2020 Panini Stars & Stripes and the MLB Draft

About a month ago, I picked up a blaster box of 2020 Panini Stars and Stripes USA Baseball. It was sitting there all lonely at the Targets, as the other 2020 baseball issues had already been sold out. (Except for 2020 Topps Heritage. For some reason, no one wants that stuff, despite it being a fairly nice product.) Since 2020 MLB product has quickly disappeared from retail shelves for whatever reason, I’m was going through a little baseball card withdrawal. Thinking this will itch that scratch...

I have to admit, the guarantee of two autographs or memorabilia cards per Blaster was appealing, despite not knowing who well over half of the players in the set are. Lucky for me, my Blaster box had 2 autographs, instead of two jersey pieces. But I still haven’t heard of most of the player featured on the cards.

After opening the seven packs inside. I set them on a shelf and left them there. Part of the reason I don’t often buy products like this is other that considering them a stand alone product, I have no idea how to sort them. If these players had signed professional contracts, they could be filed in with each team’s single cards that I’ve kept. But we don’t have that information yet…

However, the (abbreviated) 2020 MLB Draft would be coming up soon. And with the draft, I can start pairing up these unknowns with actual professional teams. I could take the cards and see where each of the pictured prospects would end up going in the draft. That actually seems kind of fun to me. Meaning I can find out which team’s newest top prospect do I already have cards for. This premise works for Bowman, only these players are decked out in Team USA uniforms, instead of Photoshopped major league jerseys and hats.

Since there are no new games being played yet this season, my beloved MLB Network has been showing classic games from the last 50 years, every day in lieu of new content. So I’m really missing my daily background noise of various MLB Network shows and personalities. Including my near decade long crush on MLB Central’s Lauren Shehadi.

In a season where there is no season, I’m very anxious about watching the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft. There’s not a whole lot else going on, so finally getting some new content is big news. I’m going to sit here and watch the whole damn thing via internet streaming, while finding out where my 2020 Panini Star & Stripes singles now fit into major league organizations. To assist in writing this, I will take several hundred screen captures of the event.

Blend it all together once it’s done, and I’ll have a new story!

The wrappers look nice enough.

But what do the cards look like?

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Brandon Olivera

Oh damat... These cards are printed on foil board. Meaning they scan like crap and are hard to read. I’m not a fan of foil board cards, ever since they started appearing in the early 1990’s. Classic and Upper Deck were the early pioneers of making these things, and I hoped it was something that would go away with time. But I guess Panini likes it...

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Brandon Olivera back

This is the standard card back and it’s beyond bland. 

Olivera represents the 15 & Under USA National Team. Not being old enough to drive means that Olivera is also too young to be drafted by a Major League Baseball organization. So we have to wait a few years before anyone representing the 15 & Under team will find permanent homes in my collection.

Speaking of...

Let’s fire up the Internet and see how the 2020 MLB Draft shakes out!

Hosted by MLB Network luminaries; former Seattle Mariners second baseman, Harold Reynolds, MLB Network Anchorman, Greg Amsinger, and Dan O’Dowd. Former longtime General Manager of the Colorado Rockies, and one of my least favorite executives in all of Major League Baseball.

Can I please draft Lauren Shehadi to replace him on the panel?

In previous, non-pandemic years, the MLB Network studios would host representatives of each of the 30 MLB teams. Picks would be announced in person by the commissioner and a team representative. This year, each team is represented by a camera in whichever executive’s office. The picks would be called into the Network, then announced live by MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred. That's only for the first round. The second night of the draft would be announced by Matt Vasgersian. Taking a break from calling games on my PS4. 

This is the draft order for the 2020 First Round. Notably absent are the Houston Astros, who were stripped of their first and second round picks for all that cheating in 2018.

According to Major League Baseball, these are the Top 25 Prospects going into the Draft. As if my 35 Panini Stars & Stripes cards weren’t enough to track, I can also see where these 25 players are headed. 

