Padres select RHP Justin Lange with the 34th pick in the 2020 MLB Draft

With the 34th pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, the San Diego Padres selected Justin Lange, a right-handed pitcher out of Llano High School in Llano, Texas. He is currently committed to play collegiately at Dallas Baptist University

The 18 year old is one of the most athletic pitchers in this draft class at 6’4 and 220 pounds. Here are his strengths as a prospect from lastwordonbaseball.com:

“Lange’s strongest asset is his fastball/slider combination. Scouts grade his fastball as a 70/80. It typically sits in the 94-95 MPH range, but he has the ability to touch 100 MPH. The velocity on this pitch dictates the type of life it has. At lesser velocities, the pitch has good run and sink to it, but it has less life at higher velocities.”

“The slider that he complements his fastball with also has power. Scouts grade the pitch at 55/80, but it is a very inconsistent offering for Lange. At its worst, it is a below average sweeping slider, but it sits in the mid-80s with good bite to it when at its best. He rounds out his repertoire with a work-in-progress changeup.”

With their first pick in the opening round, the team selected outfielder Robert Hassell III out of Independence High School in Tennessee. Tomorrow, the Padres will have one pick in each of the final four rounds. Those picks are No. 45, No. 80, No. 109, and No. 139.