Where Tennessee players, commits are projected in ESPN Mock Draft 3.0

The Major League Baseball Draft is set to begin on Sunday evening with the first three rounds and will carry on through Monday with 20 rounds total.

The Vols have a chance to once again break program records in the draft, which would be for the third-straight classic. With just a day to go before the festivities begin, here’s a look at where current Tennessee players, high school signees and transfer portal commits stand in the ESPN Mock Draft 3.0 that projects the first two rounds. The mock was performed by Kiley McDaniel.

No. 2 Overall: Liam Doyle (LHP) LAA

“Doyle has been tied here for a while, and with good reason: He would probably take a below-slot deal and he is a strong candidate to be first player to the big leagues in this entire class. Given his dominating fastball, he could get big league hitters out right now, and the Angels may be aggressive and let him do just that, then see if they can make him a long-term starter.

Kade Anderson seems like the top guy on the Angels’ board, though, and thus probably would be the pick here if he doesn’t go No. 1. In this scenario, I think this decision will come down to Doyle, Jamie Arnold or bigger cut versus slot-in Ike Irish. I give Doyle the slight edge.

The Angels love Daniel Pierce but likely can’t land him. Keep an eye on Mason Pike and Sam Horn as the starter targets along with basically any college arm with reliever risk at later picks: Brian Curley, Cade Obermueller, Chase Shores, Tanner Franklin, A.J. Russell, Lucas Kelly and Mason Morris.”  – ESPN

No. 10 Overall: Billy Carlson (SS) CHW – HS Signee

“Carlson is in play to varying degrees at most picks starting around No. 5, with a floor around No. 12 and hot spots from 8 to 10, so this is right around what he should be expecting.

The White Sox may be the highest on JoJo Parker and his brother Jacob, but I don’t think they can get JoJo down to their pick. Steele Hall, Josh Hammond and Gavin Fien are also tied here in a very prep hitter-heavy mix, with prep LHP Kruz Schoolcraft a long shot/later overpay possibility.

Keep an eye on Gavin Turley and Mason Ligenza at later picks.” — ESPN

No. 12 Overall: Steele Hall (SS) TEX – HS Signee

“I think this is where Billy Carlson definitely stops if he slides. Hall seems like the next target, with Gavin Fien also mentioned, so it seems likely to be a prep position player.

Keep an eye on Talon Haley, Mason Pike, Josh Owens and Micah Bucknam at later picks.” — ESPN

No. 16 Overall: Gavin Kilen (INF) MIN

“We’re now pretty securely in the realm of making educated guesses based on a team’s history and what other teams think they’ll do. Minnesota likes this sort of player, a medium-tools, medium-framed college infielder with a strong performance record (Luke Keaschall, Brooks Lee, Kyle DeBarge, Tanner Schobel, Kaelen Culpepper just in the top three rounds of the past three drafts).

I think this is about where Gage Wood comes into play, a little lower than some fans may expect, due to some concerns about his shoulder issue earlier this spring and a possible relief fit long term. Caden Bodine, Tyler Bremner and Marek Houston are also mentioned here.” — ESPN

No. 31 Overall: Andrew Fischer (INF) BAL

“Fischer could go much higher, but should find a home right around here if he’s still on the board.” — ESPN

No. 33 Overall: Marcus Phillips (RHP) BOS

“Dax Kilby, Michael Oliveto and Xavier Neyens could all land here as well.

Keep an eye on Kaleb Wing and Peter Mershon at later picks.” – ESPN

Players, Commits Mocked No. 41-75

No. 41: Los Angeles Dodgers: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset HS (OR)
No. 67: Tampa Bay Rays: A.J. Russell, RHP, Tennessee
No. 68: Milwaukee Brewers: Dean Curley, 3B, Tennessee
Of Note: HS Signee LHP Cameron Appenzeller and Transfer Portal Commit OF/1B Henry Ford were not listed.