2028 CBA Mock Draft
Where will the chips fall in what’s being called the greatest draft class in CBA history? With a bit of help from our friends at OSA and some chats with top executives, I take my best guess of who will land with each team in the first day of the draft.
1. Austin Outlaws- CF Brett Sisti (NJCAA)
The Outlaws have been in talks to move around and try to another high pick. The objective of the discussions was to avoid having to decide the classic draft dilemma: talent vs. need. In this case, Austin goes with the most talented player in the class, centerfielder Brett Sisti. The two time NJCAA MVP has the stats and scout ratings to be a superstar. In his two seasons in the league he slashed .425/.515/.943 with a home run every 7.3 at bats. Sisti projects as a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League, so he will make Bronze League pitching look silly.
2. San Diego Skylarks- 1B Dave Buckley (NJCAA)
Multiple league sources have told CBA Today that San Diego Skylarks executives are frustrated with the development of recently drafted pitchers entering the CBA. This rumor sets the stage for the Skylarks taking Howard Bison slugger Dave Buckley with their first of consecutive picks. Buckley grades out with 80 contact and 70 power potential, an unstoppable combination.
3. San Diego Skylarks- SP Steve Salazar (NJCAA)
If San Diego still wants to address pitching while minimizing risk, Steve Salazar should be the guy for them. Pitching in the NJCAA, Salazar was an ace for the Yavapai Roughriders, pitching to a career 10-6 record with a 2.90 ERA. One of the most polished pitchers in the class, Salazar already has the movement to compete in the CBA. “Dodo” will help make the Skylarks time in the Bronze League go extinct.
4. Miami Warriors- SP Cory Fleming (NJCAA)
The Miami Warriors have done it again. For the third year in a row, the Warriors have made a move into the top five of the Amateur Draft. For the price that they paid to acquire the fourth pick from the Roar, they will certainly be looking for a legitimate Premier League ace. That’s why Cory Fleming is the pick. Fleming is a groundballer who will mow down hitters with four plus pitches. Teammates have mentioned that Fleming is a great locker room presence. Miami is willing to take a risk on minor spinal concerns because team trainer Mike Dunmore is regarded as someone who is an expert in back injury prevention.
5. Great Lakes Monsters- 1B Joe Brown (16U)
GM Quinn Grant comes into his first draft in the early stages of a rebuild. In reality, presented with this scenario I would expect Great Lakes to pull the trigger on one of the many offers that they have allegedly received for this pick. For simplicity sake, I have disavowed trades in this mock, so the Monsters select the best potential bat available, Joe Brown. Because the Monsters don’t expect to compete in the next few years, taking a raw prospect makes a lot of sense. Great Lakes steers clear of pitchers in the hopes of limiting bust probability.
6. Carolina Aces- 3B Randy Nelson (NJCAA)
The Carolina Aces are a team that is on the path to the Silver League, but need a few pieces to speed up the process. With Chris Anderson in the big leagues, and Ryan Ebertz on the way, the Aces can go off-brand and select a hitter. Randy Nelson has been the model of consistency as a Laredo Lemur, quite literally his stats were incredibly similar. It’s unlikely Nelson will ever be a MVP candidate, but he is a very solid option and has one of the higher floors in the draft, which is exactly what the Aces need.
7. Iowa Predators- SP John Chrisman (NJCAA)
On pace to get auto-promotion to the Silver League, Iowa needs to prepare itself to face stiffer competition. They need help in their pitching staff, and John Chrisman will be pro-ready in time to contribute. No declared draft prospect boosted their stock more last year than the Grayson Rams’ twenty-one year old phenom Chrisman. Pitching to a 1.36 ERA in eleven starts combined with decent potential ratings makes Chrisman one of the safest pitchers in the class. Iowa needs to hit on this pick, so this JUCO arm makes sense.
8. Salt Lake City Snappers- SP Kevin Bourque (NCAA)
Also hoping for promotion, the Snappers need Silver League quality arms. The difference between the Predators and Salt Lake City is that the Snappers’ rotation has some quality older arms that could hold up better than Iowa’s. With that in mind, the Snappers can risk taking Kevin Bourque, who has posted questionable stats for the Louisville Cardinals. Pitching better of late, Bourque has finally gotten his ERA below 5 runs a game. Taking the hard throwing left hander would be betting on getting stats similar to his first two seasons, instead of his junior year.
9. Detroit Motors- SP Jim Harris (18U)
The award for best team picking in the top ten goes to the Detroit Motors, which makes this pick harder. As an established Premier League team, the Motors need to add legitimate talent, if they want a contributor. Jim Harris could be a good rotational piece for the Motors. He’s not as polished as a college pitcher, but he probably has a higher ceiling than most collegiate pitchers. Many in the CBA have Harris as the top prep pitcher.