Again, I knew very little about any of these players until tonight.

Now let Harold, Greg and Dan, send it down to Rob Manfred to explain the draft rules and officially put the Detroit Tigers on the clock, for their first overall pick.

Detroit has had the first overall pick only twice in their history. Drafting Casey Mize just two years ago, and Matt Anderson in 1997. 

Mize is one of the Top Prospects in baseball, and would have likely seen some Major League games this season, if there were any. Matt Anderson quickly flamed out. Pitching terribly for the Tigers in 1998, then getting traded to the Colorado Rockies, to suck for them. Another “great” Dan O’Dowd trade...

But as far as 2020 goes, the Detroit Tigers are drafting:

#1. Detroit Tigers - Spencer Torkelson, 3B

This shocked no one. Torkelson was widely seen as the best hitter available.

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Spencer Torkelson

Also the first card from my Panini Blaster to get a defined home!

The last five first overall picks. None of which have appeared in the Major Leagues yet. I think Mize will make it first. Followed by the Twins’ Royce Lewis. Philadelphia’s 2016 pick, Mickey Moniak appears to still be a long way off, if he makes it at all. Although, with as advanced as Torkelson is said to be, he just may surprise everyone and beat that entire list to Detroit.

2019 Donruss American Pride Pink Fireworks Spencer Torkelson

Almost forgot that I pulled a Torkelson card from a 2019 Donruss MEGA-box, that actually came from the same Targets that brought me the Stars & Stripes Blaster. I didn’t know who Torkelson was when I reviewed that box here.

A few minutes later, MLB Network interviewed Torkelson, live via satellite. His stock shoots up with me due to that sweet Caddyshack poster behind his couch. That’s a really cool movie!

But let’s keep it moving and see who the Baltimore Orioles took with the second overall pick…

Which Rob Manfred is about to reveal...

#2. Baltimore Orioles - Heston Kjerstad, OF

Kind of a shocker. Kjerstad is ranked as the number 10 prospect going into the draft. So either Baltimore knows something the rest of us don’t (unlikely) or they are trying to save money for later picks. No offense to Kyle Schwarber, but with the second overall pick, I’d like to draft someone better than him...

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Adley Rutschman

The Panini Blaster didn’t have a Kjerstad card inside, but did have last year’s number 1 overall pick, Adley Rutschman. 

The Miami Marlins are next at #3…

And here’s Marlins General Manager, Michael Hill, calling that pick in to MLB Network.

Someone go get Manfred!

#3. Miami Marlins - Max Meyer, RHP

Another surprise! Max Meyer becomes the highest drafted Minnesota Golden Gopher baseball player ever! 

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Max Meyer

And I have his card too!

Even former Blue Jays pitcher Al Leiter is excited about a rodent becoming a fish!

Even more exciting for the fish, is that Meyer agreed to terms with the Marlins before the first round of the draft was over. Likely a pre-arranged deal that moved Meyer up from his predicted landing spot to the Padres at #8. Of course, I was hoping he’d last until pick 9, so the Colorado Rockies would probably pass on him too...

I didn't realize the Twins had tried to sign Meyer in 2017, out of high school. Think he made the right decision in going to college. After all, one doesn't simply live in Woodbury... One ACHIEVES Woodbury...

#4. Kansas City Royals - Asa Lacey, LHP

Lacey was described as the top pitcher entering the draft, so the Royals had to be overjoyed to take him at #4.

#5. Toronto Blue Jays - Austin Martin, 3B/OF

Behind Spencer Torkelson, Austin Martin was ranked as the draft’s top college bat. Most expected him to go the Orioles at #2, but as the Orioles typically do, they had their own ideas of how to build a team. I’m sure their fellow American League East division-mates are happy they did. Martin will fit right in with all the sons of former major leaguers that the Blue Jays are able to trot out to the diamond, over the next few seasons.

