FanSided’s MLB Mock Draft Results

FanSided’s 2020 MLB Mock Draft is in the books and the results are in.

Earlier tonight FanSided’s baseball department had a mock draft, with each twitter account drafting for their respective team.

Call to the Pen, our baseball account that follows every team, filled in for those that could not make it tonight. Here are the results.

#1) Motor City Bengals (Tigers): Spencer Torkelson, 1B, ASU

#2) Call To The Pen (CttP) (Orioles): Asa Lacy, LHP, Texas A&M

#3) Marlin Maniac (Marlins): Austin Martin, IF, Vanderbilt

#4) Kings of Kauffman (Royals): Nick Gonzalez, 2B, New Mexico State

#5) Jays Journal (Blue Jays): Zac Veen, OF, Spruce Creek High School

#6) SoDo Mojo (Mariners): Emerson Hancock, RHP, Georgia

#7) CttP (Pirates): Max Myer, RHP, Minnesota

#8) Friars on Base (Padres): Robert Hassell, OF, Independence High School

#9) Rox Pile (Rockies): Reid Detmers, LHP, Louisville,

#10) CttP (Angels): Patrick Bailey, C, NC State

#11) CttP (White Sox): Garrett Mitchell, OF, UCLA

#12) Blog Red Machine (Reds): Heston Kjerstad, OF, Arkansas

#13) Round The Foghorn (Giants): Mick Abel, RHP, Jesuit High School (Oregon)

#14) Nolan Writin: Garrett Crochet, LHP, Tennessee

#15) CttP (Phillies): Cade Cavalli, RHP, Oklahoma

#16) CttP (Cubs): Nick Bitsko, RHP, Central Bucks East HS (PA)

#17) CttP (Red Sox): Austin Hendrick, OF, West Alleghany HS (PA)

#18) CttP (Diamond Backs): Ed Howard, SS, Mt. Carmel HS (IL)

#19) CttP (Mets): Dillon Dingler, C, Ohio State

#20) Reviewing the Brew (Brewers): Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Harvard-Westlake (CA) HS

#21) Redbird Rants (Cardinals): Cole Wilcox, RHP, Georgia

#22)  District On Deck (Nationals): Tyler Soderstrom, C, Turlock High School (CA)

#23) CttP (Indians): Jared Kelly, RHP, Refugio HS (TX)

#24) CttP (Rays): Austin Wells, C/1B/OF, Arizona

#25) CttP (Braves): Nick Loftin, SS, Baylor

#26) White Cleat Beat (Athletic’s): Bobby Miller, RHP, Louisville

#27) Pucketts Pound (Twins): Carmen Mlodzinski, RHP, South Carolina

#28) Yanks Go Long (Yankees): Bryce Jarvis, RHP, Duke

#29) Dodgers Way (Dodgers): Carson Tucker, SS, Mountain Pointe HS

What Stands Out

The first big surprise was Asa Lacy going number two overall. While he is the best pitching prospect in the draft, the Orioles need overall talent and Austin Martin is regarded as the best pure hitter in his draft class. Most mock drafts have Martin going number two overall to the Os and that is what I expect will happen tomorrow. His overall hit tool, as well as speed and ability to play multiple positions, make him a threat.

A prospect to watch for tomorrow is Zac Veen. Tonight he went number five overall to the Royals, but he could go earlier when the real draft rolls around. He is ranked by MLB.com as the top High School player in the draft. But with this year’s season-ending early due to Coronavirus, there isn’t that much tape on Veen compared to the top prospects, making him a wild card. MLB Pipeline stated,

“Veen has the kind of left-handed swing that scouts can dream on, all coming from a projectable 6-foot-4 frame that can definitely add strength. He’s more hit over power in games with excellent bat speed, especially because he utilizes a spread out stance, but he’ll show off big-time power in batting practice when he stands more upright and creates leverage, showing the ability to loft the ball consistently. He’s reminded some of Cody Bellinger offensively and has drawn some Kyle Tucker comps as well, though he’s not quite as athletic.”

After the big three of Torkelson, Lacy, and Martin are taken, expect Veen to go anywhere from 4-7. Scouts are having trouble noting any holes in Veen’s offensive game and have stated he has plus-above average hit tools. He is also projected to be a decent fielder and could benefit from a move to a corner outfield spot.

This draft is known for being pitcher heavy and the first round delivered. 13 of the 29 picks were all pitchers, with Lacy, Emerson Hancock, Max Myer, and Reid Detmers all going in the top ten.

Rumors have circulated that the Tigers could target Lacy number one overall, but that would still come as a surprise. Unless the Orioles shock the world and draft under the slot, expect the O’s to take Martin and for Lacy to fall to the Marlins. That would be one spot lower than where he went tonight.

After Lacy, the top pitching prospect is Georiga’s ace, Emerson Hancock. Tonight Hanock went number six to the Mariners. He is the number four prospect according to MLB Pipeline but, could fall depending on how other teams target Veen. This was seen in tonight’s mock draft. According to MLB Pipeline,

“His best offering is a fastball that sits at 94-97 mph and peaks at 99 with riding life, and all three of his secondary pitches grade as at least plus at their best…. His go-to breaking ball is a mid-80s slider with which he manipulates the break exceptionally well, and Hancock also has a hard curveball that he relied on more in high school. He hasn’t had to use his changeup much but he fades and locates it well, earning some plus-plus grades at times. A quality athlete with good body control, he commands his entire arsenal and should be a frontline starter if he stays healthy.”

Hancock has three plus pitches that he can throw with ease, making him a candidate for a frontline starter. Expect his name to be called early on.

If tonight was any indication, expect pitchers to fly off the draft board come tomorrow night.

Our Pick

When it came to the Nats pick, Cole Wilcox, Jared Kelley, and Tyler Soderstrom were atop my draft board. Unfortunately, Wilcox was taken the pick before us. Kelley is an intriguing talent, but Soderstrom’s bat was too good to pass up. Earlier in the week, I wrote a piece about prospects the Nationals should target with their first-round pick. Here is what I wrote describing Soderstrom’s stats.

“A UCLA commit, Soderstrom is known for his bat. In his Jr. year of high school at Turlock, he hit .450, with four homers, and 27 RBIs. His senior season was cut short due to Coronavirus. Before the season ended, the lefty appeared in four games, hitting .357, with a homer, and three RBIs.”

The Nationals farm system has become baren over the years, with their two top offensive players expected to be called up soon. Soderstrom would add some much-needed offensive talent. He has struggled defensively behind the plate but, could be moved to a corner outfield spot or first base. A move to the outfield might help him due to his arm. MLB Pipeline ranks prospects attributes on a 20-80 scale and gave him a 60 for arm strength.

While I jumped at the opportunity to take Soderstrom, come tomorrow, unless someone unexpected slips, expect Mike Rizzo to target a college arm. In six of the last eight years, the Nats have spent their first-round pick on a pitcher. In the past three years, the team’s first-round pick has been used on college arms. Tomorrow, Cole Wilcox should be the team’s top target. The front office is very familiar with him due to the fact they drafted him in the 37th round of the 2018 draft. If Wilcox is gone when the Nats are up, players such as Carmen Mlodzinski or Cade Cavalli could be the pick. Don’t expect the trend of the team taking a college arm in the first round to end tomorrow.