2013 Draft Preview

With the draft starting late this afternoon, without any further ado I present the 2013 Top 10 Draft Preview:

1) Bryce Harper- Mackinaw

These number one picks have become pretty easy with Heyward in 2011, Trout last year, and now Harper. Nothing to note here other than Harper was a teenager in the MLB All-Star Game. Moving on...

 2) Manny Machado- Bowling Green

 The Bowlers had a miserable 2012 season and the rebuilding starts now for this team. Young top-prospect Manny Machado converted to third base in MLB for the Orioles and whether he stays there or moves back to his natural position shortstop, he will be a coveted asset for Bowling Green. Third base is barren, not one player on the current roster plays third, while shortstop is filled by the long-time Bowler Derek Jeter who is nearing the end of his career. Machado didn't light up MLB in his debut but played solid enough to show he should have a long career ahead of him.

 3) Yoenis Cespedes- Brighton

 Brighton has recently solidified their starting five in the rotation so with an outfield spot open the Cuban defector Cespedes is the pick here. He can slot right in alongside Alex Gordon and Dexter Fowler while pushing Chris Young to a defensive replacement/4th outfielder role. Brighton will have another great team this year and trading up to grab this pick solidifies their team and could make them favorites in the Lennu Harris League this year.

 4) Yu Darvish- Kansas City

 Kansas City is in desperate need of a top-of-the rotation arm and if Darvish falls to four there is no reason the Bombers would not snatch him up. That is unless they prefer the lefty Matt Moore. Darvish made an excellent transition from Japan to the MLB and I would expect him to follow up with a great TBA season as well. The righty is only 26 years old and immediately would become a fixture as the ace of this team.

 5) Matt Moore- Spokane

 And this is where I predict my predictions to fall apart... I feel confident in my first four choices but after that anyone could go anywhere... So take these with a grain of salt. Matt Moore just missed out on qualifying for last years draft and now with a full season under his belt we have a better idea of his performance. And he is still worthy of a top draft pick. Moore survived a rough half of the year and excelled in the second, leaving owners drooling over the possibility of his second half stats over a full season. Moore can team up with RA Dickey, Jason Vargas, Blake Beaven, and Chad Billingsley for a formidable rotation and a potential playoff push this season.

 6) Andrelton Simmons, Evanston

 Evanston is in rebuilding mode and what better way to do so than by adding a defensive stud up the middle. Simmons already is being touted as the best defensive shortstop in MLB (apologies to Brendan Ryan) and if he can hit even just a little then he will be a valuable if not outstanding player. Simmons' season was stalled by injuries throughout the season but once he came up he entrenched himself as the starter in Atlanta. The Wildcats would serve well to add Simmons if Spokane doesn't snatch him up first.

 7) Matt Harvey, Nassau

 The G-Men have done a great job at rebuilding this team but are still a few pieces away. This team has collected a number of young pitchers in Homer Bailey, Zach Britton, and Daniel Hudson but so many talented young pitchers left on the board at this spot I believe they add to their collection. Jarrod Parker, Harvey, Jacob Turner, and AJ Griffin are the top names left and I feel they make the move to add Harvey here. Parker may be the one with a full season under his belt but Harvey looks like he will start the year in the big leagues and if his short stint in the majors was any indication he is a top-of-the line arm that will look good playing in Nassau County next year.

 8) Kris Medlen, Brighton

 Brighton is the first team to make their second selection of the draft here at number 8. They could go one of two ways here. Kris Medlen (if someone does not trade up to sneak of Brighton and take him) or Will Middlebrooks. Medlen obviously had a fantastic season and with Cespedes would push the Bearcats closer to their second title. Middlebrooks would be the third baseman-in-training until Miguel Cabrera is moved back to first base. As you can see, I have them eventually going with Medlen as the chance for a second title is just too great to pass up. If Medlen is gone then Middlebrooks it is.

 9) Jarrod Parker, Seattle

 The Thunderbirds are another case where I see them going one way or the other. As much as I wanted to put catcher Yasmasni Grandal here I couldn't as the chance to add a top pitcher was too much. The rookie Parker was a huge reason why Oakland charged to the playoffs and he could help Seattle make an attempt of their own. At only 24 years of age, Parker should be around for a long time and could help establish the Thunderbirds in their new home.

 10) Zack Cozart, London

 Everyone knows how the Badgers operate: pitching, pitching, and then some more pitching for good measure. The theme has not changed this year with a starting staff of David Price, Madison Bumgarner, Jordan Zimmermann, Josh Johnson, and Dan Haren. Although Haren and Johnson are not as strong this year as in the past, they will be aided by pre-season Rookie of the Year favorite Mike Trout, Aramis Ramirez, and Yadier Molina. What they are missing is in the middle infield. Shortstop should be the pick here (insert obligatory Yuni Betancourt joke here) as future defensive stalwart Zack Cozart is on the board. Cozart is light offensively but can put home double digit home run numbers and will provide good defense to help lift London's playoff aspirations this year.

11) Will Middlebrooks, Claysburg

Middlebrooks is the best position player left on the board and will provide a solid third base alternative to Chris Johnson. Middlebrooks looks like a good future defensive player and his 15 home runs in a half season show he can hit as well.

12) Yasmani Grandal, Evanston

Josh Thole is the lone catcher on the Wildcats roster so they sure could use an upgrade. Despite a PED suspension, Grandal profiles as an excellent bat behind the plate and excelled in limited time last year. He could be the catching answer Evanston has been looking for.

13) Adam Eaton, Claysburg

This may seem like a stretch but Claysburg sorely needs outfield prospects and Eaton is the best on the board. The 22 year old put up solid numbers in his brief debut and has put up excellent minor league numbers at every stop. Claysburg may be able to trade down a couple spots and grab him, as well as another pick, but Eaton should be high on their radar wherever their second pick is.

14) AJ Griffin, Kansas City

Even with the Darvish pick earlier, one can never have enough pitching. Griffin showed he can throw in his 15 MLB starts this season and should have a good future ahead of him.

15) Jacob Turner, Evanston

Yes they already have a number of young arms but a theme of this preview seems to be you can never have enough pitching and it applies right here. Turner should have a rotation spot so he finally has a chance to prove himself in a full season.

16) Ryan Cook, London

London has a chance to push for a title this year and Cook can help anchor this bullpen.

17) Brandon Moss, Washington

Moss has a fantastic short-season card and could help at both first base and in the corner outfield positions. Almost a perfect fit with the team playing in Coors Field.

18) Tyler Skaggs, Bowling Green

Skaggs is a 21-year old top prospect lefty who has excelled at every stop in the minor leagues. Just got a taste of the majors this year but he would immediately become one of Bowling Green's top prospects if they can add him.

19) Jean Segura, Seattle

Right now Brendan Ryan is the only shortstop on the roster, Segura will give them some youth at the position and hopefully he can turn into the long term answer for them.

20) Norichika Aoki, Kansas City

Finishing out the first round of the draft Kansas City could end it the same way they began, with a Japanese import. This time they go for the outfielder Aoki who could provide depth at all three outfield positions and a strong bat.

Only a few hours to go until the draft opens but here's an idea of how it could shake out.