Nikc Cafardo's 4-Round Mock Draft

Nikc Cafardo

Welcome to my 2.0 mock draft, this time with 4 rounds and 31 overall picks. As we get closer to the draft, the order is becoming more and more clear, as well as teams' draft strategy. Although some stay quiet, some have had plenty of info leaked.

1.1 Cubs: Todd Bonzalez P

There's already a change from the mock draft I posted 2 days ago. Bonzalez is not a well known name at all. If the Cubs picked Bonzalez they probably would get criticized, considering he would not likely be picked for a few rounds otherwise. Nonetheless, the Cubs have noted interest in getting a pitcher first over a hittere. They are reportedly very interested in the Nebraskan pitcher if they do not sign a veteran free agent pitcher beforehand, and considering it looks unlikely that Daniel Collins signs there, it now looks like a real possibility Bonzalez could be a surprise pick early.

1.2 Mets: Dart Ragusa 1B/3B

Ragusa's stock hasn't gone up much since his first days in the discord, but it hasn't gone down either. Sources tell me the Mets have been interested in Ragusa for the past month. Not the mention that Ragusa is a Mets fan and has expressed interest in playing for them. And oh yeah, he plays under GM Caleb Athen in college baseball.

1.3 Marlins: Demetrious Ooga 3B/2B

This pick doesn't change at all from the 1st mock. There were rumors that the Marlins were scouting Ooga heavily before, but since then it's been all but confirmed my Lane Drew himself. (Yesterday he was caught whispering "OOga is going to be my 3B I hope" to another member in his front office by the clubhouse.) Ooga has struggled at the plate in college baseball, but the Marlins released a statement that they don't consider that all too important.

1.4 Royals: Rich Mahogany CF/LF

Zack Andersen was an outfielder himself, so he may look for someone that plays like him to build around. I had the Royals taking speedster Donnie Draper in my last mock, and I think they still will have interest in him, but with Mahogany falling this time I don't think Kansas will pass him up.

1.5 Yankees: Charles Magnus P

Magnus seems like the obvious choice here for the Yankees. As said in the last mock, she's Tequila Sunrise's former teammate, one of the consensus top pitchers to build around, and also has a connection through NPR, something that the Yankees will reportedly be looking closely at.

2.1 Athletics (from NYY): Jocko Jones 2B/RF

There are some inflicting messages about who this selection belongs to, but for now it seems to be Oakland. It was recently reported that the Athletics were keeping a close eye on Ooga, but because he is gone they will have to settle for someone with a similar profile. One other discord active 2nd baseman with a basic neutral batting style is Jocko Jones, so he seems like the perfect fit. The Athletics have a small roster, so they could look to trade down, but for now they settle with Jones.

2.2 Indians (traded from Royals): Donnie Draper SS/2B

I'm predicting a trade to happen here. The Indians have been reportedly aggressive in their pursuit of trading up into the 2nd round, and Kian Davies reported yesterday that the Royals have been talking with them. The Indians will get this selection for their 3rd round pick (via Yankees) and an active player. The Indians are reportedly in the hunt for several big name free agents, including Daniel Collins and Einhorn, and they also re-signed Foxconn, so I don't think they target pitchers here. Sources tell me they are looking for up-the-middle position in the draft, which makes Donnie Draper, one of the top shortstops, a great fit.

2.3 Marlins: Valeria Lisova P

With the Marlins taking an infielder in the 1st and Lane Drew announcing he would play shortstop, I think the Marlins look towards the other side of the ball here. Lisova is expected to be one of the top pitchers off the board, thanks to his (, her, etc.?) reddit and discord activity. There were some questions brought up about Lisova's clubhouse presence, but those are always tough to believe. Lane had always had top pitchers in his playing days with the Blue Jays, so I can't imagine him waiting much longer.

2.4 Mets: Basebally McBaseballface P

The Mets have already taken Ragusa in the 1st, and they are reportedly in on free agent Chuck McCluster. That should make their infield good enough to focus on pitching now, and an expansion team like the Mets may be looking for veterans. McBaseballface just recently announced his intention to enter the draft. The interesting thing about him isn't necessarily his great performance at the plate or how he only says Baseball, it's probably that he is a knuckleballer. R.A. Dickey worked out for the Mets, right?

