Round 1 Mock

With the official start on Monday, why not try and get some real speculation and chatter going? Here's my take on Round1:

Tomke: Francisco Rodriguez

-Solid in the OF and not needing a basher at 1B with Justin Morneau coming back, Dave gets the most talented player in the draft and the best closer available without question. Last year's best pitching staff has a great foundation between Bondo and K-Rod.

Baron: Carlos Delgado

-Baron all of a sudden has the first complete infield, and arguably the best. It's not easy to get a consistent powerful vet in a great offense in the draft; Delgado fits all of those criteria

Schillinger: Rafael Furcal

-Will replace the dearly departed Michael Young with another SS who provides good steals for a keeper crew that doesn't really have any.

Viano: Adam Dunn

-Personally, I was stunned to see Dunn get thrown back into the pool, but it could all work out for Viano as he gets the powerful run producer back in the 1st round. With 3 SPs kept, it's going to be offense here.

Lincoln: Hideki Matsui

-A freakish wrist injury is what cost Matsui his season last season- a non-recurring one-time injury shouldn't scare anyone away from Mr. Reliable.

Champ: Daiske Matsuzaka

-Johnny Damon or Gary Sheffield are tempting here with just Delmon Young in the OF, but I think a gamble on Matsuzaka to complement Roy Oswalt is about fitting here. It's a gamble more likely to pay off than bust, in my opinion.

Stem: Johnny Damon

-Balanced player is the safe bet in round 1. Could also go towards a 1B, all depends on which spot (1B or OF) Stem feels Lance Berkman should fill. New Tiger Gary Sheffield lurks.

Wolfman: Paul Konerko

-Agonized over keeping the Sox powerful first baseman, and now gets him back at #8. Well played.

JR: Cole Hamels

-Radcliffe loves stud arms and stud youngsters. Hamels is both, and JR will certainly rub it in our face that he has him.

Gieryna: BJ Ryan

-Probably holding his breath that Hamels falls this far. If he doesn't (and probably shouldn't) Ryan is the best pitcher left on the board, and this is a team that really only needs pitching. Even though I think a SP is more likely, I don't see any that have the same value as Ryan.

Bonus: Round 2

Schillinger: Mark Prior

-You know it's going to happen.