For the reason that Draft started in 1965, there has by no means been a tougher yr than 2020. The pandemic shutdown ended the school and highschool seasons within the second week of March, and a few prepsters by no means even took the sector. In the course of the three months main as much as the Draft, groups have been left to guage gamers on video and meet with them through Zoom calls.
Plans to carry the Draft at the side of the Faculty World Collection in Omaha have been scrapped. Main League Baseball and the MLB Gamers Affiliation agreed to scale back the occasion to 5 rounds, the fewest ever, and defer all however $100,000 of signing bonuses, with the rest paid in equal quantities in July 2021 and July 2022. Extra prime highschool prospects than standard determined they’d be higher off attending school and re-entering the Draft two or three years later.
It was a Draft in contrast to another, and never surprisingly, the outcomes have been blended. No. 1 total choose Spencer Torkelson has struggled greater than anticipated within the massive leagues, although he has rallied this season and is clearly the most effective participant from the highest 10 picks. Garrett Crochet (White Sox, first spherical), Pete Crow-Armstrong (Mets, first spherical) and Spencer Strider (Braves, fourth spherical) have been enormous successes, however there have not been many others, as you will see beneath as we determine the only option made by every membership:
Blue Jays: Austin Martin, OF/2BThe 2020 fifth total choose hasn’t lived as much as the billing as a possible 65-grade hitter in professional ball, however he will get the nod right here as the one member of the Draft class to have reached the Majors thus far over a fellow former High 100 prospect in Nick Frasso, who has struggled to remain wholesome and has misplaced some fastball velocity this season. The Vanderbilt product, who was traded to the Twins in July 2021 for José Berríos, performed 93 video games for Minnesota final yr as a utilityman and hit .253/.318/.352 whereas exhibiting above-average wheels. He acquired sizzling for Triple-A St. Paul to start this season, hitting .438 in 9 video games, however hasn’t performed since Might 6 attributable to a hamstring damage.
Orioles: Jordan Westburg, 3B/2BThree of the Orioles’ six picks from this Draft have touched the massive leagues, however whereas Heston Kjerstad and Coby Mayo haven’t been capable of set up themselves, Westburg has accrued 3.9 bWAR up to now, most of that manufacturing coming in 2024 (2.4 WAR), when he was an All-Star for the playoff-bound Orioles. A hamstring damage shelved him for a month and a half, however he homered in his return on June 10.
Rays: Ian Seymour, LHP (No. 19)Three stable seasons at Virginia Tech and a powerful exhibiting within the Cape Cod League pushed Seymour into the second spherical 5 years in the past. Tommy John surgical procedure in June 2022 delayed his MLB arrival, however that lastly got here simply this week when the previous Massachusetts prep star acquired the win Monday at Fenway Park. Seymour nonetheless ranks fourth within the Minors with 84 strikeouts over 61 innings for Triple-A Durham, because of a misleading low-90s fastball and a plus low-80s changeup.
Purple Sox: Nick Yorke, 2BYorke was onerous to scout as a California excessive schooler as a result of shoulder surgical procedure earlier than his 2019 junior season restricted him to DH obligation that spring and restricted him on the showcase circuit that summer time earlier than his senior yr ended after 5 video games. The Purple Sox shocked the business by drafting him seventeenth total, however he had an enormous professional debut — main the Low-A East in hitting (.323) and OPS (.913) whereas changing into simply the ninth teenaged batting qualifier to prime the .300/.400/.500 threshold in a full-season league in twenty years. He hasn’t approached these numbers since, nevertheless, and went to the Pirates in a 2024 commerce for Quinn Priester, whom Boston spun into two prospects (Yophery Rodriguez and John Holobetz) and a supplemental first-round choose from the Brewers in a deal this April. Yorke performed 11 video games with Pittsburgh final summer time, going 8-for-37 (.216).
Yankees: Austin Wells, CThe Yankees drafted Wells within the thirty fifth spherical out of a Las Vegas highschool in 2018 however needed to wait till he performed two seasons at Arizona to signal him as a first-rounder. He had the most effective all-around offensive profiles within the Draft and developed right into a significantly better defender than anticipated, overcoming doubts that he may keep behind the plate. He completed third in American League Rookie of the 12 months balloting final yr after slashing .229/.322/.395 with 13 homers.
Guardians: Logan Allen, LHPAllen performed each methods at Florida Worldwide, the place he turned the primary Golden Panther to play for the U.S. Nationwide Group, and provided a number of the finest pitchability within the 2020 Draft. He has been a daily within the Guardians’ rotation since 2023 and has posted a 19-17 document with a 4.57 ERA in 57 video games (56 begins).
