MLB 2020 Draft

[Spanky99]

Is Veen "signable" ? (with this years draft payouts being $100,000 is due within 30 days of signing, 50% of what's remaining will be paid in July 2021, the rest in July 2022) I wonder if teams will avoid HS picks unless they are assured of him signing.

 

[Deadpool]

Is Veen "signable" ? (with this years draft payouts being $100,000 is due within 30 days of signing, 50% of what's remaining will be paid in July 2021, the rest in July 2022) I wonder if teams will avoid HS picks unless they are assured of him signing.

 

I mean, what's he going to do? Hold out in the hopes that he's drafted higher than 5th overall? Gotta imagine that's not the sort of thing that happens often...

[Jimcanuck]

At this point, I hope Veen is even available at #5.

 

Most of the pundits that I have read say Tork, Martin, Lacy, Hancock, and Gonzales are in a tier of their own. If Zeen goes before pick 5, gives the Jays the choice of two of those guys.

[metafour]

Most of the pundits that I have read say Tork, Martin, Lacy, Hancock, and Gonzales are in a tier of their own. If Zeen goes before pick 5, gives the Jays the choice of two of those guys.

 

That viewpoint has changed. There is now a clear Top 3 (Torkelson, Martin, Lacy) and Hancock/Gonzalez are kinda defacto 4/5 with varying opinions across the league which means that there are other guys (Veen, Meyer, etc) who could be argued to belong in that grouping as well.

[Jimcanuck]

That viewpoint has changed. There is now a clear Top 3 (Torkelson, Martin, Lacy) and Hancock/Gonzalez are kinda defacto 4/5 with varying opinions across the league which means that there are other guys (Veen, Meyer, etc) who could be argued to belong in that grouping as well.

 

I can see that, but the previous viewpoint still holds at various outlets, at BA for example.

[metafour]

I can see that, but the previous viewpoint still holds at various outlets, at BA for example.

 

Okay, aaaand? If the teams themselves don't view it that way, then whats the value in how BA sees it? If Veen goes before Hancock/Gonzalez, then that doesn't really mean we got to pick between two "Top 5" players.

[glory]

[Jimcanuck]

Okay, aaaand? If the teams themselves don't view it that way, then whats the value in how BA sees it? If Veen goes before Hancock/Gonzalez, then that doesn't really mean we got to pick between two "Top 5" players.

 

Every team has a different BPA list. Many will have Tork, Martin, Lacy, Hancock, Gonzales in the top 5. If one of the first 4 picks goes Veen, it increases the likelihood the Jays get a player higher up on their list they did not expect to get.

 

I don't see a downside to the Jays if Veen goes top 4, in other words.

[Krylian]

Every team has a different BPA list. Many will have Tork, Martin, Lacy, Hancock, Gonzales in the top 5. If one of the first 4 picks goes Veen, it increases the likelihood the Jays get a player higher up on their list they did not expect to get.

 

I don't see a downside to the Jays if Veen goes top 4, in other words.

 

You can only say that if you already know what the Jays list is. If the Top 4 picks mirror the Jays ranking then they'll only be getting the 5th best player in their own eyes. They might view Veen as #1. Probably not, but we don't know that.

[Jimcanuck]

You can only say that if you already know what the Jays list is. If the Top 4 picks mirror the Jays ranking then they'll only be getting the 5th best player in their own eyes. They might view Veen as #1. Probably not, but we don't know that.

 

Well of course. That's why i used "increases the likelihood"

[Spanky99]

Draft slot money are going to be the same as last year...

 

[BlueRocky]

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/blue-jays-2020-mlb-draft-preview-torontos-in-an-enviable-situation/

Blue Jays 2020 MLB Draft Preview: Toronto's In An Enviable Situation

 

By Josh Norris

on May 6, 2020

 

Unlike the NBA or NFL drafts, MLB teams do not draft for immediate need. There’s good reason for that, as even the most MLB-ready draft prospects usually take two seasons to get fully established in the majors. But as we ready for the 2020 MLB draft, it is useful to look at where teams are deep and where they are thin at the MLB and minor league level.

 

2020 ORG TALENT RANK: 6th

 

2019 MLB RECORD: 67-95

 

STATE OF THE SYSTEM: Even after losing Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio to graduation in 2019, Toronto’s system is strong. Nate Pearson is the best righthanded pitching prospect in the game, and he’s buttressed by an array of talented youngsters. That group includes an especially strong crop of pitching prospects, as well as young position players at the farm’s lowest levels.

