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Round 1 of the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft is tonight. Detroit has taken Arizona State slugger Spencer Torkelson with the first overall pick and Arkansas outfielder Heston Kjerstad goes to Baltimore with the second pick. Miami selected right-hander Max Meyer from Minnesota at number three and Kansas City grabbed Texas A&M lefty Asa Lacy. Vanderbilt shortstop/outfielder Austin Martin—predicted by many to go number two overall—is now a Toronto Blue Jay at pick number five.

You can watch here or check out the draft tracker here.


The Blue Jays selected right-hander Alek Manoah with the 11th pick of the 2019 MLB draft from West Virginia.



The Jays have a total bonus pool of $9,716,500 for the five-round Rule 4 draft. Rounds 2-5 will be held tomorrow.



Round 1 - 5th overall. SS/OF Austin Martin. Vanderbilt. Bats Right, Throws Right. 6-foot-0, 180 lbs. Born March 23, 1999. Slot Value $6,180,700

MLB.com Scouting Report - Martin has a chance to follow the path set by Dansby Swanson, who played a starring role in a Vanderbilt national championship and went No. 1 overall in the 2015 Draft. A 37th-round pick by the Indians as a Florida high schooler in 2017, he could have gone in the top five rounds if signability weren't a factor. He started games at six different positions as a freshman and opened last year at second base before settling in at third base, leading NCAA Division I in runs (87) and the Southeastern Conference in hitting (.392) and on-base percentage (.486). The best pure hitter in the 2020 Draft, Martin has tremendous feel for the barrel and makes consistent hard contact with a short, quick right-handed stroke. He's not overly physical and may not have more than average raw power, but his hitting ability allows him to tap into every bit of it. He controls the strike zone extremely well and uses the entire field, exhibiting no weaknesses at the plate. Martin possesses solid speed and the instincts to play faster than that on the bases. A twitchy athlete, he has the quick feet, soft hands and enough arm to handle almost any position, though there are some concerns about his throwing. Scouts were hoping to see him at shortstop in 2020, but he instead opened the season at third base before moving to center field (where he could be a solid defender), and there's some thought he could wind up at second base. Video

Baseball America Scouting Report - A first team All-American and Golden Spikes semifinalist after an outstanding sophomore season in which he hit .392/.486/.604 and was third in the country in hits, Martin has long been one of the favorites for the first overall pick in the 2020 draft. Martin has some of the best pure hitting ability in the class, with eye-popping bat speed, excellent contact ability and impressive plate discipline as well. Martin also appeared to be increasing his power production. He hit eight home runs as a sophomore after tallying just one in his freshman season. He hit three in 16 games in 2020 before the season was canceled, with the best isolated slugging percentage of his career (.286). Some people have thrown Dansby Swanson comparisons on Martin, as both are at the top of their respective classes and Vanderbilt products, but without spending any time at shortstop, it’s perhaps more misleading than accurate. There aren’t many 1-1 candidate prospects who made position changes during their draft-eligible seasons, so perhaps Ian Happ is a better comparison in terms of tools and defensive versatility, though Martin’s contact ability and presence in the box are superior to Happ’s at the time. After spending most of his time with Vanderbilt at third base, Martin moved to center field after a few games this spring. He also played center field with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, and while he doesn’t have elite speed or the best first step, he has the instincts and athleticism to handle the position. Martin is more of a plus runner than a true burner, and while teams would have liked to see him handle shortstop, it is concerning for his pro potential at the position considering he wasn’t the shortstop on his college team. Even if Martin doesn’t wind up at shortstop, he has the defensive ability to become an asset at a premium position, whether that’s in center field, third base or second. While there are questions about his future defensive home, Martin’s offensive resume is as impressive as any in the country, with the ability to hit for high average, draw plenty of walks, hit for extra bases and also be a disruptive runner on the bases. His profile is as complete as it gets in the 2020 class.

Twitter Reaction

@GregorChisholm #BlueJays take Austin Martin with the fifth overall pick. The 21-year-old was called the best prospect in the draft by @keithlaw and he was ranked second overall by @MLBPipeline, which had him as the best overall hitter in the draft. Listed at SS but could go 3B/OF too.

@jgoldstrass The Blue Jays selected James Bond's car at No. 5. (Seriously, though, I'm THRILLED)

@ShiDavidi #BlueJays select Vanderbilt's Austin Martin, described by BA and MLB Pipeline as the best pure hitter in the draft class.

@jonmorosi The @BlueJays are going to be an exciting team for a long, long time. They select Austin Martin of the @VandyBoys. Toronto *already* had one of the best position player cores in @MLB . Great night for baseball in Canada. @MLBNetwork

@bnicholsonsmith @keithlaw ranked Martin as the draft's top prospect over the weekend. Just now on MLB Network, Dan O'Dowd says #BlueJays got the best player in the draft. With multi-position versatility, exceptional contact skills & some power potential, Austin Martin has drawn comps to Justin Turner & Ben Zobrist (via @kileymcd).