Royals: Nick Loftin, UTILKansas Metropolis had excessive hopes that fourth total choose Asa Lacy could possibly be a possible ace, however the Texas A&M lefty has struggled to remain wholesome in professional ball. As an alternative, Baylor product and thirty second total choice Loftin is the transfer right here as a three-year Main League contributor in Ok.C. Proprietor of a profession .621 OPS over 271 plate appearances, Loftin doesn’t are inclined to hit the ball onerous within the bigs, however he doesn’t increase the zone a lot both, places the ball in play and provides worth as a utilityman who’s performed first base, second, third and left area in The Present.
Tigers: Spencer Torkelson, 1BThe 2020 first total choose’s resurgence has been one of many keys to Detroit’s possession of the most effective document within the Majors up to now in 2025. Torkelson was famously despatched right down to Triple-A Toledo for two-plus months final yr however has returned to hit .237/.341/.509 with a 136 wRC+ by means of 65 video games this season. With 16 homers already, he’s effectively on his method to his second 30-dinger season up to now three years, thus assembly the hype for his slugging skill out of Arizona State. His 1.6 fWAR in ‘25 is second amongst AL first basemen, behind solely Ryan O’Hearn’s 1.8.
Twins: Marco Raya, RHP (No. 6)The Twins had 4 picks in 2020 (no third-rounder), and none of them have made the massive leagues up to now. Raya has come closest, reaching Triple-A this yr. Whereas he’s struggled at that degree thus far, he’s nonetheless solely 22 years outdated and has come a good distance in proving himself as a pitcher reasonably than an undersized pure thrower. After a powerful yr in attending to Double-A final yr, he was added to the Twins’ 40-man roster through the offseason. Even with a tough 2025, has struck out 10.1 per 9 in his Minor League profession.
White Sox: Garrett Crochet, LHPCrochet’s stuff took an enormous leap ahead in fall apply at Tennessee earlier than the 2020 school season however he pitched solely as soon as within the spring, lacking the primary three weeks with gentle shoulder soreness. After the White Sox drafted him eleventh total and he dominated at their alternate coaching web site, he turned the primary participant to make his professional debut within the massive leagues since Mike Leake in 2010. He was additionally the primary pitcher with out professional expertise to go straight to the Majors in the identical yr he was drafted since Mike Morgan and Tim Conroy in 1978, and the primary school arm with out professional expertise to take action since Dick Ruthven and Eddie Bane in 1973. Crochet starred in Chicago’s bullpen in 2021 earlier than lacking the subsequent season following Tommy John surgical procedure, pitched sparingly in 2023 after which moved to the rotation and have become an All-Star final yr. Traded to the Purple Sox for 4 prospects in December, he presently sports activities a 2.35 ERA whereas main the AL in innings (88) and strikeouts (110). His 8.4 WAR (Baseball Reference model) tops all gamers within the 2020 Draft.
Angels: Reid Detmers, LHPThe finest school lefty within the 2020 Draft class, Detmers went within the first spherical to the Angels and made his massive league debut in August of his first full season. A mainstay in Los Angeles’ rotation in 2022 and 2023, he break up the 2024 season between Triple-A Salt Lake and the massive leagues. He’s moved into the bullpen this yr and began off slowly, although he’s probably turned a nook with 5 shutout innings in June. He’s amassed 3.3 profession WAR up to now with a 9.8 Ok/9 fee.
Astros: Shay Whitcomb, INF/OFThe one hundred and sixtieth and final participant chosen, Whitcomb signed for simply $56,000 as a fifth-rounder out of NCAA Division II UC San Diego. He totaled 23 homers and 19 homers in his first two professional seasons, tied for the Minor League lead with 35 homers in his third after which had his finest yr in 2024. He batted .293/.378/.530 with 25 homers and 26 steals at Triple-A and was named Astros Minor League Participant of the 12 months, Pacific Coast League All-Star and MVP of the Triple-A Nationwide Championship. Whitcomb has performed in 23 video games the previous two seasons with Houston, going 9-for-46 (.196).
A’s: Tyler Soderstom, 1BDrafted within the first spherical as a catcher, Soderstrom’s bat was at all times forward of his glove behind the dish, although he nonetheless was catching when he acquired to the massive leagues in 2023. After starting the 2024 season again at Triple-A, he was recalled in Might however then missed two months with a left wrist bone bruise. He’s began to faucet into his energy extra persistently this yr, with six homers in April and 14 total, contributing to 130 wRC+ and 1.4 WAR.
