Because the Draft started in 1965, there has by no means been a harder 12 months than 2020. The pandemic shutdown ended the school and highschool seasons within the second week of March, and a few prepsters by no means even took the sector. In the course of the three months main as much as the Draft, groups had been left to guage gamers on video and meet with them by way of Zoom calls.
Plans to carry the Draft at the side of the School World Collection in Omaha had been scrapped. Main League Baseball and the MLB Gamers Affiliation agreed to scale back the occasion to 5 rounds, the fewest ever, and defer all however $100,000 of signing bonuses, with the rest paid in equal quantities in July 2021 and July 2022. Extra prime highschool prospects than common determined they’d be higher off attending school and re-entering the Draft two or three years later.
It was a Draft not like another, and never surprisingly, the outcomes have been blended. No. 1 general choose Spencer Torkelson has struggled greater than anticipated within the massive leagues, although he has rallied this season and is clearly one of the best participant from the highest 10 picks. Garrett Crochet (White Sox, first spherical), Pete Crow-Armstrong (Mets, first spherical) and Spencer Strider (Braves, fourth spherical) have been large successes, however there have not been many others, as you will see under as we establish the only option made by every membership:
Blue Jays: Austin Martin, OF/2B
The 2020 fifth general choose hasn’t lived as much as the billing as a possible 65-grade hitter in professional ball, however he will get the nod right here as the one member of the Draft class to have reached the Majors up to now over a fellow former Prime 100 prospect in Nick Frasso, who has struggled to remain wholesome and has misplaced some fastball velocity this season. The Vanderbilt product, who was traded to the Twins in July 2021 for José Berríos, performed 93 video games for Minnesota final 12 months as a utilityman and hit .253/.318/.352 whereas exhibiting above-average wheels. He obtained sizzling for Triple-A St. Paul to start this season, hitting .438 in 9 video games, however hasn’t performed since Could 6 because of a hamstring damage.
Orioles: Jordan Westburg, 3B/2B
Three of the Orioles’ six picks from this Draft have touched the massive leagues, however whereas Heston Kjerstad and Coby Mayo haven’t been capable of set up themselves, Westburg has accrued 3.9 bWAR thus far, most of that manufacturing coming in 2024 (2.4 WAR), when he was an All-Star for the playoff-bound Orioles. A hamstring damage shelved him for a month and a half, however he homered in his return on June 10.
Rays: Ian Seymour, LHP (No. 19)
Three strong seasons at Virginia Tech and a robust exhibiting within the Cape Cod League pushed Seymour into the second spherical 5 years in the past. Tommy John surgical procedure in June 2022 delayed his MLB arrival, however that lastly got here simply this week when the previous Massachusetts prep star obtained the win Monday at Fenway Park. Seymour nonetheless ranks fourth within the Minors with 84 strikeouts over 61 innings for Triple-A Durham, because of a misleading low-90s fastball and a plus low-80s changeup.
Crimson Sox: Nick Yorke, 2B
Yorke was laborious to scout as a California excessive schooler as a result of shoulder surgical procedure earlier than his 2019 junior season restricted him to DH responsibility that spring and restricted him on the showcase circuit that summer season earlier than his senior 12 months ended after 5 video games. The Crimson Sox surprised the business by drafting him seventeenth general, however he had an enormous professional debut — main the Low-A East in hitting (.323) and OPS (.913) whereas changing into simply the ninth teenaged batting qualifier to prime the .300/.400/.500 threshold in a full-season league in twenty years. He hasn’t approached these numbers since, nevertheless, and went to the Pirates in a 2024 commerce for Quinn Priester, whom Boston spun into two prospects (Yophery Rodriguez and John Holobetz) and a supplemental first-round choose from the Brewers in a deal this April. Yorke performed 11 video games with Pittsburgh final summer season, going 8-for-37 (.216).
Yankees: Austin Wells, C
The Yankees drafted Wells within the thirty fifth spherical out of a Las Vegas highschool in 2018 however needed to wait till he performed two seasons at Arizona to signal him as a first-rounder. He had probably the greatest all-around offensive profiles within the Draft and developed right into a a lot better defender than anticipated, overcoming doubts that he may keep behind the plate. He completed third in American League Rookie of the Yr balloting final 12 months after slashing .229/.322/.395 with 13 homers.
Guardians: Logan Allen, LHP
Allen performed each methods at Florida Worldwide, the place he grew to become the primary Golden Panther to play for the U.S. Nationwide Workforce, and supplied among the finest pitchability within the 2020 Draft. He has been a daily within the Guardians’ rotation since 2023 and has posted a 19-17 file with a 4.57 ERA in 57 video games (56 begins).