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Austin Martin

Austin’s card was also in the Stars & Stripes Blaster.

Listed as a shortstop, most expect Martin to end up at third or second base in the majors. Bo Bichette has shortstop locked down for the Blue Jays. Most expect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to shift over to first base within the next couple years. Cavan Biggio could move to the outfield. Or Martin could... Either way, it’s a nice problem for Toronto to have. Now they need pitching.

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Austin Martin

Another Austin card was in the Stars & Stripes Blaster. So Panini clearly felt he is going to be a star.

He seems to be happy about it...

Seattle Mariners GM Jerry DiPoto calls in his pick, from a nice looking baseball filled office. DiPoto was a relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies, in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Until his career was cut short due to injury. MLB Network would typically show clips of each teams General Manager, doing something officey before announcing their pick. 

#6. Seattle Mariners - Emerson Hancock, RHP

That’s who DiPoto told Manfred that was picking. Seattle needs pitching. Hope he works out.

#7. Pittsburgh Pirates - Nick Gonzalez, SS

I’ve read some stuff on Gonzales that makes me think he could be a big star in Pittsburgh. Until they trade him during his rookie season for middle relief help, because they are 5 games back in the Wild Card race, and ownership misguidedly thinks this is their year.

Must be so hard to be a Pirates fan...

#8. San Diego Padres - Robert Hassell III, OF

Since the Marlins took Max Meyer 6 picks before San Diego was supposed to draft him, the Padres took Hassell III. He was the first High School player drafted, which is anything but typical for the MLB Draft. But this is anything but a typical year for baseball. The MLB Network panel loved this pick, so hopefully Hassell III works out for them.

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Robert Hassell III

Oh, I got his card too!

But he’s pitching on it. Pretty sure he’s an outfielder for San Diego.

The Colorado Rockies are up next...

And here’s former Rockies General Manager, Dan O’Dowd, making a stupid face.

I don’t like Dan O’Dowd.

#9. Colorado Rockies - Zac Veen, OF

Colorado went with a high school outfielder. 

Again, the MLB Network panel raved about this pick. He was ranked at the 7th best player available, so him sliding to number 9 isn’t too drastic, and a nice surprise for Rockies fans.

All 6 of them…

MLB Network compared Veen to the Dodgers superstar Cody Bellinger. Saying they both have similar swings and will generate a ton of power. All agreed that Veen could easily average 40 home runs a year playing at Coors Field. Then Topps can print 30,000 different Zac Veen rookie cards during his rookie season, just like they did for Bellinger in 2017!

Very small sample size for his pandemic shortened high school season, but great numbers. However, 17 stolen bases in 11 games almost seems like a typo. If you do the math, at that rate, Veen could steal over 250 bases over the course of a 162 game season. 

Not even Rickey Henderson could approach that!

That’s a really big couch!

My Blaster didn’t have a Zac Veen card inside. I was hoping to pull something that would represent the Rockies. Sure hope that I got something good to file in my future Rockies prospects binder...

#10. Los Angeles Angels - Reid Detmers, LHP

The Angels desperately need pitching. 

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Reid Detmers

And I was lucky enough to get a card of his that isn’t anywhere near as linty as the scan suggests…

Here’s Chicago White Sox General Manager, Rick Hahn, telling Rob Manfred who he’s taking at pick #11...

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Andrew Vaughn

Just over a year earlier, the White Sox drafted Andrew Vaughn, with the third overall pick of the 2019 MLB Draft. He was included in the Panini Blaster. I guess for old times sake?

#11. Chicago White Sox - Garrett Crochet, LHP

This year, the White Sox drafted a left-handed college pitcher. I didn’t get a card of him.

But Chicago was able to sign him quickly, at slot. Which helps their cause greatly.

Crochet pitches very similar to former White Sox and current (injured) Red Sox ace, Chris Sale. And that made Al Leiter do a little happy dance, while watching him warm up in the “Quarantine Pen”. Which is a much more fun term than “bullpen”. 

