Aaron Downs
SS 17/yrs. 5-11 200 Heritage Academy (MS)
A stocky muscular infielder (looks like a catcher) that is quickly becoming a liability at short. Look for his to move to third. Excellent arm speed.
RHH. All power. He can really barrell up when his timing is correct. Ran a 6.92 60.
Mack observation:
Again… I always believe a team should draft ‘the best player available’, but didn’t we just draft the 2020 version of this in Brett Baty?
Right now, he is projected as as late 2nd round or early 3rd round pick. As I have said earlier, I am going to go college in the first three rounds because I just am not sure how any of these high schoolers are going to develop into.
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Jonathan Childress
LHP 20/yrs. 6-4 215 Texas A&M
Started off in his freshman year with a 2.13-ERA over 12-IP, but an elbow injury ended his season.
Mixes his fastball with his curve effectively.
Spent 2019 as a red shirt. Now this.
Started off on fire again in 2020: 4-starts, 2-0, 1.84, 14.2-IP, 17-K, only 4-BB
Mack observation:
I really like this guy. Yes, he had an elbow injury but he has never pitched poorly. A classic 6-4 lefty who knows how to get batters to miss.
His mound mate, Asa Lacy, will probably go in the first five picks. This is definitely one of my second round considerations.
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Jack Leftwich
RHP 21/yrs. 6-4 230 Florida
It seems like Jack has been around for a decade. He is a big, nasty right hander with a fastball that tops 96, a marginal slider, a change, and a 2-seamer that dances better than the 4-seamer.
Always surrounded with higher visable starters. This year, Hunter Barco and Tommy Mace.
His shortened 2020 stats were soft: 4-starts, 2-0, 4.15, 1.13, 21.2-IP, 23-K
Mack observation:
Jack had one horrible outing this year. The shortened season has prevented him from putting up the numbers needed to bring this stat line back into line.
Still, I have loved this guy since high school.
The problem is he’s a tweener… not really a strong 2nd round pick, but doesn’t deserve to still be around in the 3rd round.
I think he will be and, if he is, I pick him with my third pick.
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Jackson Baumeister
C 17/yrs. 6-3 215 The Bolles (FL)
This is a real deal athlete behind the plate. Everything he does is smooth. He moves very well behind the plate. Superior arm strength both behind the plate and the mound.
Fastball hits up to 92. Curve is sharp with good 11/5 shape. A strike thrower.
The problem is is he has showed no ability to hit yet. He is also coming off a leg injury.
Mack observation:
Look… we are always looking for a great catcher prospect, but if he can’t hit high school pitching, he has no chance of getting to the pros while playing behind the plate.
If I drafted this kid at all, it would be in later rounds as a project reliever.
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Luke Hayden
RHP 17/yrs. 6-1 205 Edgewood HS (IN)
Hayden is a velo pitcher that can already sit in the 92-94 range and hit 95, It’s a high spin pitch that needs refinement.
Above average slider (84-85). It’s a difference maker. Slower curve is a work in progress.
Works from the stretch. Tight compact arm action. 3/4 release.
Mack observation:
Luke definitely will be picked in the first three rounds. Probably the second. He is full of helium and his future will be determined if he can control his fastball.
Accomplish that and he could be a star in this game.
Luke Hayden gets my vote - power arm
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