How about a California kid with power upside and athleticism?
With the MLB Draft set to begin this Sunday, it’s time for the final run of mock drafts. After the success of the 2021 campaign, the Giants will have to wait quite a while to make their first selection at No. 30 overall, the last before compensation picks.
ESPN’s MLB Insider Kiley McDaniel took a look at how the first couple rounds could play out, tapping Cal Bear outfielder Dylan Beavers — a San Luis Obispo product — as the Giants’ selection.
“I’m hearing a lot of college bats mentioned here as well, so whichever makes it through the previous few picks will probably get scooped up by the Giants,” McDaniel writes.
This would be a departure from last year’s strategy, when the Giants took pitchers in nine-straight rounds in last year’s draft, including fellow Cal Bear Ian Villers. San Francisco’s last first-round outfielder was Hunter Bishop in 2019, out of Arizona State.
MLB.com, which ranks him as the 22nd overall prospect, gives Beavers the following scouting grades on the ole, 20-80 baseball scale:
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
The report views Beavers, 20, who hit .294 with 36 homers, 102 RBI and 17 steals in his college career as “the proverbial five-tool player” when he’s “locked in.”
He’s seen as having some streakiness and issues with his swing mechanics, but at 6’4″, has speed, power and a “near-plus arm.”
Here’s Beavers hitting an inside-the-park home run.
McDaniel also went through the second round of the draft, where he mocked left-hander Brycen Mautz, a 6’3″ junior from the University of San Diego who posted a 3.87 ERA over 90.2 innings and 15 starts.
His strikeout rates jumped significantly last year, posting an impression 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings rate.
This year’s draft will kick off at 4 p.m. PT on Sunday for the first two rounds and stretch through Tuesday. Monday starts at 11 a.m., showing rounds 3-10. Tuesday also starts at 11 a.m., showing rounds 11-20.