Scouting Report on Blue Jays’ Draft Pick: Austin Martin

(Courtesy of CBS Sports)

Toronto- With the 5th selection of the 2020 MLB Draft, the Toronto Blue Jays selected Austin Martin from Vanderbilt.

Many experts thought Martin would be drafted within the top 3. However, when the Vanderbilt product fell in the Blue Jays’ lap, they had no choice but to snatch the best player available at the time they were on the clock. Martin was the second highest ranked player on many teams’ draft board and could potentially be the best overall player in this draft with his athleticism and versatility to play any position on the diamond.

To all Blue Jays, here is a scouting report on their new young talent and what he brings to the table. (Grades are based on the future projectivity on the 20-80 grading scale)

Player Profile:

Position: Outfielder, Shortstop, Third Baseman, Second Baseman

Date of Birth: March 3, 1999.

School: Vanderbilt University

Drafted: 5th overall by the Blue Jays in 2020 MLB Draft.

Scouting Report:

Martin had a fantastic career at Vanderbilt by slashing .376/.479/.521 in 118 games. He started games at six different positions as a freshman and opened the 2019 season at second base before settling in at third base. In 2020, he started all 16 games at center field. Many scouts believed that Martin is the best pure hitter in this draft and maybe the most versatile player in this draft.

Hit: Martin has some of the best pure hitting ability with outstanding bat speed with his short compact swing. Shown excellent contact ability and plate discipline. Shown he can hit all over the field with ability to hit opposite field. Grade: 70

Power: He hit eight home runs as a sophomore after tallying just one in his freshman season. He hit three in 16 games in 2020. He shown ability to hit for extra base power but can improve his home runs total if he continues to add strength to his athletic body frame. Grade: 55

Speed: He doesn’t have elite speed or a burner, but shown great base running abilbilty with his smart instinct to steal at least 20 bases. At center field, shown some great speed and range to make plays at the position Grade: 60.

Arm: He has solid arm to handle almost any position, though he need to improve his throwing mechanics. Grade: 50

Fielding: A twitchy athlete with quick feet and soft hands to handle any position. Has play mostly at 3rd base and shortstop, but many scouts believed that his best position could be at centre field with his speed and range. Grade: 55

Overall: The Blue Jays added an elite hitter to their already strong farm system. Martin will join with an already stacked team with young position players with Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Bo Bitchette and Cavan Biggio. MLB Commissioner Rob Reinford announced Martin as a shortstop but the Blue Jays could use him as a super utility player his versatility. He could make an impact in 2022 with his already advanced bat and athletic ability to play any position.

Player Comparison: Ben Zobrist

Blue Jays’ 5-Round Mock Draft.

(Courtesy of Jaylynn Nash)

Toronto- Major League Basbell is one week away for the 2020 MLB Draft. The Toronto Blue Jays are inching their way to be officially on the clock to make their selection with their 5th overall pick on June 10.

After finishing the 2019 season with the record of 67-95, the Blue Jays will be making their highest draft selection since 1997 when Vernon Wells was drafted by the Blue Jays with their 5th overall choice. Knowing that this is the first draft control by Shane Farrell, their new president in player development, the Blue Jays are expecting to draft the best player available depending how the top 4 shapes up.

Many MLB experts expect the top three picks being Spencer Torkleson, Austin Martin and Asa Lacy. The Kansas City Royal’s 4th overall pick will determine how this year’s draft board would shape up. The Royals have been reported to either select a hitter with Nick Gonzales or Zac Veen, which means one of those two players could fall in the Blue Jays’ laps.

While Gonzales and Veen are intriguing options, this draft class is so deep in college pitching that the Blue Jays may want to look at Emerson Hancock or Max Meyer if they want to go in that route. The Blue Jays have a lot of young talent in the majors with Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Bo Bitchette leading the way. They are in the right direction and are closer to be World Series contender. In the end, the Blue Jays may want to take advantage of having a high 1st round pick as it may be their last time in a while.

Overall, look for the Blue Jays to go best player available with their 5th pick and the rest of the draft to be college heavy. With only 5 rounds in the 2020 MLB Draft, the Blue Jays may want to play it safe as their have been a lot high school seniors may want to attend junior college to be eligible for 2021 with the uncertainty of COVID-19.

With that being said, heres a look at the 5-Round Mock draft for the Blue Jays.

1st Round: Max Meyer, RHP, University of Minnesota

Sounds like the Blue Jays are to be selecting either Veen or Meyer. There’s been a lot of last minute buzz for both of them being drafted in the top 5. The Blue Jays are heavily in on those two, but can see the Royals going after Veen. Meyer will give the Blue Jays a nice foundation for their pitching staff with Hyun Jin Ryu and Nate Pearson. Meyer has the best fastball-slider combo in this draft with both pitches graded at 70 on the 20-80 grading scale. His fastball can touch in the mid to upper 90s and his slider has come wicked late movement to make hitters look silly at the plate. With his small body build, there are some questions if he can handle the workload as a starter. However, the Blue Jays took a chance with Marcus Stroman, who was drafted in the 1st round in 2012. So it wouldn’t be surprising if they go with Meyer.

2nd Round: Dax Fulton, LHP, Mustang H.S.

The Blue Jays have known to go for high school players in the 2nd round. This year might be a little different cause they only have 5 rounds so I do expect them to go heavy on college players. However, prep lefty Fulton gives the Blue Jays more depth with their left-handed pitching. Fulton performed well during last summer showcase, when he struck out Veen with a nasty curveball in the 2019 Perfect Game All-American game. Fulton’s fastball touched 90-93 on the gun. He also has an above average curveball. His 6’6” frame give him more projectivity to add more strength to his physic. Fulton is the best prep lefty in this draft and fits a need for the Blue Jays to add more southpaws in their farm system. He underwent Tommy John Surgery in September, but his potential may be too good for the Blue Jays to pass on him.

3rd Round: Tyler Gentry, OF, University of Alabama

Gentry provided a much needed depth in the Blue Jays’ outfield. He topped Alabama in most offensive categories in 2019 with a .429/.554/.750 hitting line. Gentry’s most attractive tool is his raw power that carries to all over the field. He has an aggressive swing and improve his strike zone awareness. He shows the ability to hit for both average and power if he maintains his plate discipline. He’s capable of playing all three outfield positions and profiles best in right field.

4th Round: Carson Seymour, RHP Kansas State University

Seymour already has a physical 6-foot-5 frame produces fastballs that sit at 92-95, which can touch 99. He showed the ability to spin his curveball and a mid-80s slider to his arsenal. His changeup is still a work in progress but has a chance to be an average offering. He improved his mechanics over the past years, but must continue to throw quality strikes if he wants to be a starter in the big leagues. He could be a mid-rotation starter, but he may end up in the bullpen.

5th Round: Casey Opitz, C, University of Arkansas

Opitz is one of the best defensive catchers in this year’s draft class. He had the best percentage when it comes to caught-stealing at 48 percent in 2019. He has an above average arm strength and done a great job with his blocking pitches in the dirt. He’s a solid receiver and earned a lot of praise for his game-calling skills and leadership. He still need to work on his hitting mechanics if he want to be a regular starter behind the plate. The Blue Jays are own to develop catchers with Danny Jansen, Reese McGuire and Alejandro Kirk. Optiz gives them more depth at the catcher, who posses great defensive instinct with a chance to improve his offence.