:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32780097/20140415_mta_at5_057.JPG.0.jpg)
Major League Baseball's amateur draft isn't quite as ubiquitous as the NFL's, but it's still one of the most prominent ways for clubs to add significant talent that can make a contribution at the MLB level at some point in the next few seasons. Sometimes, there's a clear-cut number one guy like Bryce Harper or Stephen Strasburg. Other times, a guy like Mike Trout slips to the late 20s ... okay, there aren't any "guys like Mike Trout," but at this early stage in their baseball careers, it can be tough to tell who will pan out and who won't.
SBNation's Minor League Ball churns out fantastic draft coverage daily. Sickels & Co. will be ramping up their coverage as the draft nears, so be sure to drop by for some of the best prospect analysis coursing through the tubes of the Internet.
In honor of the NFL draft's first round picks, here's a look at how the MLB draft might unfold on June 5 with a little help from the experts.
1. Houston Astros: Brady Aiken, LHP, California
2014 MLB Draft Profile: Brady Aiken, LHP, California HS has a chance to be a top five pick. http://t.co/oFMIWFbzkU
— johnsickels (@MinorLeagueBall) March 31, 2014
2. Miami Marlins: Carlos Rodon, LHP, N.C. State
Carlos Rodon, who will be chosen among first picks of the draft, threw a lot of pitches in his last outing. Again.http://t.co/ZZO2SzMMzQ
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) April 28, 2014
3. Chicago White Sox: Alex Jackson, C/3B/OF, California HS
New draft blog post for Insiders - thoughts on SoCal prep catcher Alex Jackson, and on the first five overall picks:http://t.co/mvUCXwkQLp
— keithlaw (@keithlaw) March 18, 2014
4. Chicago Cubs: Tyler Kolek, RHP, Texas HS
You know what the gross thing is when you watch Tyler Kolek sit 97-98? Know that he is "taking it easy" when doing so. #caliente
— Driveline Baseball (@drivelinebases) May 9, 2014
5. Minnesota Twins: Brad Zimmer, OF, San Francisco
If there's a better present hit tool in the 2014 #MLBDraft than that of Brad Zimmer, I haven't seen it yet.
— Todd Gold (@TGold_PG) April 5, 2014
6. Seattle Mariners: Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina University
hard-throwing rhp jeff hoffman wont be top-4 pick after TJ surgery but mid-1st round possiblehttp://t.co/BAkPNCojIu
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) May 9, 2014
7. Philadelphia Phillies: Nick Gordon, SS, Florida HS
@FSU_Baseball commit Nick Gordon is No. 7 on the new @MLBDraft Top 100 list: http://t.co/ldJDkWP7o1
— MLB Draft (@MLBDraft) April 29, 2014
8. Colorado Rockies: Kyle Freeland, LHP, Evansville
How about elite LHP Kyle Freeland for @UEBaseball? Struck out 15, no walks, and allowed 1 R (not earned) in 8 IP in W over Shocks #mlbdraft
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogersPG) April 12, 2014
9. Toronto Blue Jays: Erick Fedde, RHP, UNLV
Baseball America's 1st mock draft is out. #Rockies take UNLV RHP Erick Fedde at No. 8: http://t.co/RBcjecLyz9
— Purple Row (@PurpleRow) May 8, 2014
10. New York Mets: Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt
Posted a long, low angle video of Tyler Beede from last night http://t.co/BGdZD09pev
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) May 9, 2014
11. Toronto Blue Jays: Trea Turner, SS, N.C. State
Trea Turner [@NCStateBaseball] hit .818 with an .867 OBP and is the #ACC Player of the Week:http://t.co/tXMB7mrZCd pic.twitter.com/JvCow18Zkk
— ACC Baseball (@ACCBaseball) May 5, 2014
12. Milwaukee Brewers: Aaron Nola, RHP, LSU
Aaron Nola owns bones. Look at 'em. He's got all these bones in a pile over there by the mound. Dozens of bones.