Royals: Nick Loftin, UTIL
Kansas Metropolis had excessive hopes that fourth general choose Asa Lacy may very well be a possible ace, however the Texas A&M lefty has struggled to remain wholesome in professional ball. As an alternative, Baylor product and thirty second general choice Loftin is the transfer right here as a three-year Main League contributor in Okay.C. Proprietor of a profession .621 OPS over 271 plate appearances, Loftin doesn’t are likely to hit the ball laborious within the bigs, however he doesn’t develop the zone a lot both, places the ball in play and provides worth as a utilityman who’s performed first base, second, third and left discipline in The Present.
Tigers: Spencer Torkelson, 1B
The 2020 first general choose’s resurgence has been one of many keys to Detroit’s possession of one of the best file within the Majors so far in 2025. Torkelson was famously despatched all the way down to Triple-A Toledo for two-plus months final 12 months however has returned to hit .237/.341/.509 with a 136 wRC+ by 65 video games this season. With 16 homers already, he’s nicely on his method to his second 30-dinger season prior to now three years, thus assembly the hype for his slugging skill out of Arizona State. His 1.6 fWAR in ‘25 is second amongst AL first basemen, behind solely Ryan O’Hearn’s 1.8.
Twins: Marco Raya, RHP (No. 6)
The Twins had 4 picks in 2020 (no third-rounder), and none of them have made the massive leagues thus far. Raya has come closest, reaching Triple-A this 12 months. Whereas he’s struggled at that stage up to now, he’s nonetheless solely 22 years previous and has come a great distance in proving himself as a pitcher somewhat than an undersized pure thrower. After a robust 12 months in attending to Double-A final 12 months, he was added to the Twins’ 40-man roster throughout the offseason. Even with a tough 2025, has struck out 10.1 per 9 in his Minor League profession.
White Sox: Garrett Crochet, LHP
Crochet’s stuff took an enormous leap ahead in fall follow at Tennessee earlier than the 2020 school season however he pitched solely as soon as within the spring, lacking the primary three weeks with gentle shoulder soreness. After the White Sox drafted him eleventh general and he dominated at their alternate coaching web site, he grew to become the primary participant to make his professional debut within the massive leagues since Mike Leake in 2010. He was additionally the primary pitcher with out professional expertise to go straight to the Majors in the identical 12 months he was drafted since Mike Morgan and Tim Conroy in 1978, and the primary school arm with out professional expertise to take action since Dick Ruthven and Eddie Bane in 1973. Crochet starred in Chicago’s bullpen in 2021 earlier than lacking the following season following Tommy John surgical procedure, pitched sparingly in 2023 after which moved to the rotation and have become an All-Star final 12 months. Traded to the Crimson Sox for 4 prospects in December, he at the moment sports activities a 2.35 ERA whereas main the AL in innings (88) and strikeouts (110). His 8.4 WAR (Baseball Reference model) tops all gamers within the 2020 Draft.
Angels: Reid Detmers, LHP
The very best school lefty within the 2020 Draft class, Detmers went within the first spherical to the Angels and made his massive league debut in August of his first full season. A mainstay in Los Angeles’ rotation in 2022 and 2023, he cut up the 2024 season between Triple-A Salt Lake and the massive leagues. He’s moved into the bullpen this 12 months and began off slowly, although he’s presumably turned a nook with 5 shutout innings in June. He’s amassed 3.3 profession WAR thus far with a 9.8 Okay/9 charge.
Astros: Shay Whitcomb, INF/OF
The a hundred and sixtieth and final participant chosen, Whitcomb signed for simply $56,000 as a fifth-rounder out of NCAA Division II UC San Diego. He totaled 23 homers and 19 homers in his first two professional seasons, tied for the Minor League lead with 35 homers in his third after which had his finest 12 months in 2024. He batted .293/.378/.530 with 25 homers and 26 steals at Triple-A and was named Astros Minor League Participant of the Yr, Pacific Coast League All-Star and MVP of the Triple-A Nationwide Championship. Whitcomb has performed in 23 video games the previous two seasons with Houston, going 9-for-46 (.196).
A’s: Tyler Soderstom, 1B
Drafted within the first spherical as a catcher, Soderstrom’s bat was at all times forward of his glove behind the dish, although he nonetheless was catching when he obtained to the massive leagues in 2023. After starting the 2024 season again at Triple-A, he was recalled in Could however then missed two months with a left wrist bone bruise. He’s began to faucet into his energy extra constantly this 12 months, with six homers in April and 14 general, contributing to 130 wRC+ and 1.4 WAR.
