2020 MLB Draft: Top Prospects

The 2020 MLB draft class features high-end talent and notable depth from the high school and college levels. It’s a stronger draft class than this year’s draft. Unlike this year, there are numerous pitchers who will be in the mix for the top overall pick. The crop of hitters also is impressive.

Although the 2020 MLB draft is a year away, here are some of the top players in the draft class:

College Players

Emerson Hancock, RHP, Georgia: Hancock is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound righty who has a mid-90s fastball, solid curveball and a changeup. He has an advanced feel for pitching and respectable command. He has frontline starter potential.

Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Arizona State: Torkelson has major raw power. The 6-1, 220-pound slugging first baseman has hit .337 with 48 home runs in his first two seasons at Arizona State. He profiles as a first baseman in pro ball, but his ability at the plate will put him in consideration for the top overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft.

Patrick Bailey, C, North Carolina State: Bailey is a well-rounded catcher. His production at the plate regressed from his freshman season to his sophomore year this spring. He’s athletic and has above-average arm strength and solid receiving skills defensively.

Cole Wilcox, RHP, Georgia: Wilcox was one of the top prospects in the 2018 draft but opted to attend Georgia instead. He will be a draft-eligible sophomore next season and his value hasn’t decreased from last year when he was a potential first-round pick. He throws a mid-90s fastball, changeup and slider. He’s 6-5, 232 pounds.

Tanner Burns, RHP, Auburn: Burns, a 6-0, 205-pound righty, has been a reliable and successful starter throughout his first two years at Auburn. Out of high school, he was a potential first-round pick but bypassed pro ball for Auburn in 2017. He throws a mid-90s fastball, changeup and curveball.

Others to Watch: J.T. Ginn, RHP, Mississippi State; Casey Martin, SS, Arkansas; Garrett Mitchell, OF, UCLA; Hugh Fisher, LHP, Vanderbilt; Daniel Cabrera, OF, LSU; Garrett Crochet, LHP, Tennessee; Tommy Mace, RHP, Florida; Jack Leftwich, RHP, Florida; Heston Kjerstad, OF, Arkansas; Parker Chavers, OF, Coastal Carolina.

High School Players

Mick Abel, RHP, Jesuit HS (Ore.): Abel is a 6-6, 185-pound righty who has a mid-90s fastball and an above-average curveball. He also throws a slider and changeup. He’s an Oregon State commit.

Blaze Jordan, 1B, DeSoto HS (Miss.): Jordan reclassified from the 2021 class to the 2020 class on June 2. He possesses major raw power and a solid feel for hitting from the right side of the plate. The 6-1, 215-pound first baseman is a Mississippi State commit.

Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, (Harvard Westlake HS (Calif.): Crow-Armstrong has five-tool potential. The left-handed hitter has an advanced feel at the plate with room to add power. He also has above-average speed and arm strength in center field. He’s a Vanderbilt commit.

Dylan Crews, OF, Lake Mary HS (Fla.): Crews is one of the best hitters, regardless of the level, in next year’s draft class. The 6-0, 175-pound right-handed hitter shows an ability to hit for average and power. He profiles as a right fielder in pro ball. He’s a Louisiana State commit.

Jared Jones, RHP, La Mirada HS (Calif.): Jones, a 6-1, 175-pound righty, has a mid-90s fastball that touches 98 mph and uses his slider and curveball as outpitches. He’s a Southern California commit.

Others to Watch: Zac Veen, OF, Spruce Creek HS (Fla.); Carson Montgomery, RHP, West Orange HS (Fla.); Jared Kelley, RHP, Refugio HS (Texas); Austin Hendrick, OF, West Allegheny HS (Penn.); Yohandy Morales, SS, Braddock HS (Fla.); Robert Hassell, OF, Independence HS (Tenn.); Carson Tucker, SS, Mountain Pointe HS (Ariz.); Drew Romo, C, The Woodlands HS (Texas); Alex Boychuk, C, Mill Creek HS (Ga.); Tanner Witt, 3B, Episcopal HS (Texas).

Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for five years. He’s interviewed 191 of the top draft prospects in that period, including three No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today and The Arizona Republic, have quoted his work, while he’s appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.