2.5 Cubs: Slapshot Brady CF/LF

I don't know how much everybody else has noticed, but Bear Thomas sure seems to like his college baseball team. Based on the way he's been talking about their clubhouse, I can't say I'd be shocked if he took 2 Cornhuskers early. Slapshot Brady doesn't have a ton of experience at the plate yet, but seems to fit in the 2nd round.

2.6 Rockies: Harry Peritestes 3B/LF

I can't say for sure that Jack Alpha will carry on the old Rockies tradition of only drafting players with names that relate to male genitalia, but either way Peritestes seems like a solid pick here. At the very least some Rockies players have publicly rallied for the idea of draftin Peritestes. Just recently the Hofstra player's stock has been on the rise, and his extra base focus should fit quite nicely in Coors.

2.7 Padres: Tara Dactyl P

This pick stays the same from last time. Although the Padres front office has stayed very quiet about their draft plans, every mock draft so far has noted they have a huge need for pitching. They did not draft a pitcher early in Season 2, and it hurt them that season. I don't think they wait long here, especially with Dactyl falling further than expected, scopolamine or not.

2.8 Astros: Michael Ikenberry C

The Astros are reportedly running with a small roster, so I expect them to jump on a catcher should one fall. Once again, it's not much of a deep class at the position, but Ikenberry stands out. His extra base focus approach doesn't fit the Astros style, but they could definitely use more variety.

2.9 Blue Jays: Josh Gordon CF/RF

The Blue Jays were reportedly interested in Jocko Jones, a 2B/RF, but he was already taken. They are also reportedly in talks with Dominus Nominus, a LF/RF, but it looks unlikely that he sign there. The Blue Jays certainly seem to be looking for overly-confident right fielders, and Josh Gordon is the next one to go. The speedster could fill in quite nicely with the AL champions.

2.10 Phillies: Mattress Cadaire 2B/SS

As Kian Davies mentioned in his latest mock draft, the Phillies are looking into infielders to acquire in the offseason, both veterans and prospects. If they cannot sign Chuck McCluster, they likely select one of many possible infielders in the 2nd round. Cadaire fits well with the Phillies, his pre-draft performance has been top notch, and he is one of the top prospects on twitter, somewhere the Phillies organization puts plenty of stock in.

2.11 Diamondbacks: Lloyd Gross 1B/3B

Although DBacks scouts did not note him as a top target when I recently talked to them, they did mention that the DBacks are looking at left handed hitters. There were also earlier reports that they are targeting 3rd basemen in free agency. With Gross falling down to this spot, I would be surprised if he wasn't selected.

3.1 Cubs: Jimjon Jonjim 1B/3B

At this point I cannot see the Cubs drafting yet another Cornhusker, but with Dove available you never know. They already got a pitcher and outfielder in this mock draft, so that's why I projected catcher Jimjon Jonjim to them here. His work the count approach from the left side of the plate is a nice contrast from Slapshot Brady.

3.2 Mets: Reimer Gonzalez SS/CF

The Mets didn't cover any of the up the middle positions that aren't as deep yet, so they should probably jump on the active Gonzalez here. He recently broke his cold streak with a home run, so any teams that were concerned with his lack of production should see him as an on-the-rise prospect.

3.3 Marlins: Goldie Jones 2B/RF

Goldie Jones has flown under the radar so far through the draft process, but it's unlikely that he slips too far down the draft. Marlins GM Lane Drew reportedly had connections with Goldie Jones from before entering the draft, and he fits Drew's preferred style of player. Another 2nd baseman for the Marlins, but they can always move Ooga to 3rd.

3.4 Royals: Carlos Brownson C/1B

The Royals have 3 of the next 4 picks, and I expect them to try and knock out the most important positions left. Brownson is easily the most active catcher still on the board, so the Royals will take advantage of this opportunity by snatching him up. One more important part that leads him to Kansas: In his pre-draft interview with me, he mentioned he would like to play more with Mahogany, who was selected by the Royals in the 1st in this mock.

