Merillat Lacrosse League 2019 Mock Draft
The 2019 MLL Mock Draft is finally here! The draft this year will start with first overall pick and General Manager Kyle Sanderson of the Bruisers. Second overall pick will be General Manager Morgan Caldwell and the Lumberjacks, followed by the Lake Monsters where Chris French is the General Manager. In the Mock Draft listed below I have done my predictions for the first three rounds (nine overall picks). I have also included who I believe can be a sleeper pick of the draft, as well as a breakout player for the season. The announcement of when the draft will take place will be coming in the next couple weeks. We will see if I have any changes to make to the Mock Draft before then.
2019 Merillat Lacrosse League Mock Draft
By: Justin Patterson
1. Bruisers
Travis Fox - The number one prospect despite being a freshman, should be the number one pick without a doubt. Fox showcased during the winter combine all the skills that he can do to solidify himself number one. He can shoot; he can feed, and most importantly is a great off ball player. There has already been rumors before the draft lottery if general manger Kyle Sanderson gets the first overall pick he will take Fox without thinking twice.
2. Lumberjacks
Hayden Berger - Berger may be small but the Canadian product has something no other player in the draft has, experience. He has played box lacrosse for multiple years in Canada and understands the game well. He was getting frustrated during the combine but hopefully general manager Morgan Caldwell and him can mesh together to provide a solid 1-2 punch.
3. Lake Monsters
Peyton Gasche - Keeping the Lake Orion connection together, General Manager Chris French should have the opportunity to draft his partner in crime. These two have played together for years and it seems like the perfect fit. The chemistry is there on the field and should translate to the box game. Could these two finish number one and two in scoring this year?
4. Bruisers
Fernando Rodriguez - Big Nando comes off the board with the first pick of the second round. Nando has the stick skills, has been working on his inside game, and can bring it 100 mph from the outside!!! He has been working to get in better shape which will allow him to take longer shifts. He has the potential to be in the top five for goals at the end of the season.
5. Lumberjacks
Grant Nesbitt - Known has the funniest player in the draft, any team would be happy to have Nesbitt. With drafting him you're getting a player who can keep the team morale and chemistry at a high. As for lacrosse, you're getting a tall, lanky midfielder with good stick skills. He has been compared to running like an antelope. He will contribute right away and do whatever is asked of him.
6. Lake Monsters
Max Leventis - A face-off guy comes off the board at number six. If the Lake Monsters end up with Leventis they will most certainly have the first possession of the game. He has been working on his stick skills and it showed during the combine. The scrappy face-off player will look to be a big two way player bringing good defense to stop opposing teams.
7. Bruisers
Christian Aurand - Our first defenseman comes off the board at the number seven pick overall. A late addition to the league, throwing his name in the draft just before the combine. Aurand is a big and physical player. He will be tasked with shutting down the team's top offensive threat. The Bruisers are a perfect for him.
8. Lumberjacks
Jordan Oshowy - How does general manager Morgan Caldwell pull this off? He is able to secure Oshowy to pair with his Canadian partner Berger. As with Berger, Oshowy has played multiple years of box lacrosse up in Canada. Pairing the two most experience box lacrosse players in the draft is huge. The only down fall is the Lumberjacks will have to wait until Oshowy is finished with his hockey season. Once he steps on the box field, the lefty with a rip of a shot will make a serious impact.
9. Lake Monsters
Isiah Dehn - Dehn showed comparisons to the energizer bunny during the combine going 100% the whole time on the field. Knee injuries have slowed him down but he looks to be at full strength come season time. The stick skills are improving as he would like to be more of an offensive threat. He should be able to keep up with any offensive player with his athletic ability and have a big impact defensively.
Sleeper pick: Max Bade - One of two left handed players available for the early part of the season (until Oshowy), Bade is actually a goalie on the field and will transition to short stick in the box game. Do we have the next Brett Queener here? A goalie that plays the field in box. He has showed he has some stick skills and athletic ability to contribute to the box game during the combine.
Breakout player: Bart Thompson - A surprise entry to the draft Thompson looks to get the dust off the pads he pulled out of the corner of the garage and contribute right away. A former standout on the Stanford University lacrosse team, he has the size to get physical with anyone on the field. Thompson is excited to get back to playing lacrosse, with his excitement and energy there is no doubt he is my pick as the breakout player.