Mock drafts are tricky business regardless of the sport, but that’s especially true when it comes to the MLB draft.
A staggering 1,216 total players will be taken over the course of the three-day event that begins Thursday, June 9.
When you couple that vast pool of amateur talent with the fact that teams have bonus-pool restrictions to take into account, it’s fair to assume all 30 teams have varying strategies and draft boards.
With that warning of impending inaccuracy out of the way, what follows is our best attempt at mocking the first round of the 2016 MLB draft.
Florida left-hander A.J. Puk, Tennessee infielder Nick Senzel, Mercer outfielder Kyle Lewis and Louisville outfielder Corey Ray headline this year’s college crop.
Meanwhile, New Jersey left-hander Jason Groome, Kansas right-hander Riley Pint and California outfielders Mickey Moniak and Blake Rutherford highlight the high school ranks.
There is no shortage of potential star-level talent behind those marquee guys, though, and every team will be hoping they hit on the next big thing.
Here’s a look at Bleacher Report’s final Round 1 MLB mock draft.