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D1Baseball's 2020 Draft Chat
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Lee
1:59
Can you take us through a conversation between a scout and a undrafted free agent in their living room, or on a Zoom Call, trying to sell them to sign with their organization for $20,000.00 vs going back to college. What will be their selling points to convince a player to sign?
Aaron Fitt
1:59
I'm sure the pitch will center around fulfilling a lifelong dream to play professional baseball, same as always. Scouts will play up the fact that players will be less valuable when they are another year older in 2021, and next year's draft will be historically strong because this year's draft is so short. There are certainly advantages to getting your pro career started now, especially if you're a senior who already has your degree. But boy, I think it's going to be a tough sell for any junior who could have been a six-figure guy in a normal draft.
Toan
1:59
What recruiting classes would benefit from this shortened draft with so many high school players not going to get drafted?
DSeif
1:59
Shooter Hunt of Prep Baseball Report wrote about 10 that he felt could be the most affect. Check it out here- https://d1baseball.com/recruiting/ten-recruiting-classes-at-risk-headi...
Tony
2:01
What do you see as Garret Mitchell's floor?  Even if he doesn't figure out how to consistently drive the ball with authority, does he make enough contact to use his speed and become a productive major league player?
Aaron Fitt
2:01
Oh I certainly think so. He definitely has real feel for his barrel and is a very tough out, and his speed is a major weapon. I also think it's only a matter of time before he learns to tap into his raw power potential; he's just so big and strong, it's definitely in there. He just needs to make some swing changes in pro ball to enable him to turn on the ball with more authority, because right now he's more of a middle-away contact-oriented hitter. That still gives him value, but power rules in today's game, so he'll need to figure that part of it out in order to be a real impact player. Seif has compared him physically to Kirk Gibson, and I like that comp. That's more of a ceiling than a floor, though.
Mike
2:03
How worrisome was Hayden Cantrelle's start to the season this year?
Aaron Fitt
2:03
It was a rotten four weeks, that's for sure... but that's still such a small sample size that I don't think scouts are going to bury him over it. We still have him ranked No. 57 on our college top 100, which means we view him as a likely 2nd/3rd rounder. He has enough of a track record and tool set that I think he still fits in that range.
billy
2:04
as far as the D1 baseball changes today does this mean that all programs can offer scholarships to as many as 32 players? and the amount of aid can be less than 25%? for 2021 season only?
Aaron Fitt
2:04
Correct on both counts. Although we wouldn't be surprised to see both of those changes stick permanently. But right now they are for the 2021 season only.
Alex
2:06
Is there legit smoke to the rumor that Chase Antle could be an underslot fifth round pick? Do scouts buy into the fact he was hitting 99 at Coastal?
Aaron Fitt
2:06
You know, I haven't heard that particular rumor about him being a fifth-round value pick, but I could see it -- velocity is a quantifiable, valuable commodity, and he has it. I saw him up to 95 in the fall, but I did hear reports from scouts that he was in the upper 90s this spring, so yes, I think that's legitimate.
Drew
2:08
Hearing that Max Meyer could bounce into the Top 3. How do you compare him to Asa Lacy in terms of risk and upside?
DSeif
2:08
We are hearing the same, but more likely to KC at 4. I personally love Meyer, but will stick to the lefty Lacy barely over the righty Meyer. Our latest rankings- https://d1baseball.com/prospects/2020-draft-reports-college-prospects-...  They have similar upside for me, both potential #2 starters, maybe even a 1 for some clubs in their prime. Risk is similar too. Some want to bang Meyer for being 6'0-6'1 as a greater health risk, but I'm not in that camp. With that said, I don't have access to 1/10 of the information that MLB clubs do, including medical examinations.
Luke
2:08
What round do you guys see Tyler Keenan going in? Any chance he makes it back next year for the REBS? Also, any high school prospects you guys see Ole Miss losing to to the draft?
Aaron Fitt
2:08
I see Keenan as a 2-4 rounder, and I'd be pretty shocked if he wound up back at Ole Miss next year. I suspect every college junior who gets drafted in the five rounds this year is highly likely to sign. Keenan's bat and power are real, and I think he has a real shot to stick at third base. He's certainly one of the top 3Bs in this draft class. I probably have him valued higher than our staff has him ranked.
Bob
2:15
Kenyon Yovan? What do you think will happen with him?
Aaron Fitt
2:15
Tricky one. I think he did succeed in reinventing himself as a hitting prospect this year, but I think he needed a longer season to establish himself as a top-five-round caliber hitter. I'm sure a lot of scouts still view him as an arm of interest, but he didn't get a chance to work his way back to peak form on the mound this season either. So I don't expect him to be drafted in the five rounds, and I don't have a good feel for his signability as an UDFA.
