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CLE Mock Draft 2.0

With 4 weeks left to the draft, here's CLE mock 2.0 with some personal favorites and profiles CLEFO has been drafting:


23 SS Carson Williams CA HS, 18.0yo
Here's the late riser in this year's class (along with Will Taylor who was in my first mock). Checks multiple other boxes too: California prepster, age, good athlete. Also a pitcher, so the profile comes with a plus plus arm with a move to 3B possible. Lots of 50 and 55 tools, balanced profile. Lots of similarities to last year's 1st rd pick Carson Tucker. Will also come at a discount if picked here. I'd guess 2-2.3M (where ever he's selected, also a possibility as overslot in rd 2)


Round 2, 58 ovr LHP Frank Mozzicato CT HS, 18.0yo
Gut feeling (formed by past patterns) is another HS pick here, with both another bat or arm in play. Mozzicato is another late riser, who popped up by throwing multiple no hitters this year. Also age and an enticing mix of now stuff and projection. Already features a plus Curve, with plus plus and command projected. Velo is average, but it's a rising FB and 6'3 frame, so more to dream on.


Comp rd 2, 69 ovr RHP Jonathan Cannon, Georgia 20.11yo
This is where I see them reach a bit for a college player they like and sign under slot (think Nick Sandlin). Arms like Marceaux, Abbott, Nikhazy, MacLeod, K. Abel are more likely to sign under slot, but I like the upside with Cannon, a draft eligible r-Fr. 6'6 and athletic, throws strikes, strong performance in SEC


Round 3, 95 ovr OF Daylen Lile KY HS, 18.7yo
Similar to the Halpin selection a year ago, this is the last protected pick to gamble on a HS player that slips a bit. This will be a SS if they go OF earlier, but I like Lile here, one of the purest bats in the HS class. Profile reads like a HS version of Michael Brantley. Scouts don't know if he'll hit for power, but great hitter, not sure if he's a CF, not a good arm, so LF. All of that isn't sexy, but the guy can hit, gap hitter, bat speed and some strength/power protection left. My kind of HS bat. Peyton Stovall is the INF version of Lile.


Round 4, 125 ovr 1B JT Schwartz, UCLA, 21.6yo

It's a pretty strong college 1B class, so I hope they go against their tendencies for one. Schwartz had an OBP over 500 this season and more walks than strikeouts in a power conference. That's stuff they should like too. Fellow PAC 12 1B Kyle Manzardo (Wash St.) another possibility here.

Round 5, 156 ovr LHP Dylan Dodd, SE Missouri St, 23.1yo

A true budget saving SR with talent. K/BB darling, good FB/SL combo. Could be fast tracked as reliever or developed as SP. Similar profile to Adam Scott a few years back drafted in round 4. Could help spend some money later and still get a decent prospect.

Round 6, 186 ovr C CJ Rodriguez, Vandy, 20.11yo

Your prototypical CLE catcher, defense over offense. Strong leadership skills, more walks than K in SEC, but light bat, though with projection left and age on his side too.

Round 7, 216 ovr RHP Austin Love, North Carolina, 22.5yo

College big school sleeper time. Solid stuff in a solid pitcher's frame. Chance at 3 above average pitches, FB reaches mid 90s, sits 92-94.

Round 8, 246 ovr CF Donta Williams, Arizona, 22.0yo

Inexplicably, Williams isn't on anyone's radar, not even on top 400 or 500 lists I've seen, despite strong performance track record in a power conference, very similar to Kwan and Ka'ai Tom. Like those two, he's an undersized CF leadoff hitter with more BB than K and an OBP around 500 since 2020. Some speed and improved power this season.

Round 9, 277 ovr RHP Andrew Hoffmann, Illinois, 21.5yo

6'5 sleeper with solid arsenal and few miles on his arm due to yearly transfers. Good performance and still offers projection.

Round 10 307 ovr RHP Landen Roupp, UNC Wilmington, 22.9yo

One of the best CAA conference arms (Civale, Royalty) the past two seasons. Starters arsenal. So many solid college arms to choose from this draft. The mid rounds are value land for college pitching, so add lots of them.

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