The Talking Chop 2020 MLB Draft preview has reached the point of taking a position by position look at the talent available this year. We started last week with catcher and first base, and today we move to second base.
Second base is never a particularly strong group in a draft as it’s usually guys listed as shortstops, third basemen, or outfielders who end up moving to second base once they show they can’t handle their current position defensively. With that in mind this is actually a pretty solid group in 2020.
The top second baseman available is a potential Top 5 pick, and we have a second guy who has a real chance at going in the first round. However, things drop off considerably after that point and why there are only five write-ups for the position.
While I don’t expect the Braves to target a second baseman in the draft, taking one isn’t something that is out of the question if they happen to really like one of these guys.
The Top 10
- Nick Gonzales, New Mexico State
A big time producer for New Mexico State, Nick Gonzales production was a question for some because of the heavily offensive oriented place he played his home games. Then he went out and dominated in the Cape Cod League last summer, putting up both great stats and great analytical numbers. Gonzales may be the best pure hitter in this draft class, with above average power that plays up due to the hit tool. His defensive home is a bit of a question, but most feel he can handle second base at an adequate level to have his bat in the lineup. Gonzales is a guy that will remind some of Keston Hiura, having a similar hit and power tool set with some of the same defensive questions. Gonzales is a lock to go in the Top 10.
2. Justin Foscue, Mississippi State
Justin Foscue has some similarities to a former SEC infielder from last year in Braves prospect Braden Shewmake. Foscue has a great track record of success, great baseball instincts, an above average to plus hit tool, some questions about his power, and some questions about his future defensive home longterm. As you can see he sounds a bit like Shewmake at this time last year. What can’t be taken away is the way this kid has hit at the SEC level, and even if he doesn’t hit for a ton of power he has the floor of a utility infielder. Of course there is a chance he could be more than that as he has above average raw power- just that he hasn’t shown much of that in game with wooden bats to date in a fairly short sample.
3. Kaden Polcovich, Oklahoma State
One the more interesting prospects for me this year is Kaden Polcovich. The son of a former big leaguer, Polcovich only landed at Oklahoma State this year after transferring in from the junior college level. Between the JUCO and NCAA levels he had a stopover in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .305 with a .426 on base percentage to show his hit tool can match up with anyone. While he didn’t get much of a chance to show his game in D1 this spring, he had a very good showing in a small sample size. Polcovich is a plus hitter, but his profile is held back by two things. The biggest is that he doesn’t have a lot of power, and despite the advanced hit tool you are looking at a guy who might just break into double digit homers every year. The other thing working against him is that he doesn’t really have a defensive position. He’s a bit of a tweener defensively, but may be a utility guy with the ability to play second, third, and corner outfield positions to add some versatility to his game. Polcovich is probably a mid to later round pick as an offense oriented utility guy.
4. Darren Baker, Cal
Yes, this is Dusty Baker’s son. The former Giants bat boy is now a legitimate MLB prospect, though one who belongs towards the later part of the five round draft. Baker is a solid player with great instincts and makes regular contact- but his lack of power limits just how much of an impact he may have.
5. Noah Campbell, South Carolina
Depending on who you ask this is either too high or too low for Campbell to rank. The toolsy infielder has been on the radar for what feels like forever, but he just hasn’t hit well for South Carolina. A team wanting him would be believing in his prep hype and Cape Cod League performance instead of what he’s done at the college level.
Others of Note:
6. Lucas Dunn, Louisville
7. Cory Acton, Florida
8. Drew Smith, Grand Canyon
9. Harrison Ray, Vanderbilt
10. Myles Christian, Middle Tennessee State
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