@bnicholsonsmith Speaking with MLB Network, #BlueJays first-round pick Austin Martin, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., says he played with Bo Bichette when they were younger. As for being taken as a SS, Martin says, "I'm ready for whatever they want to throw at me."

@MattEddyBA How exciting is the Blue Jays' lineup of the future? Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Bo Bichette Austin Martin Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Cavan Biggio Jordan Groshans Alejandro Kirk And don't give up on Danny Jansen

Phil Clarke @PClarke_II Let’s goo!!!! I can’t wait to be teammates again @austin_martin99

@RobFai Blue Jays fans should be thrilled that Austin Martin fell to #5 - this is a huge get for this organization. Big time school, big time winner & could make Toronto infield unbelievable and don’t forget Jordan Groshans as well... Amazing, love this pick. #bluejays #vandyboys

@ArashMadani New Blue Jays draft pick Austin Martin tells Jessica Mendoza, "I hate losing more than I like winning." Sounds like he and Bo Bichette will get along quite fine together.

@KPapetti Between Auston Matthews and Austin Martin, you could say that the city of Toronto has...Austin Powers.

@CarlosACollazo This is the best value of the draft so far for me. Love everything about Austin Martin's profile, and believe he's the best pure hitter in the class. #MLBDraft

@marchulet Biggest draft steals/value so far: Zac Veen to @Rockies at 9 and Austin Martin to @bluejays at 5. They were 1-2 for me. The fringe player development in Colorado worries me a bit but Martin is in a plus development org.

@ScottyMitchTSN In stealing Austin Martin at No. 5 overall Wednesday night, the #BlueJays added another potential cornerstone position player to an already-impressive core of kids. Suddenly, that 95-loss season doesn’t seem so bad.

@ShiDavidi Austin Martin's surprise availability to #BlueJays at No. 5 is a reminder of importance of prepping for every scenario. On Monday, ASD Shane Farrell said, "we still want to process everybody at the top of our board equally and make sure we’re spending enough time on those guys."

@MMarinoMiLB Wow, some true surprises tonight, but I don't think there is anyone out there that saw Austin Martin dropping to five. A tremendous steal. #MLBDraft

Shane Farrell for POTUS2020 @mason_mcrae The Blue Jays have a nucleus of Bo Bichette, VGJ, Danny Jansen and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. They’ll be adding Austin Martin, Simone Woods Richardon, Alek Manoah, and Nate Pearson soon. Shane Farrell just pulled off one of the greatest picks in Blue Jays history. Unbelievable.

@mason_mcrae Austin Martin’s an absolute robbery at 5. He’s the top prospect on my board and there’s no way of truly understanding how much value he’ll add off the field. This is somebody that’ll change the atmosphere in the organization, a leader and gamer with elite makeup.

@mason_mcrae Players like Martin don’t grow on trees. These are players that teams spend years trying to find. A player with six tools and the competitiveness to still want to get better. Better hold onto him Toronto, four teams made a huge mistake passing on him.

@bnicholsonsmith As for where Austin Martin will report next, #BlueJays are still working through that. With no minor-league season expected and limits on travel & facility use, there's no roadmap for development here.

@bnicholsonsmith As for where Austin Martin will report next, #BlueJays are still working through that. With no minor-league season expected and limits on travel & facility use, there's no roadmap for development here.

@ArashMadani At No. 5, amateur scouting director Shane Farrell says that for the Blue Jays, Austin Martin was "the best player (left) on the board."

@bnicholsonsmith #BlueJays weren't expecting to land Austin Martin, but they're "ecstatic" to have drafted him 5th overall per scouting director Shane Farrell. At the plate, "extremely high contact rate" with power potential. Jays like his defensive versatility, too.

@ScottyMitchTSN #BlueJays director of amateur scouting Shane Farrell says they definitely were a bit surprised Austin Martin was there at 5. As expected, they’re not talking much about his development plan in terms of position but the love the offensive package.

@ArashMadani Blue Jays amateur scouting director Shane Farrell on Austin Martin at the plate: "Well above average hitter; manages strike zone well; really good bat-to-ball skills."

@SNCarlyAgro I’m already preparing my on air apology for when I’m reading @BlueJays highlights again and I say Auston Matthews @am34 instead of Austin Martin #MLBDraft #BlueJays

@MaxHerzTalks Austin Martin fun fact, since the Blue Jays announced him as a SS. In 140 college games, he played 17 innings at shortstop. He played more at five other positions. SS was his high school position and his deployment elsewhere was almost universally based on team needs all 3 yrs

@JoeHealyBA Anyone who listens to our podcast know that I'm a huge Austin Martin fan. I don't really care what position he plays, although I think he would be good at a number of positions, the guy hit .400 in the SEC and that's enough for me (and probably the Blue Jays).

