In a new mock draft for The Athletic that was released this morning, Keith Law has the Atlanta Braves selecting prep right-handed pitcher William Schmidt from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with the 24th pick of the draft.
Law doesn’t say much about Schmidt, just noting that the Braves are a team that hasn’t been afraid to take prep arms high – after noting earlier in his article the lower quality of this draft along with the lack of information he has for teams outside of the top dozen picks.
It certainly has a feel for Schmidt being the guy rated highest, as well as Law using the picks of Owen Murphy and JR Ritchie in the first round to justify the Braves being open to him that high rather than a solid link between the pair.
That said Schmidt would be an intriguing pick at #24. He’s a projectable 6’4, 180-pound right hander with a pair of plus or better pitches in his fastball and his plus-plus curve. With the best curve in the class, the ability to touch 99 MPH with the fastball, some feel for a lightly used change, plenty of projection, and the ability to throw strikes there is a lot to like with him.
It is also worth noting that he would not likely come cheap as he is a Baton Rouge kid that is committed to LSU, and his high school has sent a long line of top players there over the years.
The only player from a Georgia high school or college selected in the 30-pick mock is Charlie Condon going with the second overall pick to the Reds.
