features an elite fastball and curveball combination and mixes in an above average changeup. His control is lacking and keeps him from being an elite prospect. If he can figure out his control issues, Neely could anchor a major league staff. If not, he still has the floor of a highly effective bullpen arm.

2.23 Nationals – SS Dorian Gonzalez Gonzalez is a glove first shortstop out of Miami. While only featuring average speed, he makes up for it with great instincts and range at the position to play it exceptionally well. This also lends to his base stealing and running abilities where he gets the most out of his limited speed. At the plate, he may never fully make a great impact. His bat to ball skills are below average and he doesn’t hit for much power. He may ultimately hit 1 or 2 homers a year at his peak, but he shows good plate discipline that could allow him to take advantage of his baserunning skills.

2.24 Indians – SS Kyler Fedko At 6-2, Fedko is a bigger shortstop. He shows solid range and a good arm that should allow him to stay at the position. He projects as a below average contact hitter with average extra base power and a solid eye. If Fedko ultimately has to move to third base as some think, his bat may not be enough to carry him.

2.25 Athletics – SP Spencer Schwellenbach Schwellenbach features three plus pitches in a fastball, curveball and changeup combination. That, along with average control, should make for a solid mid-rotation starter. He may also be a player that plays both ways to start his professional career. He has solid instincts as a second baseman and while he lacks power, he shows a well above average eye at the plate along with solid foot speed that could make him an interesting two-way prospect.

2.26 Angels – SP Gunnar Hoglund The big right-hander from Ole Miss lacks a truly elite pitch but features an above average fastball, curveball and slider combination. He also features a changeup that lags behind and is generally considered below average. He is able to control all his pitches well, which should allow him to progress through the minors into a mid to back-end rotation piece. Hoglund also shows good power at the dish but likely lacks the athleticism to find a spot on the diamond.

2.27 Yankees – SP Mitch Megias Megias is a high floor pitcher from Notre Dame. He features a plus fastball, elite curveball and slightly above average changeup. He will have to get more out of that third pitch to turn into a consistent rotation piece but his good control should make him a solid bullpen arm if that doesn’t work out.

2.28 Braves – SS Danny Serretti Serretti is considered an incredibly cerebral player. This has allowed him to turn into a good college shortstop and base stealer despite an overall lack of foot speed. Despite this intelligence, it’s possible that a lack of arm strength will push him to second at the next level. Among such players in this class, it may work out for Serretti due to his solid bat to ball skills, gap power and good plate discipline.

2.29 Yankees – SS Rob Gordon Gordon is one of the better defensive middle infielders in this class. He combines solid foot speed and instincts to play well at shortstop and there is no question he could handle second base at an elite level if he needed to move over. At the plate, his bat to ball skills are below average and he lacks true home run power but he does make the most of his contact with above average gap power.

2.30 Rockies – CF Sal Frelick Frelick is a fast runner, allowing him to cover ground in the outfield and perform as an above average centerfielder long-term. He shows solid contact ability and gap power but lacks in-game home run power. Frelick projects as a solid fourth outfielder or low-end starter at the next level.

2.31 Red Sox – SP Mitchell Stone Stone’s arsenal features three above average pitches but lacks a truly elite out pitch. He gets enough movement on his pitches to keep hitters off balance and flashes average control that should slot him into a role as a back-end starter. At 22, he is one of the oldest members of this draft class but also one of the more polished.

2.32 Dodgers – SP Eric Cerantola Originally from Ontario, Cerantola has spent the last three years pitching for Mississippi State. At 6-5, he’s an intimidating presence on the mound but doesn’t blow you away with his stuff. He does feature three above average pitches with solid movement and commands all of them well. He has the makings of a potential mid-rotation starter.

2.33 Mets – 3B Landon Jordan Back to back Bulldogs go off the board here. Jordan is a smooth fielding third baseman who shouldn’t have a problem at the position in the pros due to a plus arm and solid instincts. At the plate, he flashes solid gap power and could become a 10

home run per year hitter. He also shows solid plate discipline that should keep him on base to take advantage of his plus speed.

2.34 Twins – SP Jacob Maton Maton features a plus fastball, plus changeup and plus-plus slider and controls all three very well. Maton generates a lot of swing and misses but contact against him tends to be loud as his pitches lack consistent movement. Maton has the stuff and control to be a #2 or 3 but will need to keep the ball in the park to reach that potential.

2.35 Astros – 2B Tyler Black Black lacks a real standout skill. The Toronto native and Wright State second baseman is a solid defender with below average bat to ball skills and good plate discipline. Black may carve out a career as a utility player but is unlikely to become a regular.

2.36 Mets – 2B Hueston Morrill Morrill’s best chance to make the majors is as an ultra-utility player. He has played second base, shortstop and both corner outfield spots while at Oklahoma State and is capable at each. He flashes solid raw power but will need to make more contact to make it count.

Top: Kumar Rocker, Jack Neely, Mike Vasil

Bottom: Grant Richardson, Andrew Painter, Grant Taylor