2020 MLB Draft Thread (Pre-Draft Discussion)

[Eye Black]

Now that we are a couple of months removed from this year’s MLB Draft I figured we could kickoff the 2020 MLB Draft discussion thread.

 

With now less than 50 games remaining in the Brewers season they sit at what would would be the #16 spot in MLB Draft if the season ended today.

 

Below are some links and lists of the top draft prospects for 2020.

 

ESPN: The 2020 MLB draft class is stacked! Here are the names to know

 

FanGraphs: THE BOARD for 2020 Draft

 

2080 Baseball: 2020 Draft Class

 

Baseball America: 2020 Top 50 College Draft Prospects

 

Baseball America: 2020 Top 50 High School Draft Prospects

[balsamlaker]

Looks like a strong college draft in the first round, especially pitchers.

[clancyphile]

Would like to see the Crew get Patrick Bailey and Hayden Cantrelle.

 

EDIT: And Alex Freeland.

 

Bailey, the switch-hitting catcher ranked 26. Cantrelle, a switch-hitting 2B at 43. Alex Freeland's at 65.

[paul253]

I’m hoping we get extra picks for offering the QO to both Grandal and Moose. We need a major influx of talent in the system.

[RollieTime]

I’m hoping we get extra picks for offering the QO to both Grandal and Moose. We need a major influx of talent in the system.

 

Unfortunately, neither Grandal or Moustakas can be offered the QO again since they both received qualifying offers in the past. Players can only be offered a qualifying offer one time in their career.

[Eye Black]

The Brewers will have the 20th overall selection in the first round of the 2020 draft.

 

Here is the complete order with the NL Central teams in bold:

 

2020 First-Round Draft Order

 

1) Tigers (47-114)

2) Orioles (54-108)

3) Marlins (57-105)

4) Royals (59-103)

5) Blue Jays (67-95)

6) Mariners (68-94)

7) Pirates (69-93)

8) Padres (70-92)

9) Rockies (71-91)

10) Angels (72-90)

11) White Sox (72-89)

12) Reds (75-87)

13) Giants (77-85)

14) Rangers (78-84)

15) Phillies (81-81)

16) Cubs (84-78)

17) Red Sox (84-78)

18) D-backs (85-77)

19) Mets (86-76)

20) Brewers (89-73)

21) Cardinals (91-71)

22) Nationals (93-69)

23) Indians (93-69)

24) Rays (96-66)

25) Braves (97-65)

26) A's (97-65)

27) Twins (101-61)

28) Yankees (103-59)

29) Dodgers (106-56)

30) Astros (107-55)

[Eye Black]

With the season now over why not take a look at Scouting Baseball’s Way Too Early 2020 Mock Draft.

 

For the Brewers...

 

20. Milwaukee Brewers: Dylan Crews, OF, Lake Mary HS (FL)

 

The Brewers go for sliding talent or players with excellent hit tools. There is talk that Crews hit tool is the best in the entire draft class. He has a legit chance to end up the best hitter in this whole class. He could end up with plus hit, power, and eye. He is an underrated athlete who has played center in high school but typically gets profiled out to the corner. He is not the biggest kid which along with him being viewed as a corner outfield bat could push him down, boards. I think he is the top prep hitter in the class right now, and believe this would be a steal. We have seen players who are tweeners slide, and everyone end up regretting it later.

 

Brewers Sleeper: Hugh Fisher, LHP, Vanderbilt

 

If they did go with the arm, maybe they go with the SEC lefty with a high strikeout rate for the second year in a row.

[clancyphile]

I like Gage Workman... a SS/3B, college experience, yet still 19!

 

Kinda wish MLB allowed trades for draft picks.

[3and2Fastball]

I'd really like to see the Brewers go heavy on drafting pitching. Since we'll likely never land a big time pitcher in free agency, we absolutely need to draft & develop pitchers

[Eye Black]

Through The Fence Baseball’s 2020 MLB Mock Draft 2.0

 

For the Brewers...

 

20. Milwaukee Brewers: Freddy Zamora, SS, Miami

 

Freddy Zamora fits almost too perfect. The Miami product is a sure deal at short, and yes, he’s known for being a defense-first player but the improvements he has made as a hitter these past two season does raise is ceiling more. The power is starting to show and he looks more and more comfortable at the plate, given his walk-rate.

