1,200 players were taken in the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft. In this year’s version, 160 players will be chosen and added to clubs’ respective farm systems. The 2020 Draft will take place on the originally scheduled date of Wednesday, June 10th. The first round will take place on night one with rounds two-through-five taking place the following evening on Thursday, June 11th.
A 40-round draft has been commonplace for the past decade but that’s going to change going forward. In 2020, the draft will be just five rounds but it will be 20 rounds in total after this year. I detailed the rules of this latest iteration back in May. Bonus pool amounts will be commensurate with the same slot values as 2019 and owners will defer the majority of signing bonuses until later years. Every drafted player will receive no more than $100,000 up front with the remaining bonus amount to be paid in equal installments coming in 2021 and 2022.
The shortened draft will affect high schoolers and college juniors the most but the majority of the top talent will still be selected and sign on to become professional baseball players. Scouting operations had been on hold and clubs were in limbo since the shutdown. Players are now allowed to update video and share workouts on a central database that all clubs can access. Teams can schedule and participate in meetings remotely with draft-eligible prospects as well.
The Chicago White Sox will have five selections and a bonus pool totaling $7,744,700 to use on those five players. This is our third and final attempt at mocking the first round. Mock Draft 2.0 can be read here. New scouting director Mike Shirley spoke to to the media last week. He discussed how the organization has been preparing and it’ll be interesting to see the strategy that he employs in his first draft.
1. Detroit Tigers: Spencer Torkelson 1B Arizona State
Torkelson is 6’1″ and 205 pounds with a right/right profile at first base. He would be the first such player to go first overall but in times like these, he’s the safest selection for Al Avila. Torkelson has plus raw power and enough of a hit tool to project as a difference maker in the middle of a big league lineup in the future. They could look to cut a deal with a non-Boras client here but Tork seems to be the heavy favorite.
2. Baltimore Orioles: Austin Martin 3B/OF Vanderbilt
The Orioles could look to save money and avoid the difficult negotiations with Scott Boras. Ultimately though, Austin Martin is the top player in the class and Baltimore will likely select him. Martin has played all over the diamond and is the best college hitter in the class. He’s a twitchy athlete with positional flexibility and there are very few flaws in his game.
3. Miami Marlins: Asa Lacy LHP Texas A&M
This is the best case scenario for Miami in this instance and the Fish appear to be locked in on the best southpaw in the class. Position players pushed the top pitchers down the board and the Marlins will benefit. Lacy is a 6’4″ 215 pound southpaw that projects at the top of a rotation. He could be the fastest moving pitcher in the class.
4. Kansas City Royals: Zac Veen OF Spruce Creek HS (FL)
6’5″ lefty slugger with a commitment to Florida. Veen has a chance for five above average tools with excellent raw power as his current carrying tool. He profiles as a corner outfielder, but could start in center initially. The Royals have been linked to this prep star lately and he’s the best high school player in this class.
5. Toronto Blue Jays: Emerson Hancock RHP Georgia
The Blue Jays could shy away from Hancock due to his lack of strikeouts but I felt he was too good to pass up at this point. The 6’4″ right hander was the favorite to go No. 1 overall a few months ago and he was definitely an option to go higher. He might be the best college pitcher in the draft class. Max Meyer is also a candidate for this pick.
6. Seattle Mariners: Nick Gonzales 2B New Mexico State
The Mariners are a “draft model and data” team so taking a college hitter in this spot would be no surprise. The 21-year-old second baseman was off to a hot start with New Mexico State and he won the MVP of the Cape Cod League last summer. All Gonzales has done is hit to this point.
7. Pittsburgh Pirates: Heston Kjerstad OF Arkansas
One of the best power bats in the draft class. The 6’3″ 200 pounder also had great success with Team USA in the summer and has shown elite ability with wood bats. Kjerstad isn’t a great defender but shows a strong and accurate arm in a corner outfield spot. Pittsburgh has been linked to college bats and this will be Ben Cherington’s first draft.
8. San Diego Padres: Max Meyer RHP Minnesota
The Padres aren’t afraid to take prep players and they could choose to go that route again this year. Ultimately, I felt that Meyer was too good to leave on the board any longer. Meyer is 6’0″ right hander with a plus fastball and the best slider in the draft class. He’s a quality athlete that can repeat a fluid delivery despite the size. He will be the first Minnesota 1st rounder since 2004.
9. Colorado Rockies: Robert Hassell OF Independence HS (TN)
The Rockies only take pitchers that throw sinkers and the board dictates that they should take a hitter here in regards to their draft strategy. Was the most consistent bat on the USA Baseball 18U National Team last year. He shows stellar bat control. Hassell hits the ball hard and has developing power. Also shows a pretty left-handed stroke with great eye hand coordination. His bat and arm are his carrying tools and he could remain in centerfield.
