Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Norcal 9 - 2023 MLB Draft

April 23, 2020
Blaine Clemmens
Northern CA Director of Scouting

New Episode LIVE now! - At The Yard Podcast

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - With a lot of interest in when the 2020 MLB Draft will take place and how many rounds it will be, there has been considerable attention paid to the high school players who seem to be solidified as top 2-3 round selections. Beyond those early rounds it gets a bit murkier when considering which high school players are signable and therefore, willing to forgo their college careers, by signing in later rounds.

These nine players are some of the most talented kids in Northern California. To suggest that each of them is on at least one pref list of one of our area scouts is not a reach. However, to me, it feels each of them is a strong bet to go to school and spend the next three years developing/sharpening their tools, and eventually emerging for the 2023 draft as a big time prospect.

(Listed in order of their place in the 2020 ranking)

Eddie Park OF / Valley Christian HS, CA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 27 / POS: 6 OverallRank: 170 / POS: 31

Stanford commit; 6-foot-1, 185-pounds; L/L; One of the region's top pure hitters in the 2020 HS class, ability to spray the ball to all fields and as he gains strength the power will show up as doubles and then some home runs. Defensively projects to as a CF/LF. Stanford commits tend to end up in college, which will serve him well.

Tommy Troy SS / 2B / Los Gatos HS, CA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 39 / POS: 9 OverallRank: 290 / POS: 62

Stanford commit; 5-foot-10, 185-pounds, R/R; With multiple plus tools and a great motor for the game, Troy has the look of a future MLB SS. Runs 6.72, 91 mph arm across the diamond and EV of 95 mph; In college he can focus on sharpening the tools vs. having to develop them. Stanford commitment has its own connotations.

Juaron Watts-Brown RHP / Hanford HS, CA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 50 / POS: 9 OverallRank: 339 / POS: 111

Texas Tech commit; 6-foot-2, 175-pounds; Silky smooth delivery w/quick arm, high ceiling due to the present day stuff (up to 90), feel of the zone, his ability to spin the CB, and he's still got plenty of physical development ahead of him. Multi-sport athlete (football/basketball) speaks to his overall athleticism. 

Keith Jones II OF / Heritage HS, CA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 60 / POS: 15

Washington St. commit; 6-foot-2, 200-pounds; L/L; One of the players likely hurt most if the draft is only 5 rounds, Jones has had steady interest due in part to the LHH profile, above avg run tool, feel for the barrel and power projection that comes with the ease of his swing and the likelihood of much more strength to come.

Omar Plascencia C / 3B / Lodi HS, CA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 71 / POS: 10

UC Davis commit; 6-foot-0, 190-pounds, R/R; Among the most athletic catchers in California, his overall tools and energetic/confident style of play bring Willson Contreras to mind. Can C/T w/just about any catcher in CA. Power plays in the middle of the field and the footspeed is a nice bonus to the overall tool set.

Brian McClellin SS / Vacaville HS, CA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 81 / POS: 18

California commit; 6-foot-1, 182-pounds; R/R; When he committed it was for his defense, not a shock for a Pac-12 SS recruit. In the early spring the bat talent was showing up and could have jumped him considerably higher on pref lists. Quick hands and the power will come. Hard-nosed style of play too, fun to watch him.

Luke Williams SS / RHP / Jesuit HS, CA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 85 / POS: 20

UC Santa Barbara commit; 6-foot-0, 175-pounds; R/R; More athletic than he first appears to be. Seeing him over multiple viewings its clear that he's a winning-type player, both offensively/defensively. Seemingly always in middle of plays that tilt the game in his team's favor. Oh, and he's upper-80s on mound with a nasty SL.

Andrew Neil SS / RHP / Freedom HS, CA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 98 / POS: 25

UC Santa Barbara commit; 5-foot-11, 165-pounds; L/R; Its the line drive hitting ability as a LHH, along w/good wheels, that speak best to his future. May move to 2B someday, but he's played there, alongside MLB prospect Kyren Paris for a couple of seasons.  Is also a very competent pitcher with a competitive nature. 

Landon Wallace C / OF / Roseville HS, CA / 2020

Rankings  StateRank: 105 / POS: 13

Nevada commit; 6-foot-2, 180-pounds, R/R; In a loaded 2020 class of California catchers, his athleticism rates with just about any of them. Above average runner, arm nearing 80 mph w/quality C/T skills, plus bat speed, and the 95 EV he showed at Super 60 was eye-opening. Given three years in school, the ceiling is high.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Of course given the social distance precautions surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, future event dates/locations could change. If there are changes 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


RELATED TOPICS: