Round 1, Pick 4: Asa Lacy (Royals) - Slot Value: $6,664,000
---------------Signed 6/23 - $6,670,000 - Twitter
Round 2, Pick 43: Zach DeLoach (Mariners) - Slot Value: $1,729,800
---------------Signed 6/25 - $1,729,800 - Twitter
Round 2, Pick 48: Christian Roa (Reds) - Slot Value: $1,543,600
---------------Signed 7/2 - $1,543,600 - Twitter
With the draft possibly just 29 days away (June 10th proposed start date), we should start to see a lot more projections, mock drafts, prospect lists etc. I thought I'd lump everything to watch out for in one post.
Draft Targets:
Seniors
Ray Alejo
Brandon Ashy
Cam Blake
Hunter Coleman
Mikey Hoehner
Jake Nelson
Juniors
Rody Barker
Bryce Blaum
Zach DeLoach - Pick #43
Will Frizzell
Chandler Jozwiak
Asa Lacy - Pick #4
Bryce Miller
Christian Roa - Pick #48
Dustin Saenz
Logan Sartori
Cam Wynne
Draft-Eligible Sophomores (Turn 21 by July 25th)
Dawson Barr
Mason Corbett
High School/Junior College Recruits
Max Anderson SS (6-1, 200, Omaha, NE Millard West HS)
Kobe Andrade OF/LHP (5-11, 165, Corpus Christi, TX Veterans Memorial HS)
Khristian Curtis RHP/INF (6-4, 185, Groves, TX Port Neches-Groves HS)
Matthew Etzel OF (6-1, 195, League City, TX Clear Creek HS)
Kalae Harrison INF (6-0, 175, Kailua, HI Punahou HS)
Hunter Hollann LHP (6-4, 180, Longview, TX Spring Hill HS)
Cade Merka INF (5-11, 180, Argyle, TX Argyle HS)
Brett Minnich OF/1B (6-5, 195, Colleyville, TX Blinn College)
Kimble Schuessler C (6-2, 195, Llano, TX Llano HS)
Taylor Smith C (6-1, 210, Georgetown, TX Incarnate Word/Grayson Community College)
Jordan Thompson OF (5-8, 160, Boerne, TX - Incarnate Word/Grayson Community College)
Ryan Targac INF (6-1, 190, Hallettsville, TX Hallettsville HS)
Wyatt Tucker RHP (6-3, 200, Douglass, TX Douglass HS)
Thomas Vincent LHP (6-2, 200, Houston, TX Memorial HS)
Other Names to Follow
Brandon Birdsell (2019 Aggie RHP)
This will be one of the most unusual drafts since the draft went from multiple drafts per year to a single draft starting in 1986. It appears that only 5 rounds will take place meaning that a total of only 160 picks will be made. I have read that a lot of teams will probably lean heavy on college talent with the limited number of picks available which would lead to a lot of high school talent making its way to campus. However, with roster spots and playing time limitations, some of these guys could end up transferring to a different college. The big names for Texas A&M are Max Anderson, Kimble Schuessler, Ryan Targac, and Wyatt Tucker from high school, and Taylor Smith and Jordan Thompson from Grayson Community College. Smith and Thompson both attended Incarnate Word in 2019 before transferring to GCC for the 2020 season. Both have a penchant for strikeouts, but both show power when they do make contact. The majority of the names from the high school rank are highly rated players in their respective states. Anderson was tabbed as a pre-season high school All American for 2020 after named as the Nebraska 2019 player of the year. Anderson, Schuessler, and Targac both have power with good eyes, while Targac has also spent time on the mound with great results. However, none of these guys will crack any Top 150 lists, so I do not think any will be taken with one of the 160 possible choices this year. Anyone who is not drafted may sign for a max bonus of $20,000, but doubt that is tempting enough for any of these guys unless they just want to go pro.
The only question for Asa Lacy is which of the Tigers, Orioles, or Marlins wants a seasoned, high velocity, left-handed pitcher that can jump to the majors quickly over a college bat. Most mock drafts have him going third behind the bats of Spencer Torkelson and Austin Martin. Either way, he should beat Jeff Granger for the highest pick out of Texas A&M when Granger went 5th overall in 1993. Zach DeLoach and Christian Roa should also see their names chosen during this shortened draft with most mock drafts expecting them to land in the 3rd round. All three of these guys are not expected to return to campus for the 2021 season.
The only other name that could be potentially taken would be Bryce Miller. The remainder of the roster should be back for 2021 barring transfers. During normal draft years, guys like Miller, Dustin Saenz, and Logan Sartori would probably be at risk for signing, but with the limited picks, and low signing bonus for free agents, that fear goes out the window.
Brandon Birdsell made the transfer to San Jacinto after his 2019 freshman season and has been their starter for the shortened 2020 season going 5-0 with a 2.48 ERA in 6 starts. He has been projected as a late 3rd round or early 4th round pick.
What to look forward to next year:
A plethora of players for all positions. There should be very little guaranteed starters for the 2021 season; lots of guys will be fighting for limited playing time. The transfer portal will have a bigger impact on the Aggies than the draft. While there is no Asa Lacy clone waiting in the bullpen for the Aggies, there are several great arms that can step up and be a Friday impact starter in the SEC. Same for DeLoach; guys like Thompson or Logan Britt could plug right into the Aggie lineup and keep the offense moving. It will be interesting to watch how everything turns out not only with the Aggies, but all of the other big programs as well. The 2021 college season could be a special one as far as the overall talent present.
