Mock Draft: Pirates face tough pick between college pitchers at No. 1

The Pirates, who choose first, are looking for someone to pair with big righthander Jameson Taillon, their top pick a year ago, and appear to be deciding between UCLA righthander Gerrit Cole and University of Virginia left-hander Danny Hultzen. Cole is thought to have the biggest upside of any college pitcher in the draft, but the accomplished Hultzen may be the surest thing in a draft full of quality. Cole appeared slightly more likely as of late Sunday to be called first, but no one could be absolutely certain.

The first eight or 10 picks are considered supreme talents with scores of more very good players to follow. Here is how we see the first round, which will begin at 7 p.m. ET in Secaucus, N.J., on the MLB Network:

1. Pittsburgh PiratesGerrit Cole, RHP, UCLA

Cole, who was drafted out of high school by the Yankees in the first round in 2008 but never listened to their offer despite the impression he was a Yankees fan, is said by scouting directors to have the highest ceiling of the many fine pitchers in this draft. He hit 102 mph in a recent outing at Arizona State, enhancing his chances to be No. 1. Nearly half the competing execs still see Hultzen as the No. 1 pick. Close call, but we'll go with Cole.

2. Seattle MarinersAnthony Rendon, 3B, Rice

Some questions were raised when he missed part of the year with a shoulder issue, then returned as a second baseman. But the Mariners, who need offense and could round out a nice infield of the future with Rendon, recall his monster freshman and sophomore years and are thought to see him as a third baseman. Cole appears to be their second choice, though they like all-around prep outfield talent Bubba Starling and Florida prep shortstop Francisco Lindor, as well.

3. Arizona Diamondbacks Trevor Bauer, RHP, UCLA

In a boffo year for pitchers, perhaps no one improved their stock more than Bauer. A shortish stature (he's 6-feet tall) and quirky delivery won't alter Arizona's plans, who recall division rival Tim Lincecum's monster success story. Hultzen, whom they picked in the 10th round and offered first-round money three years ago, is a consideration, as is Starling.

4. Baltimore OriolesDylan Bundy, RHP, Owasso (Okla.) HS

One lower-picking scouting director said if other scouting directors "had any (guts)" they'd take this 100-mph thrower No. 1. Thing is, no high school righthander has ever gone first. Bundy is said to seek $30 million, but teams are looking at that as pie in the sky. "Six or seven million is about right,'' one scouting director said. Bundy's brother Joe is in the system, but that's not the reason behind the pick. There was a rumor going around late Sunday they might go for yet another Oklahoma high school righthander, Archie Bradley. So lots of intrigue here.

5. Kansas City RoyalsDanny Hultzen, LHP, Virginia

The Royals are shooting to win by 2012, so Bauer, Cole or Hultzen probably suits them most. But will they be there? Pitching is the overwhelming need, but Starling, a local hero (he's from Kansas, and the Royals get guff for once passing on Kansas City product Albert Pujols), will be a strong temptation. Hultzen is a lefthander with three above average pitches, has been consistently the best-performing NCAA pitcher and is 8-0 with 99 strikeouts in 61 innings for the Cavaliers. He seeks $13 million plus the ability to finish his degree, which one scouting director said is a "logical asking price.''

6. Washington Nationals Bubba Starling, OF, Gardner Edgerton (Kan.) HS

The Royals might feel pangs of regret if Starling goes next to Washington. He is considered the best athlete in the draft and is expected to forego a University of Nebraska quarterback scholarship for a number that could even trump Cole and Hultzen considering his superior leverage. One scouting director likened him to a former multi-sport star who wound up in the Hall of Fame by calling him the "Dave Winfield of this draft.'' The Cubs, Mariners and Diamondbacks like him, too. The Nats could actually use a centerfielder now, though this wunderkind is at least a few years away.

7. Arizona Diamondbacks Sonny Gray, RHP, Vanderbilt

He has "electric stuff,'' and the guess here is that general manager Kevin Towers could snap up the second ultra-talented, shortish pitcher (he's 5-foot-10). Some see him as a reliever with his dynamic two-pitch combo, which is a negative. Lindor also would make sense here for a pick where the player must be signed.

8. Cleveland IndiansMatt Barnes, RHP, UConn

He has a huge arm, though sometimes it's hard to judge kids from the North.

9. Chicago Cubs Archie Bradley, RHP, Broken Arrow (Okla.) HS

The other talented Oklahoma righthander is said to be a great kid, though maybe not with the killer instinct of Bundy. The $20 million asking price reflects an opportunity to play football at Oklahoma (and perhaps a bit of delusion). The Cubs like two-sport stars and would take Starling if he's still available (he won't be).

