MLB 2020 Draft

[Boxcar]

I digress it's not minimal effort but definitely not high effort. He looks a lot like Walker Buehler.

 

BA

 

 

MLBpipeline

 

How that can be called a fluid delivery truly baffles me, but ok.

[BlueRocky]

190 for a guy who is 5'10" is not skinny. Second, I'm confused as to why Gonzalez's height matters but Meyer's doesn't. Jose Bautista was a home run king at 6'-0".

 

So you’re saying height doesn’t measure bat-speed? #HDMB

[BlueRocky]

Baseball America just opened an usually early 10AM draft chat, fire Carlos your questions here if you’re a subscriber:

 

https://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/?1591706440

 

Todd (Ringgold): How high can you see Wilcox going? I know the bargaining chips are in his corner due to everything, and there are question marks on delivery. But pure stuff and strike out numbers make him hard to overlook

 

Carlos Collazo: I know there are some clubs who like him in the 10-20 range, but I haven't heard specifically if they would jump him over some of the others names that are more commonly floated in that range. I think the 20s are more likely, but again that college pitching group has been difficult to sus out. You are definitely betting on some upside with him, and he was off to a good start this spring.

 

Jack (New York): What has been the best thing you've gained from doing a draft prep without games? What will you bring from this into future draft preps?

 

Carlos Collazo: Love this question. We've been able to iterate with our draft rankings a bit more this year because there are no games to go to (which is the entire point of all of this, but takes up a lot of time). I think that has allowed them to be more accurate and complete, so in the future, I would love to be able to continue iterating and updating more frequently in order to capture all the industry feedback we get. I think it's easier for players to slide through the cracks or you could miss a change that took place with the player or the industry's opinion on a player by waiting a long time in-season to update rankings.

 

Michael Smith (Lake Louise): Hey Carlos If you were running the blue jays who would you take out of Meyer Gonzalez and Hancock ? Thank you

 

Carlos Collazo: I think I'd be inclined to take the bat, but I really like Hancock and Meyer. It's close. Tough decision for sure. I'm glad I'm not the one making them!

 

There’s a ton of questions completely unrelated to our pick. I didn’t post those.

Edited June 10, 2020 by BlueRocky

[BlueRocky]

Why do people compare Meyer to Walker Buehler? Just based on the slender, athletic frame? Buehler is listed at 6'2" and has a 4 pitch mix. I don't even see a ton of similarity in their deliveries.

 

Both Kiley McDaniels and Carlos Collazo has made this comp on their mock drafts. Comps are never going to be perfect, they're usually inaccurate. It's just there for people to compare their build and tool package. Kinda like an elevator pitch for people that don’t follow these guys.

 

Meyer's delivery actually has some similarities to Buehler, but it's not just that. He checks a few boxes in this comp like:

- upper 90s fastball (sits 96-97, touches 100)

- Meyer's slider has been clocked 87-91, T92-93. Buehler throws both a slider (87) and a cutter (92), there's a lot of horizontal movement in the way he gets guys out. But Buehler has a curveball to round out his arsenal, Meyer doesn’t.

- both are very athletic and don't have monster-sized frames Meyer 6-0 to 6-1, 185-200. Buehler 6-2, 185.

- both drafted out of HS in the late rounds and opted for college: Buehler (Vanderbilt).

- Buehler really broke out after integrating driveline and pitch technologies (trackman, rhapsodo, edgertronic data) and added his cutter. Meyer was on MLB Tonight two days ago and literally said he never touched those things despite his high spin-rates, and the panel unanimously said he could be even better once he starts looking at that after going pro.

[jays4life19]

JFL Perfect Bluejays Mock

 

Round one: Nick Gonzales 2B, New Mexico

Analysis: God

 

Round two: Jared Shuster LHP, Wake Forest

Analysis: Helium guy, added velocity and control, iffy if he makes it to the Jays.

 

Round three: Yohandy Morales, SS, Braddock HS

Analysis: huge tools, MLB blood lines, could use some savings $$ from slight underslot Gonzo deal to get him to skip college.

 

Round four: Christian Chamberlain, LHP, Oregon St

Analysis: Left handed less douchy Marcus Stroman

 

Round five: Jordan Nwogu, OF, Michigan

Anlaysis: The next great Anthony Alford.

[BlueRocky]

[THANOS]

Why do people compare Meyer to Walker Buehler? Just based on the slender, athletic frame? Buehler is listed at 6'2" and has a 4 pitch mix. I don't even see a ton of similarity in their deliveries.

 

Did Buehler have a strong a pitch mix om draft day? Also, Meyer is now actually 6'1 and over 200lbs. I believe Meyer himself confirmed this in one of his interviews, possibly the one with Jim Callis. So the height is pretty close now.

[43211234]

Gonzales

Veen

Meyer

Hancock

 

Might even be tempted to swap Veen and Meyer. Hoping a high schooler will develop a hit tool is always risky.

[AintNoThang]

I can confirm that the Jays are 100% taking Meyer. Over the years I've discovered that I have psychic-like abilities. I pretty much predicted 9-11, except I didn't get the towers, the planes, or the terrorism part right.

[Brownie19]

Gonzales

Veen

Meyer

Hancock

 

Might even be tempted to swap Veen and Meyer. Hoping a high schooler will develop a hit tool is always risky.

