With the draft lottery in the rear-view mirror and the draft order now set in stone, we can begin looking forward toward the actual picks themselves next July.
As a refresher, last year I created a model that tries to accurately predict what specific players possess the traits and qualities a specific team looks for in any given draft. It takes into account the Top 100 picks from the last three drafts and puts weights on specific tools each team drafts toward.
The model takes into account batted-ball data, swing decisions and positional tools for position players. On the mound, it weighs pitch types, spin, velocity and pitch movement profiles, as well as release traits for any given player drafted in the Top 100 picks. By using the last three years as a sample, the goal is to draw conclusions toward what types of players teams prefer to take with their most valuable selections. The model is messy, no doubt. But it does a pretty good job at wrangling in what teams value, and why they select the players they do.
I'll spare you the finite details of trait-weighting and skip to the good stuff. This first model-driven mock draft is no different. We'll attempt to connect players to teams based on previous selections by those organizations.
At times, we will call an audible based on new hires at the top of those team's scouting departments. Attaching any team to any specific player at this junction is the epitome of futility. But here we are.
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.
