2020 MLB Mock Draft: Final Mock 2 Rounds

Round 2

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 10, 2020.

38. Detroit Tigers: Kevin Parada, C, Loyola HS
    
    
    The 6-0 185 lb Kevin Parada broke out as a sophomore with a .365 batting average. He improved his batting average to .447 in his junior season and again in his senior season with a .467 batting average.
    
    
    
    Parada hits with power, but he's not someone who hit home runs on a consistent basis. Catcher is an area that the Detroit Tigers need to improve in so they grab Kevin Parada here to start the second round.
    
    
    
    Detroit is also scouting Michigan pitcher Jeff Criswell and Arizona State shortstop Alika Williams as candidates to pick at 38 in addition to Parada. I like Parada the most of those three which is why I'm mocking him to the Tigers here.
    
    
    
39. Baltimore Orioles: Dax Fulton, P, Mustang HS (OK)
    
    
    The Orioles grab another pitcher after getting J.T. Ginn at 30. The 6-6 225 lb Dax Fulton maxes out at 93 miles per hour despite having a 92-mile-per-hour 4-seam fastball, a 90-mile-per-hour 2-seam fastball, a 78-mile per hour curveball, a 76-mile-per-hour 12-6 curveball, and a 83-mile per hour changeup.
    
    
    
    Dax Fulton only knows three different types of pitches at this point. He has two variations for his fastball and two variations for his curveball which makes him an intriguing pitcher to draft.
    
    
    
    Dax Fulton had Tommy John Surgery prior to the 2020 Season in 2019 which is why he did not pitch at all as a senior. Despite this, he's the top left-handed High School pitcher in this draft and is someone you can get in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft who may bring value to your team if he recovers from Tommy John Surgery.
    
    
    
    
    
40. Miami Marlins: Aaron Sabato, 1B, North Carolina
    
    
    The Miami Marlins draft a first baseman here after losing out on Andrew Vaughn in the 2019 MLB Draft. The 6-2 230 lb Aaron Sabato led North Carolina with a .343 batting average and had 18 home runs in 2019 breaking the previous school record for home runs by a freshman at North Carolina in 2019.
    
    
    
    Aaron Sabato is mainly a power hitter though. He had 0 stolen bases in 2019. Aaron Sabato also declined in the shortened 2020 season with a .292 batting average and only 7 home runs after having a very dominant 2019 campaign at North Carolina.
    
    
    
    Miami needs a first baseman. They draft Sabato hoping he will do well enough to work through the minors by becoming a future cornerstone player on the Marlins infield.
    
    
    
41. Kansas City Royals: Cade Cavalli, P, Oklahoma
    
    
    The Royals go for value over need in the second round by taking the best player on the board. The 6-4 218 lb Cade Cavalli has a first round grade and is considered a consensus top 25 prospect despite having a 4.18 ERA in 2020 which is an improvement over his 6.75 ERA as a freshman in 2018.
    
    
    
    Cade Cavalli has two years of experience as Oklahoma's Friday Night Starter as he was the Sooners ace pitcher in 2019 and 2020. Cavalli was also a designated hitter on Oklahoma. The Royals can choose to develop Cavalli as a batter or a pitcher in their farm system that is stacked with prospects.
    
    
    
    
    
42. Toronto Blue Jays: Bobby Miller, P, Louisville
    
    
    Toronto grabs the Saturday Night Starter on Louisville here. The 6-5 220 lb Bobby Miller complimented Reid Detmers in Louisville's rotation. Even though I mocked Tanner Burns to the Yankees at 28, they are looking at Miller. Toronto will not hesitate to grab Miller here in the second round if the Yankees decide to pass on Miller in the first round.
    
    
    
    Bobby Miller had a 0.80 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 52 innings pitched during his senior year of High School. He got picked by the Orioles in the thirty eighth round of the 2017 MLB Draft, but chose to enroll in Louisville instead to boost his draft stock.
    
    
    
    Bobby Miller went 6-1 with a 2.97 ERA posting 55 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings in 2018. Miller went 7-1 with a 3.83 ERA in 80 innings. Miller went 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA in 2020. Miller won games at Louisville and the organization that ends up with Bobby Miller will be hoping for more of the same if Miller manages to make his way up to the big leagues.
    
    
    
43. Seattle Mariners: Chris McMahon, P, Miami FL
    
    
    Seattle takes Chris McMahon the Saturday Night Starter and number two pitcher in the Miami Hurricanes pitching rotation here. He began his career as a middle reliever with the Miami Hurricanes before earning his first start with the school.
    
    
    
    Seattle has three future starters in Emerson Hancock assuming they draft him at 6 in real life, Logan Stenberg, and Will Kirby. If Seattle wants a future backend starter as a number four or number five guy in the rotation then developing McMahon is the route to go. If Seattle somehow makes the 2020 MLB Playoffs assuming we even have a season, then Seattle could rush McMahon through the minor leagues and bring him up to the majors as a middle reliever.
    
