The 2019 MLB Draft may be over, but it didn’t take long for me to start on 2020. Three days after the final name was called, I found myself in California covering the state’s ProCases. Then it was back to North Carolina to see an East Coast Pro tryout. The last two weekends were spent at LakePoint in Georgia and IMG Academy in Florida to see the National Program Invitational and PDP League. After taking a couple days to digest those last two events, here are some of the draft-eligible players who stood out.

National Program Invitational

Tavian Josenberger, SS, Park Hill HS, MO
Joseneberger started the event hot, going 3-for-3 with two singles, a triple, two runs scored and two RBIs in one of the first 17U games. A switch-hitting Kansas recruit, he has a loose swing from both sides. Hitting from the right side, he singled in his first two at-bats, grounding a ball through the left side and then hooking one past the third baseman. A pitching change was made before his third at-bat and he flipped around to the left, promptly squaring a ball up for a triple down the right field line. Josenberger showed easy strides in his trip to third base and also stole three bags with ease. He had a pair of hits in another game, again out of the leadoff spot. A plus runner underway, he ran 4.32 and 4.33 down the line from the left side.

PDP League

Mick Abel, RHP, Jesuit HS, OR
Abel is squarely in the conversation as one of the top high school pitchers in the 2020 class. That was evident Thursday as the Oregon State recruit closed things out for Team Jones, pumping 91-95 mph fastballs with extreme ease. His delivery is loose and athletic and he also mixed in a slider that was inconsistent, but ranged from 82-86. In three innings of work, he struck out three. He allowed a run on three hits and a hit batter. Only one of the hits was strong contact.