2020 MLB Draft Day 2 Thread
The second and final day of the abbreviated 2020 MLB draft just kicked off. You can watch at ESPN, MLBNetwork, or follow the various draft trackers on line.
I’ll try and post the M’s selections here, with a comment or two about each. Remember, the M’s pick at #43, the 6th pick today, and then have a pick in the Competitive Balance B round between rounds 2 and 3. The draft wraps up after the 5 round.
#43: OF Zach DeLoach, Texas A&M.
A star in the Cape Cod league and the Northwoods league, he struggled in his first two years in College Station. Hit just .200/.318/.294 for A&M in 2019, which came after a successful stint in the (wood bat) Northwoods League. He followed up that poor Sophomore season by going nuts for Falmouth on the cape, slashing .353/.428/.541, which gave him some momentum in 2020. In 18 games, he was torching the SEC, with a season high in HRs despite making just 77 plate appearances. MLB Network mentioned it, but he’s somewhat divisive, given the volatility in the numbers. Defensively, he’s primarily played in the corners, so he figures to be a bat-first LF/RF.
#64: RHP Connor Phillips, McLennan CC
A former LSU commit, sits low-mid 90s from the right side. Real smooth, quiet delivery. More over the top than first-rounder Hancock, though that’s perhaps a low bar. High-70s/low-80s curve.
#78: 2B Kaden Polcovich, Oklahoma State
A 5’8″ (or 5’10”?) switch-hitting 2B, Polcovich hit .344/.494/.578 in the abbreviated 2020 season, his first in Stillwater after a couple of years in a Florida Juco. He too played in the Cape Cod league in 2019, hitting 5 HRs and hitting right around .300. His patience boosted his OBP in both the Big XII and the Cape; he’s drawn more walks than DeLoach. The University and “grinder” comments make me think of Donovan Walton, though Polcolovich hasn’t played much SS. MLB’s draft preview says he profiles as a utility man, but the M’s may think he has the power to be a regular despite his size.
#107: 3B/1B Tyler Keenan, Ole Miss
Chris Crawford calls this: “
Tyler Keenan is a fun get for Seattle in round 4. Plus power, plus throwing arm. May need to move to first but the pop is legitimate.
— Christopher Crawford (@Crawford_MILB) June 12, 2020
”
At 6’4″ 250, he’s a got a powerful build, and hit over 30 HRs in 2 full years plus the shortened 2020 season. He had some swing and miss, but drew plenty of walks as well. MLB graded his power 6th in this draft class. Defensively, I think most expect him to land at 1B, but we’ll see. Aaron Fitt of D1Baseball (and an ex Baseball America writer) says that he had him as a 2nd-3rd rounder.
#137: RHP Taylor Dollard, Cal Poly SLO
Pitchability righty with a sinker in the 88-91 range. Slurvy slider in high 70s and a curve in the low 70s. He’d been a reliever his first two years in college, so he doesn’t have a ton of innings – just over 110 in total. In that time, he’s been great, limiting hits, and putting up a career 121:27 K:BB ratio in that time. You’ll never believe this, but Dollard was also a standout performer in the Cape Cod league, going 2-1 with a 1.55 ERA in 11 games out of the bullpen for Yarmouth-Dennis. He had 27 Ks to 1 BB in 17 1/3 IP. The raw stuff will make him a guy who has to prove it in the high minors, but you have to like the raw results.
I had no idea who either player selected (so far) were.
No, there’s no way I’m going to know the juco kids. And with 90% of the college season wiped out, it’s hard to know any of them behind the big-time prospects.
Jose Cruz Jr.’s son was taken at the beginning of the 3rd round, for M’s trivia buffs. Also, McLennan JC, where Phillips went, was where Jay Buhner was drafted out of in 1984. (And 1983, but he didn’t sign).
Yeah, there are tons of names out there. It’s amazing just how far Mariner scouting reaches.
One player that caught my attention was Coby Mayo. Plus-plus exit velocity and a promising slash line. He has a commitment, so he might require an over-slot deal. Made me think about the attraction to Lewis and White.
He only played in 8 games before the quarantine, but he was slashing .455/.613/.773.
Needle in a haystack kind of note, but I have time.
Looks like Seattle got a similar player in Tyler Keenan. Monster numbers.
D1 Baseball had Keenan and Polcovich at 1 and 5 respectively on their list of top third basemen, with a disclaimer that Austin Martin was listed as a center fielder.
Polcovich has played plenty of second and even the outfield, but it’s an interesting little tidbit nonetheless. Maybe he’s seen as a future utility player.
Undrafted players can sign tomorrow. Dipoto suggested they’ll target 5-10 players.
Though I’m anticipating relievers, I would hope that there is a catcher or two.