Nothing against the power potential of Tigers draft pick Spencer Torkelson or the fact that Asa Lacy could be the future ace of the Royals, but I view new Blue Jays athlete Austin Martin as the best fantasy option from the 2020 class for dynasty fantasy formats. There, I did not bury the lead at all. Vanderbilt's Martin, who went No. 5 overall, is my No. 1 overall.
Let us be clear: Assuming there is actual Major League Baseball this season, nobody from Wednesday's first round of the draft -- or Thursday's future rounds -- is likely to be immediately relevant for fantasy purposes. Everything seems to take time -- oh, so much time -- in this sport, and when it comes to new draft selections, this is not the NFL or the NBA. Not close at all.
Still, I have certain criteria I cling to for fantasy when deciding which of the new professionals from each draft class warrant my attention the most, whether it is for a keeper/dynasty league or because I want to know -- and react -- to which players could be big leaguers the soonest. These are not the same things that colleagues like Kiley McDaniel care about, because we are judging for different things.
Here are some basic, post-draft principles for fantasy I tend to follow, for the most part.
College over high school: more developed, experienced, certainty, quicker path to majors
Hitter over pitcher: similarly, more certainty, quicker path, also safer for injury
Power over speed: this is not the 1980s, since few run, but we covet five-category options
Ignore hitter positions: young players, like Martin, often move around the diamond
Avoid catchers: scouts, prospect mavens covet defense; we focus on offense, playing time
Tall, strikeout, right-handers over crafty lefties: if, you know, one wants the risk of a pitcher
That is it, mostly, when it comes to fantasy, and these are not rules to follow in every instance. Again, this is about dynasty formats and it is mainly a guessing game, as is the draft. Look at recent ones and going in the top-5 -- or even No. 1, as the Phillies' Mickey Moniak did -- is hardly a guarantee of future stardom. I might even be more likely to trade a high dynasty pick that someone could use on Lacy to acquire someone in the prime years -- that can help me this year -- like Starling Marte or Stephen Strasburg. Win now, bay-bee.
Anyway, here are 10 names to know for fantasy from Wednesday's first round, in the order I would be interested for a standard dynasty format and yes, of course this will be heavy on the top selections. They are generally the best players, right? Well, get back to me in five years and perhaps they are not.
Austin Martin, UT, Blue Jays: Worry not about the fact he slipped to the No. 5 pick, nor about whether he ends up at one of three infield positions or in the outfield, or even those ramifications on other Blue Jay infielders. Armed with top contact skills and plate discipline, Martin is going to hit for average, he should develop relevant power and there is a good chance for relevant stolen base totals (into double digits), which is an important differentiator for roto leagues, though not so big a deal in points formats. Martin is an exceptional athlete and he should move quickly to the majors. Draft the skills, regardless of position.
Spencer Torkelson, CO, Tigers: Nobody questions the power, of course, and nothing against Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, of whom there have been comparisons, but it sure looks like Torkelson has more batting average upside, which is a good thing. Alonso hit .260 as a rookie, which is fine, but does not move the proverbial needle in fantasy. Torkelson could end up at first base, third base or left field but again, do not concern yourself with the position when analyzing a potential, if not likely, 40-homer option. As with White Sox slugger Andrew Vaughn a year prior this is safe power with little risk.
Nick Gonzales, 2B, Pirates: Gonzales produced prolific power at New Mexico State, but several caveats, like hitting way above sea level, apply. Gonzales is a second baseman, which offers a bit of fantasy certainty we do not need, and while there are Keston Hiura comps out there, prepare yourself for less, but still relevant, power. This is a good hitter, and again, part of the reason I like him is he should move through the minors quickly, and perhaps he makes an impact for fantasy early in the 2022 season.
Heston Kjerstad, OF, Orioles: Fantasy managers, regardless of sport, should never covet a player higher than perhaps worthy because of his real-life draft spot. Kjerstad is a lefty power hitter who should fit nicely in Baltimore, but it hardly means fantasy managers should choose him over Martin, who oddly went three spots later. Still, we like power and Kjerstad, who showed off for Arkansas and Team USA, seems primed to offer lots of it.
Emerson Hancock, SP, Mariners: Yes, Lacy could offer the most upside of the pitchers in this draft, but Hancock seems closer to his, and that matters, too. A tall, prototypical, right-hander with strikeout stuff who thrived in a tough conference, he goes to a team desperate for rotation help, and -- stop if you have heard this before -- should move quickly. College players generally do, but with hard-throwing hurlers, well, elbow ligaments break so one never really knows for sure.
Asa Lacy, SP, Royals: Only concern on him is inconsistent control and command, because walks for pitchers are not a good thing. Still, Lacy could be an ace, and offers elite upside. One minor thing that does mildly come into play for me is the Royals are loaded with young pitching in the minors, so perhaps they can afford to take their time with Lacy. Not everyone in a dynasty league is impatient, but it is not like that: the longer it takes for a pitcher, in particular, to emerge, the more setbacks can happen, too.
Max Meyer, SP, Marlins As with Hancock and Lacy, it certainly does not hurt when a young hurler ends up with an organization in a pitcher's park. There is some concern Meyer, not tall by pitcher standards, ends up in a bullpen, which is why I dropped him a few spots below the other hurlers, and rare is the prospect that finds his way into immediate saves, but draft the skills and hope for the best.
Reid Detmers, SP, Angels: He might be the first starter in this class to reach the majors, because he looks ready right now. That is to note the Angels fancy themselves as contenders -- hello, Mike Trout! -- and certainly crave immediate help, and Detmers, perhaps in part to a merely average fastball, boasts excellent command of three pitches, although perhaps with not the same strikeout potential as the other top-10 pitchers.
Garrett Mitchell, OF, Brewers: Here we have a speedy outfielder full of tools, but the power tool has yet to prove itself in games. Give Mitchell a chance, for he can certainly run and the defense should warrant regular work, but if he is Harrison Bader, then investing for fantasy, where the defense is only somewhat important, is a mistake. Mitchell is an intriguing talent, but for dynasty purposes, it is tough to judge him with the top-5 hitters from the draft.
Zac Veen, OF, Rockies: And finally a high school player makes the list. If you choose him in fantasy, prepare to be patient. Veen is only 18! What were you doing at 18, and how were you doing it? Veen makes this list not only because he is a projectable power hitter with a sweet lefty swing, but in time -- perhaps by late 2023? -- he gets to call Denver's Coors Field home! For that reason, if listing 10 from the first round to focus on for dynasty leagues, Veen gets the nod over other coveted prep stars Robert Hassell III (Padres), Austin Hendrick (Reds) and pitcher Mick Abel (Phillies).