The MLB Draft season doesn't ever really feel started until Baseball America releases its first in-season mock draft and that's what happened on Thursday afternoon. The Colorado Rockies hold the No. 10 overall pick and use it to select a high-upside high school outfielder:
10. ROCKIES: Colorado has had limited success taking pitchers with its top choice in five of the last six drafts. The Rockies are zeroing in on hitters and would love Almora, but they may have to settle for a slightly lesser version in Dahl.
Projected Pick: DAVID DAHL.
Dahl is a lefty-swinging outfielder from Oak Mountain HS in Birmingham, Al. Baseball America wrote ($), back in the winter, that Dahl has the makings of a five-tool player who can stick in center field or move over to right because of his strong arm.
Albert Almora, mentioned above, goes to the Chicago Cubs at No. 6 overall. He is also a five-tool prospect in center field.
The Rockies last took an outfielder in the first round during the 2010 MLB Draft, selecting Clemson's Kyle Parker. Parker hit 21 home runs for Low-A Asheville in 2011 and moved up to Advanced-A Modesto in 2012. However, he played just one full game before a ball hit his hand in the second game and sent him to the disabled list.
For more on the Colorado Rockies, check out the Rockies blog Purple Row. And to learn more about the latest MLB prospect news and ratings, drop by Minor League Ball with John Sickels or checkout the baseball analysts blog Beyond the Box Score.