For reference:
***Official Aggies vs. 2017 MLB Draft Thread***
***Official Aggies vs. 2018 MLB Draft Thread***
***Official Aggies vs. 2019 MLB Draft Thread***
---------------Signed 6/23 - $6,670,000 - Twitter
Round 2, Pick 43: Zach DeLoach (Mariners) - Slot Value: $1,729,800
---------------Signed 6/25 - $1,729,800 - Twitter
Round 2, Pick 48: Christian Roa (Reds) - Slot Value: $1,543,600
---------------Signed 7/2 - $1,543,600 - Twitter
With the draft possibly just 29 days away (June 10th proposed start date), we should start to see a lot more projections, mock drafts, prospect lists etc. I thought I'd lump everything to watch out for in one post.
Draft Targets:
Seniors
Ray Alejo
Brandon Ashy
Cam Blake
Hunter Coleman
Mikey Hoehner
Jake Nelson
Juniors
Rody Barker
Bryce Blaum
Zach DeLoach - Pick #43
Will Frizzell
Chandler Jozwiak
Asa Lacy - Pick #4
Bryce Miller
Christian Roa - Pick #48
Dustin Saenz
Logan Sartori
Cam Wynne
Draft-Eligible Sophomores (Turn 21 by July 25th)
Dawson Barr
Mason Corbett
High School/Junior College Recruits
Max Anderson SS (6-1, 200, Omaha, NE Millard West HS)
Kobe Andrade OF/LHP (5-11, 165, Corpus Christi, TX Veterans Memorial HS)
Khristian Curtis RHP/INF (6-4, 185, Groves, TX Port Neches-Groves HS)
Matthew Etzel OF (6-1, 195, League City, TX Clear Creek HS)
Kalae Harrison INF (6-0, 175, Kailua, HI Punahou HS)
Hunter Hollann LHP (6-4, 180, Longview, TX Spring Hill HS)
Cade Merka INF (5-11, 180, Argyle, TX Argyle HS)
Brett Minnich OF/1B (6-5, 195, Colleyville, TX Blinn College)
Kimble Schuessler C (6-2, 195, Llano, TX Llano HS)
Taylor Smith C (6-1, 210, Georgetown, TX Incarnate Word/Grayson Community College)
Jordan Thompson OF (5-8, 160, Boerne, TX - Incarnate Word/Grayson Community College)
Ryan Targac INF (6-1, 190, Hallettsville, TX Hallettsville HS)
Wyatt Tucker RHP (6-3, 200, Douglass, TX Douglass HS)
Thomas Vincent LHP (6-2, 200, Houston, TX Memorial HS)
Other Names to Follow
Brandon Birdsell (2019 Aggie RHP)
This will be one of the most unusual drafts since the draft went from multiple drafts per year to a single draft starting in 1986. It appears that only 5 rounds will take place meaning that a total of only 160 picks will be made. I have read that a lot of teams will probably lean heavy on college talent with the limited number of picks available which would lead to a lot of high school talent making its way to campus. However, with roster spots and playing time limitations, some of these guys could end up transferring to a different college. The big names for Texas A&M are Max Anderson, Kimble Schuessler, Ryan Targac, and Wyatt Tucker from high school, and Taylor Smith and Jordan Thompson from Grayson Community College. Smith and Thompson both attended Incarnate Word in 2019 before transferring to GCC for the 2020 season. Both have a penchant for strikeouts, but both show power when they do make contact. The majority of the names from the high school rank are highly rated players in their respective states. Anderson was tabbed as a pre-season high school All American for 2020 after named as the Nebraska 2019 player of the year. Anderson, Schuessler, and Targac both have power with good eyes, while Targac has also spent time on the mound with great results. However, none of these guys will crack any Top 150 lists, so I do not think any will be taken with one of the 160 possible choices this year. Anyone who is not drafted may sign for a max bonus of $20,000, but doubt that is tempting enough for any of these guys unless they just want to go pro.
The only question for Asa Lacy is which of the Tigers, Orioles, or Marlins wants a seasoned, high velocity, left-handed pitcher that can jump to the majors quickly over a college bat. Most mock drafts have him going third behind the bats of Spencer Torkelson and Austin Martin. Either way, he should beat Jeff Granger for the highest pick out of Texas A&M when Granger went 5th overall in 1993. Zach DeLoach and Christian Roa should also see their names chosen during this shortened draft with most mock drafts expecting them to land in the 3rd round. All three of these guys are not expected to return to campus for the 2021 season.
The only other name that could be potentially taken would be Bryce Miller. The remainder of the roster should be back for 2021 barring transfers. During normal draft years, guys like Miller, Dustin Saenz, and Logan Sartori would probably be at risk for signing, but with the limited picks, and low signing bonus for free agents, that fear goes out the window.
Brandon Birdsell made the transfer to San Jacinto after his 2019 freshman season and has been their starter for the shortened 2020 season going 5-0 with a 2.48 ERA in 6 starts. He has been projected as a late 3rd round or early 4th round pick.
What to look forward to next year:
A plethora of players for all positions. There should be very little guaranteed starters for the 2021 season; lots of guys will be fighting for limited playing time. The transfer portal will have a bigger impact on the Aggies than the draft. While there is no Asa Lacy clone waiting in the bullpen for the Aggies, there are several great arms that can step up and be a Friday impact starter in the SEC. Same for DeLoach; guys like Thompson or Logan Britt could plug right into the Aggie lineup and keep the offense moving. It will be interesting to watch how everything turns out not only with the Aggies, but all of the other big programs as well. The 2021 college season could be a special one as far as the overall talent present.
For reference:
***Official Aggies vs. 2017 MLB Draft Thread***
***Official Aggies vs. 2018 MLB Draft Thread***
***Official Aggies vs. 2019 MLB Draft Thread***