10. San Diego PadresFrancisco Lindor, SS, Montverde (Fla.) Academy

This talented all-around performer showed impressive power at PETCO Park, where he won the 2010 Aflac All-American Home Run Derby, something the Padres may have noticed. This is an unprotected pick, so they'll have to sign whomever they take.

11. Houston Astros Trevor Jungmann, RHP, Texas

The temptation to take a relatively local kid who's had a terrific year may be too great.

12. Milwaukee BrewersJed Bradley, RHP, Georgia Tech

Solid pick in a pitching-rich draft.

13. New York MetsMikie Mahtook, OF, LSU

Huge junior year has moved him into the top half of the first round. Could fill one of many Mets needs (though pitching is a greater necessity).

14. Florida MarlinsDaniel Norris, LHP, Johnson City (Tenn.) Science Hill HS

Marlins scouts aren't afraid to tab a high school pitcher.

15. Milwaukee BrewersTaylor Guerrieri, RHP, Columbia (S.C.) Spring Valley HS

Yet another talented pitcher in a draft full of them, Guerrieri has a big arm and big potential.

16. Los Angeles DodgersJose Baez, SS, Jacksonville (Fla.) Arlington Country Day School

Frank McCourt's team isn't about to spend another $5 million like it did last year. This is yet another supremely talented prep player from Florida.

17. Los Angeles AngelsDillon Howard, RHP, Searcy (Ark.) HS

Howard has talent but the Angels may decide to go with local product Henry Owens, a high school lefthander who has ability, though some view him as a laid-back Huntington Beach surfer dude.

18. Oakland A's George Springer, OF, UConn

Big-time tools, although there's a question whether they show in games.

19. Boston Red Sox Blake Swihart, C, Rio Rancho (N.M.) Cleveland HS

Boston is known to be seeking catchers, with Andrew Susac of Oregon State and California prep standout Austin Hedges other possibilities. A more interesting call would be Josh Bell, the best-hitting prep player who has sent every team a letter that he intends to go to the University of Texas (supposedly at the request of his mother, a college professor). Word is, a couple teams floated $6-million-plus bids in efforts to change his mind. That figure sounds like it must come from the Red Sox, Yankees and/or Tigers. Considering his stated intention, he could also fall a round or two, or more.

20. Colorado RockiesC.J. Cron, 1B, Utah

Another of the pseudo locals, he's put up big numbers in college and could be Todd Helton's replacement.

21. Toronto Blue JaysLevi Michael, SS, North Carolina

Solid shortstop has moved up the board, though some would still consider this a reach.

22. St. Louis Cardinals Henry Owens, LHP, Huntington Beach (Calif.) Edison HS

Big kid who has a high ceiling.

23. Washington NationalsAlex Meyer, RHP, Kentucky

Big righthander has a chance to become anything from a star to a bust. Moved up the board this year after an iffy college beginning.

24. Tampa Bay Rays Cory Spangenberg, SS/OF, Indian River (Fla.) JC

Tampa likes players versatile enough to play several positions, a la Ben Zobrist.

25. San Diego Padres. Tyler Anderson, LHP, Oregon

Very solid lefty isn't too far away.

26. Boston Red Sox Tyler Beede, RHP, Groton (Mass.) Lawrence Academy

Boston isn't afraid to take a flyer on a local prep star

27. Cincinnati RedsAnthony Meo, RHP, Coastal Carolina

Cincinnati can add to its stockpile of fine young pitchers.

28. Atlanta Braves Brian Goodwin, OF, Miami Dade JC

If they seek an athletic outfielder, another possibility could be Jackie Bradley in a draft stocked with multitalented outfielders.

29. San Francisco GiantsJoe Ross, RHP, Oakland (Calif.) Bishop O'Dowd HS

Local kid is a solid pick.

30. Minnesota Twins Kolten Wong, 2B, Hawaii

Minnesota needs help in the middle-infield department.

31. Tampa Bay Rays Brandon Nimmo, OF, Cheyenne East (Wyo.) HS

Very talented kid has been compared to a young Rocco Baldelli, who is coincidentally helping out the Rays with their vast stash of selections. Nimmo will be first prepster from Wyoming ever picked.

32. Tampa Bay Rays Matt Purke, LHP, Texas Christian

The velocity is down from 94-96 mph to 89-91, but at least he's back on the mound. He turned down $4 million from Texas last time and is a threat to reject again. Tampa can take a few like this since it's questionable whether they have the loot to sign 12 of the first 89 picks.

33. Texas RangersJose Fernandez, RHP, Tampa Alonso (Fla.) HS

Another interesting arm in a draft chock full of them. Local star Bell is an interesting call for them if he's still there.