 

BEST DRAFT PICK OF THE DECADE: Oddly enough, the Blue Jays’ two best draft picks this decade have both wound up getting dealt to the Mets. Toronto dealt Noah Syndergaard (one of their supplemental first-round picks from 2010) to New York as part of the package for R.A. Dickey in 2012. Six months prior to that deal, the Jays used one of their first-round picks on Duke righty Marcus Stroman. He pitched parts of six seasons for Toronto before being traded to New York last year in a deal that brought back pitching prospects Simeon Woods Richardson and Anthony Kay.

 

WORST DRAFT PICK OF THE DECADE: D.J. Davis (first round, 2012). Stroman was the Jays’ second first-rounder in 2012. Five picks earlier, they took high school outfielder D.J. Davis, who didn’t make it past high Class A and was released in 2018. The pick stings even more because the next player off the board was Corey Seager, who signed with the Dodgers and quickly became one of the game’s premier young players.

 

DEEPEST POSITION(S): The Jays are flush with shortstops and righthanders. Led by Jordan Groshans (who was having an excellent start to his 2019 season before landing on the shelf with a foot injury) and Orelvis Martinez, the team has eight shortstops among its Top 30 Prospects.That group also includes No. 8 prospect Miguel Hiraldo, who was excellent in the Rookie-level Appalachian League. On the mound, the list starts with Pearson and Woods Richardson and extends to 2019 draftees Alek Manoah and Kendall Williams, 2018 third-rounder Adam Kloffenstein and high-upside Brazilian Eric Pardinho.

 

WEAKEST POSITION(S): The Jays have no corner infielders among their Top 30 Prospects, and just three players listed at either position on their depth chart. Having Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at the hot corner certainly makes the lack of depth at those spots more palatable.

 

DRAFT TRENDS: Over the last five years, the Blue Jays have hunted for shortstops and righthanders in the first 10 rounds. In that span, the team has drafted nine shortstops and 17 righthanders. The best from those picks is Bo Bichette, the team’s first-rounder in 2016, who was tremendous in his big league debut last season.

 

[Deadpool]

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/blue-jays-2020-mlb-draft-preview-torontos-in-an-enviable-situation/

 

Bichette was a second rounder...

 

Also, I hate that it's only going to be 5 rounds. Stings even more when we have the 5th pick per round...

[metafour]

Stings even more when we have the 5th pick per round...

 

Having a high pick stops making any difference after probably the 3rd round. Even by the 5th round every team's board is going to look completely different; it makes no difference whether you pick 5th or 25th.

[Slade]

If anyone has an Athletic sub, Law posted a mock draft.

 

https://theathletic.com/1809918/2020/05/13/keith-law-2020-mlb-mock-draft-first-round-projection-1-0/?source=emp_shared_article

[jays4life19]

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

 

I don’t think this is a lock at all — Torkelson is the most famous player in the class, but not a Stephen Strasburg/Bryce Harper type who is clearly a level above anyone else in the draft. He’s also a right-handed hitting college first baseman; no college first baseman has ever gone 1-1, and no right-handed-hitting college outfielders have gone 1-1. The closest comparison might be Pat Burrell, a third baseman at the University of Miami who went first overall and immediately moved to first base and the outfield upon signing. Torkelson might be the safest player in the class, however, and the Tigers, picking first, have a system that is far stronger in pitching than in position players.

 

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

 

Martin showed more power last year to go with his elite contact rates and exit velocities, pushing him from first-round candidate to top-of-the-draft possibility. The main question is his ultimate position, especially since he didn’t throw well this spring before the college season ended, but he has the hit, power, and speed tools, and a history of elite performance in the best conference. I think the Orioles take him or Torkelson, depending on who the Tigers pick.

 

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

 

I’ve heard they would love Martin but assume he’s gone before they pick, and Lacy — who should be discussed as a 1-1 candidate, although it seems like the Tigers are more likely to go with a bat — would be the clear best player available if the two hitters go ahead of him. I don’t think they’re on Emerson Hancock, possibly the best college righty in the draft.

 

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

 

If the top three picks involve the three players listed above, the Royals are the first team that could go high school, maybe cutting a deal with Veen — the consensus top high school player — rather than “settling” for the best college player in the second tier.

 

5. Toronto Blue Jays: Emerson Hancock, RHP, Georgia

 

Hancock seemed like a potential 1-1 candidate coming out of last spring, but was just fair out of the gate this year — not bad, just not definitively No. 1 overall good — in part due to some strange pitch calling that had him using his plus changeup far less than usual. Toronto has a new scouting director this year, but other teams expect them to keep an analytics-heavy approach, which could point to Hancock, Reid Detmers, or Max Meyer.

