Padres select RHP Max Meyer in MLB.com’s latest mock draft

On Wednesday, MLB.com senior writer Jim Callis tried his hand at a first-round mock exercise for this year’s MLB draft. With the 2020 college baseball cancelled fairly early after it began, and on top of the current effects that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the entire sports world, information is at a premium for coaches and scouts prior to the draft.

With all of that in mind, it’s not going to stop Callis and other baseball writers from performing the annual exercise of trying to predict how the first round is going to play out.

In his first mock of the year, Callis has the San Diego Padres selecting Minnesota right-handed pitcher Max Meyer with the eighth-overall pick in the first round.

Here’s what Callis had to say about the pick:

“Meyer has arguably the best pitch (his wipeout slider) and the most electric arsenal available, and his athleticism trumps his 6-foot build in the starter versus reliever debate. The Padres also are looking at many of the college names mentioned above. This is probably the earliest a high school pitcher could go, with Oregon prep righty Mick Abel a possibility.”

Meyer was a Second-Team All-Big Ten selection as a sophomore in 2019 where he finished with a 5-3 in 11 mound appearances and 11 starts. He had a 2.11 ERA and collected a pair of saves in 76.2 innings. He also led the team with 87 strikeouts.

Prior to the shortened 2020 season, Meyer was a consensus pre-season All-American for Minnesota. He made four starts and concluded the season with a 1.95 ERA and a team-high 46 strikeouts across 27 ²⁄₃ innings. The 46 strikeouts were tied for fifth in the nation at the time the season was canceled. As a designated hitter, Meyer slashed .185/.214/.222 with one double, two runs, and four RBIs.