Baseball America's draft content is powered by

Blaze Jordan vs. Jordan Walker: 2020 MLB Draft Prospect Showdown, Corner Infield Rankings

Leading up to the 2020 draft on June 10, we’ll preview each position group by comparing and contrasting two of the top players in the mix. Today is corner infielders, led by Blaze Jordan and Jordan Walker

You can see outfielders here


Hitting:

At his best, Jordan has a handsy, fluid righthanded swing with a professional, all-fields approach and solid ability to handle velocity and make adjustments to offspeed pitches. While Walker has a solid hit tool, he’s a bit more power over pure hitter, and the length of his arms could create more swing-and-miss issues going forward. A slight edge for Jordan here. EDGE: Jordan

Power: Jordan is more famous for his displays of power throughout his high school career, but Walker has the more projectable frame when looking at future power potential. Walker is 6-foot-5, 220 pounds compared to Jordan, who is 6-foot-2, 218 pounds. Both are among the top five in the prep class, but Walker has the slight edge. EDGE: Walker

Speed: Neither Walker nor Jordan are burners and both are projected to be below-average runners moving forward. This one is a push. EDGE: Draw

Fielding: Both Jordan and Walker have spent time at third base and first base, and both have risk to wind up at the low end of the defensive spectrum. However, scouts prefer Walker’s athleticism and hands to Jordan’s, so he gets the edge here. EDGE: Walker

Arm: Walker has shown solid carry and power on his throws from the hot corner, and he has a chance for above-average arm strength, so he gets the edge over Jordan, whose arm is just average. EDGE: Walker

X Factor: More and more teams are beginning to place an emphasis on the age of draft prospects, particularly on the hitting side. As a natural member of the 2021 high school class who reclassified last year to be draft eligible this year, Jordan is one of the youngest players in the 2020 class and the youngest among the top 200 prospects. He won’t turn 18 until this December, and that youth could push him up boards, especially for teams that place an emphasis on statistical modeling. EDGE: Jordan

Scout’s take on Blaze Jordan: Seventeen and a half, real power … plays first base at the end of the day … It’s a sound swing and he’s so young … Not a great body but he’s just a baby and he’s hitting balls to the moon. It’s rare righthanded power.

Scout’s take on Jordan Walker: “I think the industry probably has him as the best high school prospect in Georgia by far. He’s the total package for me. You have some concerns on the bat, just pure hittability, but the power is exceptional and the makeup is really good.” 

SPOTLIGHT: Top 2020 Corner Infielders

Strength: 3 stars

Spencer Torkelson‘s offensive profile is so appealing that he has a chance to be drafted No. 1 overall. Jordan Walker, Aaron Sabato and Blaze Jordan also have the potential to develop impact power, but a lack of third basemen drags down the overall star rating. 

See full scouting reports in the BA 500 here

First-Round Talents
No. Rank Player Pos School State HIT POW RUN FLD ARM
1 1 Spencer Torkelson 1B Arizona State AZ 60 80 40 55 50
Second-Round Talents
No. Rank Player Pos School State HIT POW RUN FLD ARM
2 34 Jordan Walker 3B HS—Decatur GA 45 70 40 40 55
3 35 Aaron Sabato 1B North Carolina NC 50 70 30 40 40
4 50 Gage Workman 3B Arizona State AZ 50 55 50 60 60
5 60 Casey Schmitt 3B San Diego State CA 55 50 40 55 60
Third- To Fifth-Round Talents
No. Rank Player Pos School State HIT POW RUN FLD ARM
6 78 Coby Mayo 3B HS—Parkland FL 45 60 50 50 60
7 92 Blaze Jordan 3B HS—Southaven MS 50 70 40 40 50
8 94 Tanner Witt 3B HS—Bellaire TX 45 60 40 45 60
9 113 Tyler Keenan 3B Mississippi MS 50 60 30 40 50
10 122 Jamal O’Guinn 3B Southern California CA 50 55 50 50 50

 

Comments are closed.

Download our app

Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone