Where will Sal Frelick go in the MLB Draft?
A round-up of mocks and rumors heading into Sunday's first round.
It’s almost Draft Day.
On Sunday at 7 p.m., the 2021 MLB Draft will get started on MLB Network and ESPN. Eagles’ fans will have quite the reason to tune in as center fielder Sal Frelick is projected to go within the first 15 picks, while second baseman Cody Morissette has been linked with a few teams at the end of the first round and is arguably a lock to go in the first two rounds.
With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about Frelick’s draft stock, which has gone up and down throughout the early first round. Every major outlet—Baseball America, The Athletic, ESPN, etc.—has released an updated mock draft within the last few days. Here’s where Frelick falls in each of them:
This isn’t as high as we saw Frelick earlier in the draft season, but it’d make him just the sixth first-round draft pick in program history. Plus, if he does get picked in the 10th to 14th overall range, Frelick would become the second-highest draft pick in BC history, trailing only fourth-overall selection Tony Sanchez (2009).
Here’s what some of the analysts are saying about the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
Baseball America — Linked to the Orioles (No. 5), Diamondbacks (No. 6), Rockies (No. 8), Angels (No. 9)
No. 10 to the New York Mets
The Colson Montgomery rumor is still lingering for the Mets, so don’t be shocked if that happens, but the names we mostly hear tied to this spot are of the college variety. Most of the teams linked to one of the Frelick/McLain/Cowser trio are linked to the others as well, and there’s been some thinking recently that Frelick could still be the first of the group off the board.
MLB Pipeline
No. 10 to the New York Mets
It’s been the same names, leaning college, in this spot, with Frelick over McLain and Cowser as the seemingly favored bats.
ESPN ($) — Linked to Mets (No. 10)
No. 12 to the Seattle Mariners
I think Seattle is hoping for one of Frelick, Cowser or McLain to get here and in this scenario, they all get here. I think they prefer Frelick, but Cowser is right there with him.
Fangraphs — Linked to Orioles (No. 5), Mets (No. 10), Marlins (No. 16)
No. 12 to the Seattle Mariners
We have the Mariners attached to college hitters if one falls and in this scenario Frelick has. Frelick has plus speed and fantastic bat-to-ball ability, while proving to scouts this spring that he can play center field.
The Athletic — Linked to Mariners (No. 12)
No. 14 to the San Francisco Giants
I don’t think they’re definitely going college, but it’s more likely. Frelick, Cowser, McLain are the most likely names, depending on who gets here; I don’t think there’s a college pitcher who fits unless they want to go under slot.
Ultimately, these five sources all put him in that 10-14 range with the Mets and Mariners the most likely to take him. However, as is well documented, anything can happen in the MLB Draft. There’s been a lot of chatter on social media from various draft analysts and writers that could see Frelick off the board before the Mets even pick at No. 10. Just look at this chart comparing all five of these mock drafts. Marcelo Mayer is the favorite to go No. 1 overall, but it’s anyone’s draft order after that.
Stay tuned for more draft content as we get ready for Sunday’s spectacle.
Featured Image Courtesy of BC Athletics