2020 MLB Draft: Day 1 rumors, thread and Fish Picks

The first live MLB event in months! Are...you...ready?!

The annual MLB Draft for amateur players is being held this week, beginning with the first 37 picks on Wednesday night. The Marlins hold the No. 3 overall selection (their highest pick since 2014).

Check out this stream for expert analysis on many of the top prospects and the key factors affecting the Fish during this process.

Latest buzz

Fish Stripes original GIF

The vast majority of mock drafts predict Texas A&M left-hander Asa Lacy to be the Marlins’ first-rounder. Ralph Lifshitz of Prospects Live is the most notable exception, mocking him to the Orioles at No. 2. “Lacy’s mix of elite velocity and (vertical movement) on his FB give him characteristics forward thinking teams like the Orioles covet,” he points out. That would leave versatile Vanderbilt hitter Austin Martin on the board for Miami. Arizona State’s Spencer Torkelson is a pipe dream, a near-lock to go to Detroit as the top overall pick, per MLB insider Jon Heyman.

Interesting rumor from Keith Law of The Athletic on Wednesday morning: “Do not be surprised if the Marlins go with Max Meyer here.” The Minnesota right-hander is generally seen as having more reliever risk than Lacy due to his smaller frame and less diverse pitch mix. On the other hand, he would presumably sign for less than the pick’s $7,221,200 slot value, opening up more flexibility for the club to sign elite talent in later rounds.

A former baseball executive who was burned by an amateur pitcher when drafting from the No. 3 spot in 2002, The Athletic colleague Jim Bowden recommends that the Marlins go with a position player instead (subscription required). “The history of the draft suggests the odds are against any pitcher taken with one of the first five selections unless they are considered a generational talent,” he writes. “There are no pitchers of that caliber in this year’s class who belong in that conversation.” Bowden endorses New Mexico State second baseman and Cape Cod League MVP winner Nick Gonzales over Lacy.

How to watch/listen/follow

Before the main event, the Marlins are streaming #305OnTheRise: 2020 Draft Show from their official YouTube channel beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET. You’ll get interviews with director of amateur scouting DJ Svihlik and fellow executives Michael Hill and Gary Denbo, plus the franchise’s three most recent first-round picks (Trevor Rogers, Connor Scott and JJ Bleday).

Tune in to MLB Network or ESPN from 7–10:30 p.m. ET to watch every Day 1 pick.

Fish Picks

Please comment on this article or reply to the Fish Stripes Twitter account (@fishstripes) before the first round begins at 7 p.m. ET to submit your picks for the following prop bets:

1. What type of player will the Marlins take with their top pick? (Hitter/Pitcher)
2. Pick announced before or after 7:36 p.m. ET? (Before/After)
3. Over/Under 5.5 original tweets from the @Marlins account tonight? (Over/Under)