Analysts Praise Indians 2020 Draft
By: Jeremy Lawless
The Cleveland Indians have wrapped up their 2020 Draft which was reduced from 40 rounds to 5 rounds due to the current Global situation. Many MLB analysts have praised the Indians, especially for their effort on day two.
Here’s who the Indians drafted:
Round 1, Pick 23: Carson Tucker, SS, Mountain Pointe HS.
Tucker is the younger brother of Cole Tucker, a former first round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has been working out with big brother and Cody Bellinger so he should know what it takes to make it in the Majors. Indians current LHP Logan Allen also has been working out with Tucker and is very high on the young SS.
Comp. Round A, Pick 36: Tanner Burns, RHP, Auburn
Burns, 21, made just four starts before this season was canceled because of the coronavirus. He went 3-1 with a 2.42 ERA and 32 strikeouts and seven walks in 22 1/3 innings. In three years at Auburn, Burns went 14-9 with a 2.86 ERA with 210 strikeouts and 67 walks in 188 2/3 innings. As a sophomore, he joined Casey Mize (2017-18) as just the second Auburn pitcher over the last 20 seasons to reach the century mark in strikeouts (101).(per Cleveland.com)
Round 2, Pick 56: Logan Allen, LHP, FIU
Allen, 21, was drafted in the 16th round by the Baltimore Orioles in 2017 but opted to go to college. He has a three-pitch repertoire, offering a low 90s fastball with plus command, a plus changeup with sink and a curveball. Allen is viewed, at this point, more as a pitcher with command who can set up hitters than a pure stuff, higher-ceiling prospect. (per Akron Beacon Journal)
Round 3, Pick 95: Petey Halpin, OF, Mira Costa HS
Halpin looks like a plus runner and has a very good arm. These are his best two tools, both graded 60/80. That is a perfect combination for someone who wants to stick at center field. There aren’t many left-hitting, right-throwing 6’0″ outfielders in the modern game but Halpin’s tools are very exciting. (per Last Word on Baseball)
Round 4, Pick 124: Milan Tolentino, SS, Santa Margarita HS
Milan Tolentino is a 2020 SS/RHP with a 6-1 180 lb. frame from Mission Viejo, CA who attends Santa Margarita Catholic. Medium athletic build with good present strength and room for plenty more. Left handed hitter, hits from a slightly open stance with a good coil over his back side, good balance through a hanging front leg load, line drive swing plane and can show some lift when he turns on the ball, loose hands and can manipulate the barrel and hit the ball hard to all fields, high average approach with projectable power. 6.74 runner, has very polished footwork in the middle infield, moves easily through the ball, arm is loose and effortless, makes very accurate throws. Also pitched, works from the stretch with a compact high 3/4's arm slot, lands open with his front side, some energy at release. Fastball topped out at 90 mph, mostly straight. Short downer curveball for strikes, tends to drop slot on a running change up. Son of former MLB first baseman and long-time Angels broadcaster Jose Tolentino. Good student, verbal commitment to UCLA. Named to play in the Perfect Game All-American Classic. (per Perfect Game)
Round 5, Pick 154: Mason Hickman, P, Vanderbilt
Hickman, a native of Hendersonville, Tennessee, was drafted out of high school by the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth round of the 2017 MLB Draft. Rather than signing, the 6’6”, 230-pound arm opted to attend Vanderbilt, where he amassed a 19-2 record, 3.13 ERA and a 3.35 strikeout-to-walk ratio in three seasons. (Per Vanderbilt Hustler)
Much like any other baseball draft, it will be awhile before you see these guys at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario. In 2020 though, with no Minor League season, you wonder how many of the HS picks will even sign and forego their college careers. We are definitely interested to see how this plays out.
