2020 Draft: Top 25 College OF
By Teddy Cahill
This year’s outfield class is again one of the strongest in the college position player group.
Vanderbilt’s Austin Martin could be the first overall pick in the draft and there could be four college outfielders drafted in the first round. There’s also good depth to this crop of outfielders and a good mix of both center fielders and corner outfielders.
This list is based on draft status and was composed of players who played most of their games this season as outfielders.
- 1
Austin Martin
Vanderbilt OFNotes:The most dynamic player in college baseball has played all over the diamond and this spring had settled in to center field for the Commodores. He has five-tool potential and can impact the game in just about any way.
Less - 2
Garrett Mitchell
UCLA OFNotes:One of the highest ranked players in the class of 2017 to make it to campus, Mitchell has lived up to that hype after an injury-marred freshman season. He has premium speed and the skills to be a top-of-the-lineup hitter.
Less - 3Notes:
Kjerstad has been one of college baseball’s best power hitters throughout his career, slugging 30 home runs in 132 games for the Razorbacks. He fits the profile of a corner outfielder well.
Less - 4Notes:
Cabrera has been a regular since arriving in Baton Rouge as a freshman. The lefthanded hitter has impressive hittability and offers solid power as well. He’s been a corner outfielder for LSU and that’s where he profiles best.
Less - 5Notes:
DeLoach scuffled offensively his first two years at Texas A&M before last summer breaking out in the Cape Cod League. He won the batting title and carried that momentum into the spring, as he was off to an excellent start at the plate.
Less - 6Notes:
Like DeLoach, Wiemer used a strong summer on the Cape to rise up draft boards. The righthanded hitter is long and lanky with a swing reminiscent of Hunter Pence. For those that look beyond the initial unorthodox appearance, he offers big raw tools.
Less - 7
Jesse Franklin
Michigan OFNotes:The top-ranked recruit in Michigan’s banner 2017 recruiting class, Franklin has lived up to that potential. He can do a little bit of everything on the diamond. Injury sidelined him for all of the abbreviated 2020 season, but he was expected to be ready to go by April.
Less - 8
Alerick Soularie
Tennessee OFNotes:Soularie transferred to Tennessee after one season at San Jacinto (Texas) JC and has continued to build an impressive track record for hitting. The righthanded hitter offers solid power and control of the strike zone.
Less - 9Notes:
Chavers was expected to be sidelined deep into the 2020 season due to a shoulder injury. When healthy, he’s a dynamic athlete with an intriguing power-speed combination.
Less - 10
Elijah Cabell
Florida State OFNotes:An eligible sophomore, Cabell has big raw power – he had already hit seven home runs in 17 games this season. That pop comes with a lot of swing-and-miss, however, and he struck out in nearly 40 percent of his plate appearances this spring.
Less - 11
Steven Williams
Auburn OFNotes:After a difficult sophomore season, Williams was on his way to a bounce-back junior season. The lefthanded hitter profiles as a corner outfielder with power and good plate discipline.
Less - 12
Trevor Hauver
Arizona State OFNotes:Somewhat overshadowed in a crowded Arizona State lineup, Hauver is an excellent hitter in his own right. The lefthanded hitter has a good combination of power and hittability.
Less - 13
Blake Dunn
Western Michigan OFNotes:Dunn has elite athleticism and speed and knows how to use it on the bases. His contact-oriented approach and speed help him get on base a lot.
Less - 14
Allbry Major
Xavier OFNotes:A broken hamate bone sidelined Major for all of the abbreviated 2020 season, though he was expected to get back on the field. He has impressive raw tools, but still needs some polish.
Less - 15
Reese Albert
Florida State OFNotes:Albert was off to a slow start offensively this spring but the lefthanded hitter has some exciting tools. He taps into his power well, though it does come with some swing and miss.
Less - 16
Jordan Nwogu
Michigan OFNotes:A dynamic athlete, Nwogu has built an impressive track record of hitting at Michigan. After mostly serving as DH last season, he started this spring in center field, adding a new wrinkle to his game. He still has a lot of upside.
Less - 17
Hudson Haskin
Tulane OFNotes:A 2019 Freshman All-American, Haskin is now an eligible sophomore. He’s shown off a good all-around offensive skillset throughout his career.
Less - 18
Baron Radcliff
Georgia Tech OFNotes:Listed at 6-foot-4, 228 pounds, Radcliff has some of the best raw tools in the group including big raw lefthanded power. He’s still raw, however, and that power comes with a lot of swing-and-miss.
Less - 19
Tyler Gentry
Alabama OFNotes:Gentry has produced impressive offensive powers throughout his college career, from junior college to the last two years at Alabama. He was off to a scorching start in 2020, playing his way up draft boards.
Less - 20
Braiden Ward
Washington OFNotes:Ward stands out for his well above-average speed, which plays well both on the base paths and in the outfield. He has a traditional, top-of-the-order, center field profile.
Less - 21Notes:
Allen was an eligible sophomore in the 2019 draft but opted to return for his junior season at Mississippi State. He stands out for his pure hitting ability but was slowed this spring by injury.
Less - 22
Tanner Tredaway
Oklahoma OFNotes:Tredaway was off to an excellent start to the 2020 season, helping lead the Sooners into the top 10. He has some swing-and-miss in his game but has an intriguing overall skillset.
Less - 23
Tim Tawa
Stanford OFNotes:Tawa was Oregon’s Gatorade Football Player of the Year three straight seasons in high school. His athleticism plays well on the diamond as well and he’s been a regular since arriving at Stanford.
Less - 24
Dylan Neuse
Texas Tech OFNotes:The younger brother of Athletics infielder Sheldon Neuse, Dylan Neuse is a very versatile player. His speed and athleticism play well in the outfield.
Less - 25
Elijah Dunham
Indiana OFNotes:An eligible sophomore last year, Dunham was limited by injury early in the season. He returned to Indiana for his junior year and was off to an impressive start at the plate, showing off a good feel for hitting.
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