— Michael Baumann (@MJ_Baumann) April 18, 2014
13. San Diego Padres: Luke Weaver, RHP, Florida State University
@BaseballAmerica released 2014 Draft Top 50: @FSU_Baseball's Luke Weaver ranks No. 32 with a solid MLB comparison http://t.co/c6EFPEPkIW
— FSU Baseball (@FSU_Baseball) October 17, 2013
14. San Francisco Giants: Michael Conforto, OF, Oregon State
This week's college draft prospect stat roundup features strong performances from Michael Conforto.http://t.co/YrTJtFDQtN
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) May 6, 2014
15. Los Angeles Angels: Max Pentecost, C, Kennesaw State
.@MLBDraft notes: @jimcallisMLB says @KSUOwlsBaseball's Max Pentecost is the best true catcher in the 2014 class: http://t.co/xpWK4CVOTi
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 18, 2014
16. Arizona Diamondbacks: Brandon Finnegan, LHP, Texas Christian University
12 more videos uploaded to #MLBDraft Video Library at @BaseballPro: http://t.co/1WAUdI6CZ5 Today's feature is Brandon Finnegan (lhp, #TCU).
— Nick J. Faleris (@NickJFaleris) May 9, 2014
17. Kansas City Royals: Jacob Gatewood, SS, California HS
2014 MLB Draft Profile: Jacob Gatewood, SS/3B, Clovis, CA High School by @mattgarrioch http://t.co/iYPqvSobXS
— johnsickels (@MinorLeagueBall) December 9, 2013
18. Washington Nationals: Grant Holmes, RHP, South Carolina HS
Grant Holmes. pic.twitter.com/mOsN2ggUXX
— Hudson Belinsky (@hudsonbelinsky) July 31, 2013
19. Cincinnati Reds: Sean Reid-Foley, RHP, Florida HS
TrackMan @PerfectGameUSA ldrs from 5 fields. Sean Reid-Foley highest velo-94.7 mph. Toussaint has top curve spin. http://t.co/7nw2KAyu0F
— Josh Orenstein (@JoshOrensteinTM) October 25, 2013
20. Tampa Bay Rays: Kyle Schwarber, C/1B, Indiana University
Kyle Schwarber reached base three times, scored twice and stole second - http://t.co/n5FAp4V57T #iubase
— Indiana Baseball (@IUBaseballNews) May 4, 2014
21. Cleveland Indians: Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia
First @BaseballAmerica mock #mlbdraft: Cedar Crest #UVA OF Derek Fisher @DeFish23 going no. 31 overall to#Indians http://t.co/mTsHEZwpYe
— Jason Bristol (@JasonBristol) May 8, 2014
22. Los Angeles Dodgers: Luis Ortiz, RHP, California HS
2014 MLB Draft Profile: Luis Ortiz, RHP, Fresno, CA High School. Advanced arsenal, durable build. #mlbdrafthttp://t.co/e7yR8WDCaL
— Matt Garrioch (@mattgarrioch) April 7, 2014
23. Detroit Tigers: Touki Toussaint, RHP, Florida HS
Touki's time: Toussaint, Coral Springs Christian head to #NHSI14 quarterfinals http://t.co/y3bFYRHa1j via @MikeP_NHSI pic.twitter.com/R9ILP56KVp
— USABaseball (@USABaseball) March 27, 2014
24. Pittsburgh Pirates: Jacob Bukauskas, Virginia HS
Virginia HS RHP Jacob Bukauskas emailed scouts to ask them not to draft him. He plans to fulfill his UNC pledge.http://t.co/qFgKUAUW69
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) May 7, 2014
25. Oakland Athletics: Braxton Davidson, 1B, North Carolina HS
Braxton Davidson (of, TC Roberson (NC)) currently featured video at the free @BaseballPro #MLBDraft Video Library: http://t.co/4Dx7pofZA3
— Nick J. Faleris (@NickJFaleris) August 16, 2013
26. Boston Red Sox: Michael Gettys, OF, Georgia HS
After slow start, Gainesville CF-P Michael Gettys is playing his way into ALL-USA consideration:http://t.co/7LYaAs9KnN
— Jim Halley (@jimhalley) April 10, 2014
27. St. Louis Cardinals: Michael Chavis, 3B, Georgia HS
Posted new video on Michael Chavis http://t.co/6wNj4e9OAi Have a lot of thoughts on him I'll post soon but go watch & tell me what you see.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) April 11, 2014