 

what is Veen's hit tool at now? You hear there is some swing and miss in his approach, but he's got great plate discipline and that swing is f***ing picturesque.

[max silver]

Gonzales

Veen

Meyer

Hancock

 

Might even be tempted to swap Veen and Meyer. Hoping a high schooler will develop a hit tool is always risky.

 

Any one of these guys is going to be a very exciting acquisition for the minor league system. If the Jays end up picking Meyer I'm pumped to see what he can accomplish when using the pitching lab in the minor league complex.

[BlueRocky]

 

Blue Jays Cental @ home with Jamie, Shi, Ben, and Jim Callis: https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/will-blue-jays-draft-highest-pick-since-1997-blue-jays-central-home/

Arash, Shi, and Ben talk draft: https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/2020-mlb-draft-preview-instant-analysis/

Edited June 10, 2020 by BlueRocky

[Brownie19]

What do we expect to happen with these guys who don't get drafted? Are the top organizations (Yanks, Red Sox, Dodgers, etc.) going to gobble up a s*** ton of talent, while s*** holes like Baltimore won't?

 

Or will guys who just miss out on getting drafted go back to school and re-enter the draft next year?

[Slade]

What do we expect to happen with these guys who don't get drafted? Are the top organizations (Yanks, Red Sox, Dodgers, etc.) going to gobble up a s*** ton of talent, while s*** holes like Baltimore won't?

 

Or will guys who just miss out on getting drafted go back to school and re-enter the draft next year?

 

It's hard to see a ton of players choosing $20K to play when they have options to go back to college or take the Juco route. With teams trying to save as much money as possible and furloughing operations staff it would be a bad look to sign a bunch of guys for $20K. Also have to consider Minor leagues are about to shrink down the number of teams so roster spots are going to be limited as well.

[BlueRocky]

What I and we've all learned over the years is, you take the best player available. And you take what the draft gives you. Some years it's college pitching, some years it's high school hitters. And you certainly don't draft on need. Things change, it's not like the NFL or NBA where those kids drafted impact their teams almost immediately. Our guys generally take more time than that, 2 or 3 years before they arrive and can be helpful. And you know the landscape changes in major league teams. You definitely have to take the best player available. And each demographic has their own strengths and weaknesses. There's an inherit health risk to pitchers and you can never have enough. And for position players it's not so much a health risk, it's a performance risk. Generally amateur position players don't face the type of pitching they need to be accustomed to facing, it just takes time.

 

More than anything, it's getting to know the players as much as possible. You're concentrated heavily on a group of 7 to 9 players, you can really figure out what motivates them on the field, what they're interested in off the field, how they're going to tackle their own development path, how they're going to be resilient tackling inevitable failures in the minor leagues. One of the most exciting things of looking on our board and how it's shaped right now, all the players that are in the mix for pick #5 are going to be really high conviction players in terms of off field and developmental components that are going to carry them through the big leagues. I think all of our area scouts have really high conviction in the person as well as the player, we have a really good sense of what makes them tick and we are very comfortable with the person that we're going to be taking in that position. We do our best obviously, if you're picking in the mid-20s its a wider group that might get to you in that first round. We felt comfortable, but this year there's an extra layer of conviction and extra layer of excitement just because of the amount of how well we've gotten to know them over the past several years for these players.

 

Whoever they're taking tomorrow, they really like their choice.

Positional need is completely irrelevant in the decision making process and they put a significant premium on high character profiles.

Edited June 10, 2020 by BlueRocky

[Slade]

Whoever they're taking tomorrow, they really like their choice. Positional need is completely irrelevant in the decision making process.

 

Mike Murov seems very confident in whoever they pick tomorrow.

[max silver]

Whoever they're taking tomorrow, they really like their choice. Positional need is completely irrelevant in the decision making process.

 

How would you personally rank the guys who are likely to be available in the number 5 draft slot?

[Slade]

Mayo and Callis mock draft. They'll have one more tomorrow afternoon.

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/mock-draft-final-projections-for-2020-mlb-draft?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

 

4. Royals

Callis: Zac Veen, OF, Spruce Creek HS (Port Orange, Fla.) -- The Royals appear to be deciding between Veen and Gonzales, with a couple of pitchers (Lacy and presumably Minnesota right-hander Max Meyer) also in the mix.

 

Mayo: Zac Veen, OF, Spruce Creek HS (Port Orange, Fla.) -- This is the first spot where I think a deal could be possible, with the Royals talking about Gonzales, Meyer or Arkansas OF Heston Kjerstad.

 

5. Blue Jays

Callis: Max Meyer, RHP, Minnesota -- Unless someone falls to the Blue Jays, they'll go for Meyer, Veen or Gonzales, likely in that order.

 

Mayo: Max Meyer, RHP, Minnesota -- Bats like Gonzales or Veen could come into the picture, but it sounds like the electric right-hander is their guy.

[BlueRocky]

How would you personally rank the guys who are likely to be available in the number 5 draft slot?

 

I'd tried to answer this earnestly, but honestly my personal rank doesn't matter. They're going to take their guy tomorrow, and whoever they take I'll follow closely in the minors just as I did with Bichette, Pearson, Groshans, etc.

