After 3 long days the MLB Draft has concluded. The Mets have drafted 41 new players, some of which will join the organization and some who will not. I will list them based on their official pick number and then their ranking on Baseball America’s top 500 if applicable.

12. SS Gavin Cecchini – Barbe HS (LA) – BA Rank 16
35. C Kevin Plawecki – Purdue – BA Rank 67
71. 3B Matt Reynolds – Arkansas – BA Rank 147
75. RHP Teddy Stankiewicz – Forth Worth Christian HS (TX) – BA Rank 137
107. RHP Matt Koch – Louisville – BA Rank 61
140. SS Branden Kaupe – Baldwin HS (HI) – BA Rank NR
170. RHP Brandon Welch – Palm Beach State CC – BA Rank 135
200. 1B Jayce Boyd – Florida State – BA Rank 394
230. RHP Corey Oswalt – Madison HS (CA) – BA Rank 311
260. C Tomas Nido – Orangewood Christian HS (FL) – BA Rank 303
290. 2B Richie Rodriguez – Eastern Kentucky – BA Rank NR
320. RHP Paul Sewald – San Diego – BA Rank NR
350. RHP Logan Taylor – Eastern Oklahoma State JC – BA Rank 312
380. RHP Robert Whalen – Haines City HS (FL) – BA Rank NR
410. RHP Matthew Bowman – Princeton – BA Rank NR
440. RHP Chris Flexen – Newark Memorial HS (CA) – BA Rank 306
470. RHP Nicholas Grant – Milford HS (DE) – BA Rank NR
500. RHP Myles Smith – Miami Dade CC South – BA Rank 358
530. C Stefan Sabol – Orange Coast CC – BA Rank 293
560. LHP Paul Paez – Rio Hondo CC – BA Rank NR
590. RHP Tyler Vanderheiden – Samford – BA Rank NR
620. RHP Timothy Peterson – Kentucky – BA Rank NR
650. LHP Gary Byrd – Bethel – BA Rank NR
680. RHP Tejay Antone – Mansfield Legacy HS (TX) – BA Rank NR
710. RHP Connor Baits – Point Loma HS (CA) – BA Rank 281
740. RHP Andrew Massie – Dyer County HS (TN) – BA Rank NR
770. 2B Leon Byrd – Cypress Ranch HS (TX) – BA Rank NR
800. 1B Chris Shaw – Lexington HS (MA) – BA Rank NR
830. C Zach Arnold – Franklin County HS (KY) – BA Rank NR
860. RHP Jacob Marks – St Clair SS (Canada) – BA Rank NR
890. C Austin Barr – Camas HS (WA) – BA Rank 234
920. RHP Dustin Cook – Hargrave HS (TX) – BA Rank NR
950. SS Vance Vizcaino – Wakefield HS (NC) – BA Rank NR
980. 1B Jonathan Leroux – Northeastern U – BA Rank NR
1010. RHP Jared Price – Twin Valley HS (PA) – BA Rank 232
1040. SS Mikey White – Spain Park HS (AL) – BA Rank 183
1070. RHP Bradley Markey – Santa Fe CC – BA Rank 465
1100. SS Donovan Walton – Bishop Kelly HS (OK) – BA Rank NR
1130. C Benny Distefano – Lawrence E Elkins HS (TX) – BA Rank NR
1160. 3B Jeff Reynolds – Harvard – BA Rank NR
1190. 2B Patrick Irvin – Pace HS (FL) – BA Rank NR
1220. RHP David Gonzalez – Gainesville HS (GA) – BA Rank 348

Depending on how many of those high school kids they sign this could actually turn out to be at least a solid draft for the Mets considering it was the first year of the new CBA.

