2020 MLB Draft Prep: Weekend 1 of college ball is in the books

One of my hopes is to locate a name off my list every weekend that outplayed his coverage. This weekend is about a player who might get selected from the list below, but he tends to be a bit “under” regarding velocity. Louisville’s Friday guy is southpaw Reid Detmers led the Cardinals to an opening day win against Ole Miss. Detmers tossed the first five of the game, and was gifted a 4-1 lead with an offensive explosion after he was finished. The #18 Rebels managed three hits and two walks over five. The run was earned, and Detmers fanned nine against an SEC squad on a short start his first time out. Why isn’t he on my list?

He’s a bit generic on velocity.

***

Any valid look at college baseball almost requires a look at D1Baseball’s Friday night coverage. Noted toward the top is Kade Mechals from Grand Canyon University. If you’re in Mesa for Spring Training, but have a Friday night off, you might want to head over to Brazell in Phoenix. He’l get drafted somewhere, and you’ll see some scouting heat behind the home plate screen. Video exists of the game.

***

From the Big Ten, Minnesota’s Max Meyer might creep into the top twenty, or earlier, if he keeps this up.

***

Miami’s presumed shortstop, Freddy Zamora, will miss the season. Zamora was expected to go in the top two rounds.

Former Cubs draft pick Wyatt Hendrie (2019/10th Round) was part of an opening day comeback for San Diego State.

Here are my 14 players to watch

1) Austin Martin, shortstop, Vanderbilt

Martin was hitless in four in his first game, playing third base. (Much of the time, I’ll prioritize Friday games.) Martin did drive in a run in a 3-2 loss. I’ll probably just leave him up here for awhile.

2) Emerson Hancock, RHP, Georgia

He was spared a loss in his first start of the year as the Bulldogs scored two in the ninth to win 7-6. First starts are about as useless long-term as a high draft pick’s first fractional season.

3) Spencer Torkelson, first base, Arizona State

4) Mick Abel, RHP, Jesuit HS (OR)

Nothing new

5) Austin Hendrick, right field, West Allegheny HS (PA)

Nothing new

6) Nick Gonzales, second base, New Mexico State

He started at short on Friday night:

And backed it up with three on Sunday:

7) Jordan Walker, third base, Decatur HS (GA)

8) JT Ginn, RHP, Mississippi State

Ginn struggled against Horizon League foe Wright State. Ginn was touched for three runs in three innings. Don’t take much from it.

9) Nick Bitsko, RHP, Central Bucks East HS (PA)

Nothing new.

10) Robert Hassell, center field, Independence HS (TN)

11) Jared Kelley, RHP, Refugio HS (TX)

12) Asa Lacy, LHP, Texas A&M

6 innings, one run, eight strikeouts against Miami (Ohio). Things get tougher in a hurry for Lacy.

13) Garrett Crochet, LHP, Tennessee

Did not pitch.

14) Heston Kjerstad, right field, Arkansas

And two more bombs on Sunday. Look where the second baseman is here.

My Plus 4

Plus 1 Garrett Mitchell, right field, UCLA

3-for-8 with 3 walks and 3 HBP for the weekend.

Plus 2 Zac Veen right field, Port Orange HS (FL)

Plus 3 Patrick Bailey, catcher, North Carolina State

Plus 4 Ed Howard shortstop Mt. Carmel HS (IL)

Nick Loftin is a name I’ve seen floated to the Cubs

Here’s how you can get tossed in college ball.

Let’s walk it off with a balk-off:

And a strike-em-out-throw-em-out DP.

And another walk-off: