Guardians Baseball Insider

The annual MLB draft is scheduled for July 11-13 in Denver, Colorado host of the 2021 All-Star game. Based upon the MLBPA and MLB owner’s previous agreement, the 2021 MLB Draft will be reduced to 20 rounds.

This draft class is widely considered deep but arguably lacking the top-tier talent as other draft classes. Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker have headlined class, but talented players like Marcelo Mayer, Jordan Lawlar, and Henry Davis, among others, have pushed themselves into early-round conversations.

Scouting departments all around MLB find themselves in a unique situation with shorter track records than “normal” seasons. The lack of views and inability of players to display their developing talents over the past year-plus will likely send some talented players to college campuses around the country. Scouting is changing, and scouts have been forced to focus more on consuming video content and collaboration than perhaps ever before. As a result, some teams have reduced their scouting departments, turning more toward technology/analytics to identify talent.

These projections and player notes have been influenced by numerous sources: Baseball America, Perfect Game, ProspectsLive.com, MLB.com, Fangraphs, YouTube videos, and various other baseball-related sources.

Jack Leiter- RHSP 
Vanderbilt

Age: 21.2
Ht: 6’0; Wt: 195
Throws: Right

Notes: More than just the son of Al Leiter, he is a potential number one overall candidate. Technically a Sophomore, he is draft-eligible this season. He is a smaller frame, strong base, and athletic with a quick arm. Leiter throws four pitches for strikes but seldom used his changeup. All of his pitches are considered above-average, with his curveball his best secondary pitch. The right-hander’s fastball sits low-to-mid 90’s and touches 97 with reports of more.

Projection: Round 1, picks 1-5—potential top 2 or 3 pick.

Jordan Lawlar- SS
Jesuit Prep HS, TX

Age: 19
Ht: 6’2; Wt: 185
Bats: Right;  Throws: Right

Notes: Whoever drafts Jordan Lawlar may feel like they’ve found a unicorn. The talented Texas native is a legitimate five-tool prospect with long-term projection at shortstop. Lawlar has a strong athletic frame with room for more strength and the potential to add raw power. There’s little chance that he makes it to Vanderbilt’s campus in the fall.

Projection: Round 1, picks 1-5—potential top 2 or 3 pick.

Kumar Rocker- RHSP
Vanderbilt

Age: 21.6
Ht: 6’4; Wt: 255
Throws: Right

Notes: The son of former NFL defensive lineman Tracy Rocker, Kumar Rocker has long been considered a top draft pick. After a sustained (3 starts) drop in velocity, the righty slipped down draft boards with injury concerns. Perhaps over-analysis and prospect fatigue are factors, but Rocker’s overall stuff has not taken the shape some evaluators would like. The descriptors big, thick and strong adequately portray the young arm. His fastball touches up 90’s and his mid-80’s slider gives him the potential for two double-plus pitches. The least of his three-pitch mix is an average-looking changeup.

Projection: Round 1, picks 1-5. Potential top 5 pick, could regain once held no.1 overall status.

Henry Davis- C
Louisville

Age: 21.8
Ht: 6’2; Wt: 195
Bat: Right; Throws: Right

Notes: Davis shows an advanced skillset from one of te most sought after positions in baseball. He seems unlikely to escape the top 10, moreso the top 6-7 selections of this draft. The Cardinals backstop has a plus or better arm with quality footwork and reactions behind the plate. On the flip side he above-average bat with good contact skills and similar raw above-average power potential. Overall, he’s a player with positional value and offensive potential to develop into a very good everyday backstop at the highest level.

Projection: Round 1, picks 1-5, a probable top 10 selection.

Marcelo Mayer-SS
Eastlake HS, CA

Age: 18.6
Ht: 6’3; Wt: 185
Bats: Left; Throws: Right

Notes: Advanced bat to ball skills make this Cali native likely to hit for high averages. Mayer has a solid 6’3 frame, and he looks like he could handle and more healthy weight. Already an average runner, he could be looking at a future move to the hot corner. The left-handed-hitting shortstop displays a strong plus arm and above-average glovework, which should transition smoothly to third if necessitated. 

Projection: Round 1, pick 1-5, potential sleeper no.1 pick