 

6. Seattle Mariners: Reid Detmers, LHP, Louisville

 

I think Detmers, who might end up with 70 command but pitches with just average fastball velocity, could go here if he doesn’t go to the Jays, and if there’s anything different in the top five I’d expect Seattle to just take whoever falls to them (rather than focusing on a specific name).

 

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

 

I think Gonzales’ floor is here. I’ve also heard them with Patrick Bailey, who’s likely to be the first catcher off the board, or Heston Kjerstad. If the Royals don’t cut a deal with Veen at No. 4, I’d bet we get at least through this pick without a high school player taken.

 

8. San Diego Padres: Robert Hassell III, OF, Independence (Tenn.) HS

 

I wouldn’t rule out the Padres going college here, depending on who’s available, but I think they’re the first team likely to take a high school bat, which would probably be Hassell or Veen.

 

9. Colorado Rockies: Heston Kjerstad, OF, Arkansas

 

Kjerstad blew up this spring before the season ended, showing more game power and a better approach, although he wasn’t tested in SEC play. He’s got loose hands but had high strikeout rates in his first two years with the Razorbacks that cause some concern about his long-term hit tool.

 

10. Los Angeles Angels: Max Meyer, RHP, Minnesota

 

Meyer is “just” a six-foot right-hander, but has upper 90s velocity with the best slider in the draft, and if there is an MLB season this year he could be a candidate to go into someone’s bullpen this summer or fall, or at least serve on a taxi squad to come in as a replacement when a pitcher gets hurt.

 

11. Chicago White Sox: Patrick Bailey, C, NC State

 

We’ll see if their drafting direction changes at all under new scouting director Mike Shirley; they haven’t taken a high school player in the first round since 2012, and this doesn’t seem like the year to go in that direction with the 11th pick. You don’t really draft for need in baseball, but the White Sox don’t have a viable catching prospect in their top 20.

 

12. Cincinnati Reds: CJ Van Eyk, RHP, Florida State

 

Van Eyk was the talk of the preseason this spring and came out with a great week one start, with great TrackMan data on his stuff, but had some trouble with command after that. I’d be surprised if the Reds went high school here — unless someone like Kjerstad slips, they’re more likely to take from the group of college right-handers available here.

 

13. San Francisco Giants: Tyler Soderstrom, C, Turlock (Calif.) HS

 

I’ve also heard them as toying with the idea of taking Tennessee’s Garrett Crochet, who threw just 3.2 innings in one unannounced appearance before the sport shut down, showing a 70 fastball but struggling in the past with secondary stuff.

 

14. Texas Rangers: Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Harvard-Westlake

 

Crow-Armstrong was off to a great start this spring when Harvard-Westlake was one of the first major high school programs to cancel its remaining schedule, and probably played himself back into the mid-first round after concerns about his rough summer in 2019. I haven’t heard him mentioned higher than this but on pure tools, he’d fit.

 

15. Philadelphia Phillies: Austin Hendrick, OF, West Allegheny (Penn.) HS

 

Hendrick has huge exit velocities and raw power, but he’ll be 19 at the draft and didn’t get to play at all this spring, all of which seems to have cooled interest in him at the top of the draft.

 

16. Chicago Cubs: Tanner Burns, RHP, Auburn

 

The Cubs also have a new scouting director this year in Dan Kantrovitz, although I don’t think there’s a big change in direction coming just yet given how heavy this draft is on college pitching.

 

17. Boston Red Sox: Chris McMahon, RHP, Miami

 

McMahon is one of the safer college arms in the class, with solid performance and mid-rotation potential but without the upside of the college pitchers likely to go ahead of him (as well a few of those behind him, like Cade Cavalli or Cole Wilcox, who have more risk).

 

18. Arizona Diamondbacks: Carmen Mlodzinski, RHP, South Carolina

 

Mlodzinski is more stuff than performance, showing plus velocity in the fall and early this spring with good feel for a slider, but no real success until last summer in the Cape Cod League, and then again in four starts this year.

 

19. New York Mets: Cade Cavalli, RHP, Oklahoma

 

Cavalli would probably be a top ten pick if he didn’t have his history of minor arm issues, bringing a plus fastball/breaking ball combination and throwing strikes this year in his four outings at a much higher rate than he had last spring.

 

20. Milwaukee Brewers: Bryce Jarvis, RHP, Duke

 

Jarvis was draft-eligible as a sophomore last year but wasn’t signable for worth, going in the 37th round to the Yankees. The son of long-time big leaguer Kevin Jarvis came out throwing harder and with better command and control this spring, possibly enough to get himself into the first round — especially if he’s willing to take a discount as a 22.5-year-old junior.