Mariners: Emerson Hancock, RHP
Hancock was the third of three straight school arms taken within the first spherical by the Mariners, following Logan Gilbert and George Kirby. His path hasn’t been fairly as straightforward as the opposite two, who’ve been All-Stars and obtained Cy Younger votes in earlier seasons. However Hancock is within the massive league rotation together with his predecessors, having made 12 begins final 12 months and 11 up to now this season, with uneven outcomes. He’s been simpler over his final 5 begins with a 3.04 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in that span.
Rangers: Evan Carter, OF
Carter attended few showcase occasions and performed simply three video games as a Tennessee highschool senior, so he was comparatively unknown when the Rangers shocked different golf equipment by drafting him within the second spherical. He rapidly stood out for his superior method on the plate and all-around instruments, and he sparked the Rangers to a World Collection championship by posting a 1.058 OPS throughout a September callup after which batting .300/.417/.500 whereas starring defensively within the postseason. After lacking a lot of final season with a again damage, he is enjoying nicely as Texas’ on a regular basis heart fielder this 12 months.
Braves: Spencer Strider, RHP
This turned out to be a pleasant little Draft for the Braves, with three of their 4 draftees making optimistic impacts within the massive leagues. Bryce Elder is at the moment within the rotation, however Strider was the Nationwide League Rookie of the Yr runner-up in 2022 and an All-Star who completed fourth in Cy Younger voting a 12 months later. The fourth-round choose missed almost all of 2024 after inner brace surgical procedure and is getting his toes again underneath him now, although he missed time this season with a hamstring pressure. Even with the setbacks, his 6.5 WAR is at the moment second amongst all 2020 draftees.
Marlins: Max Meyer, RHP
The Marlins are tied with the Dodgers and Tigers for essentially the most massive leaguers (4) chosen in 2020. Miami’s finest is Meyer, the No. 3 general alternative out of Minnesota who matched Corridor of Famer Paul Molitor as the best choose at school historical past. His wipeout slider might have been one of the best pitch within the Draft and he reached Miami by July 2022, solely to blow out his elbow two weeks later and require Tommy John surgical procedure. He returned to the mound in 2024 and owns a profession 6-11 file with a 5.29 ERA and 120/41 Okay/BB ratio in 127 2/3 innings.
Mets: Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF
Look away, Mets followers. New York chosen the California prep outfielder nineteenth general in 2020, noticed him bear season-ending proper shoulder surgical procedure six video games into 2021 after which traded him to the Cubs for 2 leases in Javier Báez and Trevor Williams. Crow-Armstrong has overcome questions on his energy since then and solidified his standing as probably the greatest defensive heart fielders of his era. He’s hitting .271/.305/.545 with 17 homers and 21 steals in 67 video games this season and is broadly thought of an MVP candidate already in his age-23 season.
Nationals: Mitchell Parker, LHP
The ebook continues to be out on first-rounder Cade Cavalli, who’s on his means again to the Majors since final pitching there in 2022. However Parker — the membership’s fifth-rounder in 2020 out of San Jacinto (Texas) Junior School — has been a rotation mainstay the previous two years with 42 begins over that interval. The southpaw will get virtually 7 toes of extension to get on prime of batters together with his four-seamer, splitter, curveball and slider, and whereas he hasn’t missed a ton of bats in 2025 (47 strikeouts in 71 innings), he does restrict barrels to assist maintain his ERA to 4.44.
Phillies: Mick Abel (No. 8)
Since being taken No. 15 general, Abel has moved methodically by the Phillies’ system, exhibiting off the uncooked stuff that made him a first-rounder however struggling to seek out the strike zone, as evidenced by his 5.1 BB/9 profession charge within the Minors. Issues began to click on extra at Triple-A this 12 months with a 2.21 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and .209 BAA over 10 begins. He’s getting an extended look in Philadelphia’s rotation now and has given up 4 runs and solely three walks over 15 1/3 innings.
Brewers: Garrett Mitchell, OF
Milwaukee’s uber-athletic outfield group is one in every of its foremost strengths, and the 2020 first-rounder out of UCLA, when wholesome, is a key element of it. Mitchell is coming off his finest offensive season within the Majors, having hit .255/.342/.469 with eight homers in 69 video games final 12 months, and his distinctive pace, protection in heart and arm energy give him extra avenues to offer worth. He’s at the moment out with a left indirect pressure.
Cardinals: Masyn Winn, SS
St. Louis had undoubtedly one of the vital productive Draft courses in 2020, additionally including Jordan Walker, Tink Therefore and Alec Burleson. Nevertheless it’s the Cardinals’ second-rounder, Texas prepster Winn, who has undoubtedly change into the crown jewel of the group. An distinctive defensive shortstop, the 23-year-old continues to develop offensively in his third MLB marketing campaign together with his chase charge taking the largest bounce in 2025. His 5.4 profession bWAR ranks fourth amongst all 2020 picks, and his ceiling is as excessive as anybody’s moreover maybe Crow-Armstrong.
