The best day of the year is only one week away – No, not the last day of school, the 2015 MLB Draft commences next Monday night. With this in mind, I figured it was the appropriate time to do my 1st Mock Draft of 2015, projecting the entire 1st round plus Baltimore and Washington’s selections on Day 1.

While I have talked with many baseball people in recent days about the draft, this list should be viewed as whom I believe the individual team would select if the picks fell this way next week, not filled with any “insider” knowledge. That said here is THE NatsGM 2015 Mock Draft, Version 1.0.

Arizona Diamondbacks Pick #1 Dansby Swanson SS Vanderbilt

I was tempted to put Rodgers here as I have an odd feeling Arizona likes him and is downplaying their enthusiasm. However after the recent hot streak of Swanson in the SEC Tournament and the NCAAs, I think he is eventually the #1 overall pick.

Houston Astros Pick #2 Brendan Rodgers SS Lake Mary HS

The Astros love Swanson and would run to the podium to select him if Arizona passes on him. I could see Bregman here but believe Houston eventually gambles on Rodgers’ immense upside.

Colorado Rockies Pick #3 Tyler Jay LHP University of Illinois

If either Swanson or Rodgers slips to #3, I think they are the pick. Otherwise, I think Colorado takes the top pitcher available (in their minds) – Tate is tempting but I believe Jay’s repertoire fits better in Coors Field, making him the selection.

Texas Rangers Pick #4 Dillon Tate RHP UC Santa Barbara

Tate has struggled a bit in recent weeks, but his performance the other night in the NCAA Regionals, which had him sitting 94-98mph, should have him seen as the best college righty on the board. Texas has plenty of hitting but could use a front-line pitcher to bolster their farm system.

Houston Astros Pick #5 Alex Bregman SS LSU

Daz Cameron could be tempting here, but I expect the Astros to take a safer player, both track record and bonus demand wise, here at #5 and select Bregman. Bregman would pair extremely nicely in a prospect infield with Carlos Correa and Brendan Rodgers potentially as the future in Houston.

Minnesota Twins Pick #6 Daz Cameron OF Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy HS

I do not have a great feel for this pick, so I would expect Minnesota to lean toward the best player available, which likely could be Mike Cameron’s son, Daz.

Boston Red Sox Pick #7 Ian Happ OF University of Cincinnati

I know everyone discusses Boston’s depth with hitting prospects, but I can see Happ serving as a possible heir apparent to Dustin Pedroia at second base, with left field or third base being a solid backup plan.

Chicago White Sox Pick #8 Jon Harris RHP Missouri State

Carson Fulmer is interesting, but I think the White Sox choose Harris here at pick #8, preferring the certainty of Harris staying as a starter long-term.

Chicago Cubs Pick #9 Tyler Stephenson Catcher

The Cubs are certainly choosing best player available, though they would like to see a college pitcher all things equal. If Harris is on the board, I believe he’s the pick, but if not, I think Stephenson is the selection, as a backup plan in case Kyle Schwarber is traded or not a long-term catcher.

Philadelphia Phillies Pick #10 Kyle Tucker OF Plant HS

Once again, Philadelphia would like to see Harris available and they could select the Vanderbilt RHPs Walker Buehler or Carson Fulmer. However, foreshadowing a major mid-season trade of Cole Hamels (and others), I expect the Phillies to take the most talented player available, Kyle Tucker.

Cincinnati Reds Pick #11 Andrew Benintendi OF University of Arkansas

A Cincinnati native who has blossomed as a draft-eligible sophomore, dominating the competition in the SEC, Benintendi would be difficult for the Reds to pass on if available.

Miami Marlins Pick #12 Carson Fulmer RHP Vanderbilt

Fulmer’s slide stops here, as the Marlins could look for a quick return on investment with this pick and select Fulmer. Scouts question if he is a long-term starter or reliever, but few question a long career in the majors barring injury. He fits well here at pick #12.

Tampa Bay Rays Pick #13 Walker Buehler RHP Vanderbilt

Although Tampa leans toward high school players often in the draft, the Rays’ have missed on numerous picks in recent drafts and could look to bolster their system with a college player, specifically proven SEC starter Walker Buehler. As a college pitcher with projection remaining, Buehler could benefit greatly from Tampa’s noted scouting and development people.

Atlanta Braves Pick #14 Cornelius Randolph SS Griffin HS

Giving the Braves the best available high school player in Georgia is almost too easy, so Randolph goes to Atlanta here at #14.

Milwaukee Brewers Pick #15 Chris Betts Catcher Wilson HS

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New York Yankees Pick #16 Garrett Whitley OF Niskayuna HS

Many have speculated a college pitcher for the Yankees, but the value here in the middle of the 1st round is with high school outfielders, as Whitley and Trenton Clark are still available. A New York native with excellent potential at the plate, Whitley feels like a perfect pick for the Yankees.