 

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

 

Mitchell is an 80 runner and sure centerfielder, but teams are scared off by multiple factors, from questions about whether his swing will work with wood to health concerns given his diabetes. He reminds me a bit of Drew Stubbs, who wasn’t exactly the same kind of player — more power, a bit less speed, a slightly better defender at the same age — but went in the top ten picks in 2006.

 

22. Washington Nationals: Cole Wilcox, RHP, Georgia

 

Wilcox was a first-round talent out of high school but unsignable, and there were — and still are — some questions about his fastball quality, but he has the velocity and the breaking ball and competes really well. The Nats tend to like big, hard throwers, especially when they have track records.

 

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

 

If I’m in the ballpark here, this would be the first draft ever that didn’t have a high school pitcher go in the top 20 picks, a reflection of the college-heavy class and the abrupt end to the spring before pitchers like Abel or Nick Bitsko (who could go in the 21-40 range) got a chance to pitch in any games. Cleveland has had no issue at all taking risks on high-upside high school arms the last three years with Brady Aiken (which didn’t work out), Ethan Hankins (promising so far), and Danny Espino (TBD).

 

24. Tampa Bay Rays: Ed Howard, SS, Mount Carmel (Ill.) HS

 

Howard has first-round tools and is the most likely long-term shortstop of the class, but he wasn’t great last summer, and he lost the opportunity to play against good competition this spring when USA Baseball’s NHSI tournament was canceled.

 

25. Atlanta Braves: Garrett Crochet, LHP, Tennessee

 

I have heard Crochet going higher than this, more by range than to any specific team, but he threw just 3.2 innings this year in an outing barely anyone saw, and his secondary stuff wasn’t very good last year, so the enormous arm strength is really his main calling card — and I don’t know that that merits a top 15-ish pick in this college pitching class.

 

26. Oakland Athletics: Dillon Dingler, C, Ohio State

 

Dingler was a prospect before this year as a defense-first catcher with some athleticism, but impressed in the 13 games he played before the shutdown, showing better quality contact and more power to go with his previously strong contact rates.

 

27. Minnesota Twins: Logan Allen, LHP, Florida International

 

Allen was a two-way player as a freshman but mostly gave up hitting as a sophomore, probably the right call given how this draft is shaping up. He’s a high-floor college lefty who throws a ton of strikes with an average fastball and above-average changeup, projecting to plus command, with a strong track record of performance.

 

28. New York Yankees: Clayton Beeter, RHP, Texas Tech

 

Beeter might not have been taken in a five-round draft in January, but came out this year throwing an absolute screaming hammer of a curveball this spring that multiple scouts have called a grade 80 pitch, along with a plus fastball and a deceptive delivery from a high slot.

 

29. Los Angeles Dodgers: Nick Swiney, LHP, NC State

 

Swiney came on this year as the Wolfpack’s Saturday starter, showing a plus curveball and good command of a fringe-average fastball in his first stint in NC State’s rotation, with good extension out front to help his stuff play up and a little projection left in his body.

 

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

 

(Top photo of Martin: Steven Branscombe / USA Today)

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Keith Law is a Senior Baseball Writer for The Athletic. He has covered the sport since 2006, and prior to that was a Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Toronto Blue Jays. He's the author of Smart Baseball: The Story Behind the Old Stats That Are Ruining the Game, the New Ones That Are Running It, and the Right Way to Think About Baseball, released in April of 2017; and The Inside Game: Bad Calls, Strange Moves, and What Baseball Behavior Teaches Us About Ourselves, due out in April of 2020, both from William Morrow. He lives in Delaware with his daughter. Follow Keith on Twitter @keithlaw.

[TheHurl]

BEST HITTER

 

High School

1. Robert Hassell

2. Austin Hendrick

3. Zac Veen

4. Isaiah Greene

5. Pete Crow-Armstrong

 

College

1. Austin Martin

2. Spencer Torkelson

3. Nick Gonzales

4. Heston Kjerstad

5. Daniel Cabrera

 

BEST POWER

 

High School

1. Austin Hendrick

2. Blaze Jordan

3. Jordan Walker

4. Zac Veen

5. AJ Vukovich

 

College

1. Spencer Torkelson

2. Aaron Sabato

3. Niko Kavadas

4. Heston Kjerstad

5. Elijah Cabell

 

BEST SPEED

 

High School

1. Enrique Bradfield

2. Jake Vogel

3. David Calabrese

4. Pete Crow-Armstrong

5. Masyn Winn

 

College

1. Braiden Ward

2. Garrett Mitchell

3. Casey Martin

4. Blake Dunn

5. Noah Bridges

 

Best Strike Zone Judgment

 