I’m going to lobby for a change!

#12. Cincinnati Reds - Austin Hendrick, OF

Makes perfect sense for Cincinnati to draft Hendrick. Who must have some rare skin condition causing his face to start turning red. Then he is drafted by the Reds. Natural fit!

#13. San Francisco Giants - Patrick Bailey, C

Here’s Manfred telling us that the Giants have drafted another college catcher to add to their growing pool of backstops.

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Patrick Bailey

And I have a card!

So what does this mean for Joey Bart? 

I’m telling you, the Giants are going to trade him to the Rockies for Ian Desmond, Wade Davis, Jake McGee and Bryan Shaw! 

This draft pick sets everything up perfectly!

#14. Texas Rangers - Justin Foscue, 2B

The Rangers need help at a lot of positions, including second base. Hope he works out for them. But not too much... Because I don’t want to see any teams from Texas win anything anymore. Just because everything is bigger there, doesn’t mean I wish them success...

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Justin Foscue

Another first round pick represented by Panini!

#15. Philadelphia Phillies - Mick Abel, RHP

Probably still bored after talking about the Texas Rangers, Manfred yawns his was through announcing the Phillies 15th overall pick.

High school picks were rare in this first round. Hopefully for the Phillies sake, Abel will sign. 

Verlander is a lofty comparison to throw on a high school kid, and of course, this is Dan O’Dowd’s evaluation... But if he develops as O’Dowd evaluates, this could be a steal for Philadelphia, who really needs some young pitching to go with all the money they’ve spent lately.

Jonathan Mayo was a big fan of this pick.

#16. Chicago Cubs - Ed Howard, SS

The Cubs drafted themselves a hometown kid! MLB Network raved about Howard and his potential as a shortstop. Earlier draft predictions I read had Howard sliding to the end of the first round. A couple of mock drafts had him going to the Twins at #27, so I was surprised to see him go 16th.

During his live draft party satellite interview, he had to turnaround to tell his family and friends to be quiet, so he could hear. Which I enjoyed! Howard signed quickly, and will likely be a player I'll follow. Playing for the hometown Cubs is a great story.

#17. Boston Red Sox - Nick Yorke, 2B

Boston shocked everyone by taking a high school second baseman that was ranked in the hundreds. Since they lost their second round draft pick, due to cheating, they didn’t think Yorke would last until they picked in the third round. Must have REALLY liked this guy to take him here.

Not that I want the Red Sox to do well either, so go ahead and burn a high pick on a low ranked player!

#18. Arizona Diamondbacks - Bryce Jarvis, RHP

Arizona drafted a guy that should have probably been saved for Toronto, in the second round.

After all, his father Kevin was a Major League pitcher for 12 seasons, from 1994 to 2006. Hopefully Bryce find better success than his dad did. Kevin Jarvis managed to pitch 780 Major League innings over those 12 seasons, and finished his career with an ERA of 6.03. I have no idea how you can pitch that long in the major leagues with such consistently awful results. Amongst the 10 teams father Jarvis played for was a horrible 6 games with the 1997 Minnesota Twins, and two separate stints with the Colorado Rockies (2000 and 2004).

With an advertisement during every commercial break, at this point in the draft I was craving a Spicy Chicken Sammich from Wendy’s. I haven't gotten one. But writing about it now is making me crave one all over again...

Distract me Manfred!

#19. New York Mets - Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF

I hope he makes the major leagues, as I keep an unofficial collection of players with hyphenated names on the back of their jersey. Dating back to the pioneer of baseball split families, Ryan Rowland-Smith! (Who I watched pitch in a Ken Griffey Jr. themed Mariners vs Reds game from 2007, on Father's Day, on MLB Network.)

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Pete Crow-Armstrong

At least I already have a card to add…

#20. Milwaukee Brewers - Garrett Mitchell, OF

The Brewers had to be ecstatic that Mitchell was still available for them at the 20th overall pick.

