MLB 2020 Draft Breakdown: Top 10 Overall Drafts

In this series we review the 10 teams that did the best in the 2020 MLB draft. Each week we review 2 teams at a time, starting with #10…

10.       San Diego Padres – 6 draft picks

This standing is all dependent on if Cole Wilcox decides to sign his $3.3 million signing bonus. At writing that has yet to be decided and would give them a Top 15 pick value in the 3rd round. The Padres have an embarrassment of pitching wealth already and Wilcox would add to the depth in their system. The Padres have had three straight Top 10 picks that have netted Ryan Weathers, MacKenzie Gore, and CJ Abrams. All three HS picks and they continued that trend with Robert Hassell III with the 8th pick.

Hassell looks to be a good value for what the Padres needed in their system. The LHH has a hit tool and a chance to stick in CF. They also were able to save money with the pick which adds even more value. Justin Lange was one of the highest draft risers hitting 100+ in pre-draft bullpens. He went in the CBA and offers one of the drafts riskiest picks. Lange transformed his body over the last year and sits with a 6-4 frame. We think for the bonus and draft position this is a good risk to take. The Padres also have the time to give Lange to develop with their abundance of system depth.

Owen Caissie was the 5th of nine LHH HS outfielders taken in the draft. Caissie offers a lot of tools including power, speed, and arm strength. He also has a 6-4 frame. It is easy to see why the Padres fell in love and took another OF prospect. The Padres have a good mix of outfielders and the high and low parts of the minors. Hassell and Caissie will have time to develop together and compete for CF/RF.

Cole Wilcox in the 3rd was a very risky pick with the fact that he may not sign. We are sure that his asking price was way to high after the Top 10 picks. He is easily looking at a $5 million signing bonus in the 2021 draft. It is remarkably interesting to see if the Padres can pull it off and sign him. He would fit in the Padres Top 10 prospects and give them a premium FB. He still needs to develop a consistent pitch shape for his FF and SL. He has some mechanical fixes as well. These are all reasons to believe that he will take the next step and be a premium prospect. He needs to develop his hard CH that has good horizontal break.

Levi Thomas and Jagger Haynes were both good picks because they provided talent with a savings in the bonus pool. I am a big fan of Thomas especially at 80k signing bonus. Ge gas a FF with good rise and a CB with a great amount of spin. His CH also has a lot of horizontal break. Each pitch can create swing and misses and performed at Troy. The next step is adding velocity and learning how to use his pitches to get outs against better competition. This is a great value pick and he is no slouch for an under-slot pick. Haynes is a HS LHP that has a developmental frame at 6-3. He is another great depth piece to the system and they have proven to develop LHP’s with their big four.

The Padres could easily climb up this list with Cole Wilcox or be left off entirely if he does not sign. We like what they did without Wilcox but those five players offer too much risk with four HS picks. Wilcox completes this draft class and vaults them up multiple spots.

Coming in at #9:

9.       Washington Nationals – 6 draft picks

The Nationals had a mix of reaching, going under pick value, and letting players fall to them. After it all they came away with their Top 2 pitching prospects in their farm system. The Nationals have shown the ability to develop arms and its no surprise they went that way with their first two picks. They also have not been afraid of taking risks.

Cade Cavalli is the perfect player when looking at risk vs reward. He has one of the best FF in the draft sitting 95+. He has great rise and hitters had a hard time putting the pitch in play during the 2020 season. Cavalli has not shown the desired success at Oklahoma that would warrant a 1st round selection. However, you cannot find a better potential CB/SL mix. They both create swing and misses and compliment a hard CH. He does have timing issues in his delivery and a high arm slot. He also has major control issues that looked better in the 2020 season. He was also focusing full time on pitching this season.

Cole Henry in the 2nd round is a steal and a player we had a 1st round grade on. He offers a true FF/FT mix. Both have high spin and a K/GB% respectively. His CB and CH are both avg pitches currently but the draft eligible sophomore has time to develop them. Henry creates high spin rates and has a good film to add consistent velocity. Sammy Infante looks to be a reach in the 2C, but the Nationals wanted him and signed him to an above slot deal. We are not sold on any of his tools and would have gone a different route. HS players are always risky and Cavalli was enough risk for this draft class.

Holden Powell was our highest rated relief pitcher and we love his ability. He has a great track record at UCLA and offers premium velocity sitting 95. He can improve his pitch shape even more and create more swing and misses. He has a high spin SL that will be his calling card in the MLB. He has a developing CB and it will be a nice pitch to add to the arsenal. We think Powell will move quickly and help the big-league club as soon as 2022.

Brady Lindsly and Mitchell Parker are both bonus saving picks in the 4th and 5th respectively. Parker does have a good 6-4 frame from the left side and looks to have more development ahead. His focus is on his control and adding a more consistent secondary offering.

Cavalli and Henry are the headliners of this draft class and add much needed ability on their prospects list. Infante is another MIF that they look to develop with Garcia, Antuna, and Cluff.