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There are now just 16 teams left in the field of play, and are all set for the Super Regionals to begin. The first round was double-elimination, but is now just a three-game series, with the winner moving on to Omaha. According to Baseball America's latest mock draft, there are still 12 prospects of the top 100 that are left in the tournament. There's been a lot of movement on the board since their previous mock draft, and that expects to continue until the picks are turned in.
Dansby Swanson (Baseball America rank: 1st overall, Vanderbilt)
Swanson has been mentioned here before, so this ranking doesn't come as a shock. According to John Manuel and his sources, Arizona has "whittled its list down to three players in the last week: Vanderbilt shortstop Dansby Swanson, Illinois lefthander Tyler Jay and George prep catcher Tyler Stephenson". While Swanson may be the favorite at this point, Manuel points out that he's "hearing persistent talk [that] the D-Backs prefer a college starter", which would likely be Jay.
In 10 AB's in the regionals, Swanson hit .300 with three RBI and four walks to two strikeouts. Vanderbilt won all three games it played in the first round, and is now set to matchup against Illinois in a series that should prove to be fantastic all the way around.
When and where to watch: Game 1 is June 6th at 8:00pm on ESPN U, and Game 2 is June 7th at 9:00pm on TruTV. The potential third game does not yet have a start time or channel.
*All times shown are EST
Alex Bregman (2nd, LSU)
Bregman has taken the largest jump of this group, and has moved up from 7th in Baseball America's third mock draft. The Astros "continue to be connected to college bats" and if Swanson does go No. 1 overall, they'd likely take the LSU shortstop. Bregman had a rough three game stretch in the regionals, as he was just 1-8 with one run scored and no RBI. It's an extremely small sample size of course, and clearly hasn't affected his draft stock.
LSU will be hosting the third ranked Louisiana Lafayette for their super regional.
When and where to watch: Game 1 is June 6th at 8:00pm on ESPN 2, and Game 2 is June 7th at 6:00pm on ESPN U. The potential third game does not yet have a start time or channel.
Tyler Jay (3rd, Illinois)
Jay was ranked first overall by Baseball America in their previous mock, but has since fallen two spots to Colorado. He could still wind up going to the D-Backs as their name keeps coming up in connection to college starters. In his only appearance in the regionals, Jay pitched four innings of shutout baseball, and allowed just one hit while striking out five. Illinois is set to host Vanderbilt for a three-game series.
When and where to watch: Game 1 is June 6th at 8:00pm on ESPN U, and Game 2 is June 7th at 9:00pm on TruTV. The potential third game does not yet have a start time or channel.
Carson Fulmer (7th, Vanderbilt)
Fulmer moved up in the latest mock draft, albeit just one spot. Fulmer had a great outing in game one of the regionals against Lipscomb, striking out 11 batters in seven innings and allowing just one run. Manuel notes that Fulmer seems to be the hardest player to place in the top ten. "Boston is said to be mulling three to four candidates, inclduing Bregman and Cameron (both gone in this mock) as well as Vanderbilt ace Carson Fulmer and Arkansas outfielder Andrew Benintendi.
Fulmer to the Red Sox makes a lot of sense as their current big league pitchers aren't doing so well, and he's rated as one of the most MLB ready prospects in the draft.
When and where to watch: Game 1 is June 6th at 8:00pm on ESPN U, and Game 2 is June 7th at 9:00pm on TruTV. The potential third game does not yet have a start time or channel.
Andrew Benintendi (11th, Arkansas)
The Arkansas outfielder and Ohio product may wind up being selected by his hometown Reds. He's the overall hit leader for all high school players in the state of Ohio, but Cincinnati may choose to go with college pitcher at this slot if there's one available worth taking. Benintendi had two great games in the regional, but his 0-4 in the final game brought his batting average down to .272 in the series.
Arkansas is set to play against Missouri State in their Super Regional, which will be played in Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.
When and where to watch: Game 1 is June 5th at 4:30pm on ESPN 2, and Game 2 is June 6th at 2:00pm on ESPN 2. The potential third game does not yet have a start time or channel.