1. Houston Astros – RHP Mark Appel – Stanford

2. Minnesota Twins – OF Byron Buxton – Appling County HS (GA)

3. Seattle Mariners – C Mike Zunino – Florida

4. Baltimore Orioles – RHP Kevin Gausman – LSU

5. Kansas City Royals – RHP Kyle Zimmer – San Francisco

6. Chicago Cubs – OF Albert Almora – Mater Academy (FL)

7. San Diego Padres – SS Carlos Correa – Puerto Rico Baseball Academy

8. Pittsburgh Pirates – OF David Dahl – Oak Mountain HS (AL)

9. Miami Marlins – LHP Andrew Heaney – Oklahoma State

10. Colorado Rockies – LHP Max Fried – Harvard Westlake HS (CA)

11. Oakland Athletics – RHP Lance McCullers Jr – Jesuit HS (FL)

12. New York Mets – OF Courtney Hawkins – Carroll HS (TX)

13. Chicago White Sox – RHP Michael Wacha – Texas A+M

14. Cincinnati Reds – SS Deven Marrero – Arizona State

15. Cleveland Indians – RHP Chris Stratton – Missisippi State

16. Washington Nationals – RHP Marcus Stroman – Duke

17. Toronto Blue Jays – RHP Lucas Giolito – Harvard Westlake HS (CA)

18. Los Angeles Dodgers – RHP Ty Hensley – Edmond Santa Fe HS (OK)

19. St Louis Cardinals – C Stryker Trahan – Acadiana HS (LA)

20. San Francisco Giants – RHP Zach Eflin – Hagerty HS (FL)

21. Atlanta Braves – SS Tanner Rahier – Palm Desert HS (CA)

22. Toronto Blue Jays – 3B Richie Shaffer – Clemson

23. St Louis Cardinals – SS Gavin Cecchini – Barbe HS (LA)

24. Boston Red Sox – 3B Stephen Piscotty – Stanford

25. Tampa Bay Rays – OF DJ Davis – Stone County HS (MISS)

26. Arizona Diamondbacks – 3B Corey Seager – Northwest Carrabus HS (NC)

27. Milwaukee Brewers – C Clint Coulter – Union HS (WA)

28. Milwaukee Brewers – OF Tyler Naquin – Texas A+M

29. Texas Rangers – RHP Duane Underwood – Pope HS (GA)

30. New York Yankees – 3B Joey Gallo – Bishop Gorman HS (NV)

31. Boston Red Sox – LHP Matt Smoral – Solon HS (OH)

I had the opportunity to record an interview with MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo yesterday. We talked about a range of things related to the draft and you will struggle to find someone better in the business when it comes to draft coverage. Be aware that toward the end of this interview there was a Yankees question as this interview should get some play on a Long Island radio station so I had to keep it broad. But then again this draft series is about the draft as a whole, not just the Mets. Click the play button below to hear my interview with MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo.

Interview with MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo

1. Houston Astros – RHP Mark Appel – Stanford – Word around (also stated by John Manuel from Baseball America in the interview he did with me) is that Houston is considering Byron Buxton, Appel and Kevin Gausman for the #1 pick. They are talking trying to get a guy for as much as $2M under slot for the #1 pick so they have more money to spread out to their other picks. Appel could be a guy willing to give a hometown discount as he has plenty of ties to the area and he’s certainly deserving of being the #1 pick talent wise.

2. Minnesota Twins – OF Byron Buxton – Appling County HS (GA) – The Twins are likely considering the same 3 guys as Houston is for #1. I do not think they’d pass on Appel if he were to fall to them. But with Appel off the board I cannot imagine the Twins passing on a potential star like Buxton. There are plenty of scouts who like him better than Bubba Starling who went #5 to Kansas City last year with much hype. This is a quality upside pick for Minnesota.

3. Seattle Mariners – C Mike Zunino – Florida – I think Seattle would take Buxton if he were here. I don’t believe they are heavy in on any of the college arms and unless they are truly convinced of Lucas Giolito’s health I cannot see the pick going any way other than Zunino at this point. He is the top catcher in the draft and fits the value at #3. He can be fast tracked through the minors to catch up with some of their top pitchers like last year’s #2 overall pick Danny Hultzen and righty Taijuan Walker.

4. Baltimore Orioles – RHP Kevin Gausman – LSU – The Orioles could consider Giolito if they are comfortable with his health to pair him with Dylan Bundy to be a possible dominant long term 1-2 for Baltimore. I stay with arms and give them in my personal opinion the best college arm in this draft in Kevin Gausman. He can touch 99 and shows a nice feel for a curve and slider. Given what seems like a potential fast tracking of Bundy you can see him and Gausman coming up together for the O’s.

5. Kansas City Royals – RHP Lance McCullers Jr – Jesuit HS (FL) – Time for the drafts first spin. There are people who question if McCullers is a starter or not. I personally think he is and is being underrated by some. Remember just this time last year McCullers was considered the outright favorite to go #1 overall in this draft. McCullers possesses the best pure stuff in this draft and I think if he falls with the right organization that develops him correctly you are looking at a potential star #1 pitcher. Kansas City has been well represented at games in which McCullers has pitched this year so I think they may pull the trigger if Appel or Gausman are off the board.

6. Chicago Cubs – OF Albert Almora – Mater HS (FL) – As of now I believe the Cubs pick will come down to Almora or prep left hander Max Fried who’s stock has slipped some. Almora shows a real high upside bat and the ability to stick as a plus center fielder in pro ball. If the bat matures some he can end up being an All Star in this league. I don’t like to play comparisons but when there are multiple scouts who float the name Carlos Beltran in regards to Almora it gets your attention.

