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Pitcher List 2020 MLB Mock Draft

A 2020 mock draft from the Pitcher List dynasty team.

With the draft approaching on June 10th and 11th, it is mock draft central around the baseball world. At Pitcher List, we wanted to throw our hat in the ring. Here’s how we did it, each participant picked a few teams and made the picks for that team, including the blurb of that pick.

Here’s the list of who did the picking/writing for each team:

Trevor Hooth – DET, SD, CHC, STL

Andy Patton – BAL, SEA, MIL

Hunter Denson – MIA, BOS, ATL, HOU

Alex Isherwood – KC, SF, CLE, NYY

Shelly Verougstraete – TOR, CIN, WAS

Jamie Sayer – PIT, COL

Travis Sherer – LAA, CWS, TB

Adam Garland – TEX, ARI, OAK, LAD

Nicklaus Gaut – PHI, NYM, MIN

So, without any further adieu, here is the 2020 Pitcher List Mock Draft for picks 1-72!

 

Round 1

1) Tigers: 1B Spencer Torkelson

 

There are many mock drafts that have Detroit going this route. They need a middle of the order bat, and Tork is potentially the most talented bat in this class.

 

2) Orioles: SS Austin Martin

 

The first two picks are almost certainly going to be Torkelson and Martin, and the Orioles would be thrilled to get their five-tool shortstop of the future in this draft.

 

3) Marlins: LHP Asa Lacy

 

Welcome to Miami Asa Lacy! Landing the best pitcher in the draft is always a good thing and Lacy has the chance to be a game-changer for the Marlins. His lethal arsenal fits right in with fellow Miami farmhands Sixto Sanchez and Edward Cabrera, giving the Marlins a potential rotation to dream on in the coming seasons.

 

4) Royals: 2B Nick Gonzales

 

Gonzales lacks the athleticism of other top middle infield prospects, but his pure hitting ability stands up with the best of them. He was one of the most productive hitters in the country, putting up ridiculous numbers at every stop over the course of his college career.

 

5) Blue Jays: RHP Emerson Hancock

 

The Blue Jays have some interesting young pitching talent in their system but adding Hancock and his steady production makes him one of the “safest” pitching prospects they will have in their system.

 

6) Mariners: OF Zac Veen

 

The Mariners have a plethora of young pitching talent, and should be willing to gamble on the ridiculous upside of Veen, who could be a Christian Yelich type if it all clicks at the next level.

 

7) Pirates: LHP Reid Detmers

 

Detmers is one of the safer college arms but don’t let that fool you. Detmers features a nasty 12-6 curveball that might be the best in the class and the Pirates will take a pitcher they believe can be a mid-rotation guy.

 

8) Padres: OF Robert Hassell III

 

Hassell is a good lefty bat and will likely wind up in a corner outfield spot. The biggest thing that connects these two is that San Diego really loves prep players.

 

9) Rockies: OF Heston Kjerstad

 

A dream scenario, Kjerstad going to the Rockies would be a ton of fun. He could hit absolute missiles in Coors Field if he can overcome his potential strikeout issues and could become a fantasy monster.

 

10) Angels: RHP Max Meyer

 

To put it politely, the Angels’ pitching is terrible. I’m generally against an organization drafting to fill a need but if Billy Eppler does not pick a pitcher in the first round, it better be because Torkelson dropped 10 spots. Not only do the Angels need pitching, but they need it fast. That means they need a college arm. Enter Max Meyer. He has the best fastball/slider combo in the draft. The only question is whether the changeup gets better. Hopefully it will, and it will be fast they ever want Trout get another sniff at the playoffs.

 

11) White Sox: RHP Mick Abel

 

Itialian beef is all over the floor in the offices of Guarantee Rate Field after the White Sox saw Mick Abel fall out of the top 10. Prep pitchers don’t come along this advanced very often. He already has two plus pitches (fastball/curve) and the potential for a plus changeup. He sits mid 90s with better control than most 18-year-olds. For a team that is on the cusp of competing, Abel represents a “pick the best player” mantra.

 

12) Reds: LHP Garrett Crochet

 

The Reds said “Hook me up” when they selected Garrett Crochet. He might have some of the best stuff in the entire draft class but lacks the track record that some of the earlier selected pitchers have.

 

13) Giants: OF Garrett Mitchell

 

Mitchell has some of the best tools in the draft class and answered concerns about his contact ability by slashing his K% over the course of his college career. While he hasn’t tapped into his raw power much in games yet, Mitchell’s speed and defense give him a strong foundation even without a swing change.

 

14) Rangers: RHP Cade Cavalli

 

Cavalli’s combination of power fastball/curve along with clean mechanics are too much to turn down for an organization starved for quality pitching. Having started his college career as a 1st baseman, he’s relatively new to pitching as his main focus and he was finally figuring things out before the season shut down. He posted impressive marks of a 14.07 K/9 against a 1.90 BB/9 this past season, highlighting an upside that few in the college pitching class can match.

