MLB Draft 2017: Let’s see who Keith Law has the Angels taking in his first mock draft

By Josh Mayhood May 11, 2017, 9:39am PDT

Keith Law releasing his first mock draft of the season is always a fun little treat; sort of like a poor man’s Christmas, only strictly for baseball nerds. Then again, I kind of get that way over many other writer’s mock drafts, too, and I’m sure you’re the same. Draft season, as a whole, is definitely one of the more fun things to cover, write about, read about, and watch unfold.

So, the Angels have pick #10 this year, and that’s good! It’s their highest pick since...well, you’d have to go back pretty dang far. The last time they were even this close to a top 10 pick was back in 2004, when the Angels took Jered Weaver. 2000 was the last year they actually had a top 10 pick, though (pick #10 overall) and they selected Joe Torres.

Of course, if you look at other first round picks that were selected way later (ahem, Mike Trout), or even guys taken in any other round, and stack them up against all their first round picks of the past ten years or so, then you’ll realize that a high draft pick is only useful if the GM has their prospect game on point.

Billy Eppler, I’m looking at you.

Eppler has my confidence, though, especially after seeing his first draft as Angels GM last season. Who does Keith Law see Billy Eppler phoning on a summer evening and giving some life-changing news?

#10 Los Angeles Angels

Jordon Adell, Outfielder from Ballard High School (Louisville, KY)

Adell started the season miserably and hasn't thrown well all year, but has been on a power tear recently and has moved himself back into first-round consideration, even with swing-and-miss concerns.

So, Law thinks that Eppler will go for another HS OF, which probably isn’t that much of a stretch, considering we saw a bit of his love for athletic young guns when he took Brandon Marsh in round 2 of 2016’s draft.

Mocks tend to change on a whim, though, and this will probably be one of a dozen or so guys that we are told is THE GUY that the Halos will take, only to end up being surprised (pleasantly or otherwise) on that actual selection Eppler and his Office of the GM make come draft day.

FYI: Here’s how he sees the Top 10 picks going, just because I know you guys are interested:

1. Minnesota Twins

Brendan McKay, LHP/1B

Louisville

2. Cincinnati Reds

Hunter Greene, RHP/SS

Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks, California

3. San Diego Padres

Royce Lewis, SS

JSerra High School, San Juan Capistrano, California

4. Tampa Bay Rays

Kyle Wright, RHP