7. San Diego Padres – SS Carlos Correa – Puerto Rico Baseball Academy – You will hear some people say Correa is arguably the best player in this draft. I just didn’t find a pure fit for him in the first 6 picks. The Padres get a great value in a kid who can rake and also play the field with a big time arm. He is likely to end up at third base at some point in pro ball but his bat and arm will play there. Big time upside here and San Diego adds to their already stacked system with another premier talent.

8. Pittsburgh Pirates – SS Deven Marrero – Arizona State – The Pirates have spent like wild men the last couple years in the draft. I think this year you are going to see them look to spread out their money so they can acquire more talent throughout. I think you are looking at a situation here where they may work out a pre-draft deal with Marrero to ensure they get him at a below slot value. His bat is a bit of a question mark but he shows a good eye at the plate and definitely will stick at short long term which is extremely valuable in this league.

9. Miami Marlins – RHP Marcus Stroman – Duke – Could they go prep like outfielder Courtney Hawkins or Fried? Certainly possible but I am having Miami working out a pre-draft under-slot deal with a real fast riser type arm in Stroman. Stroman could be in the Major Leagues Opening Day 2013 and before long become a very good closer in this league if the team chooses to choose that route. You are going to have trouble finding anyone who feels Stroman can start long term given his very small frame and effort in his delivery. I believe the Marlins are going to be looking at spending more in some other rounds so I can see them getting a guy like Stroman who would certainly sign for below slot at #9.

10. Colorado Rockies – OF Courtney Hawkins – Carroll HS (TX) – Colorado is looking for bats to add to the system. At this point in the draft you probably aren’t drafting a better fit than Hawkins. Even if Hawkins has to transition to right field in pro ball his bat will certainly carry at that spot. He has probably the best raw power outside of Joey Gallo and has shown an improved approach at the plate this spring. He has great upside and what will prove very important in this draft is likely signable at this spot despite a scholarship to the University of Texas.

11. Oakland Athletics – RHP Kyle Zimmer – San Francisco – The A’s reportedly are interested in the group of college arms that would be around in this part of the draft (Michael Wacha, Andrew Heaney, Chris Stratton) but they luck out in a potential top 5 selection in Kyle Zimmer falls to them. Zimmer’s stock flew up this spring when he was reportedly hitting 98 on the gun to go with a quality breaking ball. His velocity is fallen back and he pulled a hamstring which is putting a hair of caution in teams. It’s certainly possible Zimmer is long gone by this spot but if he is here I cannot possibly see the A’s passing. Not unlike last year when Sonny Gray fell to them and they snagged him up.

12. New York Mets – LHP Max Fried – Harvard Westlake HS (CA) – I will preface this by saying it is entirely possible that Fried is long gone by time the Mets pick at 12. But I think given what some teams are looking to do it is a possibility that Fried falls to 12. I asked this to MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo on Twitter and he said he thought it was possible that he could be available for the Mets. The Mets have seen a lot of Fried this spring through his ups and downs. The upside is undeniable and I think if Fried falls to 12 the Mets would be ecstatic to select him. Latest I am hearing in regards to the Mets is unless someone falls (ala Fried) they are looking at some prep bats and would also consider Texas A+M righty Michael Wacha.

13. Chicago White Sox – RHP Michael Wacha – Texas A+M – The White Sox are a team that typically stays around slot or below. I do not expect this to change. This time around they get themselves a solid right hander in Wacha who projects as a quality #3 starter with possibility to be a #2. He is the perfect fit for them: a guy who won’t break the bank and a guy who can help them quickly.

14. Cincinnati Reds – LHP Andrew Heaney – Oklahoma State – Heaney is really come on and is meriting a mid-first round pick this year. He is a lefty who gets it up to 93 on his fastball with a slider and change-up too. He looks like someone who will pitch in the middle of a MLB rotation for years to come and I think that is undervalued. You can’t go for pure upside with every first round pick, sometimes it makes sense to grab a guy who you are pretty certain will be a quality guy for you.

15. Cleveland Indians – 3B Richie Shaffer – Clemson – Cleveland can certainly use some legitimate power bats in their system and unless they are believers in Joey Gallo they aren’t going to get a better one at this stage than Shaffer. He has the most power, the best bat speed among college guys. He has shown improved abilities at 3rd base but it is still uncertain if he will play there long term. Regardless of position his bat will play anywhere. This is a good pick by the Indians at this stage.