 

If you go back and just glance over my posts, the guys I like are pretty obvious. Or just catch the pod Boxy posted, we literally went on for 2 hours talking about the draft.

[THANOS]

Mayo and Callis mock draft. They'll have one more tomorrow afternoon.

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/mock-draft-final-projections-for-2020-mlb-draft?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

 

At this point I'd be surprised with anyone other than Veen or Meyer, which I'm stoked about. Those two are my favourite hitter and pitcher in the entire draft, so if we get either I'll be through the moon.

[43211234]

what is Veen's hit tool at now? You hear there is some swing and miss in his approach, but he's got great plate discipline and that swing is f***ing picturesque.

 

Who knows? Realistically I can't see how you'd give a high schooler anything above a 30 present hit tool - unless he's Alex Rodriguez or something. I'd still really like Veen but having some swing-and-miss issues against high school stuff does raise at least raise a small red flag.

[JG34]

It’s draft day! First live sports event I watch in months.

[Bturn2210]

McDaniel just posted his final mock too. Can Anyone with an Insider account post the Jays’ selection? Thanks! Sure sounds like Meyer is the guy the Jays want, which I’d be happy with!

[BlueRocky]

Continued draft chat from yesterday

 

Danny (Pittsburgh): If Nick Gonzales and Emerson Hancock are there at 6 for Seattle, who do you think Dipoto will prefer? Would the Pirates choose the one Seattle passes on?

 

Kyle Glaser: Tough to say, given the Mariners have gone two college position players and two college pitchers with their first-rounders under Dipoto. We have Hancock ranked as the better of the two players, but they do like Gonzales too. As for the Pirates, they're one of the biggest question marks in this draft.

 

James (Bay Area): If you were the Giants what would your strategy be with the 2 extra comp picks? Go under slot in round 1 and over for your 3 second rounders? Swing for the fences at 13/49 and then save money later? Seems like they have a lot of room to be creative (and have a creative GM) so curious how one could best "game" this unique draft? Thanks!

 

Kyle Glaser: Don't play slot games at the top of the draft. Top 15 picks are chances to get future superstars. Don't try and get cute. Take the best player available and pay him. If you want go under/overslot with later picks, go ahead. But the worst thing the Giants could do is play slot games at 13.

 

Karl (Chicago): Teams like a yankees or dodgers maybe have a big advantage for sign 20k players undrafted?

 

Kyle Glaser: I think it's going to be teams more like the Giants, Blue Jays and Cubs who have committed to increased pay for their minor leaguers.

 

Nick (Illinois): If you were a college junior and didn’t get drafted, would you take the $20k and go pro, or go back to school? What would be the deciding factors for you in making that decision? To me, it seems like the smartest decision to get into the pro ranks seeing as most senior selections don’t typically get big money anyways. For that reason, it seems better to get into pro ball and avoid injury or setbacks as a senior next year.

 

Kyle Glaser: It would depend on my scholarship situation. If my scholarship was greater than 20K and my playing time was secure, I'd stay on to finish my degree. If my scholarship was less than that and for whatever reason my playing time next year was in question, then I'd turn pro. It really is just a case-by-case basis.

 

Matt (Maryland): I know Martin is a safer prospect overall, but how much higher of ceiling does Veen have compared to Martin?

 

Kyle Glaser: Don't underestimate Martin's ceiling here. A .280 hitter with a chance to go 20-20 and play around the diamond is a damn good player. With Veen you'll find people who think it'll be more .250-.260 with 30 HR while playing corner outfield. Different players who do different things, but the upside is similar as all-star caliber players.

 

Richard (Hacienda Heights): Is it better to draft College players or High School players. Myself being a Dodger fan and following BA since 2002, I’ve noticed that the Dodgers have had quite a bit more success with High School guys especially on the Pitching side. I can name way more High School guys that we have drafted and developed than College guys. Thanks

 

Kyle Glaser: Generally speaking, the success rate of college players making it to the majors is higher than that of high school players. That said, you never, ever want to draft out of only one pool and completely ignore the other. The number of high school draftees who become superstars (Trout, Yelich, Betts, Arenado, Bellinger, etc.) is significant. It just goes back to properly evaluating the players in front of you and taking the best ones when the opportunity arises, no matter where they come from.

 

Jacob (Oc): What are your thoughts on Isaiah Greene when wi he get drafted

 

Kyle Glaser: Good athlete with a good swing. He's in play anywhere from 30-50. Of course, signability will factor into if he gets drafted there, but on talent, that's where he stands.

 

Jaysfan100 (Canada): Nick Gonzales pedestrian exit velocities and hitter friendly home stadium terrify me. Not to mention the question about his long-term position. Is he not a high risk - medium reward pick in the top 5 for the Jays?

 

Kyle Glaser: I've dug in on this a lot and evaluators have consistently come back to me with conviction that he'll hit. He's getting compared to all-stars, batting title contenders, etc. The fact he's going to play 2B isn't a problem. In a situation like this where the numbers are going to be skewed, you really have to trust your scouts, and the scouts are in.

Edited June 10, 2020 by BlueRocky

[BlueRocky]

There’s like a 70% chance the Royals will take Zac Veen, and Max Meyer would be the pick. That’s the sense I’m getting heading into the draft. But that’s assuming pick 1-3 goes chalk.