@MaxTGoodman It's only a matter of time until the Toronto Blue Jays are legitimate contenders in the AL East. And that's for years to come. Adding Austin Martin to an already incredibly talented young core? Watch out. #MLBDraft

@aaronfitt Certainly the Jays must be feeling pretty pleased to get Austin Martin at No. 5. I don’t know what position he winds up being, but his athleticism will play. Maybe he gives you some Zobrist-ian flexibility and competes for batting titles.

@jjcoop36 Blue Jays taking Austin Martin at SS makes sense. A lot of scouts wanted to see if he could handle to spot at Vandy. Ended up playing more CF than anywhere else in the shortened 2020 season. Versatility helps for a team with Vlad Jr./Bichette.
2020 MLB Draft - Day 1 | 102 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Gerry - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:05 PM EDT (#387322) #
Virtually all the mocks say Meyer to the Jays.
85bluejay - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:09 PM EDT (#387323) #
I would be spreading the money around.
Gerry - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:21 PM EDT (#387324) #
Surprise at #2, Jays have to re-evaluate.
Gerry - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:22 PM EDT (#387325) #
Probably the Orioles will underpay him and use the dollars later.
#2JBrumfield - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:23 PM EDT (#387326) #
For the record, I would prefer Gonzales.
Gerry - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:24 PM EDT (#387327) #
Meyer might go at #3 and leave the Jays going to plan B.
#2JBrumfield - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:25 PM EDT (#387328) #
Eric Longenhagen from Fangraphs is tweeting Meyer to Miami at number 3.
finch - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:27 PM EDT (#387329) #
Let’s hope for Martin at 5
greenfrog - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:29 PM EDT (#387330) #
As I wrote in the earlier thread: "I think there will be some surprises early in the draft (top ten). It seems like a somewhat fluid situation, and yes, teams are likely trying to get their desired player and also save some pool money for subsequent picks."
#2JBrumfield - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:29 PM EDT (#387331) #
Lacy or Martin now in play.
greenfrog - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:30 PM EDT (#387332) #
Lacy is off the board. Who will the Jays pick?
Gerry - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:31 PM EDT (#387333) #
Lacy gone, Veen, Martin or Gonzalez available.
greenfrog - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:34 PM EDT (#387334) #
It's gotta be Martin, I would think.
Forkball - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:35 PM EDT (#387335) #
Martin confirmed in a couple places.
greenfrog - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:36 PM EDT (#387336) #
Also as I wrote in the earlier thread:

"Best-case scenario is that Martin somehow falls to the Jays."
Glevin - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:36 PM EDT (#387337) #
Would be thrilled with Martin. Probably number one prospect and probably slots into CF. Dream scenario. Just take him!!
greenfrog - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:37 PM EDT (#387338) #
Excellent!
finch - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:38 PM EDT (#387339) #
Fantastic pick! I would take him at 1
Forkball - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:39 PM EDT (#387340) #
Was watching Keith Law’s feed and he called him the best player in the draft, he’s everything you want in a college player, and Jays’ fans should be ecstatic.

It’ll be interesting to see if anything comes out on why the O’s and others passed on him.
Gerry - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:40 PM EDT (#387341) #
The Detroit Free Press has an article giving five reasons why the Tigers should have taken Martin at #1.
Gerry - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:43 PM EDT (#387342) #
Keith Law on Martin:

Martin may not be the first overall pick this year, but he’s the best overall prospect due to his combination of performance, athleticism and all-around quickness. There’s some Javy Báez to his hand speed, although unlike the young Báez, Martin rarely strikes out. We haven’t seen a top college prospect this athletic since George Springer in 2011, although before the draft Springer had the two-strike approach of a turnip. Martin punched out barely 10 percent of the time in 2019, and just twice in 69 plate appearances before baseball shut down in March. He did have issues with throwing at the start of this season, prompting the move to center field, and we don’t know if it was an injury or something else. He’s going to end up at a skill position — center, third, second, maybe shortstop if his arm is back to normal — and hit for average with developing power. That’s the kind of probability with upside you want at the first overall pick.
Gerry - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:46 PM EDT (#387343) #
Jays announced Martin as a shortstop so they will try him there first.
greenfrog - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:55 PM EDT (#387344) #
Here is Jim Callis' quick take:

"This is a nice get for the Blue Jays, landing the best pure hitter in the Draft at No. 5 after most of us thought he would go second overall. There is no question in my mind that he is going to hit. In addition, he has some deceptive power and is a quality athlete with the versatility to play a lot of positions. There were some questions about his throwing this spring, so announcing him as shortstop is interesting, but it’s worth seeing if he can play there. At worst, he should be able to play a solid second base and center field."
Gerry - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 07:56 PM EDT (#387345) #
Martin just said on MLB TV that he played with Bo Bichette when he was younger.
Gerry - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:08 PM EDT (#387346) #
I will have to be careful to write Austin Martin and not Aston Martin.
SK in NJ - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:09 PM EDT (#387347) #
Great pick. There was talk before the draft that the O’s would go elsewhere with the 2nd, but didn’t expect Martin to fall to 5 when it happened. Very exciting pick.
Shoeless Joe - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:15 PM EDT (#387348) #
This is a dream scenario, and likely the future CF for this team. I was hoping this would happen, but really did not think enough people would pass on him. He destroyed the SEC, had a low strikeout rate, pretty swing and premium athlete.
Shoeless Joe - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:19 PM EDT (#387349) #
The only downside is having to listen to Buck and Pat talk about how they can’t believe Baltimore passed on Martin, the 19 times we play them each year.
Paul D - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:23 PM EDT (#387350) #
Martin was born in 1999, the year the Jay's drafted Alex Rios
James W - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:24 PM EDT (#387351) #
This could not have gone better for Toronto.
tercet - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:27 PM EDT (#387352) #
Can anyone think of why Martin dropped so much? The only other college hitter I can think of in the last 10 years that dropped so much was Rendon, which ended up well for the Nationals.
greenfrog - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:29 PM EDT (#387353) #
Bichette SS
Martin CF
Vlad Jr. 1B
Gurriel Jr. LF
Biggio 2B
Jansen (McGuire) C

That's a good young position player core, and the prospect pipeline includes some quality talent in Groshans, Orelvis, Kirk, Moreno, Hiraldo and others.
scottt - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:30 PM EDT (#387354) #
Really happy here.

I guess other teams had already decided who they were picking and didn't upgrade, maybe because he's going to ask for all his slot money and then some.

vw_fan17 - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:34 PM EDT (#387355) #
I will have to be careful to write Austin Martin and not Aston Martin.

And for me, also not Auston Martin.. If he somehow gets number 34, AM34 will be huge in Toronto all-year long :-)
vw_fan17 - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:35 PM EDT (#387356) #
Keith Law on Martin:

Martin may not be the first overall pick this year, but he’s the best overall prospect due to his combination of performance, athleticism and all-around quickness.
Keith Law next week: Jays picked the worst player of the 1st round.. :-)
Gerry - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:36 PM EDT (#387357) #
Why did Martin slip?

Orioles decided to go underslot at 2.

Marlins are unpredictable but they decided they wanted the best arm at 3.

Royals could have gone Martin but Lacy was third on most mocks so that was a 50/50 call.

Luck? He did have arm issues in the spring, that might have scared some teams.
greenfrog - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:39 PM EDT (#387359) #
Martin's throwing/arm issues this spring apparently prompted a move from SS to CF. There seems to be a lack of specificity in the draft coverage as to what those issues were. Hopefully nothing serious.
Shoeless Joe - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:40 PM EDT (#387360) #
Prospect Team 2022:

3B Groshans
SS Bichette
2B Biggio
1B Vlad
LF: Gurriel
CF: Martin
RF: Conine/Robertson
DH: Kirk

SP: Pearson
SP: Woods-Richardson
SP: Manoah
SP: Kloffenstein
SP: Kay

SU: Perez
CL: Murphy


Shoeless Joe - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:42 PM EDT (#387361) #
Baltimore is notorious for tough medicals, might have scared them off Martin.
Mike Green - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:43 PM EDT (#387362) #
What James W said.  Could not have turned out better. 
scottt - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:45 PM EDT (#387363) #
Yeah, maybe but we didn't need a shortstop and if he can play center decently, that's also a prime position.
scottt - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:47 PM EDT (#387364) #
Nah, Baltimore could have gone with Lacy.
They have 3 high picks and probably trying to save money so they can get 3 top prospects instead of just the one.
They'll be picking early again and again, anyway.

greenfrog - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:50 PM EDT (#387365) #
Shoeless, your 2022 team needs a catcher.
Shoeless Joe - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:51 PM EDT (#387366) #
Martin didn’t play SS in 2019-2020, games by position:

3B: 56
2B: 13
CF: 12
1B: 4
Gerry - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:52 PM EDT (#387367) #
It's good to watch baseball players hitting and pitching again, even if its just for one night.
uglyone - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 08:55 PM EDT (#387368) #
Excellent.
rafael - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 09:01 PM EDT (#387369) #
I'm calling jays grab the Canadian in round two.
because $$ may help line up if the 1st round car ends up extra expensive
scottt - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 09:05 PM EDT (#387370) #
I don't see Martin getting more than slot plus some of the allowed over.
He sounds pretty happy and he's going to be on a team full of young talented guys.
Also, he did have the arm issue.

scottt - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 09:16 PM EDT (#387371) #
The Orioles made a mockery of all the mock drafts.
greenfrog - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 09:20 PM EDT (#387372) #
Groshans says he's healthy and ready to go:

https://www.milb.com/news/ready-and-waiting-jordan-groshans
scottt - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 09:23 PM EDT (#387373) #
Yeah, well, I'm just hoping Guerrero didn't pick up any weight during the lockdown like I did.
scottt - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 09:26 PM EDT (#387374) #
Mitchell fell all the way to 20th.
I'm glad the Red Sox passed on him. He's the type of guy I like to root for.

greenfrog - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 09:29 PM EDT (#387375) #
Vanderbilt's head baseball coach, Tim Corbin, likened Martin's hitting ability and approach to that of Anthony Rendon.
Shoeless Joe - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 09:42 PM EDT (#387376) #
Martin is likely the Jays second best prospect after Pearson.
greenfrog - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 09:52 PM EDT (#387377) #
The Jays should have a pretty good farm system after this year’s Rule 4 draft and IFA draft.
greenfrog - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 10:03 PM EDT (#387378) #
IFA signing period, that is. It’s not a draft (yet).

