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MLB Mock Draft Round-up: North Carolina College Edition

By Christian Candeloro

SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 5: Commissioner Allan H. Bud Selig at the podium during the MLB First-Year Player Draft at the MLB Network Studio on June 5, 2014 in Secacucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 5: Commissioner Allan H. Bud Selig at the podium during the MLB First-Year Player Draft at the MLB Network Studio on June 5, 2014 in Secacucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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The 2019 MLB Draft kicks off Monday, June 3rd and several local teams expect to have players selected in the first round.

Last year’s iteration was relatively quiet for local teams, with the earliest selections being Wake Forest pitcher Griffin Roberts (43rd) and Duke outfielder Griffin Conine (52nd). This season won’t be as uneventful, as UNC, NC State, UNC-Wilmington, Elon and Campbell could all see players go in the first round.

Here is a preview of the players that will likely hear their name called in the first round Monday night, as well as some to watch that could sneak into the conversation.

UNC Tar Heels

Michael Busch, 1B/OF

Class: Junior

HT: 6’0” WT: 207

BA: .294

HR: 16

RBI: 57

SO: 36

Busch is a college bat with a great hit tool that appears to be staring at a late first round selection. He’s struggled defensively outside of first base, but his bat should allow him to rise up the minor league ranks quickly in any system.

MLB.com
No. 24 to Indians
MLB Pipeline
No. 23 to Rockies
Fangraphs
No. 23 to Rockies
Draftsite
No. 32 to Astros
CBS Sports
No. 23 to Rockies

NC State

Will Wilson, SS

Class: Junior

HT: 6’0” WT: 184

BA: .339

HR: 16

RBI: 57

SO: 45

Wilson’s bat is the catalyst for a deep and talented NC State lineup. A Dick Howser Trophy (given to the nation’s best shortstop) Finalist who hit .3__ in 2019, Wilson is projected by every outlet to be a first-round pick. His defense has been suspect at times as he’s committed nine errors this season, but his arm is easily strong enough to stick at shortstop.

MLB.com
No. 25 to Dodgers
MLB Pipeline
No. 24 to Indians
Fangraphs
No. 19 to Cardinals
Draftsite
No. 16 to Diamondbacks
CBS Sports
No. 29 to Athletics

Elon

George Kirby, RHP

Class: Junior

HT: 6’4” WT: 201

W-L: 8-2

ERA: 2.75

SO: 107

The CAA Pitcher of the year followed up a masterful sophomore season (10-3, 2.89 ERA) with an even better junior season and cemented himself in the first-round discussion. A tall right-hander with a very calm, repeatable wind-up, he features a fastball sits in the mid-90s, a curveball, slider and changeup in his arsenal. His slider has great front-door movement that has the ability to freeze hitters as it drops in the zone. His strikeout to walk ratio led all of NCAA Baseball this season, as he struck out 107 and walked only six. He has a chance to be a special arm in the big-leagues.

  • MLB.com
    No. 15 to Los Angeles Angels
  • MLB Pipeline
    No. 17 to Nationals
  • Fangraphs
    No. 14 to Phillies
  • Draftsite
    Out of 1st Round
  • CBS Sports
    No. 19 to Cardinals

UNC-Wilmington

Greg Jones, SS

Class: Sophomore

HT: 6’2” WT: 190

BA: .341

HR: 5

RBI: 36

SO: 44

Are you a franchise that loves taking on prospects with massive upside but equal risk? Then you’ll love Jones, a draft-eligible sophomore from small school UNC-Wilmington. Formerly selected in the 17th round by the Baltimore Orioles out of high school, Jones was named to the All-CAA Rookie team last season and entered the season with considerable hype. His best tool is his speed. He stole 42 bases this season and legged out nine triples. He also walked 55 times and led the team in runs by a wide margin. He’s an excellent athlete that will need to continue to progress as a hitter on the next level.

  • MLB.com
    No. 23 to Colorado Rockies
  • MLB Pipeline
    Out of 1st Round
  • Fangraphs
    No. 29 to Athletics
  • Draftsite
    No. 29 to Athletics
  • CBS Sports
    Out of 1st Round

Campbell

Seth Johnson, RHP

Class: Junior

HT: 6’1” WT: 200

W-L: 3-3

ERA: 4.72

SO: 77

Another tall right-hander, Johnson uses his fastball to overpower hitters and a knee-buckling curve to complement it. He is a junior college transfer whose stock rose considerably this season after a stellar campaign with the Fighting Camels. It’s still a risk to see how his command and experience can hold up in the big leagues, as this is his first full season of college ball pitching and he’s walked 30 batters.

  • MLB.com
    No. 28 to Brewers
  • MLB Pipeline
    No. 26 to Diamondbacks
  • Fangraphs
    No. 40 to Rays
  • Draftsite
    Out of 1st Round
  • CBS Sports
    No. 27 to Cubs

Others to watch

Campbell OF Matthew Barefoot

Duke LHP Graeme Stinson

UNC RHP Tyler Baum

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