 

15) Phillies: C Patrick Bailey

 

The Phillies may have the best catcher in baseball but J.T. Realmuto will be a free agent in 2021 and it’s unlikely that Philadelphia will break the bank to sign the 30-year-old to a long-term deal. With little else at catcher in the system, Patrick Bailey seems tailor-made for Philadelphia’s long-term plans. The top catcher in this year’s class, Bailey may struggle with contact at times but is a switch-hitter with elite defensive skills. That gives him the really high floor you want if selecting a catcher in the first round.

 

16) Cubs: RHP Jared Kelley

 

The Cubs need an influx of talent and if a prep arm with the talent of Kelley, it’s going to be hard to pass up. The easy upper 90’s velocity and a nice changeup make him a very good option for Chicago here.

 

17) Red Sox: OF Austin Hendrick

 

Pitching was the priority heading into this draft, but the Red Sox pivoted to select Mississippi State commit Austin Hendrick once their preferred arms went off the board. Hendrick has incredible power and the chance to develop into an impact bat. He has some strikeout worries that need to be ironed out but few have the offensive potential he possesses.

 

18) Diamondbacks: RHP Nick Bitsko

 

In recent years, the D-backs have been trending towards higher upside selections in the early rounds, OFer Corbin Carroll and LHP Blake Walston being examples. The 6 foot 4, 225 lbs 17 year-old high-school RHP Nick Bitsko fits that upside criteria. He features a power 3 pitch mix along with advanced feel and command, all suggesting that this could be a great value pick for the D-backs.

 

19) Mets: RHP Cole Wilcox

 

The Metropolitans farm system is currently well-stocked with position players but the pitching pond has little in the way of a big catch, instead offering a school of backend starters and future relievers. Given the health, age, and general mediocrity of their non-deGrom big league rotation, New York needs new pitching blood, and fast. Wilcox was a likely first-rounder two year ago before committing to Georgia and was dominant in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. The six-foot-five right-hander struck out 32 batters and walked only two in 23.2 innings, posting a 1.57 ERA and going 3-0 in his four starts. Wilcox sits 93-97 mph but can dial it up to 100 mph and features an above-average changeup and power slider, both of which could be plus pitches.

 

20) Brewers: RHP C.J. Van Eyk

 

The Brewers have not had a ton of luck developing pitching talent in recent years, but I like them to take a gamble on C.J. Van Eyk, who possesses an explosive arsenal that could make him a frontline starter with more durability, or at least a lights out reliever with his fastball/curveball combo that resembles another Florida product, Lance McCullers.

 

21) Cardinals: OF Pete Crow-Armstrong

 

This Cardinals regime has a history of taking the best available player. In this case, Crow-Armstrong is the one that fell to them, so that is who they wind up with in this mock. PCA is an athletic prep bat who had a lot of traction, but has slipped recently.

 

22) Nationals: SS Ed Howard

 

The Nationals shocked the world by not selecting a pitcher with their first pick of the draft. Howard might be the best prep shortstop in the draft and adds a depleted Nationals farm system.

 

23) Indians: C Tyler Soderstrom

 

With plus raw power and bat to ball skills, Soderstrom makes for one of the most exciting prep bats available. Moving off catcher early could allow him to progress much faster through the minor leagues.

 

24) Rays: C Dillon Dingler

 

The Rays love to draft looking for unique tool sets. Dillon Dingler can hit and he can field all over the diamond. If they get Dingler, they could be hoping for the 2nd coming of Ben Zobrist — who can also play catcher — who can also steal bases.

 

25) Braves: 3B Jordan Walker

 

Walker, a Georgia native, will not have to travel far to begin his professional career with the Braves. The 6′ 5″ third baseman has immense power potential and generated exit velocities in the 98th percentile per Perfect Game. He also hit 93 on the mound and should have no trouble making throws from the hot corner.

 

26) Athletics: RHP Bryce Jarvis

 

Jarvis seems like an ideal fit for the A’s organization, offering a quality 4 pitch mix and advanced control that should allow him to move quickly through the system. With the organization’s emphasis on quality changeups from their pitchers (think Jesus Luzardo and Daulton Jefferies), Jarvis certainly fits the bill with well above-average grades on the pitch. Jarvis’ short track record should help him get to the A’s selection here.

 

27) Twins: RHP Slade Cecconi

 

Minnesota is loaded on offense at both the big league and minor league level, with Royce Lewis, Alex Kiriloff, and Trevor Larnach highlighting an impressive farm system. There are solid arms like Jhoan Duran and Jordan Balzovic but the farms got a little thinner with the trade of Brusdar Graterol to Los Angeles this past offseason in a trade for Kenta Maeda. The sophomore-eligible Cecconi would be a solid addition, working up in the zone with a fastball that sits easy in the mid-90s. He has also features a slider and cutter but the pitches can bleed together in their movement and Cecconi will need to make them more distinct in order to take the next step.