High School

1. Zac Veen

2. Robert Hassell

3. Drew Romo

4. Kevin Parada

5. Austin Hendrick

 

College

1. Austin Martin

2. Luke Waddell

3. Spencer Torkelson

4. Nick Gonzales

5. Nick Loftin

 

Best Defensive Infielder

 

High School

1. Ed Howard

2. Milan Tolentino

3. Carson Tucker

4. Steven Ondina

5. Cole Foster

 

College

1. Alika Williams

2. Nick Loftin

3. Anthony Servideo

4. Freddy Zamora

5. Gage Workman

 

Best Defensive Outfielder

 

High School

1. Pete Crow-Armstrong

2. Enrique Bradfield

3. David Calabrese

4. Jake Vogel

5. Isaiah Greene

 

College

1. Garrett Mitchell

2. Braiden Ward

3. Parker Chavers

4. Blake Dunn

5. Austin Martin

 

Best Fastball

 

High School

1. Jared Kelley

2. Mick Abel

3. Justin Lange

4. Jared Jones

5. Alejandro Rosario

 

College

1. Garrett Crochet

2. Max Meyer

3. Burl Carraway

4. Joe Boyle

5. Cade Cavalli

 

Best Breaking Ball

 

High School

1. Victor Mederos

2. Mick Abel

3. Carson Montgomery

4. Nick Bitsko

5. Mason Miller

 

College

1. Max Meyer

2. Seth Lonsway

3. Asa Lacy

4. J.T. Ginn

5. Reid Detmers

[TheHurl]

Best Changeup

 

High School

1. Ben Hernandez

2. Jared Kelley

3. Mick Abel

4. Marquis Grissom Jr.

5. Jared Jones

 

College

1. Emerson Hancock

2. Jared Shuster

3. Asa Lacy

4. Logan Allen

5. Nick Swiney

 

Best Control

 

High School

1. Mick Abel

2. Max Rajcic

3. Jared Kelley

4. Dax Fulton

5. Hunter Barnhart

 

College

1. Emerson Hancock

2. Reid Detmers

3. Zach Pettway

4. J.T. Ginn

5. Adam Seminaris

 

Best Athlete

 

High School

1. Masyn Winn

2. Jared Jones

3. Brandon Fields

4. Ed Howard

5. Cade Horton

 

College

1. Max Meyer

2. Blake Dunn

3. Garrett Mitchell

4. Casey Martin

5. Austin Martin

[KevinGregg]

Best Fastball

 

College

1. Garrett Crochet

2. Max Meyer

 

Best Breaking Ball

 

College

1. Max Meyer

 

 

Best Athlete

 

College

1. Max Meyer

 

Max Meyer looking like a good pick

[Krylian]

Max Meyer looking like a good pick

 

He'd make a great reliever...but I'm not 100% sold on him as a starter. At least not enough to take him at 5.

[Slade]

This is an older article but worth reading about Hancock.

 

https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/28725048/was-top-draft-pitching-prospect-emerson-hancock-rough-debut-blip-more

 

University of Georgia right-hander Emerson Hancock was a consensus top-three prospect for the 2020 MLB draft coming into Friday's start, which ended up being the second worst of his college career statistically, the worst if you consider the competition: 4 IP, 9 H, 6 R at home against Richmond.

 

It started as expected, with Hancock's fastball sitting in the 94-96 mph range and hitting 97 mph in the first couple of innings, mixing in an above-average slider in the mid-90s and bringing out his plus changeup in the second. There also was an early walk and a hit batter, an infield hit and a couple of bloopers you could chalk up to bad luck. But in the fourth inning, he gave up back-to-back homers on center-cut mistake pitches, leading to the early exit.

 

Hancock's execution was off all night and his body language wasn't fantastic, but the stuff was close enough to expectation. He didn't really dip below 93 mph, and while his changeup wasn't a 70-grade pitch very often, it was plus multiple times. It's generally not a good idea for amateur pitchers having execution issues to try to throw both a slider and a curveball, but Hancock doesn't normally have execution issues.

 

EDITOR'S PICKS

 

2020 (and 2021) MLB draft watch: SEC loaded with big-time prospects

 

Georgia, juco pitchers show potential as top prospects

Ultimately, it was just one start, and scouts have been raving about Hancock as he's gotten ramped back up after taking the summer and fall off. One scout said he saw a 70 changeup, 60 slider and steady mid-90s fastball to go with starter command in one of his preseason outings. A couple others agreed that when Hancock puts it all together, he may be the best pitching prospect since Stephen Strasburg, better even than 2018 No. 1 pick Casey Mize of the Tigers due to his frame, ease of operation and less worrisome medical record. I'll be back for another look at Hancock once it's clear he has navigated past this hiccup.