[DHonks]

I'd really like to see the Brewers go heavy on drafting pitching. Since we'll likely never land a big time pitcher in free agency, we absolutely need to draft & develop pitchers

 

we seemingly do this every year. I'd like to focus on bats for a while in rounds 1-6, then we can load up on pitching.

[clancyphile]

Looking over MLBPipeline's Top 100, I am liking Gage Workman, who "got away" in 2017.

 

Looks like a long-term answer at third, but he's the kind of switch-hitting power bat I like.

[Eye Black]

Interesting news from Craig Mish...

 

I’ve learned MLB is moving the First-Year Amateur Baseball Draft in June to Omaha, Nebraska. Omaha is also home to the College World Series.

 

 

And from Kendall Rogers...

 

BREAKING: The 2020 MLB Draft is moving from New Jersey to Omaha. The draft will be held Wednesday, June 10 through Friday, June 12, the eve of the NCAA College World Series.

[Eye Black]

Prospects Live MLB 2020 MOCK DRAFT 1.0

 

For the Brewers...

 

20. Milwaukee Brewers: Drew Romo, C

 

School: The Woodlands HS (TX)

Weight: 205 lbs, Height: 6-1

Hits/Throws: L/R

 

The athletic, switch-hitting catcher can do a little bit of everything. He is agile behind the plate with framing skills and a rifle arm. His developing bat also shows promise. Romo could be the top catcher on the board come June with a strong spring.

[Eye Black]

Baseball America’s first version of their MLB Mock Draft was released a couple of weeks ago...

 

20. Milwaukee Brewers: Tanner Burns, RHP, Auburn

 

So, we’re at pick 20 and we have nine college pitchers off the board. Remember what we said about the strength of the college pitching crop? It’s legit. Burns doesn’t have the upside that some of the other arms here possess, but he has above-average control of a solid three-pitch mix and a better chance to stick as a starter because of that.

[et bbal]

I am hoping they land a kid by the name of AJ Vukivich from East Troy. Plays with Hitters Baseball Academy, the same program that Gavin Lux and Jerrod Kellinic played with before being drafted. Really raised his stock last summer. My understanding is he is expected to go by middle of 2nd round. Great kid, incredible work ethic. All around athlete - 4 year starter on East Troy's basketball team where he became their all time leading scorer earlier this year. Came in 2nd in home run derby during all star game festivities last summer. Can be seen here. https://www.mlb.com/video/high-school-home-run-derby Committed to Louisville, but I believe is signable in the right situation. Has pitched and played some shortstop in the past, but most likely corner infieler or corner outfielder. I've seen him play hoops the best word I have to describe him is explosive.

[paul253]

I’ve been reading some articles suggesting that MLB might be considering canceling the entire 2020 draft and international signing period? Is this a legit possibility? If so how would affect the 2021 draft?

[paul253]

I’ve been reading some articles suggesting that MLB might be considering canceling the entire 2020 draft and international signing period? Is this a legit possibility? If so how would affect the 2021 draft?

[balsamlaker]

If the draft goes down to five rounds and any UDFA's can only earn $20K, I would stop scouting HS seniors this year and focus on the college ranks. I can't imagine many high schoolers would sign for $20K.

[paul253]

Is there a limit to how many undrafted FAs you can sign in that case?

[balsamlaker]

It sounds like there would be an unlimited amount of undrafted FAs allowed. How many sign may depend on whether the NCAA grants baseball players an extra year of eligibility. If they don't, a lot of college juniors may have to swallow pride and sign for the 20K. College seniors likely won't be taken in those first five rounds.

[balsamlaker]

The primary selling point for the Brewers with undrafted players may be the current perception that their farm system is one of the weakest in baseball.

[SoCalBrewfan]

The NCAA granted another year of eligibility to college baseball players, which seems like it might have massive implications for the draft and current HS and college players.

[balsamlaker]

Likely MLB knew this was coming and it led into their decision earlier. Unless colleges have an issue with having these players come back it gives every college player more leverage than they had before (the decision) and probably makes the majority of "undrafted" signings players who were seniors this year (which will be a fairly small number).

[madbad2000]

I saw that the extra year does not guarantee any support for those coming back. So college seniors may not have a scholarship waiting for them if they do try to take that leverage. Interesting wrinkle to the drama.