 

28) Yankees: RHP Clayton Beeter

 

Beeter possesses the sort of arsenal that could make him an impact reliever almost immediately, though that’s not necessarily his future role. His high-90’s fastball and elite spin breaking ball should play somewhere in a major league pitching staff.

 

29) Dodgers: 2B Justin Foscue

 

The Dodgers are an organization that really values the hit tool, and with the changes to the draft format this year and the push that college performers are expected to recieve up draft boards, Foscue should be considered a value selection at this point. He’s proven to be a standout in the SEC with a .338/.402/.582 batting line last year with 14 HRs. Before the season was cut short this year, he had put up a .302/449/.491 battling line with a cool 15:3 walk to strikeout ratio highlighting his plus contact skills and ability to command the strikezone.

Competitive Balance A

 

30) Orioles: RHP Carson Montgomery

 

The Orioles rebuild doesn’t appear to be in a major hurry, so they can afford to take the 17-year-old right-hander Carson Montgomery and let him develop at his own pace. He’s got the size, velocity and “stuff” to be a mid-rotation arm pretty easily, and with plenty of time to develop, he could even end up as a front of the line guy.

 

31) Pirates: SS Casey Martin

 

The Pirates have had success taking a MI in the early rounds recently and won’t buck the trend taking arguably the toolsiest shortstop in the draft in Martin. He comes with a lot of risk, as he more than likely moves off short and has seen his power numbers decline through college but he wouldn’t be here if he didn’t. Pirates gamble on the upside here.

 

32) Royals: C Austin Wells

 

Wells is one of the top college bats regardless of position, though catcher is unlikely to be his long term home. His combination of power, plate discipline, and contact ability give him a solid chance of being a productive major league hitter.

 

33) Diamondbacks: OF Isaiah Greene

 

Continuing in the line of upside plays for the D-backs organization, Isaiah Greene arrives offering a dynamic mix of elite speed and above-average contact skills that give him a shot to play an everyday CF. While still raw, Greene’s hand-eye coordination and feel for the barrel is impressive, and if he can learn to elevate the ball more frequently and hit for a bit of power, he could be an easy top 100 prospect.

 

34) Padres: RHP Jared Jones

 

The Padres take another prep player in the CBA. He works with an upper 90’s fastball with a slider. He’s got athleticism, but some command issues. Still, he’s got a ton of upside at this spot.

 

35) Rockies: RHP Carmen Mlodzinski

 

A pitcher that could work better in Coors than most, Mlodzinski features sink on his fastball that will help keep the ball on the ground. Deception in his delivery will help against lefties and as long as his slider and changeup progress, he could be a mid rotation guy.

 

36) Indians: OF Daniel Cabrera

 

To pair with the high risk, high reward selection of Soderstrom in the first round, Cabrera is a high probability major league contributor with less athleticism. His bat to ball skills are among the best in the draft class, and there’s at least average power with some upside here.

 

37) Rays: 1B Aaron Sabato

 

I think Sabato ends up going earlier than this because front offices (or at least teams who haven’t furloughed their front offices) realize that the time of a universal DH is here. Guys like Aaron Sabato have more value than they did pre-Coronavirus. The UNC sophomore can rake. He has the bat to eventually justify a spot in the Rays lineup, or whichever NL team who needs a DH they trade him to.

Round 2

38) Tigers: SS Nick Loftin

39) Orioles: 3B Yohandy Morales

40) Marlins: SS Jordan Westburg

41) Royals: RHP Bobby Miller

42) Blue Jays: LHP Jared Shuster

43) Mariners: SS Carson Tucker

44) Pirates: LHP Dax Fulton

45) Padres: C Kevin Parada

46) Rockies: SS Alika Williams

47) White Sox: LHP Logan Allen

48) Reds: 3B Gage Workman

49) Giants: RHP/SS Masyn Winn

50) Rangers: OF Chase Davis

51) Cubs: C Drew Romo

52) Mets: RHP J.T. Ginn

53) Brewers: OF Parker Chavers

54) Cardinals: SS Freddy Zamora

55) Nationals: OF Enrique Bradford

56) Indians: RHP Chris McMahon

57) Rays: INF Zavier Warren

58) Athletics: OF Alerick Soularie

59) Twins: 1B Blaze Jordan

60) Dodgers: RHP Cole Henry

Competitive Balance B

61) Marlins: LHP Nick Swiney

62) Tigers: LHP Luke Little

63) Cardinals: LHP Ian Seymour

64) Mariners: RHP Tanner Burns

65) Reds: RHP Nick Garcia

66) Dodgers: OF Jace Bohrofen

Compensation Picks

67) Giants: RHP Justin Lange

68) Giants: OF Zach DeLoach

69) Mets: OF Petey Halpin

70) Cardinals: SS Harold Coll

71) Nationals: OF David Calabrese

72) Astros: RHP Christian Roa

 

Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Michael Packard (@designsbypack on Twitter & IG)

Trevor Hooth

Loves watching MiLB and talking about it. Millikin University alum and optimistic Tigers fan.

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