Guardians Baseball Insider

As the 2020 MLB Draft, fast approaches here are some players that fit the Indians, draft model. These players “check the boxes” for what the Indians prioritize in the MLB Draft. Here are some of the things that the Indians emphasize; youth, cold weather, middle of the diamond, advanced hit-ability, advanced pitch-ability, high spin rates, athleticism, bloodlines, and “famous” performers (Cape Cod league, Perfect Game Showcase, etc.) to name a few.

The Names to Know:

Alex Santos- RHSP Mount Saint Michael Academy

The young for the draft class (18.3yo) right-hander displays an improving repertoire. Now 6’3, 215lbs Santos worked hard this Spring to get bigger and stronger to prepare himself for pro ball. Santos displays a mid-90’s fastball with a high spin curve and change. The New York native is athletic and displays strike-throwing abilities.

Ian Bedell- RHSP Missouri

Bedell displays a solid four-pitch mix with above-average control. The righty doesn’t have a long track record as a starting pitcher but was a highly effective swingman before moving into the rotation this Spring. The Mizzou product displays high spin stuff and the making of four average or better pitches. The native Iowan is an extremely young (20.8) college junior.

Zach McCambley- RHSP Coastal Carolina

The Chanticleers right-hander displays a solid three-pitch mix. McCambley sits in the low-to-mid 90’s with his fastball and touches higher. The righty displays a plus to plus-plus curveball and a fringe-average looking change. The curveball is a high spin strikeout type weapon. He is a young for the class college junior (21.1).

David Calabrese- CF St. Elizabeth Catholic, ON

The speedy centerfielder features top of the scale speed. The native Canadian has an average but accurate arm defensively paired with a solid glove. Calabrese is one of the youngest players in the draft class (17.7). Offensively the hit tool is average and the power lags behind as one would expect from such a young and smaller framed (5’11, 160lbs) players.

Petey Halpin- CF Mira Costa HS, CA

Another centerfielder Halpin is a plus runner with a plus arm in center. The left-handed-hitting outfielder displays an average hit tool with fringe-average power that could improve as he matures physically. The University of Texas commit will be 18.1 on draft day possible hard signing.

Markevian Hence- RHSP Watson Chapel HS, AR

Another young for the draft class prep player Markevian Hence (17.9) throws a low-90’s fastball that gets into the mid-90’s. He has appeared to get stronger this Spring with velocities climbing higher. Hence displays an above-average slider with an average change and average control.

Pete Crow-Armstrong- CF Harvard-Westlake HS, CA (DRAFTED: New York Mets 1.19)

The left-handed-hitting Vanderbilt commit is another young for the class player (18.1). “PCA” as he is affectionately known displays an advanced approach at the plate with improving wiry strength in his smaller narrow-shouldered frame. The California native displays plus speed and defense with an above-average arm. 

Jordan Walker- 3b Decatur HS, GA (DRAFTED: St. Louis Cardinals 1.20)

Just 18 on draft day the right-handed slugging third baseman brings massive plus-plus power. The Georgia native has an above-average to plus arm for third base and a solid glove. Walker is an intelligent player with athleticism and as high upside as any player in the draft if it all comes together for the Duke commit.

Carson Montgomery- RHSP Windermere HS, FL

The Florida native displays a mid-90’s fastball paired with an above-average slider and an improving changeup that projects for more. Montgomery is 17.8 on draft day and features average control from his athletic 6’2, 200lb frame.

Blaze Jordan- 1B DeSoto HS, MS

Aptly named the right-handed slugger corner infielder displays prestigious plus-plus power. He’s best known for his towering shots. Jordan is one of the youngest players in the draft at 17.5. The slugger is a Mississippi St. commit and will likely need a significant signing bonus to get him to forego college.

Carson Tucker- SS Mountian Pointe HS, AZ (DRAFTED: CLEVELAND INDIANS 1.23)

The younger brother of Pirates shortstop Cole Tucker, Carson is a legitimate shortstop prospect himself. The University of Texas commit has gotten stronger, faster, and more athletic as he has matured going into Spring. Tucker has an above-average looking hit tool with an average projection for power as he continues to add strength. Defensively, he has a solid arm and he is generally considered an above-average shortstop. 

Patrick Bailey- C North Carolina St. (DRAFTED: San Francisco Giants 1.13)

Arguably the best college catcher in the class Bailey is a plus defender with a strong above-average arm and above-average defense. The switch-hitting backstop has a fringe type bat with average power. Bailey is a young for the class junior at 21 on draft day. While Bailey is widely regarded as one of the better catchers in the class he could see Ohio State’s uber-athletic Dillon Dingler go off the board first causing a slight slip on draft day.

Tanner Witt- RHSP Episcopal HS, TX

Witt is the son of former big leaguer Kevin Witt. The athletic 6’6, 200lb righty will be 17.8 on draft day. A University of Texas commit, he is widely considered a hard sign. Witt displays a low-to-mid 90’s fastball with room for more velocity and improving average control. The righty throws an above-average curveball and slider with an average changeup.

Ed Howard- SS Mount Carmel HS, IL (DRAFTED: Chicago Cubs 1.16)

The Illinois native did not get to take the field this Spring before the coronavirus shutdown. Featuring an above-average arm and plus glove the talented infielder will remain at shortstop long term. Howard displays an average bat with average power and above-average speed on the bases.

Jared Kelley- RHSP Refugio HS, TX

Kelley sits in the mid-90’s comfortably with upper 90’s heat on a regular basis. His best pitch is a double plus changeup that turns over lineups. The least of his three pitches is his average slider that needs work. The Texas native is slightly older than average (18.7) for a high school senior. The righty has big-time upside and should get paid accordingly.

Ricky Tiedemann- LHSP Lakewood HS, CA

The young for the class (17.8) left-hander displays a low-90’s fastball that touches 93 mph on occasion. The lefty features an above-average changeup and average slider. Tiedemann is a projectable 6’4, 200 lb lefty with a commit to San Diego State. He has an older brother in the Texas Rangers organization.

A few other names to know: 

Mason Hickman- RHSP Vanderbilt

Bryce Elder- RHSP Texas

Steven Ondina- SS/2b International Baseball Academy, PR

Taylor Dollard- RHSP Cal Poly

Trenton Denholm- RHSP UC Irvine

Kalai Rosario- OF Waiakea HS, HI

Christian Chamberlain- LHSP Oregon St.

Kaden Polcovich- 2b/CF Oklahoma St.

Alika Williams- SS Arizona St. (DRAFTED: Tampa Bay Rays CBA 1.37)

Braden Olthoff- RHSP Tulane