2020 MLB Actual Draft Day(s) Thread

[NonProfitCow]

ummm, ok Boston

[Regular Show]

WHOA... WHAT?!?

 

I like this kid (Nick Yorke) and I was going to mention him to Raisin as a possible guy to take in the later rounds in a normal draft, but he hurt his shoulder or his arm and scouts didn't get to see him at SS. The swing is awesome though.

 

I don't think he sticks at SS.

Edited June 11, 2020 by Regular Show

[Named After Maddux]

I really like the pick. There are some people very high on Ed Howard. It’s not a typical year where the top prep SS is an uber prospect, but this is very intriguing. Honestly I’m thrilled it’s not a Cade Cavalli or Chris McMahon.

 

Whoa Boston!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Fangraphs/Eric Longenhagen has him at 11 with a 45+ FV:

 

TLDR: Howard is one of the best shortstop defenders in this class, he hit against elite peers on the showcase circuit, and his frame suggests he'll grow into relevant power.

 

Full Report:

Perhaps he would have come out of the 2020 blocks having already filled out and showing more raw power, but Howard answered most relevant questions the previous summer when he performed against the best high school pitching all summer on the showcase circuit. That pitching is much better than what Howard would have seen in Illinois this spring. Howard best squares up pitches at the bottom of the strike zone, and although he hasn't been tested regularly at the letters, he's shown flashes of being able to either lay off those pitches, or pull his hands in and find a way to get the barrel there, and even to catch that high pitch way out in front of the plate and hit it in the air to his pull side. Whether Howard is able to fo that against big league velocity is tough to predict, but he has promising feel to hit and an advance approach for a cold weather hitter, as well as perhaps the best defensive footwork in the entire class. He projects as an everday big league shortstop.

[Cubswin11]

Extremely acceptable pick, Howard is such a dude

 

I’m happy with it. He’ll stick at short, good floor for a prep kid.

 

There's Face of the Franchise potential here...Great intangibles and org fit, obviously has the tools to be a first division starting SS...There's some threat to Almora but nah, Howard has been a top player for his age for a long time

Yeah, was gonna say. Reading that BA blurb I got some Almora vibes

[CaliforniaRaisin]

MLB Pipeline (Callis/Mayo) had him at 15:

 

The starting shortstop on the Jackie Robinson West (Chicago) team that went to the finals of the 2014 Little League World Series, Howard has blossomed into the best prospect at his position in the 2020 high school class. He may not have the lofty ceiling of Bobby Witt Jr. or C.J. Abrams, prep shortstops who went in the first six picks of the 2019 Draft, but he's a steady player who could have solid tools across the board. He's set to become the first Illinois high school position player to go in the first round since Jayson Werth in 1997. Using a simple right-handed swing and a calm approach, Howard makes repeated hard contact. He has impressive bat speed and a projectable 6-foot-2 frame that continues to add strength, so he could develop average or better power. He has solid speed and uses it well on the bases. A smooth defender at shortstop, Howard definitely will be able to remain at the position. He can make all the plays with athletic actions, quick hands and a strong arm capable of making throws from a variety of angles. The Oklahoma recruit has a high baseball IQ and a knack for slowing the game down on both sides of the ball.

[CubinNY]

I know nothing but I like the pick!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Too Many Shortstops, the Sequel!

 

[Regular Show]

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[Bertz]

[Post Count Padder]

Seems like a good kid with loads of potential. Where does he rank in the system?

[Irrelevant Dude]

Seems like a good kid with loads of potential. Where does he rank in the system?

 

I'm putting him second behind Davis for now, Davis isn't a hard one either, but expect he'll be behind Hoerner, Davis, Amaya, and maybe Hernandez

What about Marquez?

 

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[Cubswin11]

God damn Brewers

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Seems like a good kid with loads of potential. Where does he rank in the system?

 

I'd put him behind Davis, Hoerner, Marquez and Amaya and would probably put him behind Hernandez when Christian signs. But those first four guys are generally (but not universally) considered top 100 prospects.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Ian 9:12 You said the angels pick was coming down to $... Was their pick underslot?

Eric A Longenhagen 9:13 Unsure, perhaps. Assume Howard isn't over or maybe wanted more money to play for someone other than Cubs?

 

Don't want to read too much into it but I assume he'll be around slot.

[Bertz]

Of course the Rays took Bitsko

[toonsterwu]

I am immensely pleased with this pick. Arguably, this might be the most intrigued and excited I've been about a pick in ... a long time, considering the state of the ML team, the state of the system. It's a high upside pick up the middle, in a draft where there will be pitching options later. I gotta think it's almost all college in the final four rounds, which is fine. We need some college guys that could fill some gaps in the system.

 

A bit disappointed, but not surprised, that Bitsko went off the board to the Rays. Oh well, UVA pitching was improving anyways.

 

I'm very curious on some college juniors that may go undrafted. I could imagine some guys deciding to take the chance, with so many uncertainties on next season.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Of course the Rays took Bitsko

 

Once Cleveland passed a super young guy, I thought for sure he was being shunted to a team with a big pool.

[toonsterwu]

Seems like a good kid with loads of potential. Where does he rank in the system?

 

I'd put him behind Davis, Hoerner, Marquez and Amaya and would probably put him behind Hernandez when Christian signs. But those first four guys are generally (but not universally) considered top 100 prospects.

 

I really like Amaya, but I would slide Howard in ahead of him. It's a tough call, but Howard's ceiling seems high enough to jump past any polish that Amaya has on him.

 

I'd even agree with the idea that Howard ahead of Marquez might not be that unthinkable. I don't think I would just yet - Marquez's ceiling and his late-season run last year was strong enough.

[Derwood]

MLB Network said he was committed to Oklahoma. What are the chances he signs?

 

The normal % of most prep kids picked in the 1st round, close to 0%.

 

0% chance he signs, or 0% chance he opts for college?

[Named After Maddux]

Well I still don’t think the Kjerstad pick made sense, but now with Bitsko off the table, I’m curious what picks 30 and 39 are going to look like for BAL.