Padres Draft: MLB mock draft has team taking top college pitcher

With the MLB Draft now less than a month away, the latest mock draft has the Padres taking Max Meyer with the eighth overall pick.

While all the attention is on the MLB owners and MLBPA, the draft is approaching fast. The Padres hold the eighth overall pick and are in a prime position to grab an immediate impact player. MLB writer, Jim Callis, mocked the first round, and he has the Friars taking Max Meyer.

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.

Meyer is looking to become Minnesota’s highest draft pick since Terrin Vavra, who was taken by the Colorado Rockies in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft.

As Callis notes, Meyer isn’t the biggest guy, but he has one of the most polished arsenals in the draft. Last year, he made 16 appearances – including 11 starts – and struck out 87 batters in 76.2 innings. He has a terrific command of his pitches as well, allowing just 20 walks all year (2.3 BB/9).

He was off to a blazing start this year, posting a 1.95 ERA through his first four starts. Meyer had struck out 46 batters in 27.2 innings while allowing just eight walks and a .155 batting average. If you recall, we did a fairly extensive breakdown on Meyer earlier this year.

Looking on either side of the Padres, Callis tabs the Pirates with Heston Kjerstad with the seventh overall pick and Louisville’s Reid Detmers to the Rockies with the ninth overall pick. Meyer is a solid pick here, but I am not sure that I could pass on Detmers.

Detmers has a better track record, with a school known for pumping out MLB talent. Last year, Detmers struck out 167 batters in 19 appearances, including 18 starts. He has the nastiest curveball in the draft and could join MacKenzie Gore at the top of the rotation in a couple of years.

You can never have too much pitching, so it would be smart for the Padres to take the best college pitcher on the board with the eighth overall pick. What do you think?