Mariners: Emerson Hancock, RHPHancock was the third of three straight school arms taken within the first spherical by the Mariners, following Logan Gilbert and George Kirby. His path hasn’t been fairly as simple as the opposite two, who’ve been All-Stars and obtained Cy Younger votes in earlier seasons. However Hancock is within the massive league rotation along with his predecessors, having made 12 begins final yr and 11 thus far this season, with uneven outcomes. He’s been more practical over his final 5 begins with a 3.04 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in that span.
Rangers: Evan Carter, OFCarter attended few showcase occasions and performed simply three video games as a Tennessee highschool senior, so he was comparatively unknown when the Rangers shocked different golf equipment by drafting him within the second spherical. He shortly stood out for his superior method on the plate and all-around instruments, and he sparked the Rangers to a World Collection championship by posting a 1.058 OPS throughout a September callup after which batting .300/.417/.500 whereas starring defensively within the postseason. After lacking a lot of final season with a again damage, he is enjoying effectively as Texas’ on a regular basis middle fielder this yr.
Braves: Spencer Strider, RHPThis turned out to be a pleasant little Draft for the Braves, with three of their 4 draftees making constructive impacts within the massive leagues. Bryce Elder is presently within the rotation, however Strider was the Nationwide League Rookie of the 12 months runner-up in 2022 and an All-Star who completed fourth in Cy Younger voting a yr later. The fourth-round choose missed almost all of 2024 after inner brace surgical procedure and is getting his toes again underneath him now, although he missed time this season with a hamstring pressure. Even with the setbacks, his 6.5 WAR is presently second amongst all 2020 draftees.
Marlins: Max Meyer, RHPThe Marlins are tied with the Dodgers and Tigers for probably the most massive leaguers (4) chosen in 2020. Miami’s finest is Meyer, the No. 3 total selection out of Minnesota who matched Corridor of Famer Paul Molitor as the best choose in class historical past. His wipeout slider might have been the most effective pitch within the Draft and he reached Miami by July 2022, solely to blow out his elbow two weeks later and require Tommy John surgical procedure. He returned to the mound in 2024 and owns a profession 6-11 document with a 5.29 ERA and 120/41 Ok/BB ratio in 127 2/3 innings.
Mets: Pete Crow-Armstrong, OFLook away, Mets followers. New York chosen the California prep outfielder nineteenth total in 2020, noticed him bear season-ending proper shoulder surgical procedure six video games into 2021 after which traded him to the Cubs for 2 leases in Javier Báez and Trevor Williams. Crow-Armstrong has overcome questions on his energy since then and solidified his standing as the most effective defensive middle fielders of his era. He’s hitting .271/.305/.545 with 17 homers and 21 steals in 67 video games this season and is broadly thought-about an MVP candidate already in his age-23 season.
Nationals: Mitchell Parker, LHPThe guide continues to be out on first-rounder Cade Cavalli, who’s on his manner again to the Majors since final pitching there in 2022. However Parker — the membership’s fifth-rounder in 2020 out of San Jacinto (Texas) Junior Faculty — has been a rotation mainstay the previous two years with 42 begins over that interval. The southpaw will get nearly 7 toes of extension to get on prime of batters along with his four-seamer, splitter, curveball and slider, and whereas he hasn’t missed a ton of bats in 2025 (47 strikeouts in 71 innings), he does restrict barrels to assist maintain his ERA to 4.44.
Phillies: Mick Abel (No. 8)Since being taken No. 15 total, Abel has moved methodically by means of the Phillies’ system, exhibiting off the uncooked stuff that made him a first-rounder however struggling to search out the strike zone, as evidenced by his 5.1 BB/9 profession fee within the Minors. Issues began to click on extra at Triple-A this yr with a 2.21 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and .209 BAA over 10 begins. He’s getting an extended look in Philadelphia’s rotation now and has given up 4 runs and solely three walks over 15 1/3 innings.
Brewers: Garrett Mitchell, OFMilwaukee’s uber-athletic outfield group is one in all its important strengths, and the 2020 first-rounder out of UCLA, when wholesome, is a key part of it. Mitchell is coming off his finest offensive season within the Majors, having hit .255/.342/.469 with eight homers in 69 video games final yr, and his distinctive pace, protection in middle and arm energy give him extra avenues to supply worth. He’s presently out with a left indirect pressure.
Cardinals: Masyn Winn, SSSt. Louis had undoubtedly one of the vital productive Draft lessons in 2020, additionally including Jordan Walker, Tink Therefore and Alec Burleson. But it surely’s the Cardinals’ second-rounder, Texas prepster Winn, who has undoubtedly change into the crown jewel of the group. An distinctive defensive shortstop, the 23-year-old continues to develop offensively in his third MLB marketing campaign along with his chase fee taking the most important soar in 2025. His 5.4 profession bWAR ranks fourth amongst all 2020 picks, and his ceiling is as excessive as anybody’s in addition to maybe Crow-Armstrong.
