Video: Jared Kelley strikes out 12
Refugio star could be among the first high school players chosen in MLB Draft.
An early look at mock drafts for the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft shows that while there's no high school player that scouts and draftniks value as the top overall selection in the draft, there could be close to a dozen preps taken in the first round.
While the 2020 high school ranks don't look as deep as the 2017 draft, when the top three selection were high school players, it could more closely resemble the 2018 draft, when the first prep didn't come off the board until the No. 6 pick but a total of 16 preps were chosen in the first round.
MaxPreps takes a look at the top 10 possible draft picks among the high school Class of 2020 for this year's MLB draft.
1. Mick Abel, Jesuit (Portland, Ore.)
Right-handed Pitcher | 6-5 | 198
Stats: 9-0 record, 1.34 ERA, 90 Ks, 57.1 innings pitched.
Honors: Gatorade State Player of the Year; MaxPreps Junior All-American.
What scouts are saying: Fastball hits 94-97 … Breaking ball could be a plus pitch at Major League level … Very projectable … Struggles with walks at times … Has four-pitch arsenal.
Where he'll go: Most mock drafts don't have a high school player going in Top 5. Abel appears in the Top 10 multiple times and will probably be among the second group of five players. Could be highest pick from Oregon in 25 years.
2. Jared Kelley, Refugio (Texas)
Right-handed Pitcher | 6-2 | 200
Stats: 11-0 record, 0.22 ERA, 65 innings pitched, 144 Ks, .348 average, 3 HR, 4 triples, 9 doubles, 30 RBI.
Honors: Texas Sports Writers Association Class 2A All-State Team; MaxPreps Junior All-American.
What scouts are saying: Really impressed at Perfect Game All-American with 99 mph fastball … Also has a plus change-up … Low effort delivery … Big, physical body with a lot of upside.
Where he'll go: If Able is not the first high school pitcher taken off the board, then Kelley will be. Many mock drafts have him as the first high school player chosen, but not necessarily among the Top 5 picks. Won't go past No. 10.
3. Austin Hendrick, West Allegheny (Imperial, Pa.)
Outfielder | 6-1 | 205
Stats: .327 average, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR, 121 RBI
Honors: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette All-Area (as sophomore); Under Armour Home Run Derby Champion
What scouts are saying: Best pure bat speed in the Class of 2020 … Great raw power … Hit 18 home runs at Under Armour Home Run Derby … Projects as a possible center or right fielder … Exit velocities at 105-plus, which is among the best in the Class.
Where he'll go: One mock draft has Hendrick as the first high school player chosen, around No. 7. More than likely he is among the Top 15 players chosen.
4. Ed Howard, Chicago Mt. Carmel (Chicago)
Shortstop | 6-2 | 185
Stats: .417 average, 37 runs, 12 doubles, 4 triples, 2 HR, 31 RBI.
Honors: All-Daily Southtown Team; MaxPreps Junior All-American.
What scouts are saying: Defense is Howard's strong suit as he has the arm and range to stick at shortstop … Consistent hitter who will likely develop power at the next level.
Where he'll go: Likely the first high school infielder chosen, Howard projects to go in the middle of the first round.
5. Blaze Jordan, DeSoto Central (Southaven, Miss.)
Third Base | 6-2 | 218
Stats: .440, 39 runs, 46 RBI, 11 doubles, 10 HR
Honors: Clarion Ledger All-State Team; MaxPreps Sophomore Player of the Year (reclassified to Class of 2020).
What scouts are saying: Possesses, perhaps, the best power in the Class of 2020 … Has plus-plus power, according to one scout … Hit two 500-foot home runs in a home run derby at age 14.
Where he'll go: Some mock drafts don't have Jordan listed in the first round while others speculate he will be a Top 10 pick. The more likely scenario is he ends up in the middle to bottom third of the first round.
6. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.)
Outfielder | 6-1 175
Stats: .395 average, 23 RBI, 5 doubles, 5 triples, 3 HR.
Honors: Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year; Southern Section All-Division 1 Team; MaxPreps Junior All-American.
What scouts are saying: A potential five-tool player … Needs to add muscle, but has the frame to do it … Plus running ability … Strong arm could keep him in centerfield.
Where he'll go: At one time, Crow-Armstrong was the No. 1 rated player in the Class of 2020 by Perfect Game. He's slid down the list a little bit, but he will likely be the second outfielder taken behind Hendrick. Look for him to go at the end of the first round.
7. Nate Savino, Potomac Falls (Sterling, Va.)
Left-handed Pitcher | 6-3 | 195
Stats: 3-2 record, 71 Ks, 0.60 ERA, 35 innings pitched.
Honors: Gatorade State Player of the Year; MaxPreps Junior All-American.
What scouts are saying: Smooth, loose, repeatable delivery … Fastball tops out at 96 … Has a plus slider … Projects to add to his frame and add miles to his fastball.
Where he'll go: While Savino is a first-round talent, he could drop way down in the draft since he has already graduated from high school early and enrolled at Virginia in January. He's a first-round talent, but if teams feel they can't sign him, he will drop.
8. Jordan Walker, Decatur (Ga.)
Third Base | 6-5 | 212
Stats: .518 average, 43 runs, 59 RBI, 12 doubles, 17 HR
Honors: Georgia Dugout Preview Class 5A All-State Team; MaxPreps Junior All-American.
What scouts are saying: Duke coach Chris Pollard lists Walker as "one of the best high school defenders that I have ever scouted." ... Makes good contact at the plate and has some of the best power numbers in the nation … Throws in the low 90s to first base.
Where he'll go: Although ranked No. 1 in the Class of 2020 by Perfect Game, mock drafts have Walker going near the end of the first round. Between Jordan and Walker for which prep will be first third baseman chosen.
9. Robert Hassell, Independence (Thompson's Station, Tenn.)
Outfielder | 6-2 | 190
Stats: .423 average, 14 HR, 8 doubles, 22 stolen bases, 36 RBI, 5-2 record, 1.07 ERA, 113 Ks, 59 innings pitched.
Honors: Gatorade State Player of the Year; Nashville Tennessean All-MidState Player of the Year; MaxPreps Junior All-American.
What scouts are saying: Has great strike zone recognition … Could be a draft pick as a pitcher … Hits for average and power … Has plus speed and a strong arm and plays center in high school.
Where he'll go: Could be third or fourth high school outfielder chosen. Likely go at the end of firs round or the compensatory rounds.
10. Dylan Crews, Lake Mary (Fla.)
Outfielder | 6-0 | 195
Stats: .389 average, 17 RBI, 28 runs
Honors: Orlando Sentinel All-Area Team; MaxPreps Junior All-American.
What scouts are saying: Great bat speed … Disciplined approach at the plate … Doesn't strike out often … Has power to all fields … Probably a right fielder at the pro level.
Where he'll go: At one time the No. 2 player in the Class of 2020 by Perfect Game, Crews is now No. 9. However, he could still be the top prep outfielder chosen and go somewhere in the middle rounds. May also drop to the end of the first round.