And, of course, the farm system was already respectable before tonight.
Glevin - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 10:06 PM EDT (#387379) #
Going to be some good pitching available in the next round. Jays will likely have to go a bit overslot for Martin so will need savings somewhere but could easily do it by punting fifth round with college senior.
scottt - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 10:09 PM EDT (#387380) #
Giving that Martin was ranked so high, the Jays farm system as whole, probably gets a lift.

Now, if there is no milb baseball, the top prospect ranking is going to lose some relevance.

85bluejay - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 10:46 PM EDT (#387381) #
As everyone has mentioned, the Jays came up roses - reminiscent of the Nationals getting Rendon in 2011. Second year in a row that a more highly regarded prospect has fallen to the Jays - I expect Martin will use up the full slot but the Jays should get a quality college arm at 42, though I'd like to see them take a shot at HS RHP Tanner Witt.

It hurt to see Nick Bitsko go to the Rays - they're very good at developing HS pitchers.
uglyone - Wednesday, June 10 2020 @ 11:28 PM EDT (#387382) #
I'm gonna be pessimistic on Martin's D for now until he proves me wrong. Let's call him a 2B for now.

My "true future core" jays:

CF Brown 18*
RF Hiraldo 19
LF Martinez 18
3B Groshans 20
SS Bichette 22
2B Martin 21
1B Guerrero 21
C Moreno 19
DH Kirk 20


RH Pearson 23
RH Richardson 19
RH Manoah 21
LH Kloffenstein 19
RH Pardinho 18


* - I just stuck Brown in there to dream on. I don't actually put him in the same prospect category as the others there.

We could use a legit CF-profile prospect or two imo.
rtcaino - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 12:00 AM EDT (#387383) #
Hypothetically, if Martin can handle one of the middle infield positions, could Bichette or Biggio play CF?
John Northey - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 12:11 AM EDT (#387384) #
Should be interesting to see how Martin does.

Last Round 1 pick for the Jays to make the majors and get at least 1 bWAR - Marcus Stroman (14.7) 2012

Last Round 1 pick to reach as a hitter Dwight Smith Jr. 2010; last to do anything J.P. Arencibia (1.9 WAR), last to be good Aaron Hill 2003 (24.4 WAR) - Travis Snider 2006 did get to 4.3 WAR but not what was hoped for by any stretch of the imagination.

Best Round 1 picks - Halladay (17th overall), Shawn Green (16th overall), Chris Carpenter (15th), Vernon Wells (5th).

7 picks in the top 5, only Lloyd Moseby (2nd overall 27.5 WAR) and Wells (28.6 WAR) were great. Billy Koch was a good closer for a bit but not great by any stretch.

5 more in the top 10 - Ricky Romero (9.9 from 2005), and Felipe Lopez (7.5 1998) are the only ones over 0 for WAR.

Now, WAR isn't perfect, but being sub 5 means you couldn't have had that big an impact on your team with rare exceptions (Pat Borders thanks to his 1992 World Series is an exception). Pretty near impossible to be 20+ and not be a very good player.

Tomorrow is picks #42, 77, 106, and 136 - all could be future ML'ers quite easily.

Best #42's: Dennis Leonard, Mookie Wilson, Clay Buchholz - no HOF'ers but all 3 were very solid. 36% of 42nd picks ever have made the majors. Jays only #42 was Dante Powell - a supplemental pick for loss of Free Agent Bud Black in 1991, the next pick was Scott Hatteberg (10 WAR for the Red Sox). Ah well.

Best #77's: Alex Wilson at 5.1 is the only one over 2 WAR (ugh). 34% reached, Jays only one is Jim Teahan (1977) who never reached and didn't sign

Best 106's: Tim Raines (1977), Dave Stieb (1978) - only ones over 5 WAR but both over 50. Also the Jays drafted Troy Bradford with this pick in 1989 (never reached, never signed).

Best 136's: Angel Pagan, Don Aase both cracked 10 but didn't reach 20 WAR. Rest are sub 3. This will the first time the Jays have pick #136.