16. Washington Nationals – RHP Chris Stratton – Mississippi State
17. Toronto Blue Jays – RHP Nick Travieso – Archbishop McCarthy HS (FL)
18. Los Angeles Dodgers – RHP Zach Eflin – Hagerty HS (FL)
19. St Louis Cardinals – 3B Stephen Piscotty – Stanford
20. San Francisco Giants – RHP Walker Weickel – Olympia HS (FL)
21. Atlanta Braves – OF D.J. Davis – Stone County HS (Miss.)
22. Toronto Blue Jays – OF David Dahl – Oak Mountain HS (AL)
23. St Louis Cardinals – SS Corey Seager – Northwest Carrabus HS (NC)
24. Boston Red Sox – SS Gavin Cecchini – Barbe HS (LA)
25. Tampa Bay Rays – RHP Ty Hensley – Edmond Santa Fe HS (OK)
26. Arizona Diamondbacks – 3B Joey Gallo – Bishop Gorman HS (NV)
27. Milwaukee Brewers – OF Tyler Naquin – Texas A+M
28. Milwaukee Brewers – C Stryker Trahan – Acadiana HS (LA)
29. Texas Rangers – RHP Duane Underwood – Pope HS (GA)
30. New York Yankees – SS Addison Russell – Pace HS (FL)
31. Boston Red Sox – OF Victor Roache – Georgia Southern

I had the chance to exchange an e-mail Q+A with Solon HS (Ohio) left handed pitcher Matthew Smoral. Coming into the season Smoral was considered a potential top 10 selection but suffered a stress fracture in his foot that took out his season. He stands at a massive 6’8″ and I have heard comparisons to San Francisco’s Madison Bumgarner. He has a strong commitment to play at The University of North Carolina that may make him a tough sign. Without further ado here is my Q+A with Matthew Smoral.

St Lucie To Flushing: You have missed most of your final high school season due to a stress fracture in your foot. Explain exactly how the injury occurred and how is the rehab coming?

Matthew Smoral: The injury occurred after my first start in Myrtle Beach, SC. I was just walking like normal and i bent down to pick something up and i felt something in my foot and i had a good idea that it was a Stress Fracture. This is an injury i had before and we decided to get it fixed and i am on track for a full recovery and no limitations in the future. I have been rehabbing it as well as working with my trainers to do as much i can in the gym.

St Lucie To Flushing: I know there were a lot of players that were invited to the MLB Network studios for the draft. Were you invited? Do you have any intention to go?

Matthew Smoral: I was not invited to the MLB network studios for the draft. I did not have any intention to go especially after what has happened this year. However i am very excited for it and know i will have a very difficult decision to make.

St Lucie To Flushing: For the fans that don’t really know about you, can you give them a scouting report of yourself as a pitcher?

Matthew Smoral: If i were to give a scouting report of myself i would say i throw a four-seam, two-seam, slider, and changeup. My fastball is my best pitch and has good action on it, my slider is my out pitch i have breen throwing it for about 9 months now and it keeps improving. I look for it to be a very goof pitch in the future. My change-up is a good pitch with good action i just need to get more comfortable throwing it in any count for strikes.

St Lucie To Flushing: Who were some of your idols growing up? Who have you tried to model your game after?

Matthew Smoral: Without a doubt my idol is Randy Johnson. I feel that i have a lot in common with him with our arm slot and hieght. I loved watching him pitch and how much tenacity and energy he had. He found a way to use those emotions to benefit him on the field and have na long succesfull hall of fame career, which is exactly what i want to do.

St Lucie To Flushing: You appear to have a strong commitment to the University of North Carolina. Right now how open are you to signing with an MLB team? Is it dependent on where you are drafted? What steered you to UNC over other colleges?

Matthew Smoral: The University of North Carolina is great in every aspect from academics to baseball and everything inbetween. That is why i choose to go there. There was no doubt in my mind that it was the place for me and i knew it on my first visit. As far as the draft goes i feel that i cant make a wrong decision and i am just blessed to be in the situation that i am in. But this spring my family and i have been preparing for UNC and we will see what happens in June. Both my family and i believe that this injury has not affected the way i throw one bit i am still the pitcher i was before this and i will be even better after it, and thats how we plan to approach the situation.

St Lucie To Flushing: Name your favorite of the following: Food, Band/Genre of Music and hobbies when you’re not playing baseball

Matthew Smoral: My favorite food has to be steak, i love steak and theres nothing better than a new york strip. My favorite genre of music has to be Country especially in the summer when its nice out, and my favorite artist is Luke Bryan.

St Lucie To Flushing: Last question. At 6’8 you can throw down a pretty mean slam dunk in basketball, right?

Matthew Smoral: To answer your last question i can throw it down for sure!! Enough to make our basketball coach cringe for all the years i didnt play

I would like to thank Matthew for his time and wish him the best of luck regardless of what he chooses to do. You can follow him on Twitter @MSmoral23