    
    
    
    
44. Pittsburgh Pirates: Slade Cecconi, P, Miami FL
    
    
    Pittsburgh gets a guy who could be a starter or a relief pitcher here. The 6-4 219 lb Slade Cecconi was the Sunday Afternoon starter and number three starting pitcher on the Miami Hurricanes in both 2019 and 2020. He also has experience as a long-reliever, middle reliever, and set-up pitcher.
    
    
    
    Slade Cecconi has the ceiling of a number three starter at best the same way Chris McMahon has the ceiling of a number two starter. Since Seattle is getting McMahon as a future number four starter, Pittsburgh is either looking at a number five starter in the MLB or most likely a relief pitcher. Cecconi's only six inning start at Miami FL was his last start against Pittsburgh before COVID-19 cancelled the 2020 College Baseball Season. That tells me that Cecconi is probably going to be a reliever if the Pirates take him in the second round.
    
    
    
45. San Diego Padres: Carson Montgomery, P, Windermere HS (FL)
    
    
    The Padres grab a High School pitcher here. The 6-2 195 lb Carson Montgomery graduated from Windermere High School early and has enrolled into Florida State. Montgomery has a fastball that maxes out at 96 miles per hour and a slider that maxes out at 85. His fastball drops to 93-miles-per-hour once he settles in after the first three innings.
    
    
    
    Carson Montgomery has a very high Baseball IQ and executes with precision on the mound despite only having two plus pitches. He can go to Florida State and try to be a 2023 first round pick by developing more pitches or he can try to get drafted in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft since MLB.com has him listed as the thirty fourth best prospect.
    
    
    
    I'm not sure if Carson Montgomery would sign with the Padres if he fell to the second round. At the same time, I feel like this would be a great fit since the Padres have five good prospects in their farm system and they could draft Montgomery as a reliever here.
    
    
    
    
    
46. Colorado Rockies: Daniel Cabrera, LF, LSU
    
    
    The 6-1 196 lb Daniel Cabrera had a .284 batting average with 12 home runs, 40 runs, and 50 RBI's in 2019. Cabrera played left fielder on LSU in 2019 with one game as LSU's designated hitter. He moved to right fielder in 2020 and improved his batting average to .345.
    
    
    
    Colorado adds a corner outifelder to their farm system. Cabrera is their man here in the second round since he hits the ball with authority and has an arm that displays the throwing power and throwing accuracy of a quarterback. He's not Joe Burrow, but he's a great defender in the oufielder who will help pitchers out.
    
    
    
47. Chicago White Sox: Jeff Criswell, P, Michigan
    
    
    The Chicago White Sox need a number one starting pitcher that commands respect. The 6-4 225 lb Jeff Criswell dominated in his first two seasons at Michigan.
    
    
    
    Criswell mainly played out of the bullpen as a freshman with a 2.23 ERA and a 3-2 record. He took a big step in 2019 going 7-1 in 17 starts with a 2.72 ERA with 116 strikeouts in 106 innings pitched while helping Michigan make the 2019 College World Series where they won game 1 of the College World Series before losing to Vanderbilt.
    
    
    
    Criswell did so well in his first two years at Michigan that he earned the right to be the Friday Night Starter in a shortened 2020 season. Jeff Criswell can be a starting pitcher, long reliever, middle reliever, set-up pitcher, or closer. Michigan put him in each one of those scenarios during his three year career with the Wolverines.
    
    
    
    Chicago needs to take Criswell if he falls to this pick. Detroit is looking at him at pick thirty eight to start the second round, and there is a very realistic possibility that Criswell may end up being picked before Chicago is on the clock in the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
48. Cincinnati Reds: CJ Van Eyk, P, Florida State
    
    
    The 6-1 196 lb CJ Van Eyk was used as a long reliever, middle reliever, set-up pitcher, and closer in 2018 working mainly out of the bullpen until he earned a spot in Florida State's starting rotation. He went 7-0 and had a 2.86 ERA despite only starting five games having a strong 2018 season.
    
    
    
    CJ Van Eyk went 10-4 with a 3.81 ERA as a sophomore. His 129 strikeouts in 99 1/3 innings pitched stood out as he complimented Drew Parrish who the Royals took in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB Draft.
    
    
    
    CJ Van Eyk took over the Friday Night Starter role after Drew Parrish got drafted by the Royals. In four starts CJ Van Eyk went 1-1 with a 1.31 ERA and two no decisions.
    
    
    
    Worst case scenario the Reds are getting a relief pitcher to compliment their highly touted pitching prospects. Best case scenario, Cincinnati ends up landing their future ace pitcher here.
    