So potential for a HOF'er or at least a very good player in those picks but also more likely to have just 1 or 2 reach and do very little. So if the Jays choose to punt one or more of those picks to ensure they sign Martin that would be a smart move based on history. Ideally they find another Tim Raines or Dave Stieb but odds are against it.
John Northey - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 12:18 AM EDT (#387385) #
Top players still available.... MLB.com rank
#12: Jared Kelley - high school RHP - verbally committed to the University of Texas
#23: Cole Wilcox - 4 year Sophomore RHP
#24: Dillon Dingler - 4 year Junior CA RH

The rest are 29th or lower. If the Jays can grab and sign any of those 3 that would be a big bonus. I suspect Kelley has said he won't sign cheap thus why he is not drafted yet. The other 2 are already in college and have 1 or 2 more years there if they want it.

Doubted there would be many top 20's on the list but a surprise that only 1 of the top 20 ranked is still there after round 1 as normally there are a few who have indicated they won't sign.
ayjackson - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 12:22 AM EDT (#387386) #
Moreno to CF?
rtcaino - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 12:26 AM EDT (#387387) #
Perhaps the O's will take a crack at Kelley. They should have the most excess allocation remaining.
scottt - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 05:55 AM EDT (#387388) #
MLB has Dingler as a catcher.

Wilcox has velo (97-97, can touch 100mph), but he has a low elbow delivery and a long arm stroke that has come with a history of getting hit harder than he should.

J. T. Ginn looks interesting. Coming off TJ, only threw 3 innings but good fastball that tops at 97mph with a wipeout slider.

ayjackson - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 07:58 AM EDT (#387389) #
"My "true future core" jays:

CF Brown 18*
RF Hiraldo 19
LF Martinez 18
3B Groshans 20
SS Bichette 22
2B Martin 21
1B Guerrero 21
C Moreno 19
DH Kirk 20


RH Pearson 23
RH Richardson 19
RH Manoah 21
LH Kloffenstein 19
RH Pardinho 18"

Pessimistic on Biggio too, or an oversight due to embarassment of riches? Maybe an offense/defense platoon in CF with Biggio/Brown?

Would like to see Moreno get some reps off catcher next year too.
Shoeless Joe - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 08:04 AM EDT (#387390) #
I am going to assume that Cole Wilxox, JT Ginn, Jared Kelley or Dax Fulton are not really on the Jays board because of injury or signability. It will likely that the Jays go after based on how the board is shaping up and what the current needs of the system are.

I think from the college ranks I like Cole Henry, but overall I expect them to go with a HS pitcher. I really like Alex Santos in this slot.

Glevin - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 08:17 AM EDT (#387391) #
I expect Jays to go underslot at 2. They need to make sure they have enough funds to sign Martin who will go over for sure. My guess is that he'll go for roughly a million over but you want to leave yourself a little room just in case. They get about $500k for going 5% over but still need to find another $500k-$1 million. Since there are only five rounds, it's not as easy as usual to find savings. They definitely can't go after any of the top players left now who will all require overslot deals.
Mike Green - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 08:24 AM EDT (#387392) #
Almost all of the club's talent bats right.  I think that Biggio will be a fixture here for many years to come.
Shoeless Joe - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 08:26 AM EDT (#387393) #
Biggio in his rookie year posted a 3.6 WAR/650PA season, and he is clearly a core piece until at least 2026. Martin has played CF and scouts liked his instincts there so I no reason why he can't settle in there, Dasan Brown is really far out.

I think with a 40 future speed grade Hiraldo and Martinez they will be limited to the infield, and with some 55 speed grades and a 60 arm its more likely that Groshans can slot into RF some day if needed.

Mike Green - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 08:35 AM EDT (#387394) #
And by the way, Kloffenstein is a righthander.  The club lists right in the pitching department too.  Anthony Kay and Ryan Borucki are going to get long looks.
Shoeless Joe - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 09:35 AM EDT (#387395) #
When was the last time the Jays drafted a player represented by Boras? After signing Ryu and drafting Martin it seems the Jays are finally willing to play ball with him.
bpoz - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 09:58 AM EDT (#387396) #
This FO has been lucky/good at getting our position prospects to the majors fast.

The pitching is slower. However injuries to Zeuch and Pearson in the year after being drafted slowed them down.

If Austin Martin can progress as fast as Biggio, Bichette and Vlad he arrives 2023.

Groshans, Kirk and Moreno also seem to be moving fast or somewhat fast.

uglyone - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 10:00 AM EDT (#387397) #
"Pessimistic on Biggio too, or an oversight due to embarassment of riches?"

Maybe an oversight but more just not considering a 25yr old part of the "future" core. He's definitely part of the "now" core....I'm just not sure the now core is good enough to do anything.

Glevin - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 10:11 AM EDT (#387398) #
"We could use a legit CF-profile prospect or two imo."

I think very good chance Martin ends up there and Brown has a possibility of making it there, but if the Jays want more depth,there are about 5 good CF prospects that Jays could take in 2nd/3rd including Canadian David Calebrese.

