MLB Mock Draft 2009: Stephen Strasburg To Be #1 Pick

The 2009 MLB Draft is set for June 9 to June 11, 2009. Not nearly as publicized as the NFL and NBA drafts, the MLB draft remains the biggest way for teams to improve their rosters.

Here's a 2009 MLB Mock Draft:

1. Washington Nationals – Stephen Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State The easiest pick int the draft. Strasburg is considered the best high school prospect to come around in years.

2. Seattle Mariners – Dustin Ackley, 1B/OF, North Carolina – A decent consolation prize. The UNC slugger is the best hitter in the draft.

3. San Diego Padres – Aaron Crow, RHP, Fort Worth Cats – Crow's second shot at the draft after being selected #9 by the Nationals last year. Hopefully, he can work out a deal with Padres, something he couldn't do with Washington.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates –  Donavan Tate, OF, Cartersville (Ga.) H.S. – Solid player who may end up going to college. Not to confused with actor and Jennifer Aniston-ex Tate Donovan. 

5. Baltimore Orioles – Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley (Calif.) H.S. A solid pitcher with great control.

6. San Francisco Giants – Zach Wheeler, RHP, East Paulding (Ga.) H.S. – May take a while to develop, but could turn into a solid addition to Giants rotation that includes Tim Lincecum and Barry Zito.

7. Atlanta Braves - Shelby Miller, RHP, Brownwood (Texas) H.S. – A hard-throwing righty from Texas. What's not to like?

8. Cincinnati Reds – Tanner Scheppers, RHP, St. Paul Saints Pirates couldn’t sign him last year. Seems to have recovered early from a shoulder injury.

9. Detroit Tigers – Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian (Mo.) H.S. – Local boy made good.

10. Washington Nationals – Mike Leake, RHP, Arizona State The Nationals feel snakebit after not signing players from previous drafts. A guy like Leake seems like the kind of guy that would get a deal done.

11. Colorado Rockies – Mike Minor, LHP, Vanderbilt A solid college veteran who could slide into the Rockies rotation relatively quickly.

12. Kansas City Royals – Mike Trout, OF, Millville (N.J.) H.S. Still hasn't turned 18 yet. Still, the Royals might take a chance on the talented youngster.

13. Oakland Athletics – Grant Green, SS, Southern California – Billy Beane loves the lanky Green, one of the best shortstops in college baseball. Not to confused with legendary jazz guitarist Grant Green.

14. Texas Rangers – A.J. Pollock, OF, Notre Dame  Solid numbers through 59 games this season for the Irish: .365 avg, 10 HRs, 52 RBIs.

15. Cleveland Indians – Matt Purke, LHP, Klein (Texas) H.S. – If the big lefty is still on the table, the Tribe will take him in a heartbeat.

16. Arizona Diamondbacks – Bobby Borchering, 1B/3B, Bishop Verot (Fla.) H.S. – One of the best the best hitters in the draft, Borchering is a solid 6'4" infielder who will likely play first base in the bigs.

17. Arizona Diamondbacks – Rex Brothers, LHP, Lipscomb The kid is a strikeout machine.

18. Florida Marlins – James Paxton, LHP, Kentucky A fireballer who throws near 100 mpg may make a Jonathan Papelbon-esque closer.

19. St. Louis Cardinals – Matt Hobgood, RHP, Norco (Calif.) H.S. – Another power pitcher.

20. Toronto Blue Jays – Kyle Gibson, RHP, Missouri Even though he's out with busted-up arm, at 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, the Jays may take a chance on the big kid from the Show-Me State.

21. Houston Astros – Tim Wheeler, OF, Sacramento State – A nice little contact hitter with speed, something every team is looking for.

22. Minnesota Twins – Jared Mitchell, OF, Louisiana State – A speedy outfielder who likes to steal bases.

23. Chicago White Sox – Matt Davidson, 3B, Yucaipa (Calif.) H.S. – A power hitting infielder who may switch from third base to first. Still a few years away from contributing.

24. Los Angeles Angels – Eric Arnett, RHP, Indiana – The 6-foot-5, 230-pound righty should be a good fit for the Angels organization.

25. Los Angeles Angels –Reymond Fuentes, OF, Fernando Callego HS The cousin of New York Mets star Carlos Beltran. Fuentes is a speedy outfielder who can run a run the 60-yard dash in 6.3 seconds.

26. Milwaukee Brewers – Chad Jenkins, RHP, Kennesaw State – The Brewers are always cost-conscious, and may choose the  6-foot-4, 235-pound righty because they think they can get him on the cheap.

27. Seattle Mariners – Tyler Skaggs, LHP, Santa Monica (Calif.) H.S. – The 6-foot-4 lefty may develop into a solid starter. Not to be confused with 70s rocker Boz Scaggs.

28. Boston Red Sox – Tony Sanchez, C, Boston College – A "local yokel" as Red Auerbach would say, Red Sox fans hope he may be the second coming of Jason Varitek.

29. New York Yankees – Andrew Oliver, LHP, Oklahoma State Fireball throwing lefty, who may become one of the few Yankee starters to not be a high-priced free agent acquisition.

30. Tampa Bay Rays – Brett Jackson, OF, California A great all-around athlete who can fit into any roster.

31. Chicago Cubs – Garrett Gould, RHP, Maize (Kan.) H.S. One of the best curveballs of anyone in the draft.

32. Colorado Rockies – Everett Williams, OF, McCallum (Texas) H.S. A great athlete who needs to develop power to stick in the Major Leagues.