MLB Draft 2015: Final Order, Mock Draft Predictions for 1st-Round Prospects

The MLB draft process is not like the draft processes of the other three major professional sports. There is no massive combine wherein players undergo rigorous physical testing in gym shorts or show off their fastest fastball. Teams almost entirely base their decisions on the work of scouting departments, which gallivant across the country from the highest-profile colleges to the smallest high schools.

All of that work will start bearing fruit Thursday night with the first round of the 2015 draft getting underway. The three-day selection bonanza will be the first run by commissioner Rob Manfred, who took over for Bud Selig after the 2014 campaign. 

The Arizona Diamondbacks will have the top pick for the second time in club history. The first one, Justin Upton, turned out quite well. Upton's made two All-Star teams and won a pair of Silver Sluggers, though the most recent came after he left Arizona.

Unlike that 2005 draft, there is no obvious pick atop this class. The 2015 draft is defined much more by its depth than top-end talent. We'll probably see a few stars come out of the class, but finding them is much more difficult than in most seasons. With that in mind, let's take one final look at how this draft may play out. 

Pick	Team	Player	Pos	School
1	Arizona Diamondbacks	Brendan Rodgers	SS	Lake Mary HS (Fla.)
2	Houston Astros	Dillon Tate	RHP	UC Santa Barbara
3	Colorado Rockies	Dansby Swanson	2B/SS	Vanderbilt
4	Texas Rangers	Alex Bregman	SS	LSU
5	Houston Astros	Kyle Tucker	OF	Plant HS (Fla.)
6	Minnesota Twins	Daz Cameron	OF	Eagle Landing HS (Ga.)
7	Boston Red Sox	Walker Buehler	RHP	Vanderbilt
8	Chicago White Sox	Tyler Jay	LHP	Illinois
9	Chicago Cubs	Carson Fulmer	RHP	Vanderbilt
10	Philadelphia Phillies	Jon Harris	RHP	Missouri State
11	Cincinnati Reds	Trenton Clark	OF	Richland HS (Texas)
12	Miami Marlins	Mike Nikorak	RHP	Stroudsburg HS (Pa.)
13	Tampa Bay Rays	James Kaprielian	RHP	UCLA
14	Atlanta Braves	Tyler Stephenson	C	Kennesaw Mountain HS (Ga.)
15	Milwaukee Brewers	Kyle Funkhouser	RHP	Louisville
16	New York Yankees	Brady Aiken	LHP	IMG Academy
17	Cleveland Indians	Kolby Allard	LHP	San Clemente HS (Calif.)
18	San Francisco Giants	Phil Bickford	RHP	Southern Nevada JC
19	Pittsburgh Pirates	Kevin Newman	SS	Arizona
20	Oakland Athletics	Ian Happ	2B/OF	Cincinnati
21	Kansas City Royals	Cornelius Randolph	SS	Griffin HS (Ga.)
22	Detroit Tigers	Nathan Kirby	LHP	Virginia
23	St. Louis Cardinals	Michael Matuella	RHP	Duke
24	Los Angeles Dodgers	Chris Betts	C	Wilson HS (Calif.)
25	Baltimore Orioles	Garrett Whitley	OF	Niskayuna HS (N.Y.)
26	Los Angeles Angels	Cody Ponce	RHP	Cal Poly Pomona
27	Colorado Rockies	D.J. Stewart	OF	Florida State
28	Atlanta Braves	Ke'Bryan Hayes	3B	Concordia Lutheran HS (Texas)
29	Toronto Blue Jays	Ashe Russell	RHP	Cathedral HS (Ind.)
30	New York Yankees	Nick Plummer	OF	Brother Rice HS (Mich.)
31	San Francisco Giants	Andrew Benintendi	OF	Arkansas
32	Pittsburgh Pirates	Scott Kingery	2B	Arizona
33	Kansas City Royals	Dakota Chalmers	RHP	North Forsyth HS (Ga.)
34	Detroit Tigers	Donny Everett	RHP	Clarksville HS (Tenn.)
35	Los Angeles Dodgers	Richie Martin	SS	Florida
36	Baltimore Orioles	Donnie Dewees	OF	North Florida

1. Arizona Diamondbacks: Brendan Rodgers, SS, Lake Mary HS (Florida)

Rodgers has long been the consensus top player in this draft, though his status as the top overall selection remains in question.

The Diamondbacks could go in a number of ways here without too many people batting an eye. Rodgers is a fine long-term fit who has the highest ceiling of any position player. Fellow shortstop Dansby Swanson is more easily projectable and a potentially elite offensive talent in the middle infield. College pitchers Dillon Tate and Tyler Jay are also possibilities.

In the end, though, Arizona's going nowhere anytime soon, and Rodgers is the best player. This shouldn't be something the Diamondbacks overthink. Given shortstop Nick Ahmed's lack of progress at the big league level, it should be a no-brainer.

2. Houston Astros: Dillon Tate, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

The Astros, having lost out on signing 2014 No. 1 pick Brady Aiken, will almost certainly target a pitcher with one of their top-five selections. With Arizona selecting Rodgers in this scenario, it'd be beneficial for the Astros to pull the trigger at No. 2, knowing they'll get their top choice.

Tate has been a bastion of consistency all season, going 8-5 with a 2.26 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. After pitching in relief during his first two seasons, Tate had no trouble making the transition from reliever to full-time starter and has real top-of-the-rotation potential if he fully develops a third pitch.

As it stands, Tate has a mid-90s fastball and a sensational slider as an out pitch. He'll need more to become an MLB star, but the low end of his potential is as a dominant reliever.

3. Colorado Rockies: Dansby Swanson, 2B/SS, Vanderbilt

The Rockies have to start looking for a Troy Tulowitzki replacement eventually. Tulo turns 31 in October. Even if Colorado for some reason does not trade him within the next few months, he'll be at the end of his prime by the time the team is ready to contend again.

Swanson fills the need for an excellent offensive middle infielder. He might wind up going to second base full time before reaching the majors, but his real value is as a potential .300 hitter with decent enough power and speed. There is a little Dustin Pedroia potential here, only if you add four inches and 30 pounds.

If Swanson (6'1", 190 lbs) reaches his full potential, the Rockies aren't going to complain about that result.

4. Texas Rangers: Alex Bregman, SS, LSU

Bregman has a slightly higher potential than Swanson as a hitter but is a worse all-around player. He won't run or field as well over the long term and is a near-lock to wind up at second base given his height (6'0").

Oh well. Dude can rake. The Rangers would sure love to find their new Ian Kinsler, and Bregman has the opportunity to be just that. He's talented enough to make a quick transition through the minor leagues. Texas needs all the top-flight minor league talent it can get, and Bregman will ascend up its internal rankings quickly.

5. Houston Astros: Kyle Tucker, OF, Plant HS

After going relatively safe at No. 2, the Astros can afford to take a swing here. Tucker is a good hitter and solid defender already equipped with the potential to be a lot better in both areas as he develops. The Astros are making a name for themselves in the player development department, so this is a good fit for both sides.