 

Everyone ready for draft day?

[Pendleton]

There’s like a 70% chance the Royals will take Zac Veen, and Max Meyer would be the pick. That’s the sense I’m getting heading into the draft. But that’s assuming pick 1-3 goes chalk.

 

Everyone ready for draft day?

 

We need a GDT, has been too long

[G-Snarls]

It’s draft day! First live sports event I watch in months.

 

There's been NFL players playing golf, empty arena MMA, and NBA legends fishing

 

Not much to watch I agree

[Slade]

Kiley McDaniels latest mock draft. Pretty much anyone other than Veen or Meyer would be a little surprising.

 

https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/29288279/2020-mlb-mock-draft-30-kiley-mcdaniel-predicts-first-two-rounds

 

1. Detroit Tigers

Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Arizona State. This one is as close to a lock as anyone can label any of the picks this year. At least 95%, with Lacy representing the small remaining chance.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 1, No. 38, No. 62, No. 73, No. 102, No. 132

 

 

2. Baltimore Orioles

Austin Martin, 2B, Vanderbilt: This one is a spot with much intrigue, but the belief is that Baltimore will go with the consensus best player available. The O's are shopping around and Nick Gonzales is the leading alternative candidate, with Heston Kjerstad also in the mix. I'd label this one about 75% likely.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 2, No. 30, No. 39, No. 74, No. 103, No. 133

 

 

3. Miami Marlins

Asa Lacy, LHP, Texas A&M: In the event these first two go chalk, this pick is also expected to go chalk. Martin would be the pick if Gonzales or Kjerstad go second.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 3, No. 40, No. 61, No. 75, No. 104, No. 134

 

 

4. Kansas City Royals

EDITOR'S PICKS

It's MLB draft day! Here's everything you need to know

 

2020 MLB draft preview: Who will go No. 1? Which players and teams match up best?

 

The next Pete Alonso? MLB star comparisons for top 2020 draft prospects

Emerson Hancock, RHP, Georgia: And if that alternate scenario happens, Lacy would go here. But I don't think it happens and this pick, long thought to be down to Zac Veen and Gonzales, is rumored to actually now be down to Hancock and Max Meyer, with Hancock having a late edge.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 4, No. 32, No. 41, No. 76, No. 105, No. 135

 

play

1:15

Max Meyer always looking to dominateGet to know potential top 10 MLB draft pick, Minnesota pitcher Max Meyer.

 

5. Toronto Blue Jays

Max Meyer, RHP, Minnesota: Meyer has long been a favorite here and he'd edged out Veen in this scenario.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 5, No. 42, No. 77, No. 106, No. 136

 

 

6. Seattle Mariners

Nick Gonzales, 2B, New Mexico State: Seattle has been tied only to college players and will take the one that falls this far in the top six, with Hancock and Gonzales the most likely.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 6, No. 43, No. 64, No. 78, No. 107, No. 137

 

 

7. Pittsburgh Pirates

Zac Veen, RF, Spruce Creek HS (Florida), Florida commit: Pittsburgh is tied to Mick Abel and also Kjerstad, along with whomever falls from Hancock and Gonzales, but neither does in this scenario. The Pirates are looking for a college hitter but prefer hitter to pitcher, thus the top prep bat on the board goes here.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 7, No. 31, No. 44, No. 79, No. 108, No. 138

 

 

8. San Diego Padres

Robert Hassell, CF, Independence HS (Tennessee), Vanderbilt commit: San Diego has long been tied to Hassell and there's some thought the Padres might actually prefer him to Veen, but that isn't clear. Meyer is the other favorite for this pick, if he somehow makes it this far. Reid Detmers, Kjerstad and Nick Bitsko are in the mix, but on the outside looking in.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 8, No. 34, No. 45, No. 80, No. 109, No. 139

 

 

9. Colorado Rockies

Tyler Soderstrom, C, Turlock HS (California), UCLA commit: Colorado is hoping for Hancock, Hassell or Veen, but none make it to them in this scenario. They also have a wide mix that includes Cade Cavalli, Kjerstad and others, but Soderstrom is the preference in this scenario. The Soderstrom underslot rumor heated up significantly late Tuesday night.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 9, No. 35, No. 46, No. 81, No. 110, No. 140

 

 

10. Los Angeles Angels

Reid Detmers, LHP, Louisville: There's a wide group in play here as well, with Hassell, Ed Howard, Detmers, Cavalli and Kjerstad the main names, and no prep arm in the mix. Detmers is the one with late momentum.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 10, No. 82, No. 111, No. 141

 

 

11. Chicago White Sox

Garrett Crochet, LHP, Tennessee: This one crystallized Tuesday as well; remember the White Sox's path with picking Chris Sale (i.e. quick to the majors in the pen, possibly transitioning into the rotation in 2021)? That could happen here, and Crochet has a similar low-slot slinging, aggressive approach on the mound.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 11, No. 47, No. 83, No. 112, No. 142

 

 

12. Cincinnati Reds

Heston Kjerstad, RF, Arkansas: The Reds are looking for someone from the consensus top group to drop into their laps and Kjerstad does in this scenario. Pete Crow-Armstrong is probably the pick if Kjerstad isn't here. Abel is in the mix, as is Cavalli and Detmers if he slides.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 12, No. 48, No. 65, No. 84, No. 113, No. 143

 

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0:56

The red flag in MLB draft prospect Heston Kjerstad's profileArkansas outfielder Heston Kjerstad could be a top-10 pick, but David Schoenfield explains why he comes with a big statistical red flag.

