1. Detroit Tigers | Spencer Torkelson, 1b, Arizona State
The Tigers stick with their guy here. He never stopped hitting at a high level since the day he stepped foot on campus at Arizona State, even breaking some school records held by Barry Bonds. He had good summers on the Cape and with Team USA and looks like one of the better hitting prospects in recent memory, with high-end power upside. (JG)
2. Baltimore Orioles | Austin Martin, 3b/cf, Vanderbilt
Accumulating impact-level talent is of the utmost priority for the Orioles and taking Martin here would accomplish just that. Along with the No. 1 overall pick from the 2019 MLB Draft, Adley Rutschman, Martin has standout offensive tools and could be the best pure hitter available this year to go along with defensive versatility. (PE)
3. Miami Marlins | Asa Lacy, lhp, Texas A&M
With the two biggest position player names off the board, the Marlins need to snag the next best player available and that is clearly Lacy. It really wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s taken second overall by the Orioles, but if available, Miami would love to get him. With a fastball in the high 90’s as well as a plus-plus slider and advanced command with his arsenal, he’s expected to be an ace in the big leagues someday. (CS)
4. Kansas City Royals | Nick Gonzales, 2b, New Mexico State
Gonzales is a physical right-handed hitter who has just put up outstanding numbers in his time at New Mexico State and on the Cape. The power was put on display in a big way this spring with 12 home runs in just 16 games played. He played some shortstop this spring, but he should no doubt be sticking at second base long term. The strength of the hit tool is the carrier here. (TR)
5. Toronto Blue Jays | Emerson Hancock, rhp, Georgia
Another power SEC arm, Hancock also has the potential to be a frontline starter in the big leagues. He looked fabulous in his four starts this past shortened season going 4-0 with a 12.75 k/9 rate. There will still be plenty of quality bats available later in the draft for the Blue Jays, so they take the next best pitching option after Lacy here. (CS)
6. Seattle Mariners | Max Meyer, rhp, Minnesota
Meyer tied a Minnesota record with sixteen saves as a freshman and then starred in the same roll for team USA. He has transitioned easily into a starting role and was having a monster early spring. He has two plus pitches with an upper 90s fastball and a low 90s slider which could be argued as the best in the class. There are questions surrounding his size, but the arm talent and athleticism is too much to pass on. (JG)
7. Pittsburgh Pirates | Zac Veen, of, Spruce Creek HS (Fla.)
He’s done nothing but rise up draft boards since his appearance at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter last October. There’s good length to his frame and fantastic athleticism to his game. Truly the rise is all about his smooth lefty stroke and display of pop as he really started to show an ability to back spin baseballs this spring. (CS)
8. San Diego Padres | Cade Cavalli, rhp, Oklahoma
A name that could have seen himself go even sooner in this year’s draft had the pandemic not cut things off is Cade Cavalli. His draft stock has risen pretty substantially over the course of the past calendar year and what he showed in the shortened season, with Team USA last summer as well as in 12 starts a year ago. The fastball gets into the 97-98 mph peak range and the slider is plus more often than not. (GG)
9. Colorado Rockies | Austin Hendrick, of, West Allegheny HS (Pa.)
Take your pick on who the top prep bat is in this year’s Draft class, but Austin Hendrick certainly has to be in that conversation. The lefthanded hitting outfielder has huge raw power and is going to be considered in the top 10 picks and why not go to the organization where that power tool will play the most in the thin air of Colorado. Hendrick did not get a chance to lace up the spikes in 2020 but the showing on the circuit last summer and fall have to give scouts a good idea of the ceiling. (GG)
10. Los Angeles Angels | Mick Abel, rhp, Jesuit HS (Ore.)
Abel is a first-round talent that has near-limitless projection from the right-side. A 2019 PG All-American, the Oregon native generates easy velocity that has been into the high 90s with potential for more in the 6-5, 190 pound frame. Abel has an elite secondary offering in the mid 80s slider, showing the ability to generate swings-and-misses both in and out of the zone. While Oregon State has certainly generated top-level arms in the past, Abel is a likely candidate to find himself in a professional system right out of high school. (NS)
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