 

I mentioned Georgia lefty Ryan Webb in last week's prospects breakdown and I saw him again in relief of Hancock. Not many expected Webb would throw more innings (five) than Hancock, and even fewer figured Webb would strike out 11 and walk none. Webb's stuff was about the same as in the preseason outing I wrote about, with the command and execution of his four-pitch mix a bit sharper. He's still a fourth- to fifth-round prospect, but could climb a bit if he can thrive in longer outings, especially if he can snatch a Sunday starter gig for the Bulldogs.

 

Power bats on display

 

The other games I saw last weekend were mostly to catch some power bats: Georgia prepsters Jordan Walker and Corey Collins and University of Cincinnati outfielder Joey Wiemer.

 

Walker (Duke commit) was one of the more celebrated prep prospects in the 2020 class on the summer showcase circuit. In the summer, he showed the tools for third base, easy plus raw power and enough contact against good pitching to indicate he could reach his upside. That's the groundwork for a first-round pick, but there are still some holes. Walker hit a homer in his first at-bat Friday at the Georgia Dugout Club Tournament and continued to put the ball in play in the game I saw Saturday. He had some trouble with decent breaking stuff over the weekend and his lateral mobility in the infield (he plays shortstop for his high school team) looks to have regressed a bit.

 

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This is a dangerous spot for Walker: If he's a high-ceiling hitter but has issues making contact against good breaking stuff and has marginal defensive value, he could slip into the second round. He reminded me a bit of Yankees prospect Dermis Garcia, who got a $3.2 million bonus at age 16, and has mostly hit homers, struck out and played first base in pro ball. There's plenty of time for Walker to rebound before draft day.

 

Collins (Georgia commit) was out most of the showcase season with an arm injury and isn't catching full time yet, so there isn't a lot of draft buzz on him. I ran into him last year when he matched up with Marlins second-rounder Nasim Nunez and saw enough in that game and in Saturday's matchup to see Collins going in the top two rounds. Collins had improved his physique and defensive ability when I saw him last year and the athleticism looked the same, playing first base this weekend. There's every reason to believe his plus arm still plays and in both regular season games I've seen of Collins, he's gone deep to the opposite field against solid pitching (on Saturday it was vs. Vanderbilt commit RHP Miles Garrett, working 88-91 mph).

 

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Collins is a big kid with a very limited hand load and plus raw power generated from a strength-based swing. Clubs like to use top picks on looser, twitchy, up-the-middle type bats, as there's margin for error in a number of ways, but Collins checks almost all of the boxes for this type of prospect. As a hitter, he reminds me of 2019 Reds third-rounder infielder Tyler Callihan (signed for a top-50 pick, overslot bonus), and Collins has more defensive value and raw strength. There's upside into the late first round for Collins if he can show his chops behind the plate in his return to the position in the coming weeks.

 

Wiemer had a coming-out party on the Cape this summer, primarily for his tools and frame, but he hasn't really produced like a top pick in college yet. He didn't have a loud day Sunday at Kennesaw State (strikeout, walk, groundout, infield single, end-of-the-bat ground ball double) but still showed first-round tools. Wiemer got Hunter Pence comps on the Cape for his 6-foot-5-inch, 215-pound frame, his loud, somewhat unorthodox swing, quirky look (a blond mullet in Wiemer's case) and high-energy style.

 

In addition, Wiemer has plus raw power, above-average speed underway and an above-average arm that lets him contribute as a reliever as well. His swing frequently gets out of control, with a big leg kick and varying stride lengths that leave him susceptible to any wrinkles. He's a late bloomer from Michigan, has everyday tools and good makeup by all accounts, so even with another mediocre stat line (by top prospect standards) in 2020, he could go in the second half of the second round; by then there aren't many potential everyday players who have made contact with a wood bat left on the board.

 

Lastly, Georgia prep lefty Jackson Phipps (South Carolina commit) was throwing on a field adjacent to Walker's game, and scouts were shuttling back and forth to get looks at both. He's listed at 6-5, 210 and has the athleticism and projection to be an early-round pick, along with three pitches that all grade average to a tick better. He had trouble keeping the ball down at 89-92 mph and didn't use his changeup much, but all the elements are there. Given the multiyear history and scouts that will pile in to see the top Georgia high schools, Phipps could sneak into the top couple of rounds with a half dozen good starts at the right time, but based on what I saw he's more of a college guy. He won't get offered enough to pass up an SEC school.

[KevinGregg]

I'd prefer Hancock, then Meyer, then Lacy I think. I definitely want one of those 3 - I don't think any of the good college hitters will make it down to us and I want none of this high schooler Veen s***.

