Padres 2021 MLB Draft Day 2 Round-up

Pick 62 - OF James Wood, IMG Academy (MD)

With the 62nd pick in the 2021 MLB draft, the Padres selected prep outfielder James Wood out of IMG Academy in Maryland. The 6’6, 240-pound Wood is currently committed to play collegiately for Mississippi State.

According to perfectgame.com, Wood is the number one-overall ranked outfield prospect in the 2021 class and the sixth-overall prospect across all positions.

“James Wood is a 2021 OF/RHP/1B with a 6-6 230 lb. frame from Olney, MD who attends IMG Academy. Extra tall and long limbed athletic build, strong with the potential to get stronger. Left handed hitter, very easy and loose swing with outstanding extension, creates easy leverage at contact, lots of pull side carry and lift, has hand speed and some feel for the barrel for an extra tall hitter, huge potential. Outstanding runner for his size, 6.70 in the sixty, moves gracefully in the outfield and shows lots of range with good jumps, long and loose arm action with plenty of carry, can still work to improve his lower half mechanics in his transition and release. High ceiling athlete who also excels in basketball. Good student, verbal commitment to Mississippi State. Named to play in the Perfect Game All-American Classic.”

Pick 71 - LHP Robert Gasser, Houston

With the 71st pick in the 2021 MLB draft, the Padres selected left-handed pitcher Robert Gasser out of the University of Houston. In 2021, the 6’1, 190-pound Gasser earned First-Team All-AAC honors and was considered the AAC’s top pitching prospect as well as the conference’s second-overall prospect across all positions.

Pick 99 - RHP Kevin Kopps, Arkansas

With the 99th pick in the 2021 MLB draft, the Padres selected right-handed pitcher Kevin Kopps out of the University of Arkansas. The 6’0, 200-pound Texas native won 12 games as a senior to just one loss, recording a 0.90 ERA and notching 11 saves. He ended the year with a career-high 131 strikeouts to 18 walks en route to earning First-Team All-SEC honors as a senior.

Pick 129 - LHP Jackson Wolf, West Virginia

With the 129th pick in the 2021 MLB draft, the Padres selected left-handed pitcher Jackson Wolf out of West Virginia Univeristy. At 6’7, Wolf is one of the taller prospects in the entire draft. He joins Wood as the second player drafted by the Friars that stand at least 6’6.

Wolf went 6-5 in 14 starts during the 2020-2021 season. He ended the year with 104 strikeouts against 37 walks with 30 runs allowed. Following the season, Wolf was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team.

Pick 160 - 2B Max Ferguson, Tennessee

With the 160th pick in the 2021 MLB draft, the Padres selected second baseman Max Ferguson out of the University of Tennessee. In 67 games this past season, the 6’1, 180-pound Ferguson went yard 12 times, collecting 62 hits and 46 RBIs with a .253 average. He also stole eight bases.

Pick 190 - RHP Ryan Bergert, West Virginia

With the 190th pick in the 2021 MLB draft, the Padres selected right-handed pitcher Ryan Bergert out of West Virginia University. Bergert rejoins former Mountaineer teammate Wolf, the team’s fourth-round pick, with the Friars organization. He has no stats from 2021 according to the West Virginia athletics site.

Pick 220 - LHP Ryan Och, P Southern Mississippi

With the 220th pick in the 2021 MLB draft, the Padres selected left-handed pitcher Ryan Och out of Southern Mississippi. The Golden Eagles top pitcher out of the bullpen, Och appeared in 21 games this past season with eight wins and a 1,27 ERA. He struck out 59 batters across 35 ¹⁄₃ innings to just 12 walks en route to earning him Second-Team All-CUSA honors.

Pick 250 - 2B Lucas Dunn, Louisville

With the 250th pick in the 2021 MLB draft, the Padres selected second baseman Lucas Dunn out of Louisville. Dunn started all 50 games he played in this past season, hitting .266 with 46 total hits, 31 RBIs, six home runs, and 12 stolen bases.

Pick 280 - RHP Garret Hawkins, University of British Columbia

With the 280th pick in the 2021 MLB draft, the Padres selected right-handed pitcher Garrett Hawkins out of the University of British Columbia. Hawkins joins fourth-rounder Jackson Wolf as another lengthy pitching prospect for the Friars organization.

Here’s what Prep Baseball Report had to say about Hawkins in their draft profile:

“Hawkins comes from the west coast of Canada and is in his 3rd year at UBC. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound right-hander works with a simple, easy delivery that he repeats well, attacking hitters with three pitches he controls for strikes. He gets down the mound and uses his long levers to pitch with angles and shows some athleticism in the delivery. His fastball lives in the 90-93 range and he’ll throw to both sides of the plate for strikes. The changeup is currently his best secondary pitch where he can have it work off his fastball with some occasional sinking action to it in the 78-81 range. The curveball has 11/5 shape and while it’s not necessarily his out pitch, he throws it for strikes, keeping hitters honest. With still some upside and room for the stuff to tick up, the size, actions, and pitchability make Hawkins an intriguing follow.”

Pick 310 - C Colton Bender, Quinnipiac University (CT)

With the 310th pick in the 2021 MLB draft, the Padres selected catcher Colton Bender out of Quinnipiac University. As a senior, Bender was named to the MAAC All-Academic Team. He slashed .255/.349//436 in his final season and was named to the Buster Poser Award Watch List for the second time in his career. He led the team with seven doubles and ranked second with three home runs in 2021.