2027 MLB Draft: MLB Pipeline releases way-too-early mock

Not too long after the 2026 MLB Draft took place, attention shifted to a year later. Plenty of people are excited about what the 2027 MLB Draft has in store. The venue will be quite an iconic one too, as the Chicago Cubs are hosting the MLB All-Star Game. MLB Pipeline has given us a way-too-early look at what might unfold from the Windy City. Their first mock draft of the cycle has been released, providing 20 picks. There is a good mix of high school and college names in there. [ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ] Of course, the draft order is not set quite yet. Baseball’s second half just got underway, meaning there are plenty of games to play. Nonetheless, here’s a look at Pipeline’s way-too-early 2027 mock. 1. Kansas City Royals – Norco (CA) SS Dylan Seward Similar to this past year, the top two prospects for the ’27 class are shortstops. One comes from the high school ranks, as Seward is the way-too-early projection for the No. 1 overall pick. MLB Pipeline: “Seward is a dynamic switch-hitting shortstop committed to Tennessee. He’s a double-plus runner with outstanding bat-to-ball skills from both sides of the plate.” 2. Athletics – Florida SS Brendan Lawson One spot below is Lawson, who is considered one of college baseball’s top players. However, there are questions about his long-term professional position. For now, Lawson will stick at shortstop for the Gators. MLB Pipeline: “He’s hit well [at Florida], getting to his power a lot more as a sophomore (19 homers, .699 SLG). He plays short for the Gators but probably moves to third as a pro.” 3. Colorado Rockies – Mississippi State LHP Tomas Valincius Mississippi State will have quite an impressive rotation during the 2027 season. Valincius should headline the bunch due to three great pitches. In their breakdown, Pipeline explained what makes them great. MLB Pipeline: “He does it with a very good three-pitch mix: a fastball that sits around 95 mph, a mid-80s slider with depth that missed bats at a 48-percent clip, according to Synergy, and an effective mid-80s changeup.” 4. New York Mets – Arizona State OF Landon Hairston Hairston was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. Thankfully for him, there is another opportunity to take the trophy home. He might wind up being the favorite, especially if a similar slashline is put up. MLB Pipeline: “Hairston had one of the best seasons of any college hitter in the nation, finishing his sophomore year with a .400/.509/.860 line to go along with 28 homers, 11 steals and more walks than strikeouts.” 5. Los Angeles Angels – Oregon State RHP Dax Whitney Whitney has been an exciting prospect for quite some time now. Oregon State can produce MLB players as well as anybody out there. There are some injuries to fight through but Whitney will be a popular guy over the next 12 months. MLB Pipeline: “Whitney might have topped this list as the best college arm in the class had it not been for a torn UCL that required a hybrid Tommy John/internal brace procedure.” 6. Baltimore Orioles – West Virginia INF Gavin Kelly “Plus speed” is one of Kelly’s best attributes. It’s why his position is not exactly defined, playing multiple roles in Morgantown. Oh, and the bat is pretty good as well. MLB Pipeline: “Kelly is a big reason why West Virginia made it to Omaha this year, slashing .382/.477/.725. He’s caught and played second mostly for the Mountaineers, but he’s also played plenty of outfield, using his plus speed well on both sides.” 7. Cincinnati Reds – Wake Forest RHP Chris Levonas The Reds just locked up a flamethrowing righty from Wake Forest for the long-term. Of course, there is a long way to go before this becomes a match. However, Levonas has a chance to be up there with the likes of Chase Burns. MLB Pipeline: “He’ll be one of the top college arms to consider, especially if he builds off his 10-3, 2.82 ERA, 116/33 K/BB, .171 BAA sophomore season. His fastball sat at 97 mph this year, and he uses a curve and cutter-like-slider behind it.” 8. Detroit Tigers – Louisville 1B Tague Davis Leading D1 Baseball in home runs is going to get you some attention. So, Davis gets some love from Pipeline with a top-10 selection in the way-too-early mock draft. MLB Pipeline: “Do you like power? Then Davis might be the guy for you. He led all of Division 1 with 34 homers in 2026 while slashing .355/.443/.848 for Louisville.” 9. Toronto Blue Jays – Sun Valley (NC) LHP Connor Salerno Salerno is the first high school arm to appear in Pipeline’s mock draft. Per usual, left-handers are what get selected this high from the prep ranks. MLB Pipeline: “Committed to Mississippi State, Salerno features a mid-90s fastball, can spin a breaking ball and has good feel for a change, all while competing well in the strike zone consistently.” 10. San Francisco Giants – Lincoln (FL) SS/RHP Chase Fuller Two-way players have certainly become popular across baseball, as high school kids go the professional route as both. Pipeline noted most people prefer Fuller’s bat but the fastball is over 90 miles per hour. MLB Pipeline: “Fuller’s father, Corey, was an NFL defensive back, and Chase offers similar athleticism and strength. He’s got a terrific right-handed swing and has produced well.” Way-too-early mock for 2027 MLB Draft: Pipeline picks No. 11-20 11. Houston Astros – Aquinas (CA) SS Carter Hadnot12. Boston Red Sox – The First Academy (FL) OF Kinon Bastian13. Washington Nationals – Auburn C Chase Fralick14. Minnesota Twins – Blue Valley (KS) Grant Westphal15. San Diego Padres – Florida RHP Aidan King16. Arizona Diamondbacks – Stanford 3B/OF Teddy Tokheim17. Pittsburgh Pirates – Shadow Creek (SS) Lubin Rincon18. St. Louis Cardinals – Metrolina Christian Academy (NC) OF Jacob Seamon19. Seattle Mariners – Santiago (CA) RHP Striker Pence20. Cleveland Guardians – Texas SS/3B/OF Adrian Rodriguez