:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46372308/usa-today-7969159.0.jpg)
In Keith Law's first iteration of his 2015 mock draft, he is in love with the shortstops. Of the first four overall picks, he projects three of them to be SS. Law notes in his opening paragraph that with three weeks before the draft, it's still incredibly hard to make any predictions with much certainty; but that being said, his guess is incredibly well informed.
The Shortstops
Swanson has been mentioned as a top pick in other mock drafts before, and at this point should be considered among the few players that comprise the group of frontrunners. In 220 at-bats, Swanson owns a slash line of .350/.439/.641, with 11 HRs and 13 SB's (out of 15 attempts).
While Law thinks the Diamondbacks could take Swanson number one overall, he writes that "I've heard from two independent sources that they have settled on their guy, but of course won't disclose it to anyone, not even the player in question."
With the number two pick in the draft, Law thinks the the Astros might go with LSU's shortstop, Alex Bregman. He has extremely similar offensively to Swanson, and would help fill out Houston's future infield. Barring something unforeseen, Bregman is blocked at the SS position by Carlos Correa, and would need to eventually switch to second, or third.
Law has the Rockies taking USCB pitcher Dillon Tate at three, but then projects HS shortstop Brendan Rodgers as number four. Rodgers is Law's "top player" in the draft, and has him falling to the Rangers. He's clearly one of the the drafts top talents, as Manuel had him ranked third overall.
What happened to the pitchers?
While no longer number one, Law still has Carson Fulmer as well as his teammate Walker Buehler in the top ten. The White Sox would love to take Fulmer at eighth, but Law points out that some are wondering if the D-Backs will take him "at a significant discount".
Law and Manuel agree that Buehler could wind up with Phillies, and is beginning to settle in around the tenth pick. Kolby Allard is a left-handed pitcher from HS, and medicals check out, the Twins are likely to select him.