The 2020 MLB Draft was an unusual one due to the pandemic which shortened the rounds from 40 to just five. Teams were forced to maximize their picks more than ever before with less wiggle room for taking risks on players who might opt to go to college. The Philadelphia Phillies were at the top of this list lacking a second-round pick after the Zack Wheeler signing.
Round 1, Pick 15: Mick Abel RHP Jesuit Oregon
The Phillies were the first team to select a high school arm drafting the cream of the crop in his class, Mick Abel. He was the 11th-best prospect according to MLB.com but was drafted at number 15. The 6’5″ RHP from Jesuit, Oregon is committed to Oregon State but will have a hard time turning down first-round money from Philly.
His greatest strengths are in his size and maturity with ace potential stuff and a strong pitch repertoire. The fastball was graded highest by scouts (60) coming in between 93-95 MPH. His slider is also elite for his age (55) as an 82-86 MPH strikeout pitch. Abel has received some impressive comps but the best fit is Mike Soroka due to their combinations of size and stuff.
Grade: A
Round 3, Pick 87: Casey Martin SS/OF Arkansas
It was impossible to pass up on the 30th-best prospect according to MLB.com at pick 87. The Phillies did a great job here picking the best player available as opposed to banking on drafting by need. Casey Martin has the tools to be a utility monster at the major league level with his combination of speed and versatility. Now it’s time for Philly to open their wallet and keep him from going back to school.
Martin can fly on the base paths with one of the highest possible running scores (75) which stole him 24 bases at the University of Arkansas. At just 5’11” he also has unexpected power (55) with 24 collegiate homers and 116 RBIs. His biggest flaw is the contact rate as a rare speedster who strikes out a lot. Comparison wise he strikes a lot of similarities with current utility man for the Phillies, Scott Kingery.
Grade: A-
Round 4, Pick 116: Carson Ragsdale RHP USF
Fourth-round picks become very much hit or miss, so the Phillies decided to go with a swing and miss guy themselves. The 6’8″ RHP Carson Ragsdale will standout in any group of MLB prospects due to his size. After missing the entire 2019 campaign due to Tommy John surgery, the USF starter stood out in a shortened 2020.
The 169th-best prospect according to MLB.com had the fifth-highest K/9 in all of college baseball after making four starts before the season was canceled. Scouts say he has a plus fastball (55) in the 91-95 MPH range, and an equally strong curveball (55). This is a very raw and unproven talent who will need to prove he can gain some command. Philly fans have been throwing around Dellin Betances comparisons but 6’7″ reliever Trey Wingenter of the San Diego Padres seems more appropriate.
Grade: B-
Round 5, Pick 146: Baron Radcliff OF Georgia Tech
The fifth round is the time to take a flyer on somebody who excels at a specific tool. This was certainly the case for the Phillies’ selection, Baron Radcliff out of Georgia Tech. The 6’4″ and 228-pound left-handed bat has raw power that resulted in 12 homers in his last full season.
Radcliff was not ranked inside MLB.com’s top-200 however Philadelphia likely had very little money left to play with at this point. They took a shot in the dark with Radcliff who has unbelievable power and size but strikes out a lot. The way the ball jumps off the lefty’s bat draws comparisons to reigning AL ROY Yordan Álvarez but there is a long way of development to go.
Grade: B-
Final Grade: A
Overall, the Philadelphia Phillies pieced together what appears to be a high-quality draft class in a bizarre year for baseball. They found the perfect balance between taking the best players available with Abel and Martin while taking deeper chances later in the draft. If you’re a Philly fan there is absolutely reason to be excited about the class of 2020.
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