 

13. San Francisco Giants

Patrick Bailey, C, NC State: It might seem odd to take another catcher after the Joey Bart selection last year, but with a universal DH possibly permanent and every team believing in just taking the best player, this wouldn't be that odd. The Giants were hot after Wolfpack shortstop Will Wilson last year and ended up trading for him last winter. Justin Foscue and Crochet are also in the mix.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 13, No. 49, No. 67, No. 68, No. 85, No. 114, No. 144

 

 

14. Texas Rangers

Aaron Sabato, 1B, North Carolina: Sabato has all kinds of helium of late, with draft models loving the exit velocities and some evaluators comparing him to Kyle Schwarber. For alternatives, college bats like Foscue and Nick Loftin are getting some run here and Crochet is also in the mix.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 14, No. 50, No. 86, No. 115, No. 145

 

 

15. Philadelphia Phillies

Cade Cavalli, RHP, Oklahoma: Crochet and Cavalli look like the priorities here and a college lean is expected.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 15, No. 87, No. 116, No. 146

 

 

16. Chicago Cubs

2020 MLB draft coverage

 

• Kiley McDaniel's MLB mock draft 3.0 »

• Top 150 prospects » | Team guide »

• Redrafting top picks from 2010-2019 »

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Nick Loftin, SS, Baylor: The Cubs are also leaning college but are more open-minded, though they see some Nico Hoerner in Loftin. Crochet would be the pick if he makes it this far, Bailey could be in the mix here and the Cubs like Jordan Walker, but he probably goes between their picks.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 16, No. 51, No. 88, No. 117, No. 147

 

 

17. Boston Red Sox

Mick Abel, RHP, Jesuit HS (Oregon), Oregon State commit: The Red Sox are casting a wide net and are specifically being aggressive with prep players, more than most other clubs. Abel is the consensus top prep arm and getting him at 17 is both a coup and also a bad sign for other prep arms. This is the high-water mark for Tanner Witt. Sabato has also drawn interest.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 17, No. 89, No. 118, No. 148

 

 

18. Arizona Diamondbacks

Justin Foscue, 2B, Mississippi State: Bryce Jarvis is a likely underslot option here if the right name doesn't make it this far, but Foscue is believed to be one of the right names for Arizona, which is leaning toward college players pretty heavily at this pick. Sabato is also in the mix if he makes it here.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 18, No. 33, No. 90, No. 119, No. 149

 

 

19. New York Mets

Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF, Harvard Westlake HS (California), Vanderbilt commit: PCA is in the mix at a bunch of picks from Nos. 12 to 19, but this might be his floor. Lots of upside college pitching has been tied to going here as well. It could also be a soft landing spot for a sliding Austin Hendrick.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 19, No. 52, No. 69, No. 91, No. 120, No. 150

 

 

20. Milwaukee Brewers

Garrett Mitchell, CF, UCLA: Mitchell is a projection model darling but not a lot of humans are pounding the table for him. He's in the mix at this pick, but there are rumors he might slide out of the first day altogether if he doesn't go here. Dillon Dingler is in the mix and Clayton Beeter -- possibly the top TrackMan darling of the draft -- is a huge threat to go at this pick.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 20, No. 53, No. 92, No. 121, No. 151

 

 

21. St. Louis Cardinals

Ed Howard, SS, Mount Carmel HS (Illinois), Oklahoma commit: St. Louis likes Abel, Cavalli, Foscue and PCA, but none of them make it here in this projection. Hendrick could be a similar upside play to last year's Tre Fletcher pick, but Howard makes a little more sense and would be easier to sign.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 21, No. 54, No. 63, No. 70, No. 93, No. 122, No. 152

 

 

22. Washington Nationals

Austin Hendrick, RF, West Allegheny HS (Pennsylvania), Mississippi State commit. Hendrick is one of the biggest unknowns in the draft and Washington figures to take a long look here. If Hendrick gets past this pick and can't find a big number in the compensation picks, he probably just heads to Starkville. Cole Wilcox is also a huge threat to go here, long tied to the pick and has momentum.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 22, No. 55, No. 71, No. 94, No. 123, No. 153

 

 

23. Cleveland Indians

Clayton Beeter, RHP, Texas Tech: If Beeter slips past Milwaukee, he won't get out of the 20's. Cleveland is also in on Dingler, Slade Cecconi and PCA. Sabato and Walker have also been mentioned. Tanner Witt is another threat to go at most of the picks in this range.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 23, No. 36, No. 56, No. 95, No. 124, No. 154

 

 

24. Tampa Bay Rays

Kiley McDaniel's top 100 MLB prospects

 

Spoiler alert: Wander Franco leads our list. Which MLB stars of tomorrow follow the best prospect since Mike Trout in this year's rankings? Kiley McDaniel (ESPN+)

 

