MLB Mock Draft 2010: 6-10

6.) Arizona Diamondbacks

Bryce Brentz, OF, Middle Tennessee State

Brentz makes a lot of sense here for the D-Backs who have really lacked a “do it all” hitter for awhile now. Some say Justin Upton is still yet to break out, but I don’t see him carrying the team on his own. Brentz has stats at the major college level that Bryce Harper has at the JuCo level. He finished last year with an absurd .465 average, .541 OBP, and a .930 slugging percentage. This all adds up to a whopping 1.471 OPS. The power was there too as he hit 28 homers with 73 RBIs.

He also added a great performance with Team USA at the World Baseball Challenge in Canada recently. One of his coaches on the national team and head coach of Vanderbilt University, a well known prospect factory, Tim Corbin said “He’s the best hitter we’ve seen. … I think he just hits everything.”

The former concern with Brentz was that his K/BB rate was a bad sign. He’s improved the numbers significantly this year making the ratio almost a perfect 1:1.

Overall, he’s gotten better over time and there’s no reason to believe that he’ll stop improving barring any risk of serious injury to the hand or wrist that comes with being an outfielder.

7.) New York Mets

Yasmani Grandal, C, University of Miami

Common baseball knowledge dictates that the three positions where a successful team must have a solid mainstay to keep competitive are center field, shortstop, and catcher. The Mets have two of those positions locked up with Jose Reyes and center fielder of the future Angel Pagan, so now they just need the backstop.

Miami catcher Yasmani Grandal is just the player. Obviously, Bryce Harper is the best catching prospect in the game, but Grandal is a relatively close second. His bat has done some serious talking as of late and the defense he plays is second to none in the class.

As for his stats, they’re lofty. He’s hit .418 with 14 homers and 56 RBIs, solid stats for any player, let alone a standout defensive catcher.

NOTE: The Kansas City Royals have been linked to Grandal and may have even reached a pre-draft deal with him. Reports are unconfirmed, but still, if he lands there instead, don’t be shocked.

8.) Houston Astros

Zach Cox, 3B, Arkansas

The ‘Stros have been one of the Majors’ most inept teams this season, posting a 22-35 record so far.  They haven’t had much stability at the third base position since…well it’s been awhile since they’ve had a real mainstay over there.

Zach Cox will fix that. The former Arkansas star possesses the most advanced bat in the draft; he really understands the art of hitting. The same can’t really be said for his glove unfortunately. Cox is a decent fielder, but it just won’t be enough at the next level. A switch to second is imminent.

Even with this position switch looming, his bat should get him a lot of attention, and the Astros could really use another Craig Biggio.

9.) San Diego Padres

Kolbrin Vitek, 2B, Ball State University

The Padres appear to have a dilemma at number nine. They clearly don’t love any of the high school talent that should be available at the pick, and the college players that they want will all but certainly be of f the board. This leaves them with very few options outside of Vitek.

Chances are he’ll be available, he’s a good player that the Padres could really utilize, and can use the monstrous gaps at Petco Park to his advantage. Chances are he won’t stay at second, he’s already moved around quite a few times in his career, so a switch to the outfield isn’t too much of a stretch.

His strongest area is his bat speed, but he can also hit for a little bit of power, however if he goes to San Diego, that won’t show but as we’ve seen with guys like Adrian Gonzalez, good players have found ways to produce in that park, and a guy who loves hitting into the gaps like Vitek should thrive.

The hitting skills are there, he just needs a defensive spot. Vitek doesn’t have the power you look for in a corner outfielder, and doesn’t quite have the speed required from a center fielder.

10.) Oakland Athletics

Michael Choice, OF, University of Texas-Arlington

Oakland is a dead zone for power this year, so the selection of Michael Choice to change that a few years down the road makes sense. Choice is an excellent raw power hitter from UT Arlington with a very busy swing.

His mechanics are a little unconventional which makes his stock take a hit, but the risk is worth it for a team that desperately needs a power hitter. His speed serves him well in the outfield. Choice needs a little bit of time to accelerate, but once he gets going, he really gets going.

His name shot up many boards due to the severe lack of all around talent at the college level this year, and a top ten pick is certainly not out of the question for someone with this much upside. He might not be an elite hitter by any measure, but he’s got some potential to make an impact with his enormous strength by 2013.