The Toronto Blue Jays don’t know who they’re going to select with the 10th pick of the 2013 amateur draft Thursday evening, so it’s safe to assume that no one else does.
Even so, mock drafts — educated guesses from experts as to how the draft might unfold — can be an informative way of learning which players might be available at a given point. They aren’t foolproof, but they are useful.
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Here’s a look at which prospects the Blue Jays could take with the 10th pick based on the most recent published mock drafts of noted amateur baseball experts:
Jim Callis, Baseball America: Clint Frazier, high school outfielder
Frazier has the best bat speed in the draft, according to Callis and ESPN’s Keith Law. Though he may have to move to a corner outfield position in the future, he has impressive power and arm strength.
The Blue Jays hope to get Frazier or high school right-hander Kohl Stewart, according to Callis. High school outfielder Austin Meadows, high school left-hander/outfielder Trey Ball and high school shortstop J.P. Crawford also appear to be possibilities for the Blue Jays.
Keith Law, ESPN.com: Trey Ball, high school left-hander/outfielder
Law has only heard the Blue Jays in connection to Ball, Crawford, high school catcher Reese McGuire and high school right-hander Phil Bickford.
Ball has pitched and played in the outfield as a high school player. Though he’d be viewed as an early round selection as an outfielder, teams appear to believe he’s more promising as a pitcher.
Where the 2013 Blue Jays were drafted (source: Baseball-Reference.com):
Jonathan Mayo, MLB.com: Austin Meadows, high school outfielder
The Blue Jays also have interest in Ball and McGuire, according to Mayo.
Meadows has a good chance of staying in centre field as a professional and has the potential to impact the game on offence and on defence. The toolsy high schooler has the “highest upside of any of the prep bats in this draft,” according to Law.
Kiley McDaniel, Scout.com: J.P. Crawford, high school shortstop
The Blue Jays are hoping for Frazier or McGuire, according to McDaniel.
Crawford, the nephew of Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford, is the best shortstop prospect eligible for the draft, according to Callis. However, he could be four or five years away from reaching the MLB level in Law’s view.
Top Blue Jays first round picks by career wins above replacement (source: Baseball-Reference.com):