Mocked Up: A's Need Pitching, Outfield
The MLB draft is finally here, so most mock drafts will become pointless within a few hours. The Oakland Athletics own the 20th pick in round 1 and will dig deep in scouting reports to find the right guy for Billy Beane to trade away in a few years (just kidding, Billy).
The A's have a couple good young pitchers (Sonny Gray and Jesse Chavez), but appear thin in the outfield. Will they pick up a power hitting corner outfielder, or choose a different route?
Here is what some mock drafts from around the internet had to say about pick No. 20:
#20 - Garrett Whitley, OF, Niskayuna High (N.Y.)
"Whitley will be in play for plenty of teams up higher, but there seem to be more proven options than the highly athletic New York outfielder for teams that would favor a high-school position prospect. The A's have had tremendous success in drafting young athletes the past few years but have traded most of them away in big league deals. Whitley could have the same high-end potential in the outfield as Addison Russell—their first-round pick three years ago whom they have since traded to the Cubs—in the infield." - David Rawnsley
#20 - Walker Buehler, RHP, Vanderbilt
"Oakland has had success with Vanderbilt pitchers before (Sonny Gray) and could go this route again. They are the ceiling for Eshelman, whose plus-plus command has made him a potential first-rounder."
#20 - Walker Buehler, RHP, Vanderbilt
"The last time the Oakland Athletics selected a Vanderbilt right-hander in the first round, they landed current staff ace Sonny Gray. Like Gray, Buehler has enjoyed plenty of success with the Commodores. In 2015, the 20-year-old posted a 2.97 ERA in 14 starts in the SEC."
#20 - Richie Martin, SS, Florida
"The A's are zeroing in on Martin, who offers the best combined offensive and defensive potential among the remaining shortstops. Kaprielian and Florida State outfielder D.J. Stewart are two more considerations." - Jim Callis
OR
#20 - James Kaprielian, RHP, UCLA
"The A's are also looking at JUCO right-hander Phil Bickford and high school catcher Chris Betts, among others still left on the board. As of late Sunday night, it appeared they favored the consistent UCLA ace over the other options." - Jonathan Mayo