Cubs: Luke Little, LHPWhile the Cubs haven’t got a lot to point out for his or her 2020 Draft class, they did steal Mets first-rounder Pete Crow-Armstrong the next yr in a commerce for Javier Báez and Trevor Williams. Chicago’s lone massive leaguer is Little, who pushed his fastball to 102 mph at San Jacinto (Texas) JC earlier than going within the fourth spherical. He has pitched out of the massive league bullpen in every of the previous three seasons, compiling a 2.97 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 33 1/3 innings.
Pirates: Jared Jones, RHPThe first three picks from this class have all touched the massive league roster and a wholesome Nick Gonzales is now within the lineup whereas Carmen Mlodzinski simply acquired referred to as again up. Jones is out for the yr following elbow surgical procedure, however he created fairly a buzz final yr making 22 begins and putting out 9.8 per 9 whereas strolling 2.9. He’ll should discover a method to harness his aggressiveness on the mound to remain wholesome, however he’s nonetheless solely 23, so we stay bullish on his future.
Reds: Joe Boyle, RHPThe final of the Reds’ six picks in 2020, Boyle is the one one to have reached the massive leagues. He missed almost all of his first full season, however began transferring in 2022 and was at Double-A when he was despatched to the A’s on the 2023 Commerce Deadline, making his massive league debut in September that yr. Lengthy armed with elite-level velocity, maybe probably the most shocking factor is that he’s nonetheless beginning after strolling 12.0 per 9 at Notre Dame. Whereas his command has improved as a professional, his stroll fee continues to be effectively over six-per-nine. Now with the Rays following an offseason commerce, he’s been higher in a single massive league begin and 11 at Triple-A (1.37 ERA, .139 BAA and three.7 BB/9 mixed).
D-backs: Brandon Pfaadt, RHPA fifth-round pick of Division II Bellarmine, Pfaadt signed for under $100,000 however has change into a mainstay within the Arizona rotation with 65 appearances (64 begins) over the previous three seasons. Outcomes have been inconsistent within the common season with a profession 5.15 ERA, however he was a key a part of the postseason workers through the 2023 World Collection run by which he posted a 3.27 ERA over 5 begins, two of which got here within the NLCS — he fanned 16 Phillies over 9 2/3 innings.
Dodgers: Gavin Stone, RHPThe Dodgers matched the Marlins and Tigers for probably the most massive leaguers (4) discovered within the 2020 Draft, and Los Angeles’ finest was the penultimate participant chosen. Stone threw a 13-strikeout no-hitter in his remaining recreation for Southeastern Louisiana earlier than signing for a well-below-slot $97,500 within the fifth spherical. The Dodgers helped him enhance his whole repertoire and he received 11 video games with a 3.53 ERA as a rookie final yr. He’ll miss this season after shoulder surgical procedure in March.
Giants: Kyle Harrison, LHPFirst-rounder Patrick Bailey would have been a straightforward reply for many golf equipment, however we’re going with the upper upside of Harrison right here. A California excessive schooler who signed for first-round cash ($2,497,500) within the third spherical, he established himself as the most effective lefty pitching prospect in baseball earlier than becoming a member of the Giants in August 2023. In 39 massive league video games (35 begins), he has gone 9-9 with a 4.48 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 182 2/3 innings.
Padres: Owen Caissie, OF (CHC No. 2/MLB No. 46)The Ontario native was a second-rounder 5 years in the past, making him the best outfielder ever drafted out of Canada, however he by no means performed an official recreation for San Diego. The Padres traded him to the Cubs in a megadeal for Yu Darvish and Victor Caratini in December 2020. Nonetheless solely 22, Caissie stays the most effective energy bats within the Minors with vital left-handed pop, resulting in a 107.9 mph, Ninetieth-percentile exit velocity this season with Triple-A Iowa. With plus-arm energy, he could possibly be a high quality proper fielder for the Cubs past 2025, if Kyle Tucker strikes elsewhere this offseason.
Rockies: Drew Romo, C (No. 9)The Rockies’ prime two picks in 2020 each have made it to Denver, although neither Zac Veen nor Romo have established themselves. Romo acquired there first in 2024 and has spent extra time within the massive leagues, so he will get the slight nod for that and for enjoying the extra demanding place. He is been shelved for the primary two months of this season with a finger damage.
