A new board means a new mock draft and here we are.
This mock comes with some intel. It's about that time of year...
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following rankings and evaluations by FSS PLUS are based on subjective analysis and industry sources, and do not influence, are not influenced by, or are affiliated with the opinions and reports of Future Stars Series scouting and development staff.
1. Cleveland Guardians
Chase Burns, RHP -- Wake Forest
HOMETOWN: Gallatin, TN
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 215
BAT/THROW: R-R
It's haircut season, ladies and gentlemen. Deals are the narrative surrounding this pick and rumors floating around the industry seem to change on a weekly basis. For much of the season Bazzana has been that guy. Three weeks ago it was Nick Kurtz on a deal. A week ago rumors of James Tibbs III on a massive under-slot was en vogue. This week there seems to be chatter surrounding Chase Burns in this spot on the cheap(ish).
The Charlie Condon option also looms, but many of those listed are represented by agents who are not well-known for cutting deals. At least not as precedents suggest. Burns and Condon are both represented by the same agency. From this chair, it'll come down to the player inside the top three or four on the board that meets Cleveland at their number. A number that will likely fall in the $9.5-$10 million range. For this mock, that'll be Burns. And there's some real chatter there.
2. Cincinnati Reds
Charlie Condon, OF -- Georgia
HOMETOWN: Marietta, GA
HEIGHT: 6-6
WEIGHT: 218
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
Assuming Burns goes No. 1 overall, it'd be hard to imagine both Condon and Bazzana slipping past the No. 2 pick to Cincinnati. That's by no means a guarantee, but for much of the spring they've separated themselves a half-tier above the rest of the field. Again, money comes into play this high in the draft.
With Burns and Condon both being represented by the same agency, they could leverage the situation and swing deals for both players at 1 and 2 ensuring the greatest return possible.
Unlike the Guardians, the Reds do not have a Competitive Balance A selection in this draft. They could choose to get creative with their money to pull down a high-profile prep to pick 51 or 71. Would Caglianone take $9 million to go No. 2 overall saving the Reds $700k to play with later in the draft? Is the value difference between Condon/Bazzana and Caglianone worth the $700k in savings? As mentioned on Over-Slot, the Reds have a thing for prospects out of Florida.
And how about Montgomery? Would he accept $8.7 million to go No. 2 overall saving the Reds $1 million in their bonus pool? Hard to know at this early stage.
For the sake of this mock draft, the Reds end up with the top-ranked prospect on the FSS Plus Top 400 Board and skate away happily paying full slot.
3. Colorado Rockies
Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP -- Florida
HOMETOWN: Tampa, FL
HEIGHT: 6-5
WEIGHT: 210
BAT/THROW: L-L
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
The Rockies lay in wait-and-see mode here. Colorado does seem to like Griffin quite a bit, and he could be an intriguing option at 3, especially if the organization believes he has the chance to play shortstop at the next level. Bazzana being available at 3 is a bit of a surprise, and a positive one considering the state of their outfield-rich farm system. Colorado also seems rather enamored by Montgomery, but given the glut of outfield prospects making their way through the farm in Colorado, it may behoove the Rockies to supplement elsewhere.
It's hard to argue with the numbers Caglianone has put up this season. He is an aggressive hitter and strikeouts may eventually materialize in his game at the pro level. To this point, he's shown borderline elite bat-to-ball skills and picturing 500-foot homers leaving Coors Field would surely invigorate a fan base looking for more narratives to get behind.
Colorado has gone heavy on the pitching front in recent drafts and Burns and Smith are two arms with generational pedigrees not getting enough attention after that narrative was beaten to death by Paul Skenes in 2023. They're both potential frontline starters with ace upside.
