We’ll have pick-by-pick coverage of the draft on Circling the Bases tonight beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET, but in the meantime here are the top 10 picks projected by Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com and Jim Callis of Baseball America:
Pick/Team Mayo Callis
1. Nationals Stephen Strasburg, RHP Stephen Strasburg, RHP
2. Mariners Dustin Ackley, OF/1B Dustin Ackley, OF/1B
3. Padres Mike Minor, LHP Donavan Tate, OF
4. Pirates Aaron Crow, RHP Aaron Crow, RHP
5. Orioles Zach Wheeler, RHP Zach Wheeler, RHP
6. Giants Tyler Matzek, LHP Tyler Matzek, LHP
7. Braves Alex White, RHP Alex White, RHP
8. Reds Mike Leake, RHP Mike Minor, LHP
9. Tigers Jacob Turner, RHP Rex Brothers, LHP
10. Nationals Drew Storen, RHP Drew Storen, RHP
Mayo and Callis both have the top 10 dominated by pitching, and there’s quite a bit of agreement within their projections. San Diego State phenom Stephen Strasburg at No. 1 and North Carolina hitting machine Dustin Ackley at No. 2 seem all but guaranteed, but no one is quite sure what the Padres will do at No. 3 and Aaron Crow’s potential signability issues could potentially shake things up after that.
Interestingly, both projections have Washington taking Stanford closer Drew Storen at No. 10, which makes sense given that he’s considered the most MLB-ready reliever in the draft and the Nationals’ bullpen has been historically awful. If they can get Strasburg signed and take Storen with their second first-round pick, the Nationals’ pitching staff could look a lot different time next year.