2016 MLB Mock Draft: Puk goes No. 1, Blue Jays snag Quantrill

Unlike previous classes that featured Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, there's no consensus top pick in Thursday's MLB First-Year Player Draft.

The Philadelphia Phillies, selecting No. 1 for the first time since 1998, could go any number of ways at the top, from a towering left-handed pitcher from Florida to a toolsy center-field prep star out of California.

This year's draft begins Thursday at 7 p.m. ET with the first two rounds, which include compensation and competitive balance picks. Here's how we project the 23 first-round picks will play out:

1. Philadelphia Phillies: A.J. Puk, Florida

The only knock on Puk is he can be somewhat erratic, leading the Gators with 31 walks. But at 6-foot-7 and a mid-90s fastball from the left-side, he's more polished than prep pitcher Jason Groome. Player Comp: Randy Johnson

2. Cincinnati Reds: Corey Ray, Louisville

If Puk is off the board, the Reds will shift to their next target: Corey Ray. The Louisville junior, who could be the highest drafted player in school history, is the best athlete in the draft. He has speed, athleticism, and a quick bat with power potential from the left side. Player Comp: Melvin Upton Jr.

3. Atlanta Braves: Jason Groome, Barnegat HS (N.J.)

A high schooler with lots of upside, Groome is the top left-handed prep arm in the draft. The fastball velocity is big-league ready sitting in the mid 90s, and he has sharp bite on his curveball. At 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, he's likely finished growing, and he projects to be a top of the rotation starter. Player Comp: Jon Lester

4. Colorado Rockies: Kyle Lewis, Mercer

Lewis will be the first Mercer University player ever to be drafted in the first round. Physically imposing, he has a ton of pop from the right side, he's an above-average outfielder and he's toolsy to say the least. It wouldn't come as a shock to see him get a spring invite in 2017. Player Comp: Jason Heyward

5. Milwaukee Brewers: Nick Senzel, Tennessee

If Nick Senzel doesn't go first overall, he'll surely go in the top five. The Tennesse junior proved to be the best player in the Cape Cod League, the best collegiate summer league in the country. Although his defense is something to dream on, his bat is what makes him such a special prospect. Player Comp: Nolan Arenado

6. Oakland Athletics: Mickey Moniak, Canoga Park HS (CA)

In the course of one year, Moniak emerged as one of the best high school hitters in the nation. A quick bat from the left side and projectable frame should keep him in center field long term, and with added size and strength, it wouldn't come as a shock to see the Phillies select him first overall. Player Comp: Charlie Blackmon

7. Miami Marlins: Delvin Perez, International BB Academy (PR)

Perez was busted for an unknown drug, so he could slide down draft boards. His plus arm will keep him at shortstop in the bigs, and he has a knack for making the tough plays look easy. His bat is lagging, but his hitting approach is mature. Player Comp: Francisco Lindor

8. San Diego Padres: Riley Pint, St. Thomas Aquinas HS (KS)

Pint goes up against Jason Groome as the top prep pitcher in the draft, but he's easily the best right-hander. Sitting in the mid-to-upper 90s with his fastball, he's also touched 100-102 mph on occasion. At 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, he's scary on the mound. Player Comp: Justin Verlander

9. Detroit Tigers: Blake Rutherford, Chaminade Prep (CA)

Rutherford has the unique combination of power and speed, and his bat should play at the next level. He's a pure hitter and, depending on his arm, he could end up in right field. Player Comp: Ryan Braun

10. Chicago White Sox: Matt Manning, Sheldon HS (CA)

Son of former NBA player Rich Manning, the 6-foot-6 right-hander has a power arm sitting in the 96-97-mph range. Pro ball will be the first time he's focused exclusively on one sport, so it'll be fun to see him progress on the mound. Player Comp: Aaron Sanchez

11. Seattle Mariners: Pick: Zack Collins, Miami

If a team thinks he'll be a catcher in the majors, he'll go in the first round, but it's Collins' bat that'll carry him. He doesn't move well, and has a fringe arm, which projects him at first base, but he could hit 20 homers in the majors, something that'll play to his advantage. Player Comp: Brandon Moss

12. Boston Red Sox: Ian Anderson, Shenendehowa HS (N.Y.)

A product of upsate New York, Anderson has a fastball that sits in the 90-92-mph range. Because he hasn't thrown as much as arms from the warmer states, he's got more in the tank and as he ages, his velocity should increase slightly. Player Comp: Corey Kluber

13. Tampa Bay Rays: Dakota Hudson, Mississippi State

Hudson is a daunting right-hander who has the ability to touch 97 mph with his heater. After his lack of signability in high school sent him to Mississippi State, he struggled with command but found his groove in the Cape Cod League. Player Comp: Michael Wacha

14. Cleveland Indians: Justin Dunn, Boston College

Dunn is a power righty who has flashed 98-99 mph with his fastball, but he sits in the 92-95 range. As an undersized pitcher with potential to crack a starting spot, he reminds us of a certain Royals starter with attitude on the mound. Player Comp: Yordano Ventura

15. Minnesota Twins: Zack Burdi, Louisville

Burdi's brother, Nick, a pitcher who tops out at 100 mph, was selected by the Twins in the second round in the 2014 draft. The arm strength runs in the family, as Zack Burdi has topped out at 101 mph. Player Comp: Craig Kimbrel

16. Los Angeles Angels: Matt Thaiss, Virginia

Thaiss is an average catcher, but with such a weak crop of backstops, he climbs the ranks because of his bat. Hitting in the tough ACC conference and winning a College World Series with Virigina separates him from the pack. Player Comp: Stephen Vogt

17. Houston Astros: Jordan Sheffield, Vanderbilt

The brother of Justice Sheffield, who went in the first round to the Indians in 2014, is a little better but was stunted by Tommy John surgery. Now he's back firing bullets at 94-96 mph, while touching 98. Player Comp: Kelvin Herrera

18. New York Yankees: Will Craig, Wake Forest

Craig can't run, but boy can he hit. In 2015, the Wake Forest product contended for the ACC's triple crown, and he's doing it again this year. Player Comp: Billy Butler

19. New York Mets: Forrest Whitley, Alamo Heights (TX)

Whitley is a big, physical pitcher who can command three pitches while bringing the heater in at the 95-97-mph range. Player Comp: Jeff Samardzija

20. Los Angeles Dodgers: Braxton Garrett, Florence HS (ALA)

Garrett doesn't garner the attention of other left-handers in the draft because he doesn't flash a mid-90s fastball, but he might have the best curveball in the draft. Player Comp: Scott Kazmir

21. Toronto Blue Jays: Cal Quantrill, Stanford

The son of former major leaguer Paul Quantrill, there's a lot of hype around Cal. After his sophomore season at Stanford was cut short due to Tommy John surgery, Quantrill hasn't thrown a pitch yet, but if the Padres don't take him early, Toronto could pounce on the top Canadian arm in the draft. Player Comp: Zack Greinke

22. Pittsburgh Pirates: Connor Jones, Virginia

There's nothing overly special about Jones, but he profiles like a major leaguer better than most arms in the draft. The Virginia junior is used to pitching in big games, and his sharp slider complements his low-90s fastball. Player Comp: Aaron Nola

23. St Louis Cardinals: Alex Kirilloff, Plum HS (PA)

Kirilloff rises up to the first round because he does a lot of things right. He has a sweet swing from the left side, hits for power, is very athletic in the outfield, and also has a plus arm. Player Comp: Christian Yelich