10. New York Roar- SP Rajmund Gazda (16U)
After trading the rights to the fourth overall pick to the Miami Warriors for an impressive haul, the Roar need to add some serious talent to compete in the future. OSA has the Roar as the top farm system in the Bronze League, but reports from league insiders claim that the new GM Greg Kingma is not overly happy with the state of his franchise. That’s why they should add a high ceiling pitcher to the ranks. Rajmund Gazda barely makes the cutoff to vote in the 2028 United States Presidential election, but he certainly is qualified to be a CBA first round pick. With a clean health record, surprising velocity and four plus pitches, Gazda is the kind of selection that a new GM would love to look back on.
11. Oklahoma Mammoths- 1B Mario Chevez (16U)
An organization that is already loaded with young arms doesn’t need to risk taking a pitcher, so the Mammoths can fill a future need for a power bat. Mario Chevez has scouts drooling over his power bat that doesn’t strike out often. While Chevez will never be anything other than a defensive liability at first, he will anchor any lineup for a long time. Mammoths should take a chance on this young phenom.
12. Wichita Weasels- LF/RP Eddie Stevens (NJCAA)
A good farm system paired with one of the youngest teams in the Bronze League creates the opportunity for the Weasels to take the most versatile player in the draft. Eddie Stevens is the only quality two way player in this class, with the potential to be a reliable stopper and the fielding ratings to play many positions. Stevens will be an instant fan favorite that could change the way the Weasels play.
13. Chicago Gale- RP T.J. Elliott (NJCAA)
The Gale are hoping 2029 will be their return to the Premier League, but to avoid a quick return to the Silver League, they need to address their bullpen. Enter the best reliever in the draft, T.J. Elliott. With two potential plus-plus pitches and good command of his stuff, Elliott will be a quick riser through the minor league system. While he doesn’t project as a starter, OSA believes that Elliott will have enough stamina to be a multiple inning stopper. An Illinois native, Elliott won’t have to travel far to play for his best possible landing spot.
14. Philadelphia Liberty- 2B Bill Strome (NJCAA)
The Liberty have a lot of valuable pieces, but they need to convert those assets into a cohesive team. Bill Strome is a solid first round option with a great glove and a decent bat. Strome could be the Liberty’s second baseman in a few years after a couple years of seasoning in the minors, but could also play third or shortstop if that is needed down the road. Not the sexiest pick, but a safe pick for a team that seems to be taking steps in the right direction
15. Denver Wolves- SP Jason Madison (14U)
Deciding on who GM C.C. McCandless will add to the best farm system in the Silver League was difficult and I believe there are many directions he could go. At the end of the day, with no pressing needs, the Wolves take somewhat of a lottery ticket for the future in the 7’1” fifteen year old Jason Madison. If he reaches his full potential, Madison could be the greatest pitcher in Wolves history. The bust risk is there for the young giant, but Denver is one of the best possible landing spots for Madison
16. Atlanta Swarm- C Chad Martin (NJCAA)
Lacking an offensive catcher is an issue that many CBA teams have and the Swarm have the opportunity to remedy the epidemic. Chad Martin is an athletic catcher out of the JUCO ranks. His strengths project to be power hitting, avoiding strikeouts and a big arm behind the plate. There are a lot of late first round catching prospects and the Swarm decide to take their pick of the litter.
17. New York Roar- SP Miguel Sandoval (NJCAA)
The Roar double down on starting pitchers, because you can never have too much. Miguel Sandoval is a safe pick who projects as a two or a three starter on a good team. His strengths will be his stuff, three of the best pitches in the draft are Sandoval’s. The ability to control his arsenal will hinder Sandoval’s career. This JUCO starter should be able to light up the radar gun and keep hitters off guard with his amazing secondary pitches. Sandoval and Gazda is a better draft than just Fleming, so Roar fans will be happy with the trade down.
18. Mexico City Chupacabras- CF Mike Weaver (NJCAA)
After an unproductive offseason lead to a change at General Manager, nobody is really sure of what to expect from Mexico City. A trade out is possible, but if they make this pick, expect a center fielder to be the target. Mike Weaver has got the fielding traits to be a ballhawk, all he needs is time to develop. At the plate, fans can hope for a .290 hitter with decent power, but should expect an average closer to .260 with gap power. “Boomer” is a low risk pick for an organization and fan base that needs stability.
19. Portland Axemen- C Devon Dombrowski (NCAA)
The old saying of walking the fine line between genius and insanity definitely applies to the Portland Axemen. Constantly wheeling and dealing, the Axemen landed Indianapolis’ pick to get in the top 20. They gave up a valuable 2030 1st rounder to be in this position, so they have to get it right. Texas Longhorn Devon Dombrowski presents a great opportunity to stabilize a weak catching position in Portland. The righty is one of the older players in the class, but he is a great leader who could be an offensive and defensive stud. Some GMs have been calling bust, but OSA projects the collegiate catcher to be a solid option against top competition.