    
    
49. San Francisco Giants: Alika Williams, SS, Arizona State
    
    
    The 6-2 180 lb Alika Williams was a clean up hitter in 2019 when his teammate Hunter Bishop played with him at Arizona State. He may go earlier than this perhaps as early as thirty eight to Detroit to start the second round which is why the Giants cannot pass on Williams here with the value he provides being too great to ignore in the middle of the second round.
    
    
    
    The Giants took Bishop in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Alika Williams only needs 4.26 seconds to run from home plate to first base. His fastest time in terms of base running is 4.19 seconds.
    
    
    
    Alika Williams may only have 5 home runs in his entire career at Arizona State. He's an excellent fielder who displays speed that you cannot teach. He went from .333 as a sophomore to .250 as a junior once Bishop left. Alika Williams needs to develop as a batter in the minors if he wants to re-unite with Bishop because I see Bishop as a future MLB outfielder while I see Williams as a high end AA or AAA prospect at this point.
    
    
    
    
    
50. Texas Rangers: Clayton Beeter, P, Texas Tech
    
    
    Texas grabs Josh Jung's Texas Tech teammate here after selecting Jung in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft. The 6-2 220 lb Clayton Beeter came in as a freshman redshirt and had 8 saves as the Red Raiders closer in 2019. He made the jump from closer to Friday Night Starter and did well with a 2.14 ERA in a shortened 2020 season as a sophomore redshirt.
    
    
    
    Beeter has the upside to develop into a starting pitcher. However, he's also capapble of playing anywhere in the bullpen whether it be long reliever, middle reliever, set-up pitcher, or closer. Most MLB scouts believe Beeter will end up being a relief pitcher in the MLB.
    
    
    
51. Chicago Cubs: Cade Norton, P, Norman HS (OR)
    
    
    The Chicago Cubs get Norman High School's ace pitcher/starting quarterback here. I could gloat about how Norton threw for 41 passing touchdowns. He's got a better shot at cracking an MLB roster than an NFL one which is why Norton will get picked in the second round.
    
    
    
    The bigger question is does Norton forgo the NCAA to sign with a team like the Chicago Cubs. A college arm that the Cubs are looking at here is Vanderbilt pitcher Jake Eder.
    
    
    
    
    
52. New York Mets: Jake Eder, P, Vanderbilt
    
    
    New York grabs Vanderbilt's Friday Night Starter in 2020. Jake Eder can be used as a starting pitcher, long reliever, middle reliever, set-up pitcher, or closer.
    
    
    
    The New York Mets already have some good starters and will find a role for Eder. There is no reason for the Mets to pass on Eder with the Cubs looking at him as a potential pickup in the second round.
    
    
    
53. Milwaukee Brewers: Burl Carraway, P, Dallas Baptist
    
    
    The Brewers get a player that may be the quickest reliever to bring up to the MLB. Burl Carraway may be ready for the 2020 MLB Playoffs as a pitcher out of the bullpen. He can play long reliever, middle reliever, set-up pitcher, or closer.
    
    
    
    
    
54. St. Louis Cardinals: Carson Tucker, SS, Mountain Pointe HS (AZ)
    
    
    St. Louis takes the best player on the board here. Carson Tucker has been linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers as a potential first round pick. I had a second round grade on him, but there is an outside shot that Tucker goes earlier than this. Honestly I have no idea how tonights draft will unfold.
    
    
    
55. Washington Nationals: Tanner Witt, P, Episcopal HS (TX)
    
    
    Washington has four good starters with Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez, and Patrick Corbin. Joe Ross rounds out the starting rotation. Tanner Witt is good enough to supplant Ross for that final spot in the Washington Nationals starting rotation at some point down the road.
    
    
    
    All four of those pitchers are at least 30-years-old or older so adding some youth to Washington's farm system so they have a young fresh arm ready to step into this rotation of World Series Champions down the road is something the Nationals could use.
    
    
    
    The Washington Nationals defeated the Houston Astros to win game 7 of the 2019 World Series. The irony is they are in the exact same position that the Astros are in after they won their first World Series in 2017 because none of their starting five pitchers are Free Agents until 2022. Even if the MLB season gets cancelled in 2020, the Nationals could still repeat in 2021 or win two out of three with a cancelled season being the only thing that kept them from winning three World Series Championships in a row which is why the sky is the limit for the Nationals in their next two seasons.
    
    
    
    
    
56. Cleveland Indians: Jared Jones, P, La Mirada HS (CA)
    
    
    La Mirada HS was the number one ranked team in High School Baseball in 2019. The 6-2 175 lb Jared Jones has a 99-mile-per-hour 4-seam fastball and a 98-mile-per-hour 2-seam fastball. Jones also went 7-1 with a 0.77 in 2019. His manager called him a special talent.
    
