Mack – Draft News – Spencer Torkelson, Thoughts on the Next Draft, Cam Shepherd, Jeff Criswell, Hayden Cantrelle

Allthon Sports   offered up their list of their top 50 college prospects that will be available in the 2020 draft.

One is

2. Spencer Torkelson, 1B/OF, Arizona State

Last year Andrew Vaughn paved the way for a bat-first college first baseman to go in the top three picks. Torkelson’s bat is every bit as impressive as Vaughn’s (he has 48 home runs in his first two seasons), and he’s more athletic, so he has a chance to go No. 1 overall.

I was thinking about the Mets next draft. I say ‘next’ because I have no idea when it will happen or what shape it will be in.

My guess is that there will be a draft this year and it will probably be around five rounds. Not much but better than nothing.

You can erase a season but you can’t logjam the kids coming out of both high school and college. They will, in some form, graduate on time.

We have three of the top 70 picks in the next draft, plus we will sign at least two top International prospects. That’s five more red chip prospects in the chain.

Last thought… what if the kids that don’t get drafted past the five rounds are technically free agents and can go play for the team of their choice? The signing bonus money, whatever that is, would be the same. That means they can call the team THEY want to play for.

No agents. No draft restrictions. Just their choice.

Forget the old Wilpon narrative. Kids will want to play MORE for this young, exciting team regardless of who owns them. And the Wilpons will be long gone before they rise to the major league level.

I think we will benefit from this. 

BA Top 25 Seniors  -

          1. Cam Shepherd, SS, Georgia

One of the most high-profile players to return for a senior season in 2020, Shepherd, a steady hand at a premium defensive position and a solid contributor with the bat, will have the opportunity to do so again for 2021.

Through four weeks of the 2020 season, he hit .268/.372/.493 with four homers and 21 RBI, both good for second on the team, and he was as good as advertised at short.

Michigan players in Top 200 Prospects -

            No. 53: Michigan RHP Jeff Criswell

The Portage Central graduate was an integral part of Michigan's College World Series run last season, when he went 7-1 with a 2.72 ERA in 106 innings, striking out 116. He only made four starts in 2020 before the season was canceled. He was 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 24 innings, striking out 26.

BA scouting report: "There is some concern about whether Criswell fits best in a starter or reliever role. He has enough stuff to succeed in either, but without improved control at the next level (he’s walked 4.5 batters per nine through his Michigan career) he might fit best in the bullpen. However, he has taken steps to improve the walk rate each season, so he could simply continue learning how to harness his repertoire and limit the damage he does to himself. Criswell is a day one pick in a normal draft and should be off the board by the third round."

draftsite Mets #2 pick –

          2B       Hayden Cantrelle               Louisiana-Lafayette

          5-11               175                 Junior

2019 Season (Sophomore) –

Through 59 games Cantrelle slashed .309/.426/.504 and led the team with a .930 OPS… His batting average was good for third on the team, slugging was ranked fourth, and was second on the team in OBP…Hit nine bombs that went along with 31 RBI… Also paced the team and Sun Belt Conference in stolen bases with 28…Owned a 14-game hitting streak where he went 25-for-53 (.471) during that stretch tallying 6HR, 12RBI and a whopping 24 runs…Had one of the more incredible games of the season ripping three home runs against Little Rock…He finished that game with 5 Runs, 3HR, and 5RBI and became just the 10th player in program history with a three-home run game...Hit for the cycle against Northwestern State becoming the fourth Ragin' Cajun all-time to do so.

          Shortened 2020 stats:      59-AB, .136