Cole Wilcox, RHP, Georgia: Wilcox needs to go soon or he'll return to Athens and the Rays have a big enough bonus pool to make this happen. Loftin, Witt and a host of upside types have been tied to Tampa Bay, who probably pair a signable player with an above-slot player for their two Day 1 picks.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 24, No. 37, No. 57, No. 96, No. 125, No. 155

 

 

25. Atlanta Braves

Tanner Witt, RHP, Episcopal HS (Texas), Texas commit: Witt is signable on Day 1 and not really after that, but his Carter Stewart starter kit is drawing lots of interest in the back half of the first round. Bitsko is a threat to go here, Jarvis has gotten some love and TrackMan favorites Sabato and Beeter have also been mentioned.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 25, No. 97, No. 126, No. 156

 

 

26. Oakland Athletics

Dillon Dingler, C, Ohio State: Dingler should find a home in the 20's, with Oakland a leading spot. The A's were on Loftin in the top 30 before it was cool, but he probably doesn't last this long.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 26, No. 58, No. 98, No. 127, No. 157

 

 

27. Minnesota Twins

Bryce Jarvis, RHP, Duke: Minnesota is on a lot of the same players you've heard mentioned the past few picks, and could also take Cecconi, Beeter or Howard.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 27, No. 59, No. 128, No. 158

 

 

28. New York Yankees

Slade Cecconi, RHP, Miami: The Yankees are all over Cecconi and Bobby Miller, so I'd bet one of them is the pick here, but there's also some interest in Beeter and Carson Tucker. There's a small chance they take a shot at Bitsko, but the Braves, Yankees and Dodgers all don't have enough money to be sure they can sign him.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 28, No. 99, No. 129

 

 

29. Los Angeles Dodgers

Carson Tucker, SS, Mountain Pointe HS (Arizona), Texas commit: The Dodgers are open-minded on demographics, but lean to trusting their player development and going with more of an upside play, all things being equal. Tucker was rising late, just before the shutdown and probably fits somewhere at the end of Day 1.

 

2020 draft picks: No. 29, No. 60, No. 66, No. 100, No. 130, No. 159

 

Note: Astros forfeited first- and second-round picks as part of their penalty for illegally stealing signs.

 

Competitive Balance Round A

 

30. Baltimore Orioles: Nick Bitsko, RHP, Central Bucks East HS (Pennsylvania), Virginia commit

 

31. Pittsburgh Pirates: Chris McMahon, RHP, Miami

 

32. Kansas City Royals: Bobby Miller, RHP, Louisville

 

33. Arizona Diamondbacks: Jared Shuster, LHP, Wake Forest

 

34. San Diego Padres: Logan Allen, LHP, Florida International

 

35. Colorado Rockies: Carmen Mlodzinski, RHP, South Carolina

 

36. Cleveland Indians: Jordan Walker, 3B, Decatur HS (Georgia), Duke commit

 

37. Tampa Bay Rays (received in trade from the Cardinals): Dax Fulton, LHP, Mustang HS (Oklahoma), Oklahoma commit

 

Second Round

 

Most hyped prospect ever for every team

 

Bryce Harper, Ken Griffey Jr. and Bo Jackson lived up to their billing. Todd Van Poppel and Gregg Jefferies? Not so much. Here's the one prospect we were sure would be your team's next superstar.

David Schoenfield

 

38. Detroit Tigers: J.T. Ginn, RHP, Mississippi State

 

39. Baltimore Orioles: Jordan Westburg, SS, Mississippi State

 

40. Miami Marlins: Alika Williams, SS, Arizona State

 

41. Kansas City Royals: Masyn Winn, SS, Kingwood HS (Texas), Arkansas commit

 

42. Toronto Blue Jays: Austin Wells, C, Arizona

 

43. Seattle Mariners: Cole Henry, RHP, LSU

 

44. Pittsburgh Pirates: C.J. Van Eyk, RHP, Florida State

 

45. San Diego Padres: Carson Montgomery, RHP, Windermere HS (Florida), Florida State commit

 

46. Colorado Rockies: Beck Way, Northwest Florida JC, LSU commit

 

47. Chicago White Sox: Jared Kelley, RHP, Refugio HS (Texas), Texas commit

 

48. Cincinnati Reds: Tommy Mace, RHP, Florida

 

49. San Francisco Giants: Justin Lange, RHP, Llano HS (Texas), Dallas Baptist commit

 

50. Texas Rangers: Zach DeLoach, RF, Texas A&M

 

51. Chicago Cubs: Nick Swiney, LHP, North Carolina State

 

52. New York Mets: T.K. Roby, RHP, Pine Forest HS (Florida), Troy commit

 

53. Milwaukee Brewers: Markevian Hence, RHP, Watson Chapel HS (Arkansas), Arkansas commit

 

54. St. Louis Cardinals: Sam Weatherly, LHP, Clemson

 

55. Washington Nationals: Burl Carraway, LHP, Dallas Baptist

 

56. Cleveland Indians: Jared Jones, RHP, La Mirada HS (California), Texas commit

 

57. Tampa Bay Rays: Drew Romo, C, The Woodlands HS (Texas), LSU commit

 

58. Oakland Athletics: Nick Garcia, RHP, Chapman

 

59. Minnesota Twins: Blaze Jordan, 1B, DeSoto Central HS (Mississippi), Mississippi State commit

 

60. Los Angeles Dodgers: Hudson Haskin, CF, Tulane

 

Competitive Balance Round B

 

'Long Gone Summer'

 

Watch ESPN's new 30 for 30 film, "Long Gone Summer," the story of the 1998 home run chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, airing Sunday on ESPN.