Cleveland Indians Pick #17 Trenton Clark OF Richland HS

I do not have much of a feel for this pick, but Texas high school outfielder Trenton Clark is a tremendous value past the top-15 and slots well to an organization that values outfielders highly.

San Francisco Giants Pick #18 James Kaprielian RHP UCLA

Kaprielian is one of the safest players in this draft and UCLA’s Friday starter will likely be off the board before the Giants pick. However, somehow he is still available the way this draft has fallen, making Kaprielian a solid pick for San Francisco and fits with organizational need as well.

Pittsburgh Pirates Pick #19 Mike Nikorak RHP Stroudsburg HS

A talented high school righty from a local high school, Mike Nikorak could be selected much higher next week, but is a slam dunk pick for the Pirates if he lasts to #19.

Oakland Athletics Pick #20 Cody Ponce RHP Cal Poly Pomona

A local product from nearby division 2 Cal Poly Pomona, Cody Ponce has skyrocketed up draft boards this spring and would be a perfect pick for Oakland.

Kansas City Royals Pick #21 Phil Bickford RHP JC of Southern Nevada

Kansas City liked Bickford a bunch a few years ago and it would be surprising to see them pass on him if he is still available when they are on the clock.

Detroit Tigers Pick #22 Ashe Russell RHP Cathedral Catholic HS

Detroit tends to favor hard-throwing pitchers and/or prospects seeming to slip in the draft with their top pick and Ashe Russell certainly fits that description. A power righty from Indianapolis, Russell would be an excellent pick for Detroit to enhance their floundering farm system.

St. Louis Cardinals Pick #23 Kolby Allard LHP San Clemente HS

The Cardinals tend to prefer college players in the 1st round, but the opportunity to add perhaps the best high school left-handed pitcher in this year’s draft would be too tempting for the Cardinals.

Los Angeles Dodgers Pick #24 Brady Aiken LHP IMG Academy

The Dodgers have been heavily rumored to Aiken, especially since they acquired the #74 pick from Baltimore in the Ryan Webb trade earlier this spring. Aiken was the top pick in a perceived stronger draft class last summer before negotiations collapsed with the Houston Astros last summer. Then he enrolled in junior college, pitched a few innings and then underwent Tommy John surgery this spring. All that said Aiken has a tremendous amount of potential and would be an magnificent risk/reward selection late in Round 1.

Baltimore Orioles Pick #25 Kevin Newman SS University of Arizona

The Orioles farm system is rather thin currently, so I would expect Baltimore to lean toward collegiate players in hopes of a quick return. Kyle Funkhouser and Nathan Kirby will be tempting, but I expect them to favor Arizona shortstop Kevin Newman as their top pick.

Los Angeles Angels Pick #26 Blake Trahan SS Louisiana-Lafayette

Similarly to Baltimore, I expect the Angels to lean toward college players in Round 1, preferring to choose a more “polished” and closer-to-the-majors prospect. Trahan is not quite as well-known as others but he is an exciting college hitter capable of staying in the middle infield, making him a nice choice to end Round 1.

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Baltimore Orioles Pick #36 Kyle Funkhouser RHP University of Louisville

Six weeks ago it would have been laughable that Funkhouser would be available outside of the top-15 picks, but recent struggles and a rumored velocity loss could allow him to slide into the compensation round. Although the Orioles have been burned by top pitching prospects and velocity loss, I think Funkhouser’s ceiling would be too great for Baltimore to pass on with their 2nd pick.

Washington Nationals Pick #58 Mike Matuella RHP Duke University

While it is difficult to believe Matuella will still be available here at #58, the rumors are many teams have taken him completely off their draft boards due to his medical concerns. The Nationals tend to overlook medicals, especially with pitchers, more than most teams and could be the team that takes the risk selecting Matuella. If he reaches #58, I believe Matuella will be the pick for Washington.

Baltimore Orioles Pick #68 Alex Robinson LHP University of Maryland

After taking two talented prospects thought to be selected higher than they were, I project Baltimore to attempt to save a few dollars with an “under-slot” player in local prospect University of Maryland left-handed pitcher Alex Robinson. Baltimore scouts have packed Maryland home games this spring, and the opportunity to add the upper-90s arm in Robinson, plus save a few dollars, would make this a strong pick at #68.

Washington Nationals Pick #69 Brett Lilek LHP Arizona State

After taking high-risk/high-reward Matuella, I think Washington would lean toward a safer prospect, perhaps with “under-slot” bonus demands, with their 2nd pick on Day 1. Lilek has struggled with some “draftitis” this spring after a strong sophomore season with Arizona State, but his solid command of a 3-pitch mix and recent better performance could make him a Rizzo-type choice late in Round 2.