Mike
2:16
When can undrafted free agents be contacted and do teams have the ability to offer college players who have graduated scholarship money if they forgo their last year?
DSeif
2:16
Yes, from my understanding it is within the rules for clubs to offer scholarship money for graduate students, but it's not common.

Starting upon the conclusion of the Draft and ending at 9:00 AM E.T. on Sunday, June 14, no Club may contact, directly or indirectly, a passed over player, his family members or his representatives for any reason.
Additionally, any discussions before or during the Draft with a player, his family members or his representatives about the Club’s interest in signing that player as a passed over player are strictly prohibited. Beginning at
9:00 AM E.T. on Sunday, June 14, Clubs may communicate with passed over players, including negotiation over contractual terms.
Graham
2:16
Where does Casey Martin get picked?
DSeif
2:16
Early 2nd round.
Baller47
2:16
Looking at the Collegiate National Team last year. Of the outfielders outside of Kjerstad who's stock would buy the most heading into pro baseball? Justin Foscue, Garrett Mitchell, Tanner Allen, or even 2021 Colton Cowser?
Aaron Fitt
2:16
I think Foscue is the safest bet of that group -- he's just a really gifted natural hitter, and I love his plate discipline and compact stroke. He also has extra value over those other guys because he'll stick on the infield dirt, with the ability to play both second base and third. I remain very intrigued by Cowser's upside though; I view him as a first-rounder next year. He and Mitchell have the highest ceilings of that group.
Josh
2:18
Where do you see a guy like Gabe Shepard going in a shortened draft like this one? Undeniable talent but also some question marks.
Aaron Fitt
2:18
Yeah, electric arm for sure. But I think he probably needed a longer season to prove he's durable enough to hold up as a starter in order to fully establish himself as a top-five-rounds guy. I think he still has a shot to get drafted, certainly, but it would be toward the back end, and he's by no means a sure thing to get picked.
Jerry
2:20
How expensive will JT Ginn be?
Aaron Fitt
2:20
I don't have any inside information about Ginn's asking price, but my hunch is if he gets drafted in the first round somewhere, this time he'll be happy to sign for slot, considering he's already had surgery and been in school for two years. He has much less leverage and more risk now than he had two years ago.
Tide
2:22
Any Pepperdine guys getting drafted?
DSeif
2:22
Jensen was impressive in his first start for me this spring against San Diego, as was Cooper Chandler vs Minnesota. I also liked the tools and athleticism from Billy Cook (also liked him in the Northwoods Lg in the last summer). And Aharon Modlin was a senior favorite of mine. However, I don't believe any of those 4 will be selected today or tomorrow.
Eric
2:24
How signable is Jordan Walker?
DSeif
2:24
Rumors have him selected picks 35-50 and paid around $2M.
Keith Patrick
2:24
I'm wondering what you guys are thinking about Texas Tech. I think we'll see Beeter go in the 20s tonight and maybe Bryce Bonnin in later rounds. But what about John McMillon? I've heard he's on some 5th round boards but does he make it in? Anyone else the Red Raiders may see going including signees?
Aaron Fitt
2:24
Yeah, there's all kinds of buzz about Beeter climbing up into day one, though I don't think he's any lock to go in the 20s. He's got a shot though, for sure. Bonnin should get picked also, probably in the 3-5 round range. And it wouldn't surprise me for somebody to cut a deal with McMillon as a money-saving senior with big arm strength; I think he'd have value for sure, especially for a club that is trying to be aggressive with some of its other picks.
Toan
2:31
What are some top high school prospects that are rumored to be tough signs and could attend college even if drafted?
DSeif
2:31
I highly doubt there are any preps drafted, but not signed this year. Clubs need/want 100% certainty and although it's against MLB rules to have pre-pick signing bonus agreements, there will be many. With that said Kyle Harrison and Carson Montgomery are the highest-rated by Prep Baseball Report who come to mind as preps that will seek more bonus $ than the market will pay and they will not be selected. Harrison is committed to attend UCLA and Montgomery Florida State.
Guest
2:34
Will Eric Orze go by the 5th or is he more UDFA?
DSeif
2:34
Orze is a good name to consider in the 5th round for less than slot bonus. And there will be numerous others in the same boat. It only takes one club, but I think Orze is more likely a UDFA after Thursday.
Matt
2:35
Who is your favorite prospect that is not in everyone's top 10 picks?
DSeif
2:35
Garrett Crochet
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