The 2021 MLB Draft is just a few weeks away so we take a look at some of the latest updated mocks and see who they have the Atlanta Braves taking.
As the Atlanta Braves try to stay afloat in the NL East heading into July, it’s time we start previewing the upcoming MLB Draft.
Alan talked about a couple of possible picks the Braves could be considering at that 24th overall pick.
As I watch the College World Series I dream about some of the big arms there like Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker, Will Bednar, and Ty Madden.
The Braves may have a shot at those last two, but Leiter and Rocker will almost certainly go in the top 10.
But let’s take a look at some of the most recent mock drafts and who they have the Braves taking, which picks I like the best.
Braves Pick from MLB.com
In Jonathan Mayo’s latest mock on MLB.com, he has the Braves taking Bubba Chandler — a right-handed pitcher and switch-hitting shortstop out of North Oconee HS in Bogart, Ga. It would certainly be cool to take the local product, who Mayo thinks will stick more with the bat at the next level.
He also mentions college arms Tommy Mace from Florida and Ky Bush from St. Mary’s as possibilities for the Braves here.
(Note: Bubba Chandler was also the pick from Prospects Live in their updated mock from June 8).
Braves Pick from CBS Sports
CBS Sports went a little off the board with their pick for Atlanta having them take two-way player Spencer Schwellenbach from Nebraska. The article notes that he plays shortstop for the Cornhuskers and is also their closer.
In 2021 he hit .284 with 6 home runs, 43 runs scored, 40 RBI, 9 stolen bases, 30 walks, and 44 strikeouts. While on the mound he had a 0.57 ERA in 31.2 innings with 34 strikeouts, 8 walks, and 10 saves.
Braves Pick from ESPN
Kiley McDaniel of ESPN just updated his mock draft on June 18 and has the Braves taking one of the college arms I mentioned above in Will Bednar from Mississippi State. He’s gone 8-1 for the Bulldogs this season in 17 games (14 starts) with 128 strikeouts in 80 innings with a 3.26 ERA.
And if you missed his 15 strikeout performance in the College World Series the other day, go back and give it a watch. He basically used two pitches in that performance against Texas with a mid-90s fastball and a wipeout slider.
McDaniel also mentions Schwellenbach as a possibility here as well as UC Santa Barbara right-handed pitcher Michael McGreevy, Wright State infielder Tyler Black, and East Carolina infielder Connor Norby.
Of the names mentioned here, Bednar is the most exciting. He’s really rising up draft boards lately and was dominant on a big stage in the College World Series. I also really love Tommy Mace.
I really don’t know a ton about Bubba Chandler, but anybody who excels like that in multiple sports really intrigues me.