After watching Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon with another impressive performance at the plate Wednesday evening, it got me thinking how he ever could have lasted to the #6 pick in the draft. Certainly the 2011 draft was one of the deepest in recent memory, but how could five teams pass on such a pure hitter? With hindsight being (nearly) 20-20, I decided to review the 2011 MLB Draft, and project how the top-10 picks in that draft would play out almost three years later.

#1 Pittsburgh   Jose Fernandez RHP
Sure Gerrit Cole is an excellent pitcher, but the Pirates would quickly pounce on Fernandez, perhaps the best pitcher not named Kershaw in major league baseball.

#2 Seattle   Gerrit Cole RHP
The Mariners would be tempted to take a major league ready bat like Rendon or Houston’s George Springer, but the opportunity to get a true top-of-the-rotation starter would be too tempting to let pass.

#3 Arizona   Javier Baez SS
The options here are impressive, as major league hitters Springer and Rendon are on the board, as well as their current top pitching prospect Archie Bradley. However, with their stated desire for right-handed power, the 40-home run ceiling of Baez might overwhelm and short-circuit the decision-makers in Arizona.

#4 Baltimore   George Springer OF
This selection was difficult, as a pitcher like Sonny Gray or a bat like Rendon would be difficult to pass on, but with few hitting prospects in the minor leagues, and a current weakness in left field, not to mention the impending free agent status of Nick Markakis, I believe the Orioles would pounce on Springer.

#5 Kansas City   Sonny Gray RHP
If this was prior to the Royals signing Omar Infante this winter, I would quickly slot Rendon to Kansas City to solve their long-term hole at second base. However with that 4-year signing and the team heavily invested in Mike Moustakas at 3B, I think the Royals hesitantly pass on Rendon. Sonny Gray is extremely tempting and would pair well with James Shields and Yordano Ventura in the Royals rotation, making him a nice fit at #5.

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Pitching prospects like Archie Bradley and Dylan Bundy would quickly bolster the Nationals pitching depth or Francisco Lindor could be the long-term answer at shortstop if Ian Desmond does not sign an extension in Washington. Nonetheless, with questions to Ryan Zimmerman’s position in the future, the Nationals would again quickly pounce on Rendon at pick #6.

#7 Arizona   Archie Bradley RHP
Lindor is tempting and would give Arizona arguably the two best shortstop prospects in the minor leagues, but the ceiling of Bradley and Arizona’s familiarity with him leads me to project him to the Diamondbacks at #7.

#8 Cleveland   Francisco Lindor SS
The Indians were fortunate to select Lindor at #8 three years ago, and they might be even more excited to snatch him again this time around. A pure shortstop prospect with above-average two-way talent, Lindor has the potential to make multiple All-Star game appearances in his career.

#9 Chicago Cubs   Dylan Bundy RHP
Certainly the Cubs liked getting Baez here three years ago rather than this hypothetical alternative reality. However in this situation, the Cubs would be pleased to choose Dylan Bundy, one of the best pitching prospects in baseball who should return from Tommy John surgery in June or July.

#10 San Diego Padres   Jackie Bradley Jr. CF
Probably the toughest pick to project as I struggled primarily between Bradley and Austin Hedges with this selection. In the end I decided Bradley’s major league readiness and potential offensive value was greater than a monster defensive catcher in Hedges.

Other Intriguing Names:
Trevor Bauer, Tony Cingrani, Tyler Glasnow, Austin Hedges, Henry Owens, Alex Meyer, Bubba Starling, Robert Stephenson, and Kolten Wong