Torkelson, Martin, Lacy lead list of top MLB draft prospects

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball's amateur draft begins Wednesday night with the first of a pandemic-shortened five rounds. Detroit has the No. 1 overall pick for the second time in three years after taking pitcher Casey Mize in 2018.

Here's a look at the top college and high school players who'll likely hear their names announced as early selections:

PATRICK BAILEY, C, NORTH CAROLINA STATE (6-foot-2, 207 pounds, 21 years old)

Athletic catcher with solid defensive skills was on his way to a terrific junior season with a team-leading six home runs and 20 RBIs while batting .296. Switch-hitter was the ACC freshman of the year and followed that up last year by hitting .288 with 10 HRs and 40 RBIs and committing just five errors in 476 chances. Also threw out 33% of would-be basestealers. Likely the first catcher drafted this year.

REID DETMERS, LHP, LOUISVILLE (6-2, 210, 20)

Last year's ACC pitcher of the year went 13-4 with a 2.78 ERA in 113 1/3 innings while setting the school's season strikeouts record (167) and tying the mark for wins. Followed that up by being the ace of the USA Collegiate National Team last summer, going 2-0 in three starts while allowing just one run in 12 innings. Polished with a fastball that sits in the low- to mid-90s with great control to go along with a solid curveball and changeup. Went 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 22 innings this season. Likely to be second lefty picked behind Texas A&M's Asa Lacy.

NICK GONZALES, SS/2B, NEW MEXICO STATE (5-10, 190, 21)

Slugging middle infielder has one of the best pure bats in the draft, and it's not simply a product of being inflated by New Mexico's high elevation. Hit a Division I-leading .432 with 16 homers and 80 RBIs, and capped his big year by winning the Cape Cod League MVP...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Torkelson-Martin-Lacy-lead-list-of-top-MLB-15327728.php