10. Los Angeles Angels: Patrick Bailey C North Carolina State
This could be the landing spot for Bailey if he’s willing to take an under-slot deal. Bailey is a young junior and the top college catcher in the class. He is more power than hit and is a switch-hitter with solid raw power. Bailey is a solid defender but has a lack of wood bat success in the summer.
11. Chicago White Sox: Reid Detmers LHP Louisville
This is a best case scenario for the White Sox. Detmers has the best curveball in the class and he might be the quickest pitcher to the major leagues from this draft crop. Tennessee lefty Garrett Crochet and a plethora of prep players are other realistic options at this spot if the Louisville product doesn’t get here.
12. Cincinnati Reds: Austin Hendrick OF West Allegheny HS (PA)
Hendrick is a 19-year-old lefty with a great hit and power combination. The Pennsylvania prep product is a corner guy with massive raw power and bat speed. Might have the best combination of hit and power in the prep class. There are strong rumors that Cincinnati wants a prep hitter in this spot.
13. San Francisco Giants: Tyler Soderstrom C Turlock HS (CA)
The 6’2 200 pounder is one of the best prep hitters in the class and San Francisco has the funds to afford him. Soderstrom is an athletic, left-handed hitting backstop that may have to move off the position long-term. He’s very polished with a solid offensive approach. He is committed to UCLA.
14. Texas Rangers: Garrett Crochet LHP Tennessee
Crochet was shutdown for a bit this fall but made it back shortly before everything stopped. The 6’6″ 220 pound southpaw sits 96-100 mph with his fastball and shows very high spin rates. Crochet also possesses a plus slider with an above average changeup. He has a solid delivery with clean arm action as well.
15. Philadelphia Phillies: Cade Cavalli RHP Oklahoma
Cavalli is a 6’4″ 225 pound righty with easy velocity. His fastball sits 92-96 and touches 98 at times. He also possesses a plus curveball and the makings of a solid changeup. The Sooner starter shows frontline starter upside but needs to work on his command and stay healthy. Should be a nice addition for the Phillies.
16. Chicago Cubs: Pete Crow-Armstrong CF Harvard-Westlake HS (CA)
18-year-old with a L/L profile is the latest star from Harvard Westlake High School. Crow-Armstrong makes loud, hard contact despite some swing and miss in his game. He’s more hit than power currently but the dynamic athlete provides stellar defense in centerfield. The Cubs have done well drafting hitters and this would be a solid start to Dan Kantrovitz’s first draft.
17. Boston Red Sox: Mick Abel RHP Jesuit HS (OR)
Abel is a 6’5″ 180 pound Oregon State commitment and the first selection of the Chaim Bloom era in Boston. He possesses present stuff, future projection and pitchability. His fastball sits in the mid 90’s and he flashes three plus pitches. Abel is lauded for great maturity and makeup as well.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks: Nick Bitsko RHP Central Bucks East HS (PA)
Bitsko reclassified to enter the 2020 draft class instead of being old for the 2021 class. The Virginia commit has a physical 6’4″ 220 pound frame and looks the part of a frontline starter. Bitsko has a clean delivery and his fastball and curveball have plus potential. Some teams may try to push him to the comp round and he could do sooner than this. He fits what Arizona looks for though.
19. New York Mets: Slade Cecconi RHP Miami
After taking some prep players in 2019, the Mets decide on a safer college arm in a great class for 2020. Cecconi is a draft-eligible Sophomore with a strong, durable frame. He has good stuff and gets his fastball up to 96 mph regularly. He does lose the velocity at times deep in starts and there’s some reliever risk in the profile. The 6’4″ 220 pounder comes with lots of upside due to age, stuff and arm strength though.
20. Milwaukee Brewers: Garrett Mitchell OF UCLA
Brewers follow their recent game plan and take another college prospect. The 6’3″ 205 lefty was a prep standout three years ago that made it to UCLA ultimately. Mitchell is a toolshed with plus-plus speed, a plus arm and defense to go along with 70-grade raw power. Mitchell has played with Type 1 diabetes which could factor in for some clubs.
21. St. Louis Cardinals: Ed Howard SS Mt. Carmel HS (IL)
The 6’2″ 185 pounder is the best prep shortstop in the 2020 class. Howard was a member of the Jackie Robinson West Little League Team and was also a member of the White Sox’s ACE program. Howard shows impressive bat speed with a projectable frame. He’s very athletic and will stay at shortstop long-term. He could be of interest to both Chicago teams but a shoulder injury and a lack of playing this spring pushes him down the board.
22. Washington Nationals: Cole Wilcox RHP Georgia
Wilcox is a draft-eligible sophomore who is likely to go in round one. The 20-year-old has great stuff with a fastball in the 93-97 mph range and the chance at three plus offerings. Wilcox is athletic with a strong frame but possesses some reliever risk in his profile. The Nationals are never afraid of taking chances on high upside pitching.
23. Cleveland Indians: Tanner Witt RHP Episcopal HS (TX)
Witt is rumored to be a tough sign out of his commitment to Texas but the Indians continue the trend of taking prep righties and get this done here. He’s a 6’6″ 200 pound righty with a projectable arm. Witt won’t turn 18-years-old until July and he’ll be a favorite for the Indians’ draft model.