Mock drafts had Mitchell going in the Top Ten. So Go Brewers, I guess...

#21. St. Louis Cardinals - Jordan Walker, 3B

St. Louis picks a high school third baseman. Maybe that means they won’t be as interested in making a low-ball trade offer to the Colorado Rockies for Nolan Arenado? Because of course the Rockies would accept that low-ball offer, because they’ve beyond botched the Arenado contract situation. AFTER already signing him to a long term contract…

Maybe he’ll be included in that predicted trade to Colorado?

Nationals General Manager, Mike Rizzo, appears to be working in a nice apartment, instead of his Nationals Park office. After he gets off the phone with Manfred, he’s going to pop some Pizza Rolls into the oven.

#22. Washington Nationals - Cade Cavalli, RHP

Obviously, Rizzo was in the mood for Italian.

After 22 picks, these were considered the best available prospects.

Lots for the Twins to choose from with their upcoming pick at #27...

But first, the Indians get to make a pick!

#23. Cleveland Indians - Carson Tucker, SS

And they went with a high school shortstop that had the MLB Network commentators raving about his abilities and potential. Cleveland is going to need a new shortstop because there’s no way Lindor is re-signing.

MLB Network even interviewed late 1980’s Kirk Hammett from Metallica, about the Indians drafting of Carson Tucker. Oh wait, that’s actually Tucker’s older brother, Cole, who plays for the Pirates. A player whose 2019 Topps Archive card baffled me in a Fairfield Repack a few weeks ago.

#24. Tampa Bay Rays - Nick Bitsko, RHP

At #24, Tampa went with a 17 year old high school pitcher, who hadn’t thrown in a game since last Summer. Relying on old scouting reports was about all teams could do in preparation for this draft, since the Coronavirus has stopped pretty much all organized sports. Those in the know really liked this pick. I liked this pick because hearing people say "Bitsko" over and over, started to amuse me.

Not only me, but Al Leiter too!

#25. Atlanta Braves - Jared Shuster, LHP

Atlanta’s first pick was another pitcher.

They like pitchers.

Shuster signed quickly too. 

Guess he liked Atlanta. 

So hooray for everybody!

Oakland Athletics General Manager, David Forst, is texting Rob for advice on their upcoming first round pick. After contacting Rob Smith, he called up Rob Manfred, so he could go to the podium to announce...

#26. Oakland Athletics - Tyler Soderstrom, C

That the Athletics got themselves a brand new catcher!

Hey Rob, the Rockies want to talk to about trading you some bullpen help and an option at DH...

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Tyler Soderstrom

That I not only got a card from Panini, but a RUBY RED PARALLEL! The foil of his name is red, which makes it slightly easier to read his name. It’s also numbered 113/249. So that’s cool…

Since that card is just a boring running picture, I made a screen capture of young Mr. Soderstrom is his catchers gear. Because I like photos of catchers wearing their gear.

But he should have been drafted by the Blue Jays, since his father was also a first round pick. Steve Soderstrom only pitched in 3 Major League games, and didn’t fare all that bad, but he never got another shot in the Major Leagues. Hopefully his son fares better, Tyler signed quickly after the draft, and all he needs is some actual games to take place, so he can start his career.

But the Minnesota Twins are up next!

And they didn’t draft Billy Heywood!

Little Big League was another baseball movie aimed at kids in the mid 1990’s. Plot being, the owner of the Twins dies and leaves the ball club to his grandson, who names himself the team’s manager. Which is a tad more plausible than that awful movie Rookie of the Year. Where a little kid breaks his arm and can suddenly throw 140 mph (or something ridiculous like that), so he plays for the Cubs and acts like a 6 year old, instead of the 12 year old he was supposed to be. Little Big League is a little less intelligence insulting than Rookie of the Year, but the MLB Network shows both of these movies far too often.

I’m sure it’s on Saturday. Check your local listings...