    
    
    Cleveland made me happy by taking Ethan Hankins in 2018 who was my top graded HS pitcher in the 2018 MLB Draft. Then they got my top ranked pitcher in the 2019 MLB Draft in Daniel Espino. Only time will tell if I'm wrong about Hankins and Espino. Getting someone like Jared Jones only helps the Tribe though.
    
    
    
    I'm optimsitic that Cleveland will eventually win a World Series as long as the team sticks with Francona no matter who is on the roster. At the same time, I realize the window of opportunity for the Tribe may close once shortstop Francisco Lindor leaves.
    
    
    
57. Tampa Bay Rays: Masyn Winn, P, Kingwood HS (TX)
    
    
    The Tampa Bay Rays get the best player available here. Masyn Winn was MVP of a Showcase Tournament. He's someone who may even end up going a lot earlier than this like many prospects in this deep pitching class.
    
    
    
    
    
58. Oakland Athletics: Michael Santos, P, Mount St. Michael Academy (NY)
    
    
    The Athletics get the best player on their board. Oakland has a very good starting rotation that could get even better with A.J. Puk taking that final spot in the starting rotation. Santos gives the Athletics a future bullpen arm to develop.
    
    
    
59. Minnesota Twins: Justin Lange, P, Llano HS (TX)
    
    
    The Twins have the batters to contend. They do not have five starting caliber pitchers so even if they win the division like last season, they are not a team that I see making a deep run in October.
    
    
    
    
    
60. Los Angeles Dodgers: Isaiah Greene, CF, Corona HS (CA)
    
    
    The Dodgers go with the best player on the board. Isaiah Greene from Corona HS is the pick from the Dodgers. I love the fact that Corona HS is in Caliornia.
    
    
    
    
    
61. Miami Marlins: Drew Bowser, 3B, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA)
    
    
    The Miami Marlins draft Drew Bowser here. The teammate of Pete Crow-Armstrong is a nice addition to the Miami Marlins late in the second round.
    
    
    
62. Detroit Tigers: Nolan McLean, 3B, Garner HS (NC)
    
    
    Detroit gets an upgrade at third base. Nolan McLean is a two sport athlete that will enroll at Oklahoma State. McLean may turn pro if he gets picked in the first two rounds since Oklahoma State is being investigated by the NCAA. It honestly makes more sense for McLean to turn pro now and sign with the team that takes him in the first two rounds.
    
    
    
    
    
63. St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Hagenow, P, Farragut HS (TN)
    
    
    St. Louis takes the best player on the board here. Ryan Hagenow may end up going in the first round. As long as he doesn't slip to the third round, I think he will sign.
    
    
    
64. Seattle Mariners: Tommy Mace, P, Florida
    
    
    Seattle gets a final College pitcher to round out their starting rotation. Tommy Mace was the Friday Night Starter on Florida. Tommy Mace was the best starting pitcher on the Florida Gators in 2019 and in 2020.
    
    
    
    
    
65. Cincinnati Reds: Kyle Harrison, P, De La Salle HS (CA)
    
    
    Kyle Harrison from De La Salle HS is the best player on the board. The Reds can take as much time as they need to develop him.
    
    
    
66. Los Angeles Dodgers: Kyle Nicholas, P, Ball State
    
    
    The Dodgers go with a future reliever. Kyle Nicholas struggled as a starter at Ball State. He did alright as a reliever so the Dodgers grab a future reliever here.
    
    
    
    
    
67. San Francisco Giants: Nick Swiney, P, North Carolina State
    
    
    San Francisco needs arms. After loading up on batters with their first two picks, the Giants get their first pitcher here. I haved the Giants taking two ACC pitchers with their final two picks in this mock.
    
    
    
68. San Francisco Giants: Jared Shuster, P, Wake Forest
    
    
    San Francisco needs arms. After loading up on batters with their first two picks, the Giants get their first pitcher here. I haved the Giants taking two ACC pitchers with their final two picks in this mock.
    
    
    
    
    
69. New York Mets: Daniel Susac, C, Jesuit HS (CA)
    
    
    New York finally gets a catcher. Daniel Susac provides great value.
    
    
    
70. St. Louis Cardinals: Tyler Gentry, RF, Alabama
    
    
    St. Louis gets a College Bat here. Alabama right fielder Tyler Gentry showed the tools of a complete 5-tool batter. He seems like an ideal candidate for the Cardinals to groom into a future outfielder.
    
    
    
    
    
71. Washington Nationals: Cam Brown, P, Flower Mound HS (TX)
    
    
    Remember how I stated that the Nationals have four starters over the age of thirty? Well, now they get a second High School arm hoping to hit on both picks.
    
    
    
72. Houston Astros: Corey Collins, C, North Gwinnett HS (GA)
    
    
    Houston is a team that can ignore need and take the best player on the board. Houston goes with Corey Collins and can slowly develop him into a future big league catcher.