Dodgers

Dodgers News: Who Could LA Target in the First-round of the 2020 MLB Draft?

The 2020 MLB Draft is rapidly approaching with it set to kick-off on June 10. The size of this year’s draft was recently agreed upon to be cut down from 40 rounds to only 5. With that in mind, the Dodgers still have six total picks and will try to target high-end talent with their first pick slated for 29th overall with a slot value of $2,275,800.

There have been various players linked to the Dodgers selecting with their first pick. We’ve narrowed it down to four players that would be hard for the Dodgers to pass up given the chance.

RHP J.T. Ginn, MSU

Dodger fans may recognize this name as he was previously drafted 30th overall by the club in 2018. A highly touted high school arm, Ginn decided to gamble on himself by opting to honor his commitment to Mississippi State University. Last year he put up respective 3.13 ERA with 1.054 WHIP and 5.53 K/BB  ratio in 86.1 innings pitched. Such production earned Ginn SEC Freshman of the Year honors.

The 21-year-old has two plus pitches in a mid-90s fastball and a wipeout slider. With some needed work, his changeup could become a third plus offering. This year didn’t start off well for the sophomore as the pandemic and Tommy John surgery cut his season short. His health concerns can lead to him falling right back into the lap of the Dodgers.

RHP CJ Van Eyk, FSU

Starting pitching depth was one thing the Dodgers were proud to hold. However, that depth has taken a hit this past year as they lost Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda, and Hyun-jin Ryu. Ross Stripling is slated to become a free agent next year as well as Clayton Kershaw in 2021. Van Eyk is one of the most polished arms in this year’s draft. Though not as dominant as other names out there, the Dodgers farm has done well with developing talent and squeezing the most out of them.

Van Eyk already has a solid three-pitch mix that includes a mid-90s fastball, a slider, and a changeup. His 12-6 curveball also has the potential to become a fourth with some work. He has the potential to become a starter long term and quickly develop in a big-league ready arm.

RHP Clayton Beeter, Texas Tech

Although Clayton Beeter may never arise to the level that Clayton Kershaw was throughout the past decade, he is still a capable pitcher the Dodgers can target. The 21-year-old has had two elbow surgeries already which has already led to him slipping down the draft board. According to ESPN Insider Kiley McDaniel when asked where the Dodgers would try to add to their deep farm system, he discussed that Clayton Beeter is the type of pitcher the club likes to target.

Considered to have the best stuff in the draft by some insiders, Beeter has already had two elbow surgeries. The Dodgers haven’t shied away from making such picks as they did so in 2015 with Walker Buehler. Equipped with two power breaking balls and a fastball that seems to gain velocity as the game goes on, Beeter would be a welcomed addition to the franchise.

SS Jordan Westburg, MSU

Westburg and teammate Justin Foscue have formed the best double-play combo in college baseball. While the Dodgers can instead choose to draft Foscue who is the safer pick, Westburg fits into the upside that the team is always looking for in players. The Dodgers have tended to lean towards drafting more established college players in the first round as they did last year when they drafted Cody Hoese and Michael Busch, so it’s easy to see them doing the same this year with Westburg.

The 21-year-old shortstop possesses the type of bat speed and power that could lead to 20-homer seasons. He’s very pull-happy at the plate and can work on his management of the strike zone but there’s no doubt that the club can improve his overall approach and tap into that high ceiling. While he has a big 6’3 frame at the position he has the speed and arm strength to overcome that and stick at the position like Corey Seager has. If not, his toolset could play well at the hot corner.

It should be an interesting draft for the Dodgers this year as Andrew Friedman and Scouting Director Billy Gasparino try to make good work of their six draft picks.

Adam Salcido

“That is the way this game is -- you win, you lose, you celebrate and you suffer.” -- Vin Scully
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