 

61. Miami Marlins: Ian Seymour, LHP, Virginia Tech

 

62. Detroit Tigers: Casey Martin, SS, Arkansas

 

63. St. Louis Cardinals: Kevin Parada, C, Loyola HS (California), Georgia Tech commit

 

64. Seattle Mariners: Casey Schmitt, 3B, San Diego State

 

65. Cincinnati Reds: Jeff Criswell, RHP, Michigan

 

66. Los Angeles Dodgers: Trevor Hauver, LF, Arizona State

 

Compensation picks

 

67. San Francisco Giants: Christian Roa, RHP, Texas A&M

 

68. San Francisco Giants: Landon Knack, RHP, East Tennessee State

 

69. New York Mets: Coby Mayo, 3B, Stoneman Douglas HS (Florida), Florida commit

 

70. St. Louis Cardinals: Trenton Denholm, RHP, UC Irvine

 

71. Washington Nationals: Kyle Nicolas, RHP, Ball State

 

72. Houston Astros: Owen Caissie, LF, Notre Dame Catholic HS (CAN), Michigan commit

[THANOS]

Kiley McDaniels latest mock draft. Pretty much anyone other than Veen or Meyer would be a little surprising.

 

https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/29288279/2020-mlb-mock-draft-30-kiley-mcdaniel-predicts-first-two-rounds

 

Wow! Kiley seems to think that even if Veen drops, we'd still prefer Meyer. Interesting. We must really love him.

[P2F]

Keith's latest mock draft:

 

Keith Law’s 2020 MLB mock draft: Final first-round projection

Keith Law 3h ago

 

Happy Draft Day! Here’s my latest projection, as of whenever it was that I went to sleep on Tuesday night, of the 29 picks for Wednesday night’s first round. As always, this is based on the best information I could get from sources in the industry on who’s likely to be taken where. I have included some notes on possible picks in the Competitive Balance A round, which comprises eight more selections and will also take place on Wednesday. For more on these players, see my ranking of the draft’s Top 100 prospects.

 

1. Detroit Tigers: Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Arizona State

This is still the bet, with some small chance they go with Austin Martin or Asa Lacy, although I think the chance they take Lacy here is pretty close to zero now.

 

2. Baltimore Orioles: Austin Martin, 3B/CF, Vanderbilt

There’s still chatter that the O’s would try to cut a steep deal with another college bat, such as Nick Gonzales, Heston Kjerstad, Patrick Bailey, or even high school bat Zac Veen, so that they can go wild at picks 30 and 39 (perhaps taking prep right-hander Nick Bitsko at the first pick). However, Martin is the best player in the class and does several things the O’s value highly, including making very frequent, hard contact, so I think in the end they’ll take him.

 

3. Miami Marlins: Asa Lacy, LHP, Texas A&M

This is the safe bet, but do not be surprised if the Marlins go with Max Meyer here — even if Martin doesn’t go at No. 2.

 

4. Kansas City Royals: Zac Veen, OF, Spruce Creek (Fla.) HS

I have heard them with Veen or Kjerstad, but not with Nick Gonzales or Emerson Hancock. While the rumor a month ago was that they wanted Veen on a below-slot deal, I don’t think he has to do that, because he could go with the very next pick if the Royals pass on him.

 

5. Toronto Blue Jays: Max Meyer, RHP, Minnesota

Meyer might be the most major-league ready player in the draft; if we have a season this year, and the Jays think they can compete, they could do a lot worse than putting Meyer in their bullpen to throw 99 mph with a wipeout slider. They also really like Veen, but appear to be out on Gonzales or Hancock.

 

6. Seattle Mariners: Emerson Hancock, RHP, Georgia

It could be Gonzales too, or maybe Reid Detmers. I don’t think they’re in on Veen or any other high school players.

 

7. Pittsburgh Pirates: Nick Gonzales, 2B/SS, New Mexico State

I think this is Gonzales’ floor. If he’s gone already, they are the one team in the top ten linked strongly to any high school arm, in this case Mick Abel. They’ve also been rumored to be on Kjerstad or Patrick Bailey, and if Lacy doesn’t go No. 3, this is probably his floor as well.

 

8. San Diego Padres: Reid Detmers, LHP, Louisville

They’d take Meyer if he got here, but he won’t. They’ve been on Robert Hassell all along, and I know a lot of people outside their organization who think he has the best swing in the draft. They also like Kjerstad, but there’s a sentiment that they need to take someone who’ll get to the majors quicker to line up with the wave of prospects they have.

 

9. Colorado Rockies: Tyler Soderstrom, C/3B, Turlock (Calif.) HS

I expect them to go with a hitter here, more likely high school — Soderstrom, Veen if he got here, Crow-Armstrong on a deal — but with Kjerstad also a possibility.

