Danny Abriano, SNY.tv | Twitter |
In the last 25 years, the Mets have taken a corner infielder with their first pick in the first round of the MLB Draft just four times.
The last two taken were Brett Baty in 2019 and Dominic Smith in 2013. Before that, it was Ike Davis in 2008. You then have to go all the way back to David Wright in 2001 -- and Wright was a supplemental pick who was taken 38th overall.
While teams should never draft for need, it would still be incredibly surprising for the Mets -- with Pete Alonso entrenched at first base -- to select a player who profiles as a first baseman only with their first pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. If they go the corner infielder route early, it will almost certainly be for a third baseman or a first baseman who could profile at other positions.
With the draft scheduled for June 10 and the Mets selecting at No. 19 in the first round, here are three corner infielders they could target...
3B Jordan Walker, DeCatur High School (GA)
1B Spencer Torkelson and 3B/OF Austin Martin are at the very top of MLB Pipeline's list of the top 200 draft prospects. So you can forget about either of them dropping to the Mets. That means the highest-ranked corner infielder who could reach them is Jordan Walker.
The 17-year-old Walker is viewed as the top prep corner infielder in the draft.
MLB Pipeline scouting report snippet: "Walker generates easy bat speed from the right side of the plate and has tremendous leverage and projectable strength in his 6-foot-5 frame, giving him some of the best power potential in this Draft."
1B/3B Blaze Jordan, DeSoto Central High School (MS)
Jordan could wind up as a first baseman only, but the Mets or another team could take a high upside chance on him as a third baseman if they believe in his defense there. The 17-year-old has immense power potential, so the reward could be huge if he's able to stick at third base.
As the No. 42 ranked prospect in the draft, Jordan could also be viewed as an overdraft if the Mets take him at No. 19.
MLB Pipeline scouting report snippet: "Jordan ranked as one of the top players in the 2021 class until he reclassified last May, becoming one of the youngest (17 years, five months on the originally scheduled Draft day of June 10) and most intriguing prospects in the 2020 group. He won the High School Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game in July, though he had less success facing live pitching on the showcase circuit."
3B Drew Bowser, Harvard-Westlake High School (CA)
Bowser, 18, would be a definite reach for the Mets at No. 19. But if they're looking to go for higher-upside players in rounds two-through-five, they could potentially look to get their first-round pick on a below slot deal.
One thing that could complicate the above when it comes to Bowser is that he's currently committed to Stanford.
MLB Pipeline scouting report snippet: "In the past, his bat would look slow at times and he would cast it out, dragging it through the zone. But he's worked hard to tighten up his swing and make it more compact. He used to struggle with velocity on the inner third of the plate, but now has no issues turning on those pitches and he uses his leverage well to produce solid power."
Video: The Cookie Club: Mets manager Luis Rojas drops in!