2020 MLB Draft Prep: Week 2, a mock, and pay hikes

This week starts with a mock draft I participated in. I’m not a huge fan of mocks, but I ought to get about doing some. I’m responsible for the Rockies, Cubs, and Indians first round selection. You’re welcomed to assess, and ask questions about unfamiliar names. I imagine I’ll be doing more as June approaches.

A bit on the Cubs minor league players ties into any draft prep. If the prospect thinks they’re going to move to a system that’s going to be paying them more than the standard amount of pipeline pay, they might be more willing to sign with the batter paying side. As with any potential gig, “more pay” is preferable to “league minimum” with all other things being equal. Negotiations before the draft are almost as essential as ones after the draft, which usually iron out numbers loosely agreed to before the card submission.

If the 18th-round option figures he’ll get a bit more pay from the Cubs than they would from the Brewers, Reds, Cardinals, or Pirates, one would think that would provide at least a mild comparative advantage in the selection process. Along with speaking dismissively of the World Series trophy, the Commissioner seems a bit committed to minimizing differences between spending levels at the MLB organization levels. Paying more to prospects not with the parent club is still permitted.

Subject to change.

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1) Austin Martin, SS, Vanderbilt

I haven’t checked in on Martin much. He’ll be gone early, anyway.

2) Emerson Hancock, RHP, Georgia

After struggling a bit in his first start, he was fantastic on Friday afternoon. From the Dawgs radio crew, “He can Maddux. He can Clemens.”

3) Spencer Torkelson, 1B, Arizona State

The right fielder jumps here why?

4) Jordan Walker, 3B, Decatur HS (GA)

5) Nick Gonzales, 2B/SS, New Mexico State

Hit four extra base hits in a game on Sunday. He’s okay.

6) Austin Hendrick, RF, West Allegheny HS (PA)

7) Asa Lacy, LHP, Texas A&M

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

9) Zac Veen, RF, Spruce Creek HS (FL)

10) Reid Detmers, LHP, Louisville

6 IP, 3 H, O BB, 0 R, 14 K against Valparaiso.

11) Nick Bitsko right-handed pitcher Central Bucks East HS

12) Garrett Mitchell, CF/RF, UCLA

13) Heston Kjerstad, RF, Arkansas

Not nearly as much video as last week. Just after the radio people for Arkansas noted Kjerstad is the team’s best bunter, he batted at 4:00. He also made a nice catch I wanted to see, but it didn’t make the video. (Also, the Opitz going triple and yard is the brother of the Jake Opitz that was in the Cubs system a few years. I love stockpiling useful catchers.)

14) Garrett Crochet, LHP, Tennessee

Still nothing. General soreness. No concern, yet.

Plus 1) JT Ginn, RHP, Mississippi State

He falls here after being shut down following a Week One offering that left a bit to be desired. The rest was declared less than 24 hours after I mocked him to the Cubs.

Plus 2) Patrick Bailey, C, North Carolina State

Plus 3) Ed Howard, SS, Mount Carmel HS (IL)

Plus 4) Austin Martin, SS/3B, Arkansas

I’m not sure about this guy’s velocity, but he has style.

D1Baseball’s Friday recap.

It was an eerily quiet week, but I tossed together some video worth watching. South Carolina’s Carmen Mlodzinski has been dealing so far. If he keeps it up a few more times, he pushes out a player above him, that I already want, anyway.

Questions are welcomed.

Far fewer videos this week. Hopefully, there will be more next week, as prep games start getting contemplated.