The 2020 MLB Draft will look drastically different compared to those in the past.
For starters, the typical 40-round event has been cut down to five with an extensive list of changes. But the mocks remain the same which means it’s possible the A’s stick to what they know and go toward a college name with the No. 26 overall draft pick.
As far as the team’s needs go, lefties A.J. Puk and Jesús Luzardo don’t have a lot of MLB exposure quite yet but look to make the starting rotation in 2020. The shortened draft could create panic for other teams to pounce faster which might make things more interesting. Pitching might not be what the team ends up with after all.
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Here’s how the prospect/draft world believes Oakland will shape up in the event that begins on Wednesday:
Mike Axisa, CBS Sports -- Pick: SS Nick Loftin, Baylor ($2,653,400 slot value)
What they’re saying: “The Athletics lean heavily on the college ranks when picking late in the first round and, depending how you feel about Austin Martin's defense, Loftin might be the best college shortstop in the draft class. He can defend and he's one of the toughest hitters to strike out in the country (career 8.3 percent strikeout rate at Baylor). Loftin passes both the analytics test and the traditional scouting eye test. The alternative here would be one of the many quality college right-handers still available.”
Keith Law, The Athletic -- Pick: SS Jordan Westburg, Mississippi State
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What they’re saying: “The A’s tend to go college when they pick later in the first round, and they could go with Westburg, UNC’s Aaron Sabato, or a pitcher like Jarvis or Bobby Miller.”
Jonathan Mayo, MLB Pipeline -- Pick: RHP Chris McMahon, Miami
What they’re saying: "It sounds like the A’s are leaning toward a college pick, though high school players like Illinois shortstop Ed Howard could come into play. McMahon has a very high floor, which could lift him a few spots higher."
[RELATED: Reggie Jackson A's best first-round pick ever ... for now]
Eric Longenhagen, FanGraphs -- Pick: 1B Aaron Sabato, North Carolina
What they’re saying (from his Mach 1 on May 27 with original pick being RHP Slade Cecconi, Miami): “There is a bit of a college bat drought in this area that I think up-the-middle players like Foscue and Dingler are most likely to fill, though I think some corner guys like Arizona’s Austin Wells and North Carolina’s Aaron Sabato could be in the mix for teams if they’re really leaning hard on college performers this year. PCA would be baptized as Kevin Kiermaier’s hit-stealing successor in Tampa. Dingler is the best up-the-middle college bat left and the Braves seem to value those at a premium. Cecconi has the best build and athleticism of the remaining college arms, his stuff has a little more power than Duke’s Bryce Jarvis, and he has a more traditional delivery than Bobby Miller.”
Full coverage of the 2020 MLB Draft begins Wednesday on MLB Network and ESPN at 7 p.m. ET.