Fangraphs listed Martin as already the #49 prospect in baseball.
uglyone - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 10:19 AM EDT (#387399) #
Yeah like I said i'm just being pessimistic on defense for now - it's usually a good practice. With questions on his arm and speed I think even if he can hack it in CF it'll be real tough for him to become a plus defender there.....but who knows, maybe he can. TBH we're probably already settling for less-than-plus defense longterm at the other prime defensive spot with Bo at SS.
Shoeless Joe - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 10:47 AM EDT (#387400) #
Farrell mentioned Martin’s flexibility “is exciting and valuable” in terms of team building. While Martin was drafted as a shortstop, Farrell said where he ends up long term is a discussion Martin and the Blue Jays will need to have.

“We don’t want to chart a player’s development plan without his participation, so we’re looking forward to getting to know Austin even more and discussing those things so that he’s in the best position to impact the big-league team when he gets there,” Farrell said.

https://theathletic.com/1865778/2020/06/10/blue-jays-land-top-college-bat-austin-martin-at-no-5-in-unpredictable-mlb-draft/

hypobole - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 10:48 AM EDT (#387401) #
The Jays' issues with Boras were really Beeston issues with Boras, no?
scottt - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 10:49 AM EDT (#387402) #
I'd say from the SS tag, that they're looking at him as a super utility guy.
If he hits, he'll get his ABs.

scottt - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 10:57 AM EDT (#387403) #
Manfred announced him as a shortstop, but the Blue Jays had him listed as "infielder/outfielder".
Shoeless Joe - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 11:03 AM EDT (#387404) #
Shane Farrell is the amateur scouting director for the Blue Jays, and by his comments there is no real path for him has been set by the team.
scottt - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 11:12 AM EDT (#387405) #
Some people have plans when they buy a lottery ticket and some don't.

Miami could have gone with Lacy but they chose Mayer because he's probably a bit cheaper.
KC wanted a position player and they got one later in the night but they had Lacy ranked higher.

Farrell just lucked up and had no plan. The Jays infield is super crowded, but they'll try him around and evaluate him. If he can play CF, he likely ends up there, but he could be a super utility guy.
I can't imagine his defense is much worse than what we have right now.

Shoeless Joe - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 11:24 AM EDT (#387406) #
I think Miami has shown in the past they value stuff over stature in pitchers when they acquired Sixto Sanchez as their centerpiece in the Realmuto trade. I don't think they are are afraid of the fact Myer is 6" which is why he didn't go first overall.
bpoz - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 11:36 AM EDT (#387407) #
Hard for me to remember recent old news. I think the Jays had all their scouts still helping out during the lock down.

So lots of discussions for weeks I imagine. S Farrell and the group had to make fast adjustments after the 2nd pick. We don't know which player they were aiming for before A Martin became theirs for the taking. Martin had to be the safe impact pick after Lacy was gone.

Day 2 will reveal their drafting strategy.

Shoeless Joe - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 11:53 AM EDT (#387408) #
I also think at #42 or #77 the Jays might have interest in Connor Phillips again. They drafted him in 35th round last year after he turned down third round money, but he is the type of pitcher they covet. He was also a high school teamate of Groshans and Kloffenstein so they likely have well scouted. He is ranked #94 by MLB Pipeline and #95 by Baseball America.
Nigel - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 12:05 PM EDT (#387409) #
Boras and Beeston certainly have no love for each other by all reports but, I think, the issues with Boras are really financial. Boras wants his clients to go to market, get in auctions and get the most money (all of which is his and his client's right) - that's a field of play that they Jays have decided they don't want to play in.
uglyone - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 01:19 PM EDT (#387410) #
Can't think they'll hesistate to sign him to whatever it takes.

And of course I'll applaud management for paying up for the elite talent instead of deferring down for more lottery tickets.

hypobole - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 01:21 PM EDT (#387411) #
Beeston destroyed Boras client Paxton's college career in 2009 which definitely led to bad blood.
scottt - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 01:29 PM EDT (#387412) #
It's all about individuals and Toronto doesn't even have a *real* owner who could be in bad terms with Boras.

Boras will always try to get the most money, but in the draft, teams have a hard cap.
It doesn't help anybody if Martin is offered slot+10% and refuse to sign.

Maybe someone has an idea on how to google how much over slot Boras first rounders have signed for in the current CBA?

Shoeless Joe - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 02:18 PM EDT (#387413) #
Keith Law stated in his chat today that he doesn't expect Martin to sign for overslot.
PeterG - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 03:06 PM EDT (#387414) #
I agree that he likely won't require over slot. Other teams probably wanted him to go under slot and he declined. Jays will go slot I am sure. It is possible there is already general agreement in place.
Mylegacy - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 03:33 PM EDT (#387415) #
Shoeless and Pete...

I've read Law's stuff at the Athletic. He did say, "he doesn't EXPECT Martin to sign for overslot." (I've inserted the caps)

Peter says, "I agree that he LIKELY won't REQUIRE over slot." (The caps are mine).

