2020 MLB Mock Draft: The Texas Rangers pick #14 overall in the MLB Draft, currently expected to be held on June 10, 2020, and in Kiley McDaniels’ mock draft out today, he has the Rangers going the college route, selecting Tennessee lefthanded pitcher Garrett Crochet.
Crochet is a guy who was seen as a potential mover this spring, as he’s a tall (6’6”) lefty who has an upper-90s fastball and a plus breaking ball, but who has pitcher out of the bullpen for much of his college career. Because of a shoulder issue, he only made one appearance this year before the season was cancelled, so he hasn’t had a chance to alleviate concerns about the reliever risk he carries.
Crochet is something of a high-risk, high-reward guy, as the raw stuff is good enough to make him a potential impact starting pitcher, but the significant risk he ends up in the bullpen is going to likely keep teams from grabbing him at the very top of the draft. Guys with two quality pitches who ultimately don’t have the command, the durability, or the third pitch to start are common, but the payoff can be huge when one of them clicks.