[Spanky99]

I'd prefer Hancock, then Meyer, then Lacy I think. I definitely want one of those 3 - I don't think any of the good college hitters will make it down to us and I want none of this high schooler Veen s***.

 

yer dumn!

[Slade]

Veen vs. Mitchell article.

 

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/zac-veen-vs-garrett-mitchell-2020-mlb-draft-prospect-showdown-outfield-rankings/

 

Hitting: Mitchell’s pure bat-to-ball skills are superior to Veen’s, but Veen’s swing is looser and more fluid than Mitchell’s has ever been. While Veen might have more swing-and-miss in his game, his hitting upside is a tick higher. EDGE: VEEN.

 

Power: Both Mitchell and Veen have similar raw power, though Veen comes with a still projectable 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame that should add more weight in the future. The bigger separator is that Veen’s swing has plenty of leverage to tap into his power in games right now, while Mitchell has a long track record of struggling to get to his during games, dating back to his time in high school. EDGE: VEEN.

 

Speed: This category isn’t close. Mitchell is one of the best runners in the entire draft class. He’s a legitimate 80-grade runner now and he was a legitimate 80-grade runner in high school, with terrific ability to get out of the lefthanded batter’s box, steal bases and track down balls in the outfield. Veen is more of an average runner who could slow down as he fills out. EDGE: MITCHELL.

 

Fielding: Because of Mitchell’s speed, he’s a good bet to stick in center field, where he has plus defensive potential at a premium position and can track fly balls down in the gaps. Veen is an average defender who will move to a corner in pro ball. EDGE: MITCHELL.

 

Arm: While Veen has a solid arm that has above-average potential, Mitchell’s is a tick better and could allow him to handle right field if necessary. Mitchell’s arm is consistently graded as plus and gives him another weapon to go with his collection of plus raw tools. EDGE: MITCHELL

 

X Factor: While each player’s tool set is considerably different, their health is also a factor. Mitchell is a Type I diabetic, and while teams don’t seem to have a quantifiable way to measure the exact risk that adds to his profile, every scout knows it will be a factor in his future projection and durability. Mitchell missed only one game in the last two years at UCLA. EDGE: VEEN.

 

Scout's take on Veen: "I see no reason he shouldn't hit a lot. And no reason he shouldn't drive the ball a lot as he continues to add strength ... Pretty swing, really good leverage, natural loft in the stroke. And you just look at the body and think, 'Geez, he's not there yet.'"

 

Scout's take on Mitchell: "Might be the best player I've ever scouted. Take away the diabetic aspect and he could be (drafted) 1-1. Stays in center field, plus defender, plus arm, 80 run times on turns ... zero effort."

 

SPOTLIGHT: Top 2020 Outfielders

Strength: 5 stars

 

From Austin Martin’s outstanding hitting ability to the plus or better power offered by Zac Veen, Austin Hendrick, Heston Kjerstad and Dylan Crews, this year’s crop of outfielders is as deep as we have seen in recent drafts.

 

LHP Detmeter vs Crochet

 

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/reid-detmers-vs-garrett-crochet-2020-mlb-draft-prospect-showdown-lhp-rankings/

 

Fastball: This is likely the biggest gap between the two, with Crochet having double-plus fastball potential with a heater that explodes out of his hand and gets up 100 mph at its best. That is high-end fastball velocity from a lefthander that is seldom seen. Former South Florida lefty Shane McClanahan, now in the Rays’ system, also hit 100 mph prior to the 2018 draft. Detmers has much fringier fastball velocity and typically sits in the low 90s. EDGE: Crochet

 

Breaking Balls: Consistency with a breaking ball gives Detmers the edge here. His easy plus curveball has big depth and shape, and while Crochet’s slider has plus potential as well, he gets to those 60-grade pitches less frequently than Detmers. The big break and low-70s velocity on Detmers’ curve give him a unique look. EDGE: Detmers

 

Changeup: Scouts have said both Detmers and Crochet have changeups that show above-average potential, so this category is a push. EDGE: Draw

 

Control: While Crochet wins by a wide margin in the fastball category, Detmers is the clear favorite here and stacks up well against every other pitcher in the nation. He has a long track record of throwing strikes and walked fewer than 2.5 batters per nine innings in 2019 and 2020. Double-plus control isn’t a stretch for Detmers. EDGE: Detmers

 

X Factor: Another key difference between the two southpaws is rotation track record. Detmers has 25 starts and impressive performance in the Atlantic Coast Conference on his résumé, in addition to a strong summer with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team in 2019. He also earns plaudits for his competitive makeup. Meanwhile, Crochet has just 13 college starts and most of those came as a freshman and sophomore, when he made more relief appearances than starts overall. EDGE: Detmers

 

Scout's take on Detmers: “He’s going to pitch as long as he wants to . . . Huge courage, huge compete tool, very unaffected by any environment. Strike-thrower, makes big pitches, not scared . . . I don’t even look at his stuff—they don’t hit him."