Jon Harris (15th, Missouri State)
The Missouri State ace will match up against Benintendi at least a couple times in their upcoming series, and should be a great matchup. The Brewers were connected to Kyle Funkhouser in earlier mock drafts, but after two sub-par outings, Harris seems like a better pick. He has a high-floor, and if still available this late in the draft will likely be taken.
In his game against Canisius, Harris threw eight innings while striking out eight, and giving up just one earned run. Despite a great outing, he fell six spots from ninth overall, but is likely a reflection of what other teams are looking for, rather than a problem with Harris.
When and where to watch: Game 1 is June 5th at 4:30pm on ESPN 2, and Game 2 is June 6th at 2:00pm on ESPN 2. The potential third game does not yet have a start time or channel.
Walker Buehler (20th, Vanderbilt)
The final Vanderbilt player on this list has seen his stock drop dramatically since these lists started coming out. After a poor showing in the SEC, Buehler has dropped out of the top ten and is now projected to fall to 20th overall to the Athletics. He did pitch well against Radford however, throwing five innings and racking up seven strikeouts. Buehler likely would have pitched longer, as he had just 60 pitches when he was removed, but Vanderbilt had already scored 20 runs, and it simply didn't make sense to keep him out there.
When and where to watch: Game 1 is June 6th at 8:00pm on ESPN U, and Game 2 is June 7th at 9:00pm on TruTV. The potential third game does not yet have a start time or channel.
Kyle Funkhouser (23rd, Louisville)
Funkhouser is in a "relative free-fall", as he was once ranked as high as fourth overall. Despite two sup-bar outings in a row (in front of countless scouts no less), he did pitch well in game one of the regionals against Morehead state. In seven innings, Funkhouser struck out six batters while giving up just two runs. He's going to need another strong start against CSU Fullerton to help increase his stock.
When and where to watch: Game 1 is June 6th at 11:00am on ESPN 2, and Game 2 is June 7th at 12:00pm on ESPN 2. The potential third game does not yet have a start time or channel.
DJ Stewart (25th, FSU)
At this point in the draft, it's anyone's guess as to where the players are truly going to wind up. One team making a surprise pick, reaching for a player, or going for the bargain have the potential to throw everything out of whack. At 25th, Stewart is projected to be picked by the Baltimore Orioles, as they're high on college performers. In 10 at-bats during the regionals, Stewart hit .400 with 3 RBI and two runs scored. FSU is set to take on in-state rival Florida in their three-game series.
When and where to watch: Game 1 is June 5th at 7:30pm on ESPN 2, and Game 2 is June 6th at 3:00pm on ESPN 2. The potential third game does not yet have a start time or channel.
Richie Martin (29th, Florida)
In another matchup of potential first round picks, Martin will square off against Stewart and FSU starting June 5th. Martin projects as a high-floor shortstop, and is a target for the Toronto Blue Jays. He's also been tied to the Orioles with the 25th overall pick. Martin hit .300 in ten at-bats during regional play
When and where to watch: Game 1 is June 5th at 7:30pm on ESPN 2, and Game 2 is June 6th at 3:00pm on ESPN 2. The potential third game does not yet have a start time or channel.
Nathan Kirby (36th, Virginia)
Due to a lat-strain, Kirby didn't pitch at all during the regionals, but has enough of a track record to stay within the top 36 picks. His injury isn't a long-term concern, and shouldn't affect how teams view his potential. Kirby may pitch in the super regionals, but won't be announced until right before the game.
When and where to watch: Game 1 is June 5th at 4:00pm on ESPN U, and Game 2 is June 6th at 3:00pm on ESPN U. The potential third game does not yet have a start time or channel.
Joe McCarthy (46th, Virginia)
McCarthy is the only player on this list who hasn't changed position merely because he hasn't been ranked high enough to crack the compensation picks. In Keith Law's latest mock, McCarthy was ranked 42nd, so not much has changed if you compare the two sources. He hit .333 in the regionals, and smacked a two-run homer in one of the games.
When and where to watch: Game 1 is June 5th at 4:00pm on ESPN U, and Game 2 is June 6th at 3:00pm on ESPN U. The potential third game does not yet have a start time or channel.