Top 25 JUCO Prospects
November 24, 2020
Even with an abbreviated fall season and more limited scouting looks, the junior college ranks appear to be loaded with talent once again. During the five-round 2020 MLB Draft a total of five JUCO players were drafted. The highest selection was RHP Connor Phillips (McLennan, TX). He was chosen 64th overall by Seattle and signed for a $1.05 million bonus. Following Phillips were four more arms: RHP Adisyn Coffey (third round, White Sox), LHP Luke Little (fourth round, Cubs) and LHP Mitchell Parker (fifth round, Nationals). Sandwiched between San Jacinto hurlers, Little and Parker, was Beck Way (NW Florida State) in the fourth round (129th overall) to the Yankees.
Although still very early in the process, pitchers dominate the Top 25 with a handful of them possessing the abilities to be selected in the top three rounds. Only six position players rank in the Top 25, with two of those six also offering pro potential on the mound.
Ranked No. 8 in our final Top 100 JUCO Prospects for the 2020 draft, Christian McGowan (Eastern Oklahoma State) now leads the 2021 JUCO draft class at this point in the evaluation process. At his best the 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-hander runs his fastball into the upper-90s, while sitting mostly 93-95. He backs up his heater with a mid-80s slider and a quality, low-80s changeup.
The College of Southern Nevada leads all JUCOs with four of the Top 25, and two of the top three prospects. RHP Josh Swales is tightly wound at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds with a prototype pro body. His delivery is presently sound, and with better use of his lower half, 100 mph could be in reach for him. His arm works properly and his fastball comes out clean with easy 94-96 gas. His 79-83 curveball has tight top-to-bottom depth and bite through the zone for a potential plus offering. He has feel for a mid-80s changeup, yet just needs to refine and use it more, as most pitchers his age do.
At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds Kris Bow is powerfully built with an athletic frame. The right-hander showcases power stuff, including a fastball that works 92-96 with some ride and run through zone, and upwards of 2500 rpm as a max spin rate. He complements his heater with a firm, 81-83 mph slider that he rips off at 2750 rpm average (2861 max) with late bite and tilt that tunnels with his fastball. The pitch features swing-and-miss characteristics with the potential to be an even greater weapon in the future. He also flashed some developing feel for a firmer changeup in the mid-80s, but the fastball-slider combination is what is sure to draw plenty of attention this spring.
Rounding out the Top 5 are a couple more arms with big potential. Ranked No. 4 RHP Jacob Misiorowski (Crowder College, MO) is a 6-foot-7, 200-pound scout's dream with his present stuff and future projection. He's long and loose, works down the mound with excellent extension out front, spins a plus curveball and already touches the mid-90s with his fastball. Six-foot-3, 200-pound LHP Ricky Tiedemann (Long Beach CC, CA) also touches the mid-90s with an advanced feel for a changeup and some effort from a three-quarter slot.