24. Tampa Bay Rays: Dillon Dingler C Ohio State
21-year-old catcher that has played centerfield in the past. He’s a really athletic backstop and will definitely stay behind the plate in the big leagues. Dingler possesses plus raw power and some big physical tools.
25. Atlanta Braves: Bryce Jarvis RHP Duke
Jarvis lacks a long track record and will be 23-years-old in September. He added 20 pounds this past year and now has multiple plus pitches. His curveball is a plus pitch and his changeup is his best secondary offering. Jarvis had a 40:2 K-BB ratio in 27 innings pitched for Duke this spring.
26. Oakland Athletics: Aaron Sabato 1B North Carolina
Loftin is the first college shortstop off the board and he’s a high floor prospect. He doesn’t have loud tools but he should stay at shortstop long-term with the ability to play second or third as well. Power isn’t his calling card but he has some pop despite relying on being more a line drive hitter that doesn’t strikeout often.
27. Minnesota Twins: Jordan Westburg SS Mississippi State
At 6’3″ 190 pounds, he’s a big shortstop. He should stay at the position but has the profile for third base if necessary. Westburg has a compact, right-handed swing capable of producing 20 homer seasons in the future. He’s very aggressive and tries to pull the ball frequently and he also had some success in the Cape Cod League last summer.
28. New York Yankees: Clayton Beeter RHP Texas Tech
Beeter has an extensive injury history but he was excellent this spring. With three plus pitches and two stellar breaking balls, the former Red Raider could be a bit underrated. Beeter tunnels very well and could move quickly in a relief role if the Yankees were willing to do so.
29. Los Angeles Dodgers: Justin Foscue 2B Mississippi State
The Dodgers have loaded up on college bats lately and continue the trend with Foscue here. He’s an offensive minded second baseman with strength, bat speed and a pull heavy approach. Foscue projects to hit 20 homers on an annual basis but he’ll likely strikeout a ton as well. He’s just average at 2B and could move to 3B potentially if necessary.
Competitive Balance Round A
30. Baltimore Orioles: Daxton Fulton LHP Mustang HS (OK)
18-year-old is the best high school lefty in the 2020 class. He didn’t pitch at all this spring after undergoing Tommy John surgery in September. He was 90-93 with his fastball but has room to add more strength to his 6’6″ 225 pound frame. He also possesses a plus curveball and an average changeup. He’s committed to Oklahoma but the Orioles get him signed here.
31. Pittsburgh Pirates: Jared Kelley RHP Refugio HS (TX)
Jared Kelley is a RHP from Texas with “now stuff and a now body” and that gives some teams pause. Kelley is 6’3″ 215 pounds and has the look of a future workhorse starter. The Pirates get him signed here.
32. Kansas City Royals: Bobby Miller RHP Louisville
Miller is a 6’5″ 220 pound righty. He’s big and physical and profiles as a workhorse starter. His power stuff is generally on display with an upper 90’s fastball as his calling card. He’s been linked to the Yankees during the draft process and New York needs to hit on their picks with only three in the 2020 draft.
33. Arizona Diamondbacks: Chris McMahon RHP Miami
The 6’2″ 205 pounder profiles as a mid-rotation starter and was great with the U.S. National Team last summer. His fastball gets up to 98 and he has a good changeup as well. McMahon shows athleticism, stuff and feel but sometimes gets hit more than he should with the combo he displays.
34. San Diego Padres: Justin Lange RHP Llano HS (TX)
The Padres aren’t afraid to take prep pitchers and they do so here with a popup prospect out of Texas. Lange is a 6’4″ 220 pound fireballer with a power slider. He touched 100 mph frequently this spring and he’s a fast twitch athlete.
35. Colorado Rockies: Carmen Mlodzinski RHP South Carolina
Mlodzinski throws a sinker which is generally a requirement for the Colorado Rockies. The 21-year-old redshirt sophomore was outstanding during the Cape Cod League and he was touching 99 mph this summer.
36. Cleveland Indians: Jordan Walker 3B Decatur HS (GA)
Walker is a 6’5″ 220 pound corner infielder with easy bat speed and plus raw power. He also turns 18 this week and will fit into Cleveland’s models on age without question. He’s athletic for his size but could end up in an outfield corner in the future. He’s one of Duke’s best recruits ever.
37. Tampa Bay Rays: David Calabrese OF ST. Elizabeth HS (ON)
The Arkansas commit is a tough sign but the Rays will get it done here. The 5’11” lefty hitting CF posts 80 run grades and shows a loose, easy swing. He’s a gap hitter that should grow into more power.
47. Chicago White Sox: Jared Jones RHP La Mirada HS (CA)
83. Chicago White Sox: Yohandy Morales 3B Braddock HS (FL)
Photo credit: Jeff Reinking/Louisville Athletics
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