Keith Law MLB Mock Draft 2016: Notable Picks from ESPN Guru's 3rd Mock

Much like the NBA draft, the Major League Baseball first-year player draft held on June 9 will feature a team from Philadelphia with the first overall selection. 

On Saturday, ESPN Insider Keith Law released his third mock draft just days before the real thing gets going, as he tried to decipher which player goes where:

Selection	Team	Player	Position	School
1	Philadelphia Phillies	A.J. Puk	LHP	Florida
2	Cincinnati Reds	Kyle Lewis	OF	Mercer
3	Atlanta Braves	Jason Groome	LHP	Barnegat HS (NJ)
4	Colorado Rockies	Riley Pint	RHP	St. Thomas Aquinas HS (KS)
5	Milwaukee Brewers	Corey Ray	OF	Louisville
6	Oakland Athletics	Nick Senzel	3B	Tennessee
7	Miami Marlins	Braxton Garrett	LHP	Florence HS (AL)
8	San Diego Padres	Matt Manning	RHP	Sheldon HS (CA)
9	Detroit Tigers	Dakota Hudson	RHP	Mississippi State
10	Chicago White Sox	Zack Collins	C	Miami University
11	Seattle Mariners	Justin Dunn	RHP	Boston College
12	Boston Red Sox	Mickey Moniak	OF	La Costa Canyon HS (CA)
13	Tampa Bay Rays	Delvin Perez	SS	Puerto Rico
14	Cleveland Indians	Blake Rutherford	OF	Chaminade College Prep (CA)
15	Minnesota Twins	Forrest Whitley	RHP	Alamo Heights HS (TX)
16	Los Angeles Angels	Alex Kirilloff	OF	Plum HS (PA)
17	Houston Astros	T.J. Zeuch	RHP	Pittsburgh
18	New York Yankees	Ian Anderson	RHP	Shenendehowa HS (NY)
19	New York Mets	Will Craig	3B/1B	Wake Forest
20	Los Angeles Dodgers	Cody Sedlock	RHP	Illinois
21	Toronto Blue Jays	Kyle Muller	LHP	Jesuit College Prep (TX)
22	Pittsburgh Pirates	Zack Burdi	RHP	Louisville
23	St. Louis Cardinals	Josh Lowe	3B/RHP	Pope HS (GA)
Compensation Picks
24	San Diego Padres	Cal Quantrill	RHP	Stanford
24	San Diego Padres	Dane Dunning	RHP	Florida
26	Chicago White Sox	Gavin Lux	SS	Indian Trail Academy (WI)
27	Baltimore Orioles	Eric Lauer	LHP	Kent State
28	Washington Nationals	Robert Tyler	RHP	Georgia
29	Washington Nationals	Drew Mendoza	SS	Lake Minneola HS (FL)
30	Texas Rangers	Taylor Trammell	OF	Mount Paran Christian (GA)
31	New York Mets	Anthony Kay	LHP	UConn
32	Los Angeles Dodgers	Jordan Sheffield	RHP	Vanderbilt
33	St. Louis Cardinals	Matt Thaiss	C	Virginia
34	St. Louis Cardinals	Jon Duplantier	RHP	Rice

Notable Picks 

A.J. Puk, RHP, Florida

Projected Destination: No. 1 Philadelphia Phillies

His record this season at Florida might not be impressive at just 2-3, but A.J. Puk has been one tough customer to deal with on the hill. 

In 65.2 innings, he has recorded 90 strikeouts and allowed an opponent's batting average of just .188. Opposing coaches sang his praises to Philly.com's Matt Gelb.

"He's just your prototypical scout's dream," Alabama coach Mitch Gaspard said. "The ball just explodes on you. The stuff is just electric."

Puk has a fastball ranging in the mid-90s, as he's able to use his 6'7" frame to garner some big-time momentum going downhill toward the plate. 

His off-speed stuff—a slider and changeup—is at least 10 mph slower, which could be unhittable if he's able to develop those a bit more and keep a consistent release on all pitches. 

Kyle Lewis, OF, Mercer

Projected Destination: No. 2 Cincinnati Reds

For any team that is looking for a future player who could be a staple in the middle of the lineup, Kyle Lewis (6'4") looks to be the most promising option in this year's draft. 

In 61 games, he's hit .395 with 20 home runs and 72 RBI to develop into one of the finest offensive weapons and athletes in the nation. 

He has a quick bat and solid pitch recognition and is one of the best his head coach Craig Gibson has ever seen, as he told Cincinnati.com's C. Trent Rosencrans:

"

This guy is the total package, now. He’s the real thing. He’s got great parents, a great support system. There’s never any issues. The worry of drafting him high and putting a lot of resources in him, he’s not going to get those resources and go crazy. He comes from a good family. He’s very grounded. He’s—there’s not any black eyes on this guy, he’s the real deal.

"

Given his potential, the rebuilding Reds could benefit from Lewis as they look to develop into a threat in the NL Central. 

Corey Ray, OF, Louisville

Projected Destination: No. 5 Milwaukee Brewers

Corey Ray (5'11") is built differently from Lewis since he's is about five inches shorter, but what he loses in size, he makes up in speed while also bringing some pop. 

Ray stole 42 bases this season while only getting caught eight times. He also bashed 15 home runs. 

With those intangibles, Law had him at the top of his big board back in May:

"

Right now, if I had the top pick, I think I'd go with Ray, the best all-around college position player who is at worst a solid everyday left fielder with the upside of a Ray Lankford (whose name I've heard from a couple of scouts over the past year as a comp for Ray). He can hit; he can run; he has some power. 

"

He's an aggressive player who can beat you with the bat and with his legs. Any team that's looking for a well-rounded offensive spark will covet him. 

Stats courtesy of D1Baseball.com