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PETALUMA, CA - Thursday May 7th the Prep Baseball Report - California staff conducted a three-team virtual mock draft consisting of California high school players from the class of 2020. Draft lottery determined draft positioning for the snake format with Team Clemmens picking first, followed by Team Shannon and Team Doherty. The virtual mock draft was conducted on Instagram Live with each team having sixty seconds to make their pick for a total of thirty-nine players selected over thirteen rounds. Similar to any draft in sports we saw predictable and unpredictable picks, risers and fallers, early round reaches and late round steals, making for an entertaining and enjoyable draft that had a high viewership rating.

Team Clemmens went into the draft looking to build a team built around versatility and high end left-handed pitching, along with plenty of hitting on the left-side of the plate to combat would would likely be opponents with power RHPs. The team features two switch-hitting catchers, four left-handed hitters and three right-handed hitters. The ability to create a line-up that would be very tough to wade through for RHPs was accomplished. Each of my opponents loaded up on power RHPs so their approach played right into my hands. The power LHP arms are also present on my team, with three of the top LHPs in the state. In turn, that is a benefit for my left-handed hitters, as they wouldn't have to hit against our three lefties. If there is one tool somewhat lacking, it's plus speed. Part 1 of the Team Clemmens draft recap takes a look at the outfield and catching positions.

Each of these players has been scouted very extensively and our reports and thoughts on them are well known at this point, so extensive scouting breakdowns aren't what I'll provide, rather, what I was thinking when drafting a particular player and the role I saw for him on this team.

INFIELDERS

TJ NICHOLS - OAKMONT - ARIZONA

Not only will Nichols man the SS position for Team Clemmens, he's also pegged to be the closer. As a SS, the 6-foot-4, 175-pound Nichols is about as smooth on the diamond as we have in Northern CA and the plus arm obviously plays on the left side. Originally considered a field-first player, Nichols is starting to grow into his power (2 HR in first 6 games of 2020) and the offensive upside is considerable. Not a lot of SS are his height are projected to stay there, but he can. As for the closing duties, with a FB up to 96, he's got plenty of heat to come in and blow in one inning stints.

 

DREW BOWSER - HARVARD-WESTLAKE - STANFORD

Our 2nd ranked SS in California, I've got Stanford-bound Bowser penciled in to play 3rd base when Nichols is at SS. However, he'd slide over to SS with Nichols on the mound, with Carrigg moving to 3B. Beyond all of that, whether at SS or 3B, Bowser has the defensive chops and will be a hammer in the middle of this line-up. He's a physical 6-foot-4 and the power plays right now, with high level hit skills as well. A physical SS with hit/power tools as carry tools and I got him in the 4th round? Steal!!!

 

TOMMY TROY - LOS GATOS - STANFORD

One of three Stanford-bound players on the roster, Troy brings not only tools/talent, but he's got a style that plays well in the dugout with his teammates. He's 100% got tools to play SS, but on this club, he's penciled in as the starting 2nd baseman. Having an ultra-athletic 2-bagger, with outstanding range and an arm that will play when going up the middle and turning 2, makes the D that much stronger. Against LHPs he'd hit lead-off and be an immediate threat, first batter of the game.

 

PITCHERS

LHP RICKY TIEDEMANN - LAKEWOOD - SAN DIEGO STATE

This pick may have surprised some who were listening to the IG-live broadcast, but having done some homework on SoCal pitchers on the rise, his name kept coming up. I'm genuinely a sucker for LHPs anyway, especially those with big FBs and also pitchability with secondary stuff. Tiedemann, as the spring was moving along, was getting into the low-90s and looks to have more in the tank. Excellent frame, easy arm, solid mechanics all point the arrow way up! Oh, and the CHG is good too.

 

LHP LUCAS GORDON - NOTRE DAME - TEXAS

Again dipping my toe into the SoCal pitching waters (can't go wrong!), I saw Gordon sitting there in the 7th round and felt he'd fallen far enough. Not the biggest of bodies, but a solid 6-foot-1, Gordon has three pitches and feel of them. The fastball was 89-91 early on this spring and as settled in around 89 mid-outing. His ability to go from one secondary pitch to another is a big asset and having the ability to put both in the minds of hitters is important. The CHG dives and the CB has improved.

 

LHP RIO BRITTON - CAPITAL CHRISTIAN - OREGON

Britton was poised for a big spring with PLENTY of MLB scout attention. His fastball has steadily climbed the last year+ and is now peaking in the 92 range. One of the more athletic pitchers in the state, which had caught the attention of the scouts. Add to that a power breaker that can be defined as a power CB or big slider, regardless, it's got late bite and is a legit swing and miss pitch. The FB control can improve but he gets A LOT of swings at FBs out of the zone, obviously a big-time asset.

 

RHP ISAAC AYON - BUCHANAN - OREGON

A big, broad type body, Ayon has outstanding mound presence. Highly competitive (which I'd assume each of these kids are), he has shown that he likes a big stage and can perform. The raw stuff and ceiling for that stuff rates up there with the top RHPs in CA, with a fastball nudging toward the mid-90s, the FB plays well off his low-80s power CB. There is some jerkiness in the delivery which adds some distraction for hitters. He's a fine athlete and handled the bat well through high school.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Of course given the Covid-19 pandemic, future event dates/locations could change. If they do, we will alert all registered players and make adjustments to our calendar.

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Norcal Underclass Games (INVITE-ONLY)	CA	06/06	Islanders Field - Lathrop
Northern California ProCase (INVITE ONLY)	CA	06/13	Folsom Lake College or Islanders Field
SoCal Underclass Games (INVITE ONLY)	CA	06/13	Hart Park
SoCal ProCase (INVITE ONLY)	CA	06/14	Hart Park
California State Games	CA	07/25	Southern California

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