With the Mets finishing the 2020 season with a record of 26-34 and there being an expectation that the draft order will work like it usually does, New York will be selecting at No. 10 overall in the 2021 MLB Draft next July.
The last time the Mets had a pick within the top 10, they took Jarred Kelenic at No. 6 overall. The last time they had the No. 10 pick, they used it to take Michael Conforto in 2014.
While there is uncertainty surrounding the Mets due to the pending ownership change that would include Sandy Alderson becoming team president, it's never too early to ponder what they might do at No. 10.
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In their first mock draft of the offseason, Baseball America has LSU right-hander Jaden Hill going to the Mets at No. 10.
Hill was drafted in the 38th round of the 2018 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, but did not sign.
BA writes that the 20-year-old Hill has a "wide range of outcomes given his pure stuff and track record as a starter at the college level," with Hill starting only two games in 2019 and working out of the bullpen in 2020 -- making four appearances before the college season was stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic.
BA added that Hill's stuff could be the best of any pitcher in the draft.
"Hill could rocket up boards by establishing his starter credentials in 2021, but he'll have to go out and prove it," BA writes.
Hill features a plus fastball that has touched 98 MPH in games and 100 in bullpen sessions, a plus slider, and a developing changeup. He also has an impressive frame, at 6' 4" and 233 pounds.
Unlike more advanced college arms, it seems unlikely that Hill would move relatively quickly through the minors after being drafted due to the fact that he's still learning and the lack of innings under his belt. Hill missed the majority of the 2019 season due to a shoulder issue, which set his development back.
But Hill has a tantalizing frame and stuff, and would give the Mets a fourth blue chip pitching prospect -- to go along with Matthew Allan, J.T. Ginn, and Josh Wolf -- as they continue to rebuild their farm system.