A-Way-Too-Early 2020 MLB Mock Draft (Top 10)
It’s only November, but the empty dark night of baseball’s offseason is firmly upon us. In an effort to cut through that inky blackness, let’s turn our sights to the promise of future stars. Here’s a way-too-early mock top-10 picks in the 2020 MLB Draft:
#1 Detroit Tigers- Spencer Torkelson, 1B/OF, Arizona State Bats: R
Spencer Torkelson might be the best player in this year’s draft class, or he might just have the best track record. He’s been an absolute monster his first 2 seasons at Arizona State. As a freshman at ASU he hit 25 home runs and just missed tying the record for a freshman by 1. He also broke Barry Bonds’ ASU freshman record by 11. Torkelson has also homered in every Pac-12 ballpark and it only took him 2 seasons to do so. He hails from the same county in California as does Andrew Vaughn and Torkelson might be a better player.
#2 Baltimore Orioles- Emerson Hancock, RHP, Georgia
Emerson Hancock might be the best pitcher in this years class. The Detroit Tigers love pitchers out of the SEC and could potentially take him first overall to add another elite arm. Hitting on a pick like this could give them one of the best rotations in baseball in a few years if everything goes right. Some evaluators question Hancock’s durability, but he has the talent and stuff to be a future front of the rotation starter, and he is also an excellent fielder. He has a chance to have 3 plus pitches in his fastball, changeup, and slider. His fastball topped out at 97 mph last year. If Detroit passes, expect the pitching-dry Orioles to scoop him up.
#3 Miami Marlins- Austin Martin, 3B, Vanderbilt Bats: R
When Austin Martin helped Vanderbilt win the College World Series, his teammate was J.J. Bleday who led the nation in home runs and then got picked 4th overall by the Marlins. That same season, Austin Martin hit .424 to lead the SEC in batting average as a sophomore. He has similar defensive versatility and talent to that of Royce Lewis. Although he might not be as quick, there’s a good chance he might have the better hit tool.
#4 Kansas City Royals- Asa Lacy, LHP, Texas A&M
Lacy has a great arm and is developing quite nicely already, with still plenty of upside. He was the best pitcher on Texas A&M in 2019, and throws hard with good downward plane in his delivery. He is strong but lean, and still extremely projectable. He has the ability and the upside to one day be considered possibly the best players to come out of this draft class – if he can meet expectations. He has 3 solid pitches in his fastball (sits 93-97 mph), changeup, and slider.
#5 Toronto Blue Jays- Nick Gonzales, 2B, New Mexico State Bats: R
Nick Gonzales has hit everywhere he’s gone, including leading the country in hitting this season with a .432 average. Later, he raked in Massachusetts and ranked as the #1 prospect in the Cape Cod League. He seems like a quick-to-the-big-leagues type of player thanks to his plus hit tool, excellent work ethic, and defensive versatility. Toronto will probably be looking to add players that can help their team at the major league level as they hopefully look to contend in a few years with Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
#6 Seattle Mariners- Casey Martin, SS, Arkansas Bats: R
Casey Martin has starred for Arkansas the last two seasons helping them advance to Omaha twice. He is a plus runner that flashes the athleticism to stick at short, though some evaluators question his ability to stay there long term. With 28 homers in two seasons at Arkansas, he will have to show that the power plays with wood, but the swing appears projectable, especially as he adds size and strength in a pro environment.
#7 Pittsburgh Pirates- Austin Hendrick, OF, HS- Pennsylvania Bats: L
Austin Hendrick looked to be the best high school position player on the summer showcase circuit. He performed well in the PDP League, then won the Under Armour All-American High School Homerun Derby at Wrigley Field in July, where he even hit a few home runs off of the right field scoreboard. That display continued, as he showed impressive power at Petco Park at the Perfect Game All-America Game. Hendricks looks to be an above-average-to-plus hitter with a solid arm as well. It’s a long way from now until the draft in June but Austin Hendrick impressed me the most this summer.
#8 San Diego Padres- Jared Kelley, RHP, HS- Texas
Jared Kelley was the top pitching prospect during this summer’s showcase circuit. We’ve see high school stud pitchers go early – and Kelley definitely could – but might he also fall due to circumstance, as opposed to talent. The 2020 draft looks to be deep, and plenty of top talents will fall lower than they would most seasons, especially those that will be able to demand lots of money. Kelley’s fastball has touched 98 mph and it looks like he can throw even harder as he continues to add strength to his 6’3″, 215 lb. build. Bottom line, he’s a big strong right-hander out of Texas who throws a plus changeup and a 98 MPH heater. In high school. There’s a lot to like.
#9 Colorado Rockies- Garrett Mitchell, OF, UCLA Bats: L
In June the Colorado Rockies drafted Michael Toglia, a powerful switch hitting first baseman who was teammates with Garrett Mitchell while at UCLA. They were easily one of the top teams in the nation on the back of that duo, and Mitchell has a chance to see his stock rise if he can start to tap into his power in a similar manner to JJ Bleday this season. He looks to be a five tool player with a nice swing from the left side that could make him a force down the road. He might be the top left handed hitter in college baseball, something that should help to keep his name near the top of draft boards.
#10 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim- Mick Abel, RHP, HS- Oregon
Mick Abel is tall and lanky (6’5″, 180) with tons of projectability, and although he isn’t viewed as the #1 high school pitcher, he’s not far off. He wasn’t as sharp as some evaluators had hoped for as he lacked control in his outing at the Perfect Game All-American Game, but Abel still showed the ability to get outs. He flashes a plus fastball that touches 97 mph, a hard 94 mph sinker that’s good at inducing ground ball outs, and a solid mid 80’s slider that should develop into a plus pitch. He might be able to learn a few pitches as pro coaches work with his long frame to generate unique movement. Abel impressed while at the PDP league, and should be a top 10 pick.
