Scouting the 2020 Draft: College Corner

One of the great traditions in college baseball is the Friday Starter.  I first became aware of the phenomenon back in 2006 when Tim Lincecum, Brandon Morrow, Ian Kennedy and David Huff all pitched in the Pac-10 and used to go toe-to-toe on Friday nights in front of armies of scouts.  College baseball generally schedules 3-game series over weekends with just 1 or 2 midweek games.  They put their top SP out there on Friday nights and he usually pitches in that spot every week, with 6 days rest in between. It makes for great matchups and makes it easy to follow the progress of the top college draft prospects, at least on the pitching side.

Last night was college baseball's Opening Day and the Friday Starters were out en masse.  As I've commented, this year's college pitcher draft class is unusually deep after an unusually thin year in 2019.  Most of them were on display last night.  Here are some of the pitching lines with a few of my comments thrown in.

Nick Swiney LHP, NC State:  7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K.  We haven't profiled him yet, but he's got MLB size at 6'3", 187 lbs. and struck out 95 batters in 56.2 IP, as a sophomore last season.

Ian Bedell RHP, Missouri:  6 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 BB,  11 K.  Another college junior we have not profiled.

Carmen Mlodzinski RHP, South Carolinia.  7 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.

Asa Lacy LHP, Texas A&M:  6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K's.

Adam Seminaris LHP, Long Beach St:  6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K.  We have not profiled him yet.  6'0", 175 lbs.

Tanner Burns RHP, Auburn:  5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 7 K's.

Tommy Mace RHP, Florida:  6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K's.

Emerson Hancock RHP, Georgia:  4 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  Disappointing debut for the consensus top pitching prospect in this draft.

Ryan Webb LHP, Georgia:  5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 11 K.  Versatile lefty who has started and closed for Georgia.  Slammed the door shut after Hancock's rough start.  Potential sleeper draft prospect.

Jordan Jackson RHP, Georgia Southern:  5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K's.  JC transfer.  Classic pitchers's build at 6'6" 208 lbs.  Another sleeper?

Brian Van Belle RHP, Miami:  6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K's.  Redshirt Sr.  6'2", 187 lbs.  We have not profiled him yet.

Reid Detmers LHP, Louisville:  5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 9 K's.

Tanner Bibee RHP, CS Fullerton:  6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 9 K's.  We have not profiled him yet.

Jack Sheehan RHP, Notre Dame:  7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K's.  Senior.  6'3", 195 lbs.  We have not profiled him yet.

Cole Henry RHP, LSU:  4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K's.  Control has been an issue for him.  Not here.

CJ Van Eyk RHP, Florida St:  5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K's.

Cam Cowan RHP, Campbell:  8.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 15 K.  JC Transfer.  6'5", 245 lbs.  We have not profiled him.

Ryan Cusick RHP, Wake Forest:  5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 6 BB, 10 K's.  Sophomore.  I don't think draft eligible.

JT Ginn RHP, Mississippi St:  3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K's.  Slow start for a pitcher some analysts think the Giants may have interest in.  Draft eligible sophomore.

Kade Mechels RHP, Grand Canyon:  5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 8 K's.  Senior.  5'11", 185 lbs.

Cade Cavalli RHP, Oklahoma:  4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 8 K.

Parker Brahms RHP, Sacramento St:  5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K's.  We have not profiled him yet.  Caught my eye as a sophomore last year.

Taylor Dollard RHP, Cal Poly:  7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K's.  Redshirt Jr.  Converted from Closer to Friday Starter.  6'3", 195 lbs.

Jackson Wolf LHP, West Virginia:  7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K's.  Tremendous size at 6'7', 205 lbs.  Limited by wildness in past.  Not a problem in this game.  We have not profiled him yet.

Max Meyer RHP, Minnesota:  5 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K's.

Griff McGarry RHP, Virginia:  5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K's.  We have not profiled him yet.  Reportedly a hard thrower.  6'2", 185 lbs.

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Offensive performances of note:

Spencer Torkelson 1B,  Arizona St:  1 for 2, HR, 2 BB.

Heston Kjerstad OF, Arkansas:  3 for 4, HR.

Austin Wells C, Arizona:  3 for 4, 2 2B, HR, BB.  IMO, Wells should be ranked much higher than he is on most draft rankings.  Looking for him to catch serious helium as the college season progresses.  Should stick at C but if not, no worries.  The bat should play anywhere.

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RHP Cole Wilcox should go for Georgia today as they have the luxury of two Friday quality SP's.

LHP Garret Crochet of Tennessee, projected first rounder, is held back due to arm soreness.  Never a good thing.

SS Freddy Zamora, Miami, another projected first rounder is out for the season with an ACL tear of the knee.