Cubs: Luke Little, LHP
Whereas the Cubs do not have a lot to point out for his or her 2020 Draft class, they did steal Mets first-rounder Pete Crow-Armstrong the next 12 months in a commerce for Javier Báez and Trevor Williams. Chicago’s lone massive leaguer is Little, who pushed his fastball to 102 mph at San Jacinto (Texas) JC earlier than going within the fourth spherical. He has pitched out of the massive league bullpen in every of the previous three seasons, compiling a 2.97 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 33 1/3 innings.
Pirates: Jared Jones, RHP
The primary three picks from this class have all touched the massive league roster and a wholesome Nick Gonzales is now within the lineup whereas Carmen Mlodzinski simply obtained known as again up. Jones is out for the 12 months following elbow surgical procedure, however he created fairly a buzz final 12 months making 22 begins and hanging out 9.8 per 9 whereas strolling 2.9. He’ll should discover a method to harness his aggressiveness on the mound to remain wholesome, however he’s nonetheless solely 23, so we stay bullish on his future.
Reds: Joe Boyle, RHP
The final of the Reds’ six picks in 2020, Boyle is the one one to have reached the massive leagues. He missed almost all of his first full season, however began transferring in 2022 and was at Double-A when he was despatched to the A’s on the 2023 Commerce Deadline, making his massive league debut in September that 12 months. Lengthy armed with elite-level velocity, maybe essentially the most shocking factor is that he’s nonetheless beginning after strolling 12.0 per 9 at Notre Dame. Whereas his command has improved as a professional, his stroll charge continues to be nicely over six-per-nine. Now with the Rays following an offseason commerce, he’s been higher in a single massive league begin and 11 at Triple-A (1.37 ERA, .139 BAA and three.7 BB/9 mixed).
D-backs: Brandon Pfaadt, RHP
A fifth-round pick of Division II Bellarmine, Pfaadt signed for under $100,000 however has change into a mainstay within the Arizona rotation with 65 appearances (64 begins) over the previous three seasons. Outcomes have been inconsistent within the common season with a profession 5.15 ERA, however he was a key a part of the postseason workers throughout the 2023 World Collection run wherein he posted a 3.27 ERA over 5 begins, two of which got here within the NLCS — he fanned 16 Phillies over 9 2/3 innings.
Dodgers: Gavin Stone, RHP
The Dodgers matched the Marlins and Tigers for essentially the most massive leaguers (4) discovered within the 2020 Draft, and Los Angeles’ finest was the penultimate participant chosen. Stone threw a 13-strikeout no-hitter in his last sport for Southeastern Louisiana earlier than signing for a well-below-slot $97,500 within the fifth spherical. The Dodgers helped him enhance his complete repertoire and he received 11 video games with a 3.53 ERA as a rookie final 12 months. He’ll miss this season after shoulder surgical procedure in March.
Giants: Kyle Harrison, LHP
First-rounder Patrick Bailey would have been a straightforward reply for many golf equipment, however we’re going with the upper upside of Harrison right here. A California excessive schooler who signed for first-round cash ($2,497,500) within the third spherical, he established himself as one of the best lefty pitching prospect in baseball earlier than becoming a member of the Giants in August 2023. In 39 massive league video games (35 begins), he has gone 9-9 with a 4.48 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 182 2/3 innings.
Padres: Owen Caissie, OF (CHC No. 2/MLB No. 46)
The Ontario native was a second-rounder 5 years in the past, making him the best outfielder ever drafted out of Canada, however he by no means performed an official sport for San Diego. The Padres traded him to the Cubs in a megadeal for Yu Darvish and Victor Caratini in December 2020. Nonetheless solely 22, Caissie stays probably the greatest energy bats within the Minors with important left-handed pop, resulting in a 107.9 mph, Ninetieth-percentile exit velocity this season with Triple-A Iowa. With plus-arm energy, he may very well be a top quality proper fielder for the Cubs past 2025, if Kyle Tucker strikes elsewhere this offseason.
Rockies: Drew Romo, C (No. 9)
The Rockies’ prime two picks in 2020 each have made it to Denver, although neither Zac Veen nor Romo have established themselves. Romo obtained there first in 2024 and has spent extra time within the massive leagues, so he will get the slight nod for that and for enjoying the extra demanding place. He is been shelved for the primary two months of this season with a finger damage.