 

Scout's take on Crochet: “His fastball is absolutely electric . . . Big, tall lefty with some angle on it. It was 95-96 (mph) every pitch with some action on it . . . His fastball is absolutely explosive."

 

SPOTLIGHT: Top 2020 Lefthanded Pitchers

Strength: 3 stars

 

Asa Lacy is the No. 1 pitcher in the draft, while Reid Detmers (pitchability and poise) and Garrett Crochet (pure power) also could be drafted in the top half of the first round, making this a top-heavy, if average, year for southpaws.

 

 

Blaze Jordan vs. Jordan Walker corner infielder

 

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/blaze-jordan-vs-jordan-walker-2020-mlb-draft-prospect-showdown-corner-infield-rankings/

 

Hitting: At his best, Jordan has a handsy, fluid righthanded swing with a professional, all-fields approach and solid ability to handle velocity and make adjustments to offspeed pitches. While Walker has a solid hit tool, he’s a bit more power over pure hitter, and the length of his arms could create more swing-and-miss issues going forward. A slight edge for Jordan here. EDGE: Jordan

 

Power: Jordan is more famous for his displays of power throughout his high school career, but Walker has the more projectable frame when looking at future power potential. Walker is 6-foot-5, 220 pounds compared to Jordan, who is 6-foot-2, 218 pounds. Both are among the top five in the prep class, but Walker has the slight edge. EDGE: Walker

 

Speed: Neither Walker nor Jordan are burners and both are projected to be below-average runners moving forward. This one is a push. EDGE: Draw

 

Fielding: Both Jordan and Walker have spent time at third base and first base, and both have risk to wind up at the low end of the defensive spectrum. However, scouts prefer Walker’s athleticism and hands to Jordan’s, so he gets the edge here. EDGE: Walker

 

Arm: Walker has shown solid carry and power on his throws from the hot corner, and he has a chance for above-average arm strength, so he gets the edge over Jordan, whose arm is just average. EDGE: Walker

 

X Factor: More and more teams are beginning to place an emphasis on the age of draft prospects, particularly on the hitting side. As a natural member of the 2021 high school class who reclassified last year to be draft eligible this year, Jordan is one of the youngest players in the 2020 class and the youngest among the top 200 prospects. He won’t turn 18 until this December, and that youth could push him up boards, especially for teams that place an emphasis on statistical modeling. EDGE: Jordan

 

Scout's take on Blaze Jordan: Seventeen and a half, real power ... plays first base at the end of the day ... It's a sound swing and he's so young ... Not a great body but he's just a baby and he's hitting balls to the moon. It's rare righthanded power.

 

Scout's take on Jordan Walker: "I think the industry probably has him as the best high school prospect in Georgia by far. He's the total package for me. You have some concerns on the bat, just pure hittability, but the power is exceptional and the makeup is really good."

 

SPOTLIGHT: Top 2020 Corner Infielders

Strength: 3 stars

 

Spencer Torkelson's offensive profile is so appealing that he has a chance to be drafted No. 1 overall. Jordan Walker, Aaron Sabato and Blaze Jordan also have the potential to develop impact power, but a lack of third basemen drags down the overall star rating.

[Slade]

Jonathan Mayo's recent Mock.

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-mlb-draft-first-round-mock-draft

 

5. Blue Jays: Zac Veen, OF, Spruce Creek HS (Fla.)

Emerson Hancock, Max Meyer or Reid Detmers could be targets if Toronto wants to go the college arm route, but if they want a hitter and Gonzales is off the board, the top high school position player in the country is a good way to go.

[Krylian]

I'd prefer Hancock, then Meyer, then Lacy I think. I definitely want one of those 3 - I don't think any of the good college hitters will make it down to us and I want none of this high schooler Veen s***.

 

JP is that you?

[CBlake]

Nick Gonzales: 4 things to know about the New Mexico State baseball infielder

https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports/college/nmsu/2020/05/20/nick-gonzales-facts-nmsu-aggies-baseball-new-mexico-state-mlb/5216799002/

[Spanky99]

JP is that you?

 

lol

[Spanky99]

JP is that you?

 

lol

 

My amount is gorgeous.New champs are, me

[metafour]

Is this guy above me okay? Do we need to call someone?