2020 MLB Draft Focus: College Hitters
The following are a few write-ups for players expected to go in the abbreviated 2020 MLB Draft, scheduled to begin Wednesday evening. We’ve been running subsections of these, with College Pitchers and the high school brass covered elsewhere.
Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Arizona State
The favorite to go first overall in this year’s MLB Draft, Torkelson, has tons of power to go along with perhaps the best plate discipline and bat to ball skills in the draft class. It’s easy to say he’s adept at making loud contact. He also has one of the best track records having been a member of Team USA’s Collegiate National Team the last 2 summers.
Austin Martin, OF/3B, Vanderbilt
Martin has gotten plenty of attention thanks to his ability to help a team win in multiple ways: his defensive versatility and his advanced feel for hitting are both major pluses. He led the SEC in both Average and On Base Percentage in 2019. He also was a key contributor to Vanderbilt’s College World Series Championship team in 2019.
Nick Gonzales, SS/2B, New Mexico State
The first word that comes to mind when I think about Nick Gonzales is the “hit.” Gonzales has done nothing but hit everywhere he’s gone, whether it be the Cape Cod League or at New Mexico State. He has a chance to be one of the game’s top hitting 2nd basemen in the near future if he can continue to impress with his bat like he’s done everywhere so far.
Heston Kjerstad, OF, Arkansas
The first time I ever saw Heston Kjerstad play was 2 years ago when he was a freshman with Arkansas and I was immediately hooked. Over the last 2 seasons Kjerstad has been the staple of the Razorbacks lineup that earned back to back trips to the College World Series in Omaha. A big left handed hitter with tons of power to all fields, he should hear his name called early on draft day.
Garrett Mitchell, OF, UCLA
Probably the college player with the loudest set of tools, Mitchell is an elite runner with a strong arm and plus defensive ability in centerfield. He’s got a good feel for hitting and shows above average power in batting practice, but it’s yet to translate into games. Whatever team feels like he’ll develop in-game power will probably have him up near the top of their draft boards.
Patrick Bailey, C, NC State
While he might not be drafted as early as some of the past few #1 catchers (Adley Rutschman, Joey Bart) he’s been one of the best hitters on an NC State Wolfpack team that was considered one of the top teams a year ago and he’s been a member of Team USA’s Collegiate National Team the past few summers. There’s a good track record here, and he’s a catcher with plus defensive ability to go along with the ability to switch hit and hit for power. In a draft with so many variables and uncertainty, that profile feels safe and stable.
Dillon Dingler, C, Ohio State
While Dingler might not have the track record that Patrick Bailey has, he’s continued to move up draft boards and garner first round consideration because he’s similarly well-rounded. A plus defender that can move extremely well for a catcher, he’s shown the ability to be a solid or better hitter with a chance to have above average power.
Austin Wells, C, Arizona
While Austin Wells has played catcher for quite some time, there are some who feel he might not stick as a catcher at the next level. However, his left handed bat should allow him to continue to be considered a potential first round talent as there aren’t many left handed hitters with the power potential that Austin Wells has in this year’s draft class. He is a draft eligible Sophomore so signability could also be another factor to consider.
Aaron Sabato, 1B, North Carolina
Speaking of power hitters that lack a definitive defensive home, but hit enough to be considered in the 1st Round, look no further than Aaron Sabato. The UNC product is an incredible offensive player that perhaps could have worked his way into the middle of the first round had there been a full season. He has tons of bat speed and makes plenty of loud contact, but is limited to either first base or DH.
Casey Martin, SS, Arkansas
Casey, like Heston Kjerstad has been a staple of Arkansas’ back to back College World Series appearances. A shortstop that has a chance to either stick there or play centerfield thanks to his plus speed, he might have the best combination of power and speed amongst all college baseball players. That profile comes with plenty of swing and miss, which quickly turn to questions about whether he’ll hit for a high enough average to be a starter. He’s a high risk, high reward talent.
OTHER NOTABLE COLLEGE PLAYERS
INFIELDERS
- Gage Workman, 3B, Arizona State
- Justin Foscue, 2B, Mississippi State
- Nick Loftin, SS, Baylor
- Zavier Warren, C/SS, Central Michigan
- Jordan Westburg, SS, Mississippi State
- Alika Williams, SS, Arizona State
OUTFIELDERS
- Daniel Cabrera, OF, LSU
- Parker Chavers, OF, Coastal Carolina
- Zach DeLoach, OF, Texas A&M
- Tyler Gentry, OF, Alabama
- Hudson Haskin, OF, Tulane
- Jordan Nwogu, OF, Michigan
- Alerick Soularie, Tennessee
-James Weisser
