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Which top-5 pick from the 2020 MLB draft will ultimately have the best career?


BohKnowsBmore

Which top-5 pick from the 2020 MLB draft will ultimately have the best career?  

34 members have voted

  1. 1. Best player from 2022 MLB draft top-5

    • Spencer Torkelson
      4
    • Heston Kjerstad
      19
    • Max Meyer
      10
    • Asa Lacy
      1
    • Austin Martin
      0


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Mike Elias initially took some flack for going underslot and selecting Heston Kjerstad with the #2 pick in the 2020 MLB draft, with one of the largest criticisms being that he passed on Austin Martin, who ended up going #5 to the Blue Jays (subsequently traded to the Twins in a package for Jose Berrios). Argument was made at the time that uncertainty around 2020 prospects made for some additional volatility at the top of the draft, potentially making it possible for an underslot target high in the draft to also be underrated by other teams. After a delayed start to his career due to health issues, Kjerstad is looking promising.

Question to the board: Which top-5 pick from the 2020 MLB draft will ultimately have the best career?

2020 MLB Draft Top-5:
1) Spencer Torkelson (3B/1B)
2) Heston Kjerstad (OF)
3) Max Meyer (RHP)
4) Asa Lacy (LHP)
5) Austin Martin (IF)

 

Edited by BohKnowsBmore
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Right now, I personally am feeling best about Kjerstad. 

Max Meyer would be my second choice given the success he's had in the minors and that he's made his MLB debut.

Asa Lacy currently has a 7.02 career ERA across 80 MiLB innings.

Austin Martin has been an absolute butcher with the glove and hasn't hit nearly well enough to support poor defense.

Torkelson's .604 OPS last year is really concerning for a bat-only 1B/DH type.

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Really tough to choose a pitcher here but I feel like it has to be Meyer. Kjerstad needs to prove it in AA this year. His AFL campaign was great but the pitching there stinks and he still K'd a lot. Also nice to see him have the start he's had in ST but that's largely meaningless. 

Lacy has already been hurt and is already a RP most likely, Martin has no power whatsoever and isn't a SS imo. Torkleson might just be straight up bad. Marlins have had a fantastic run recently with pitchers so I'll stick with Meyer but I'm very much not confident about that. 

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5 minutes ago, AnythingO's said:

Kjerstad for me, he appears to be back at least with the bat.

Box score says he had a triple today, anyone see it that can comment on the wheels??

Bang bang play at 3B.   Still, the CF handled the carom off the wall cleanly and got the ball fairly quickly.    Not a definite triple by any means.   At worst, he showed average speed going around the bases.

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15 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

Bang bang play at 3B.   Still, the CF handled the carom off the wall cleanly and got the ball fairly quickly.    Not a definite triple by any means.   At worst, he showed average speed going around the bases.

Yea..it was a close play at third but still, he legged out that triple for sure.

 

 

Edited by Sports Guy
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5 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Yea..it was a close play at third but still, he legged out that triple for sure.

 

 

So, average speed?   Slightly above?   I guess we should time it.   I'm surprised he made that into a triple.  Pleasantly surprised.

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15 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

So, average speed?   Slightly above?   I guess we should time it.   I'm surprised he made that into a triple.  Pleasantly surprised.

Looks like from the time he hits it to the time he gets to the bag, it’s around 11 seconds.

He is certainly not some plodding slow guy.  Probably similar to a Mountcastle?  Maybe slightly slower?

Edited by Sports Guy
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Had to pick Max as I coached him at age 12-13, he is a wonderful young man-hoping he gets back from TJ surgery late this year.  I will be rooting for Heston though, I really think he will be decent in the field and a plus bat.  I have heard really good things about his character and work ethic. 

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8 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Looks like from the time he hits it to the time he gets to the bag, it’s around 11 seconds.

He is certainly not some plodding slow guy.  Probably similar to a Mountcastle?  Maybe slightly slower?

https://www.mlb.com/cut4/2016-s-fastest-baserunning-feats-in-mlb-c209340878

Home to Third
2016 Record: Billy Hamilton, 10.45 seconds against the Brewers on Aug. 13
2016 MLB Average: 12.01

A line drive hit to right field is a double for most hitters. If it gets to the wall, faster runners may be able to stretch it into a triple. Hamilton doesn't even need that.
Here he is taking a cleanly fielded line drive hit to right, turning on the jets and recording the fastest triple of the year:

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31 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Yea..it was a close play at third but still, he legged out that triple for sure.

 

 

It might just be my ancient computer lagging, but that play from the defensive perspective in the video looked full "it's still early in ST, only need 1/2 effort"; from both the RF and CF as well as the relay to 3B. Not to take away from Kjerstad, well hit ball, but I can't imagine that being a triple in the regular season against starting MLBers.

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1 hour ago, CharmCityHokie said:

It might just be my ancient computer lagging, but that play from the defensive perspective in the video looked full "it's still early in ST, only need 1/2 effort"; from both the RF and CF as well as the relay to 3B. Not to take away from Kjerstad, well hit ball, but I can't imagine that being a triple in the regular season against starting MLBers.

Probably true but he still got around the bases pretty well. 

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