2,075 MLB PLAYERS | 14,476 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
College  | Rankings  | 4/16/2020

Top 10 College Seniors

Patrick Ebert     
Photo: John McMillon (Texas Tech Athletics/Michael Strong)

2020 MLB Draft: Top 250 College | 2021 MLB Draft: Top 200 College | 2022 MLB Draft: Top 100 College | 2020 College Preview: Top 50 College Seniors

See also: Having A Knack For Success | Hughes Earns Opportunities

College seniors have always provided the draft with an interesting commodity. Given how much money is involved with scouting, and using that money in creative ways to get certain players signed at certain slots, seniors often provide a cost-savings opportunity for teams to allow that creativity to happen.

Look no further than the New York Mets in 2019, who went big with their first three picks – high-level high school players Brett Baty, Josh Wolf and Matt Allan – signing that trio to $8.55 million, more than their full allotment in the top 10 rounds.

But to be able to spend their pre-determined, allotted pool (and a little more) the Mets also needed to sign each of their other draft picks selected within the Top 10 rounds. They did just that, with seven college seniors, one of which was Mississippi State star outfielder Jake Mangum, who signed for a combined $62,000.

That example might be an extreme one, but it is something nearly every team has used to their financial advantage in recent years.

It remains to be seen how many rounds there will be in the 2020 MLB Draft. There may be as few as five rounds, a length that does not favor the college senior based on the limited opportunities. Major League Baseball has already made it be known that any eligible but undrafted player can sign after the draft is conducted for $20,000. Considering that the NCAA has decided to give all players an extra year of eligibility, many to most expect the majority of players to return to college rather than sign for that amount of money.

However, some of the college seniors have the talent to warrant an early, Top 5 round selection, beginning with East Tennessee State staff ace Landon Knack. Knack has seen his stuff rise from the mid- to upper-80s while at Walters State in 2018 to the low-90s as a junior at ETSU in 2019 and now touching the upper-90s as a senior. His breaking ball and changeup still need further development, but considering how far he has come, it’s not hard to envision him improving even further at the professional level.

Texas Tech flamethrower John McMillon has flirted with triple digits and his arm strength has been well identified since his high school playing days. He entered the season as one of the nation’s top seniors and did nothing to change that reputation.

Luke Smith was an integral part to Louisville’s success, Brian Van Belle (Miami) and Jonathan Hughes (Georgia Tech) served as staff aces at prominent ACC programs while Jack Hartman and Lael Lockhart, Jr. have repeatedly proven to have the stuff to miss bats consistently.

Seven of the Top 10 college seniors identified below are pitchers, but there are some intriguing skills and tools to be had with the three position players listed. Cam Shepherd is a well-rounded shortstop who has started at the position from the very first day he stepped on campus over four years ago. Terence Norman has enjoyed a very productive career at Kennesaw State and TJ Collett has been a home run waiting to happen for Kentucky.

To view where the top 10 college seniors rank overall, please click on the Top 250 prospects link above for PG's full college draft board for the 2020 MLB Draft.

Top 10 College Seniors

Rk. Player Pos. School
1 Landon Knack RHP East Tennessee State
2 John McMillon RHP Texas Tech
3 Jack Hartman RHP Appalachian State
4 Luke Smith RHP Louisville
5 Brian Van Belle RHP Miami
6 Jonathan Hughes RHP Georgia Tech
7 Cam Shepherd SS Georgia
8 Lael Lockhart, Jr. LHP Houston
9 Terence Norman OF Kennesaw State
10 TJ Collett 1B Kentucky

College Player Database

2020 Player Reports: John McMillon, Brian Van Belle, Jonathan Hughes



John McMillon, RHP, Texas Tech
John McMillon came into 2020 as the No. 1-ranked senior in all of college baeball. When you look at a 6-foot-3, 230-pound prospect who flirts with triple digits on the mound and will show plus raw power at the plate, it’s hard not to be enamored with the potential and during this look McMillon provided one inning of scoreless baseball.


This is PG 'DiamondKast' Level content.
You must be either an DiamondKast, Crosschecker Rankings & Scouting Reports, or Scout subscriber to read the rest.
Sign in
DiamondKast
PG Special Events
Travel, Lodging, Entertainment
PG Partners
Recommended
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2024 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.