Norcal 9 - 2020 Draft Prospects

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - The 2020 MLB Draft on June 10th (five rounds), could very well include a handful of Northern California high school players. Two very well could hear their names called in the first round and as many as three others very well could be selected by the end of the abbreviated draft. More so than previous years, signability is a massive consideration in this draft. We were fortunate to see each of these players up close, save one, at the 2019 ProCase. Clearly UCLA and Arizona both have intense interest in this draft...

1. C/3B Tyler Soderstrom (6-2, 200, L/R) - Turlock HS (UCLA) - Given his advanced feel for hitting and positional versatility that could see him behind the plate or just as easily at 3rd base, he's a good bet to be the first Northern CA player selected and in the upper part of round one. His performances vs elite level competition all summer elevated him up the rankings and draft lists. It's not just the hit tool and versatility either, his power and arm both grade out as plus tools. Oh, and his father Steve was the 6th overall pick out of Fresno State in 1993 (also taken in 15th round as a HS senior).

2. LHP Kyle Harrison (6-2, 205) - De La Salle HS (UCLA) - With a lively fastball that has started to regularly light up guns at 94 mph and a slider that at its best flashes the swing and miss capabilities desired in pro ball, he's got the stuff desired by the industry. Add to that both his competitive make-up and 'ballplayer-ness' and you understand why he may be the first HS LHP off the board. It will only take one team to believe his third pitch (change-up) is future average to snag him real early.

3. C Daniel Susac (6-3, 210, S/R) - Jesuit HS (Arizona) - Of all the tremendous HS catching prospects in California, the biggest tools belong to Susac and he's also making a very concerted effort to develop as a viable switch-hitter. The raw arm strength rates as a present 70 and the hit tool has been honed w/wood in both spring/summer competition. For those who value bloodlines, his older brother is Andrew Susac. To me he's day one talent, certainly round two, perhaps round one.

4. OF Chase Davis (6-1, 210, L/L) - Franklin HS (Arizona) - He has the top outfield arm in the nation (registers in mid-upper-90s from the OF). He runs well enough as to grade him as average as a LF or RF. The raw power shows up as a plus tool and w/just about all HS players, the hit tool gets questioned. Davis performed more times than he didn't over the summer/fall vs top competition and should be no less than a second round selection. Players with his tools and body don't last too long in the draft.

5. SS/P T.J. Nichols (6-4, 175, R/R) - Oakmont HS (Arizona) - After gaining significant velocity during his junior season and then showing 96 during the summer season, its become vogue to consider Nichols as a pitcher only. However, he's an elite level defender with glove/feet to stay at SS and obviously the arm. Was off to a blistering start when season halted (.600, 2 2B, 2 HR). The ceiling for his offensive capabilities was the question and was changing that narrative. Send him out as an infielder and if he doesn't hit, the mound is obviously an option.

6. INF Nick Yorke (6-0, 200, R/R) - Archbishop Mitty HS (Arizona) - Unlike most HS players, Yorke's hit tool is trusted to hold up and ultimately that's the tool that gets players to the big leagues, where I believe he will be someday. He will hit with power as well. The make-up grades out as good as it can. What may knock him down a bit is position profile as well as the raw arm and run tools. If selected higher than a couple of players higher on this list, I totally get it.

7. LHP Rio Britton (6-2, 200) - Capital Christian HS (Oregon) - Though slowed at the start of the season with some tightness, Britton was poised for a big spring. After wowing the scouts at the ProCase, he continued to climb draft lists all summer. The velocity that topped at 87 on 3/26/19, he was up to 91 (swing/miss life) in the summer. With the makings of a well-above average slider high level athleticism, he's exactly the type of prospect who quickly develops in pro player development.

8. C/3B Cole Carrigg (6-2, 185, S/R) - Turlock HS (San Diego St.) - Quite literally no position Carrigg can't play/perform at a high level. One of the better athletes among California HS prospects, it's part of what is so intriguing about him. The stroke plays on both sides of the plate, the arm is a plus tool, and whether you saw him at C, 3B, or pitching, he'd rate as a prospect at each. Too bad the season was shortened because the looks at Soderstrom by big brass were going to boost Carrigg's stock.

9. SS Tommy Troy (5-10, 185, R/R) - Los Gatos HS (Stanford) - With a well-put together body and style of play that are attractive to the eyes of scouts, Troy has steadily made his way up rankings and draft lists. I will leave it to the industry to figure out how his Stanford commitment factors and keep it to what makes him a prospect. The run and arm tools rate as a plus and w/his bat speed and how the ball leaves his bat, the hit tool also projects favorably. A SS who can hit and run? Yep, sign me up.

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