Mason Black
RHP 6-3 215 Lehigh
12-3-20 - Perfect Game combined their picks for the first two rounds in this mock draft -
22. Chicago White Sox | Alex Binelas, 3B, Louisville | (2/51) Mason Black, RHP, Lehigh
Binelas burst onto the scene as a true freshman for the Cardinals and though he dug in for just seven at-bats in 2020, the left-handed hitting Wisconsin native is still considered one of the premier college hitters. With 14 home runs in 2019, there’s no doubting the power he brings to the dish which fits into his profile as a hard hitting third baseman with game changing juice. Black looks to follow in the footsteps of former teammate Levi Stoudt, a 3rd round selection in 2019, though given his stuff and performance, there’s a chance he’ll go even higher come this June’s draft. Following a strong summer on the Cape, Black took his performance to the next level in his shortened 2020 season and there’s plenty of optimism heading into 2021 as he possesses all the traits of a starter at the next level with a heater that bumps into the mid-90s and a swing-and-miss type slider. -Jheremy Brown
Cervino’s Take: Alex Binelas has the potential to be one of the biggest risers in the draft given his freshman year’s resume and injury-shortened 2020 and the White Sox pair him with another potential riser in Lehigh’s Mason Black. Binelas has the chance to put up monster numbers in the middle of a potent Louisville offense while Black is the top small school pitcher in the class. The White Sox honed in on their top of the draft guys in 2020 and in this scenario they’d do it again in 2021.
11-24-20 - Prospects Worldwide Mock Draft -
14. RHP Mason Black
School: Lehigh | B / T: R / R | Ht: 6’3 | Wt: 210lbs | Age: 21.6
Black has some of the best pure stuff in the entire class. Has been working in the secondaries more frequently and much improved this fall, and shows high potential to fill in as a Starter long-term. Keeps the ball on the ground well, 57% Groundball rates. Working with a 4 pitch mix, the Fastball (60) consistently works in the upper 90s T99, used 69% of the time, I would expect that number to creep down as he mixes in those improved secondaries more often.
Speaking about those secondaries, the best of the bunch would be his Changeup (60) that gets swing and misses, and be a consistent out pitch. A Slider (50) with 2400 RPM that has some inconsistencies, but flashes Above-average at times. Rounding out the 4 pitch mix is a Curveball (55) that flashes Plus often and has generated a 35% swing and miss in his collegiate career. With the secondaries trending up, and showing a strong ability to play off that heavy Fastball, Black has the looks of a sure-fire 1st Round pick with an outside chance at a Top 10 selection.
11-11-20 - Prospects Live Top 300 Prospect List -
31. Mason Black - RHP
Bio:
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210 lbs
Hits/Throws: R-R
Hometown: Archibald, PA
School: LeHigh
A breakout performer down the Cape in 2019, Black rode a standout statistical performance to a starting role in the CCBL All-Star game. His three pitch mix is led by his above average fastball in the 92-95 mph range touching 99 mph at its hottest. He mixes two average secondaries in his slider and changeup, with the former being the better of the two. Much of Black's future role will be tied to the development of his somewhat raw secondaries. It's a long, strong body and a really quick arm with model extension and release height, suggesting he'll be a hot commodity in the first round come 2021.
11-9-20 - Ian Smith Mock 1.0 -
28. Tampa Bay Rays
The Pick- RHP Mason Black • Lehigh
6’3” • 210lb
Another pick where I feel the rich get richer. Tampa Bay goes masterful things with high octane arms and they will be getting another in Lehigh’s Mason Black. Small school hurler who was up to 98 this summer and sits 94-96 with sink but has been tinkering with working up in the zone this fall. Made big strides on both the slider and changeup over the last eight months as well. Needs to clean up the arm path and delivery a bit, there’s potential for a triple digit SP2/3 in his future with the correct development. The Rays would ensure that happens.
8-26-20 - Baltimore Sports and Life -
Mason Black, Lehigh RHP
Black dominated Cape Cod last year, to the tune of a 1.47 ERA in 36 innings. His return to Lehigh and aluminum bats wasn’t as dominant, with a 3.68 ERA despite 11.86 K/9. It seemed reasonable that the return to wood bats would see Black return to his overpowering numbers.
In his South Florida Collegiate Baseball League Pitcher of the Year campaign, Black was basically unhittable. In 28 innings, he allowed two runs (0.64 ERA). He never allowed more than 3 hits in an outing (10 total). Finally, he struck out over 40% of his batters, while only walking 10%. Even more incredible, coaches clocked his fastball in the high 90s, topping out in practice at 102 MPH.
1. Mason Black Lehigh University (PA) Boca Raton Blazers RHP RS Sophomore (draft eligible 2021) 6’3/220 R/R Archbald, PA Draft Status: Undrafted
Every time Mason Black threw this summer you were sure to see scouts in the stands as he dominated on the mound this summer with a miniscule 0.64 ERA. Black led the league in strikeouts with 42, only gave up 2 earned runs and 10 hits in 28 innings pitched. Black has a strong durable pitchers frame at 6’3/220 pounds. He throws from a ¾ arm slot with his fastball sitting 93-96 and will hit 97/98 in his starts. Black will hold his velocity deep into his outings and maintains velocity from the stretch as well. He has good mechanics with a clean delivery and pounds the zone throwing lots of strikes. He features three breaking pitches: a cutter at 90-92, a plus slider at 84-88 and an average curveball at 79-81. He also throws a change up in the 83-86 range that has some depth and fade. His slider gets the most swing and miss from hitters and is his out pitch. His slider developed and became more effective during his time in the SFCBL. Mason will go into the 2021 MLB Draft as a potential top round selection as he showed signs of potentially being a starter at the next level.
If I had to place a bet on who the fourth college pitcher selected might be in the 2021 MLB Draft, I think Black would be as good a bet as any. The fastball is already super advanced, the body projects well, and the secondaries continue to progress. Black is slightly farther along/more advanced than Wake Forest’s Ryan Cusick in just about every way. So long as the health holds and the command is strong, Mason Black may very well be the guy Dipoto and Scott Hunter have circled on their very preliminary 2021 big board.
Mets should be interested in Black as a possibility in Round 1, and certainly in round 2
ReplyDeleteI agree on round 2. Possibly 3.
ReplyDelete