Padres Draft: Latest five-round mock draft is flawless

CB Round A, 34th overall pick: Bryce Jarvis, RHP (Duke)

I love this pick for the Padres. Jarvis went under the radar until this year, in a shortened season, when he threw a perfect game, the first in school history. He was primarily a reliever as a true freshman, making 25 appearances – including five starts – while striking out 67 batters in 47.2 innings. He held batters to a .142 average but also allowed 22 walks.

He participated in the Cape Cod League following his freshman campaign, learning how to become a starter. Back on campus, he transitioned into the starting rotation, making 19 appearances – including 11 starts – and struck out 94 batters in 75.2 innings. His command was still a bit shaky, allowing 37 walks over that span but held batters to a .239 average.

It’s really a shame that his junior year was cut short because he could have been a top-15 pick in this draft. As noted, he tossed a perfect game earlier this year and made four starts, posting a 0.67 ERA while striking out 40 batters in 27.0 innings. More importantly, he allowed just two walks while holding opponents to a .120 average.

By betting on himself and skipping the Cape Cod League last summer, Jarvis added velocity and command to an impressive profile while working with Driveline Baseball and Cressey Sports Performance. Despite being extremely old for this class, Jarvis’ improvements in 2020 means he should receive close to first round money on June 10th or 11th. – Prospects 365

Second round, 45th overall: CJ Van Eyk, RHP (FSU)

Van Eyk has been slipping in several mock drafts, which could end up being favorable for the Padres in this draft. The Florida State product doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he’s as reliable as it gets.

As a true freshman, he made 19 appearances – including five starts – while striking out 71 batters in 56.2 innings. He posted a 2.86 ERA and limited opponents to a .208 average but also had the propensity to walk a few batters — 30 over that span.

The following year, he moved into the Seminoles’ starting rotation, making 18 starts while striking out 129 batters. His command remained a tad shaky – 41 walks in 99.1 innings (3.7 BB/9) – but held opponents to a .234 average.

He was off to a much better start this year before the shutdown, striking out 25 through his first four starts while limiting the opposition to a .151 average.

Third round, 80th overall: Landon Knack, RHP (ETSU)

Knack is this draft’s best-kept secret. We recently did a profile on him, noting he had the second-most strikeouts in the country before the shutdown, despite pitching for East Tennessee State.

Last year, he made 19 starts and displayed terrific command, walking just 16 in 97.0 innings, which comes out to an impressive (1.5 BB/9). He’s a big-time strikeout guy, obviously, and struck out 94 in 2019 while limiting the opposition to a .241 average.

He was off to a great start this year, making four starts and striking out 51 in 25.0 innings of work. He walked JUST ONE batter over than span as well while holding batters to a .136 average. If the Padres can land him in the third round of this draft, he could very well be the steal of this entire draft.

Fourth round, 109th overall: Bryce Bonnin, RHP (Texas Tech)

Three straight college pitchers after taking one of the top high school talents in this draft. So far, so good. Bryce Bonnin is a 6-foot-1 junior from Texas Tech and made just one start as a freshman. He made ten appearances out of the bullpen, striking out 16 over 19.0 innings. The bad news is he walked 12 batters over that timeframe as well.

He took part in the Cape Cod League the summer after his freshman year. As a sophomore, Bonnin made 15 appearances – including 13 starts – while striking out 65 batters in 64.0 innings and limiting the opposition to a .223 average. Again, he had problems with his command, allowing 45 walks over that span.

He’s a guy that could have used a full year in the rotation. In four starts, he struck out 27 batters, and his command improved, allowing six walks in 14.2 innings (3.7 BB/9). Bonnin is a risky pick, but the fourth round is the place to take these gambles. He has tremendous upside but might be a better fit out of the bullpen down the road.

Fifth round, 139th overall: Shane McGuire, C (San Diego)

The Padres aren’t afraid to take guys in their backyard, but taking a catcher here seems odd. The Padres are likely to move on from Austin Hedges; however, they still have Francisco Mejia, Luis Torrens, and Luis Campusano waiting.

As a freshman, McGuire posted a .287/.417/.362 slash line with eight doubles, one triple, and one home run in 53 games. He’s proven capable of hitting in wood-bat leagues, posting a .337 average in 51 games in the Northwoods League the summer after his freshman campaign.

In 2019, McGuire had a breakout campaign, posting a .325/.444/.401 line with 12 doubles, one home run, and 31 RBI in 52 games. He threw out 37 percent of baserunners. McGuire may not stick behind the plate, but he’s played 42 games at first base as well, which gives the Padres options, especially with the implementation of the DH likely coming within the next couple of years.