 

10. Los Angeles Angels: Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.) School

No high school pitchers here, but they could go for ceiling with Ed Howard or Hassell, take an up-the-middle college bat in Garrett Mitchell, or stick with college pitching like Cade Cavalli or Detmers.

 

11. Chicago White Sox: Garrett Crochet, LHP, Tennessee

I’ve heard them with Crochet, Soderstrom and Mitchell; I think it’s the high-water mark for Crochet or Mitchell, and right in Soderstrom’s range.

 

12. Cincinnati Reds: Robert Hassell III, OF, Independence (Tenn.) HS

Seems like the Reds are going hitter, with a mix that includes Kjerstad, Patrick Bailey, Soderstrom and Crow-Armstrong as well.

 

13. San Francisco Giants: Heston Kjerstad, OF, Arkansas

They’ve been linked to Soderstrom since I started projecting the first round a month ago. I’ve also heard them a little with Nick Bitsko and Mick Abel, as well as with Garrett Crochet, but it seems like everyone is assuming they take Soderstrom if he’s here. Since I have him going at No. 9, though, that doesn’t work. They’re one of the few teams open to high school arms in the top half of the round.

 

14. Texas Rangers: Aaron Sabato, 1B, UNC

Seems like the Rangers have settled on Sabato, a tremendously strong power bat without a position, probably aiming for a below-slot deal.

 

15. Philadelphia Phillies: Ed Howard, SS, Mount Carmel (Ill.) HS

Howard is one of the higher-ceiling prep guys in the draft class, and the Phillies have been linked to him as well as certain college arms, like Cavalli and even Slade Cecconi (the only team I heard linked to him). They are unlikely to take a high school arm.

 

16. Chicago Cubs: Justin Foscue, 2B, Mississippi State

I was told Detmers wouldn’t get past the Cubs, and if he’s gone, they might go with Foscue. They’re also one of the teams most linked to Abel. It’s worth noting that the Cubs haven’t taken a high school pitcher in the first round since 2005 (Mark Pawelek), and haven’t taken any high school player in the first round since 2012 (Albert Almora), but they’ve changed scouting directors this year and appear to have a new approach to the draft.

 

17. Boston Red Sox: Patrick Bailey, C, NC State

I’d heard they were heavy on Crow-Armstrong, but if he’s gone they’d go for the best college bat here — probably Bailey.

 

18. Arizona Diamondbacks: Bryce Jarvis, RHP, Duke

They’re also linked to Justin Foscue. I think they’re likely to go after high school pitching at their Competitive Balance A pick at No. 33, maybe Justin Lange or Nick Bitsko if he’s there.

 

19. New York Mets: Austin Hendrick, 1B, West Allegheny (Penn.) HS

I keep hearing that the Mets want Hendrick, and generally want a high-upside high school position player, with college pitching the fallback.

 

20. Milwaukee Brewers: Cade Cavalli, RHP, Oklahoma

I don’t think they’ll take a high school arm here, but could be opportunistic if a high school or college bat gets here who they didn’t expect. Otherwise, look for the best college arm on the board.

 

21. St. Louis Cardinals: Garrett Mitchell, OF, UCLA

They seem locked in on college bats, although I wonder if they’d deviate from that if someone special like Abel got to this pick.

 

22. Washington Nationals: Cole Wilcox, RHP, Georgia

As much as the industry links the Nats to Wilcox — he’s famous, he throws hard, he was advised by Scott Boras, yadda yadda yadda — I really wonder if they’d pass on Abel if he got here.

 

23. Cleveland: Mick Abel, RHP, Jesuit (Ore.) HS

I think they’re the most likely team in the first round to take a high school bat, with Abel or Tanner Witt (who gets a boost in their model because he’s still 17) the two leading candidates. Cleveland and the Rangers are the two teams I’ve heard linked to Blaze Jordan, one of the youngest players in the class, a first baseman right now who doesn’t bring his BP power into games.

 

24. Tampa Bay Rays: Jordan Westburg, 3B, Mississippi State

This was described to me as “a very Bobby Heck pick” (Heck is a special assistant to the Rays’ GM), a college player with upside and some carrying tools.

 

25. Atlanta Braves: Nick Swiney, LHP, NC State

I’ve heard Atlanta on college players here, hitters like Foscue/Westburg and some arms, and then likely to go high school afterward, similar to their approach last year (when they went over slot for a bunch of high school prospects on day three).

 

26. Oakland Athletics: Austin Wells, C, Arizona

I’ve heard college bats here, including Sabato, Foscue and Westburg.

 

27. Minnesota Twins: Casey Martin, SS, Arkansas

Again I’ve heard mostly college players here, including Wells, Westburg and Clayton Beeter.

 

28. New York Yankees: Bobby Miller, RHP, Louisville

Everyone seems to expect them to take Miller now, although I’ve heard them with the same college hitters I have going ahead of them here in the 20s.

 

29. Los Angeles Dodgers: Jordan Walker, 3B, Decatur (Ga.) HS

Walker is probably going somewhere in the Nos. 25-35 range, which should be enough to dissuade him from going to Duke. They’re also a possibility for Tanner Witt, who won’t fall very far, with Cleveland’s Competitive Balance A pick at No. 36 a probable floor for him.

 

 

Note: Houston lost its first-round pick as part of MLB’s punishment for the sign-stealing scheme.