With no baseball scheduled to be played any time soon, we have time to consider which players the Dodgers may select in Major League Baseball’s 2020 first-year entry draft. Based upon the recent agreement between MLB and the Players Association, there will be a minimum of five rounds to this year’s draft (possibly more). The Dodgers have six picks in the first five rounds, starting with the 29th-selection in the first round, then: 61; 67 (acquired from the Minnesota Twins in the Kenta Maeda trade); 101; 131; and 160.

Using Baseball America, Major League Baseball Pipeline, and Fangraphs most current rankings of the 2020 draft prospects, today we will look at the players ranked number 29 by each resource as potential Dodgers selections:

Baseball America

Bobby Miller – Right-handed pitcher, University of Louisville (Junior); 6’ 5” – 220 lbs.

Miller has ideal size for a starting pitcher with three plus pitches: sinking fastball that consistently reaches the upper-90s, slider/cutter in the high-80’s, and a change-of-pace split-finger in the mid-80’s. There is some concern that his mechanics and command could result in him being a reliever rather than a starter. Miller started four games before the college season was canceled, pitching to a 2.31 ERA.

Miller is ranked number 48 by MLB Pipeline; Fangraphs number 21.

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MLB

Tanner Burns – Right-handed pitcher, Auburn University (Junior); 6’ 0” – 215 lbs.

Burns two-year stats in the SEC make for a robust draft resume: 32-starts, 188 IP, 2.86 ERA.  His fastball sits in the 92-94 mph range and can reach 97 when needed. Command of his fastball makes the pitch even more effective as well as his above average curve, and change-up. He is effective against both right-handed, and left-handed hitters. Some evaluators see Burns upside as a number three or four starting pitcher, but others compare him to another 6’ starting pitcher from the SEC – Sonny Gray.

Baseball America has Burns ranked number 18; Fangraphs number 66.

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Fangraphs

Drew Romo – catcher, The Woodlands (Texas) high school; 6’ 1” – 205 lbs.; throws right, switch-hitter

Romo, who has committed to Louisiana State University, is a highly regarded catch-and-throw catcher in the 2020 draft, with the chance to be a plus-plus defender as a professional. Romo is a power hitter from both sides of the plate with a good understanding of the strike zone, but evaluators have concerns with his ability to consistently hit against quality pitching.

Both MLB Pipeline, and Baseball America have Romo ranked number 26.

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Of course, there are many draft options for the Dodgers in the first round with many variables to be factored, including highly regarded players who may fall lower in the draft than expected. One such player who may fall into this category is J.T. Ginn, an intriguing right-handed pitcher who is a draft-eligible sophomore after posting a 3.13 ERA over 17 starts, 86 IP, with 105 strikeouts, and 18 walks for Mississippi State University as a freshman. Although once considered a top-10 talent, elbow surgery this past March will likely drop him lower in the draft. Seems to fit the Dodgers draft modus operandi – great talent, elbow surgery, and not likely to pitch until sometime in 2021.

Knowledgeable fans may remember Ginn, as he was selected by the Dodgers in the first round (number 30 overall) of the 2018 draft. Might the Dodgers make another run at Ginn, this time with their 29th-pick?

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Next, we will look at the players who may be available when the Dodgers make their second-round pick (number 61).

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Note: player evaluations are excerpted from Baseball America and MLB pre-draft scouting reports

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