2011 MLB Mock Draft 4.0: Shaking Up the Order and the Picks

More than a month ago, during my last 2011 MLB mock draft, the Orioles were in line for the No. 1 pick.

Since then, they've been one of the hottest teams in baseball, and they also have a new manager in the form of Buck Showalter, so it looks like their time near the bottom of the barrel might be coming to an end.

The new "numero uno" belongs to the Pirates, and they might have one of the deepest pools of top-end talent to choose from in quite some time.

Just a quick update on the prospective top picks: Anthony Rendon is apparently recovering quite well from his ankle surgery, Sonny Gray was named Baseball America's summer player of the year, and Bubba Starling has been one of the quickest risers in a deep high school class.

And in we go, to this, the most recent version of the 2011 MLB mock draft.

1) Pittsburgh Pirates—Anthony Rendon, 3B, Rice University

With the Pirates solely in the driver's seat, the best option is Anthony Rendon, the rumored number one pick for going on two-years now. 

Rendon just had ankle surgery, but if his recovery is anything like his last ankle surgery, then he should be just fine. He rebounded from torn ligaments in his ankle to rake to the tune of a .394 average with 26 home runs, 85 RBI and an .801 slugging percentage.

The Pirates already have Pedro Alvarez occupying the hot corner, but given his size and mobility he could stand a move to first base, which would leave third wide open for Rendon, giving the Pirates one of the most impressive corner combos in the big leagues.

Rendon offers Gold Glove caliber defense, a quick bat, and above-average power, and more than anything he gives the city of Pittsburgh one more superstar, something they've lacked for too long.

2) Seattle Mariners—Gerrit Cole, RHP, UCLA

This season has been an absolute disaster for the Mariners.

Luckily for them, Rendon isn't the only future superstar in this draft. Gerrit Cole of UCLA has the potential to be a staff ace for a long-time. He throws hard, has solid breaking stuff, and is an innings-eater. 

And as Cole showed in this year's College World Series, he pitches his best in big game situations.

Bottom line, combining Cole with Felix Hernandez is just unfair. 

The Mariners need another great pitcher to combine with King Felix or else they're going to be dwelling in the cellar for a very long time.

3) Arizona Diamondbacks—Matt Purke, LHP, Texas Christian

Nobody is in a better position to reap the benefits of next year's deep draft than Arizona.

They have two picks in the top seven, and they're slowly moving up the board, all the way to number three.

They would do well to snatch up Purke, who would be a steal at number three, with his mid 90s fastball, his above-average breaking stuff.

Scouts seem to see Purke as a combination between Cole Hamels and Clayton Kershaw, and he very well may be better than them both.

He certainly looked like it in this year's College World Series, and he'll have a good chance to lead an up-and-coming D-Backs rotation.

With Jarrod Parker coming back, he and Purke could form one of the best young 1-2 tandems in the big leagues.

4) Baltimore Orioles—Sonny Gray, RHP, Vanderbilt

The Orioles have turned in one of the best records in baseball since Showalter took over, and in turn, have cost themselves not only the No. 1  pick, but the No.2  and No. 3.

Right now they're looking at the No. 4 pick,  but if they keep winning they could wind up as high as No. 7.

Gray had one of the best summers of any prospect, high school or college. He shut down just about everyone he faced off against for Team USA, and has unlimited momentum headed into his senior season at Vanderbilt.

Gray features a mid 90s fastball, rather impressive for a tiny guy, and he compliments it with some solid secondary stuff. 

Gray profiles as a number two starter, and Baltimore doesn't have anybody quite like him. He would be a perfect compliment in a rotation that includes Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta, and Zach Britton.

5) Cleveland Indians—Archie Bradley, RHP, Broken Arrow HS

There's a number of top notch high school arms in this year's draft, and to me, Archie Bradley offers the most upside.

He has the ultimate pitcher's body, he has excellent stuff, and again to me, has the best chance to reach his ceiling as a top-notch starter.

Bradley's one issue is with his command, but Jameson Taillon had the same concern heading into his senior year of high school. Now, he's cashing huge checks in Pittsburgh after sharpening his command, and earning his way as the number two overall pick.

Bradley will be next.