1) IM(H)O we NEVER expected Martin to fall to us at 5. I think it's unlikely we spent much time playing how we'd approach him because it just wasn't going to happen.
2) Boris has a client who Law says is 1st overall, who fell to 5th. Boris (and Natasha too) know that they can't force the Jays to give 1st round money for him - it just isn't there in the pool. However the only fluff we've got to pay with is (if I've understood the Draft pay system) there is a 6% over payment permitted.
3) I don't think Natasha will let Boris, let Martin, sign a deal for at least something over slot.
4) My decades of hating Boris are making me fear that Boris will run this game until nearly Aug 1st (which is the signing deadline - if I've got that correct). This will affect how we can get the next four signed.
5) I fear Boris will do a dance of death with Jays, refusing to sign until the Jays are forced to sign the next 4 below slot and give the extra loot to Martin. Which also means signing the next four will be a nightmare.
6) I hates Boris, I 'ates 'em!
Forkball - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 03:37 PM EDT (#387416) #
Slot money:
5 - $6.2 million
42 - $1.8 million
77 - $0.8 million
106 - $0.5 million
136 - $0.4 million

Plus about another $0.5 million for the 5% allowed overage.

Presuming Martin is at or near slot, the Jays could still take be in the neighborhood of $2.5 million if they liked someone dropping due to price. Possibly could go to $3 million but would essentially mean punting the other three picks.

Cole Wilcox is a draft-eligible sophomore and has some leverage. Big, hard-throwing dude from Georgia.

Generally, the Jays have gone over slot early, and made up the savings later (Groshans being the main exception). If they're going over slot it'll likely be when 42 comes up.

Presumably they have all the knowledge they need on what signings will cost going into tonight. Interested in how it plays out.
Shoeless Joe - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 03:59 PM EDT (#387417) #
Forkball I like your optimism on a big splash in RD 2.

I full expect a pitcher taller than 6’3, clean bill of health, 55+ fastball, less polished secondaries, with solid command. To me that seems like Alex Santos or maybe Cole Henry.
scottt - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 04:13 PM EDT (#387418) #
6M is first round money. You mean first overall money and that's just not possible.

Leverage; if he doesn't sign the Jays get the 6th pick next year, Boras gets nothing, Martin will be 22 and will probably draw less than 6M. There could be no raise in pool money again. 
And there's basically one year of free agency lost as well.

And then, there's a physical for that throwing arm.



John Northey - Thursday, June 11 2020 @ 05:15 PM EDT (#387419) #
Lots of factors there - plus when he was picked you can see on the video he was getting super-tense and his family and friends went nuts about him being picked. All good things. Plus the Jays have the advantage of saying there is a slot in the majors for you if you work hard as soon as next year which is a big plus. Going back into the draft means no ML time until 2022 at the earliest. So lots of incentive to sign and pressure. Boras from what I've read does whatever the player wants and encourages them to push for every penny but also is smart enough to play the long game. The Jays could talk about how once the 1 year waiting period is over they could sign him to a 5+ year deal or something. Maybe offer a scouting job to a family member or something to get extra cash in. Lots of ways to work it. I'm sure the pressure on draft picks this year will be high due to the uncertainty of 2021's draft and beyond (will it be small, big, cash limits, etc.) especially given the union has shown a willingness to slash the draft for their own benefit.
scottt - Friday, June 12 2020 @ 10:54 AM EDT (#387451) #
The sooner he gets to free agency, the sooner Boras gets real money.
Also, did he drop in the draft because of Boras? Maybe not, but that's not a good outlook and not signing this year would certainly caution other players against having Boras as an agent too early in their career.

Clarke was his catcher last year. He's going be on a decent team, not one just starting a rebuild like Baltimore.

The only thing I can think about is Atkins scaring him away with too many big words.

mathesond - Friday, June 12 2020 @ 12:32 PM EDT (#387455) #
"The only thing I can think about is Atkins scaring him away with too many big words."

He went to Vandy, I'm sure he knows at least as many big words as Atkins
scottt - Friday, June 12 2020 @ 09:05 PM EDT (#387464) #
Perhaps the scouts are take spin rates into consideration now.

John Northey - Friday, June 12 2020 @ 09:42 PM EDT (#387466) #
Oh, I guarantee if they have a way to measure the spin rates they would factor it in. The challenge is how to get that in college and high school games where the high end equipment used isn't available? Maybe using a quality camera you can figure it out (very high frame rate) or something. I could see for top level prospects using that if I was a team debating who to spend millions on.
bpoz - Sunday, June 14 2020 @ 01:15 PM EDT (#387479) #
The Jays were interested in Philip Clarke out of HS but did not get him. But got him in 2019. By playing on the same team as A Martin the scout responsible for P Clarke would have seen Austin Martin a lot. He probably provided a report on Martin as well to the Jays. So this was a happy coincidence. A head start on his development.
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