3.5 Royals (traded from CLE) Hayden McCloud P

After knocking out the catcher position, the Royals will look to take a pitcher, McCloud has been a quick riser up most boards from what I've heard, and can step in right away to be the ace of this expansion team. His focus on producing weak contact should make him a target for many teams in pitcher's parks if he doesn't end up in Kansas.

4.1 Yankees: Jericho Caulfield 2B/RF

The Yankees finally get a chance to add their first newcomer, and they still get early round value. Caulfield falls in this mock because of his common position and batter type, but he won't fall forever. Tequila Sunrise is reportedly seeking players from NPR, and Caulfield is one of them.

4.2 Royals: Erin Pickles 2B/SS

After taking an outfielder, a catcher, and a pitcher, the Royals will have to look towards the infield here. Going here might be a disappointment based on where she was projected in my 1st mock draft, but either way she will be one of the centerpieces of the Royals new deep roster.

4.3 Marlins: Donked McToad 3B/2B

Here's a name you probably haven't heard in awhile. Lane Drew and Donked have had connections in the past, so although he hasn't been as relevant since being traded to the Diamondbacks, I still think he could fill a position for Miami. Donked struggled as a pitcher, so maybe the Marlins see him being a great hitter at this new position when he heads back to Florida. Maybe there is a problem with the influx of 2nd basemen and 3rd basemen this early, but if it works it works.

4.4 Mets: Alvin Lockheart P

The Mets are the first team to take 2 pitchers. It's risky, but it quickly became clear that the pitchers available were easily the better prospects. It's a deep class so you should expect GMs-turned-players as valuable as Lockheart to slide a bit. The Mets will be able to use relievers often and make sure no pitcher has to Threefinger it.

4.5 Cubs: Coco Watanabe C

The 80 grade name catcher fills a big hole the Cubs left open here in the 4th. His stock has been on the rise and looks like one of the top catchers. I could see the Tigers attempting to trade up to snag him, but for now the Cubs will happily take Watanabe to catch Bonzalez's pitches.

4.6 Athletics (traded from Padres): Boof Boog 2B/3B

There were rumors that the A's were looking at moving up into the middle rounds, and I think the Padres may be willing to move back after taking the pitcher they wanted. After taking Jocko Jones in the 2nd, the A's still need a 3rd baseman. I mean any 3rd baseman. Considering they are going with a small roster, they will likely go for someone who is trustworthy to respond, like the experienced Boog. Not many expect to see a star blossom with Boog, but he should be selected early.

4.7 Phillies: Mongy Whumpus C

The Phillies don't have a huge need a catcher, and it's still not clear what Whumpus' secondary is (he only recently converted from pitcher to catcher), but he seems like solid value here in the late 4th round. Although it's hard to tell if the name "Mongy Whumpus" is truly good or bad, somebody will be saying it on draft day.

4.8 Astros: Owen Thirlwell 2B/SS

The Astros were able to get the catcher they wanted earlier in this mock, but it doesn't fill the hole left by Bear Thomas leaving. Thirlwell has definitely flown under the radar. He is a quick swinger, usually on discord when you need him to be, and also has a reddit history that should help him boost up draft boards.

4.9 Giants: Filet Mignon-Jackson P

It's hard to judge what the Giants will do with this selection, as they don't even have a GM yet. However, we do know they once ran with a 4 man pitching rotation, and Daniel Collins is leaving in free agency. Maybe they choose to pass up a pitcher, but one too many have fell down here for even teams with a dozen pitchers to not at least consider it. FMJ hasn't been around the discord as much, but he is still very active and has just recently switched to the mound.

4.10 Brewers: Daoud Mata P

The Brewers are reportedly on the free agent market looking at pitchers, but they were so weak at that position since trading Gerzone is Season 2 that I think they take one in the draft as well. Either way, Mata is the best player available here by most scouts opinions. "The Eastern Norwegian Nightmare" may have trouble adjusting to life in the states, but I don't think the Brewers will mind if they get his success as the end result.

Some names that I would expect to go soon after the 4th round that just missed:

Jerry Jingles

Homer Pimpson

River Ride

Filib Al'anhar Jr.

Antonin Periwinkle

Luap Renraw

Pickle Rick

Daniel Dover

Nori Aru