#27. Minnesota Twins - Aaron Sabato, 1B

Hmmm… Another power hitting first baseman/corner outfielder, for a minor league system absolutely loaded at that role. Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, Brent Rooker, Matt Wallner… All recent Twins draft picks that are essentially the same player. Kirilloff is probably the standout of the bunch.

Everyone expected Minnesota to go after a college pitcher with their first pick, myself included. There was still some nice talent at that position available at #27. Sabato is supposed to be a great power hitter, so that may be something to look forward to. My guess is down the road, they will try to trade some of this surplus for pitching help. Maybe not the worst strategy, although it’s kind of confusing right now. 

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Anthony Volpe

My Panini Stars & Stripes Blaster didn’t have a card for Aaron Sabato, but there was an Anthony Volpe card. Volpe was the New York Yankees first round pick in the 2019 draft. 

So who did they take in 2020?

Tell me, Manfred!

#28. New York Yankees - Austin Wells, C

A college catcher!

Which they need. Once they can admit that Gary Sanchez isn’t the answer behind the plate. Yeah, he can hit a ton of home runs. As can everybody else on their roster. What they need is a good defensive catcher. There’s a reason they won all those World Series with Jorge Posada and Joe Girardi behind the plate, but have yet to win with Sanchez...

#29. Los Angeles Dodgers - Bobby Miller, RHP

To close out the first round, the Dodgers took a pitcher. 

And I don’t feel like talking about that or them.

The first round was finished after only 29 picks, because of the Houston Astros sign stealing punishment. After the first round, MLB Network was going to air the next 8 picks of the Competitive Balance Round A. The second through fifth rounds would be broadcast the next day. Following the draft this close was a lot of work, so I was going to cover the next 8 picks and call it good for the night.

Neither of my 2 autographed cards were of players taken in the first round. Kind of a let down, but I still had hopes for a second rounder or better. My hopes were cut in half when I gave the first autograph I pulled, a closer look.

First, the autograph...

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Kurtis Reid Autograph

The Kurtis Reid autograph, numbered 70/182. 

Kurtis Reid went undrafted. Likely because he wasn't old enough to be drafted. The idea of getting autographed cards of kids in high school is weird. I think back to what I was doing at that age... Sitting in the basement listening to Dr. Demento and playing Nintendo? Too bad Upper Deck wasn't willing to make cards of me bussing tables at Perkins! I even would have gladly autographed a couple hundred of them!

The "odds" information on the wrapper wasn't very informative. Although, I do like the idea of serial numbering all of the inserts.

Intermission over!

Let's wrap the first night up with a rapid fire Competitive Balance Round A summary!

#30. Baltimore Orioles - Jordan Westburg, SS

I almost like that Mississippi State hat.

#31. Pittsburgh Pirates - Carmen Mlodzinski, RHP

I learned that "Mlodzinski" isn't pronounced the way it looks...

#32. Kansas City Royals - Nick Loftin, SS

They got Manfred pulling a little overtime, instead of letting him off after the first round.

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Nick Loftin

Panini made a Loftin card for the Royals bin.

#33. Arizona Diamondbacks - Slade Cecconi, RHP

We need more people named Slade.

#34. San Diego Padres - Justin Lange, RHP

There's Manfred again!

And the Rockies are up next with a bonus Competitive Balance pick...

According to the rather sleepy looking guy, whose name I can't remember, these are the best available prospects after 34 picks. Will the Rocks take one of them? Or will they do something stupid and completely Colorado Rockies-like?

Someone wake Nolan!

He's DRIVING!!

And about to get a new possible teammate!

In a few years...

If he isn't traded...

To build more anticipation, even though the graphic has said Colorado's pick has been in for a few hours now, MLB Network decided to show of the Homegrown Rockies, and where they were drafted. Clean-shaven and short-haired Charlie Blackmon is hard to look at.

Per usual, Jeff Bridich doesn't know what to do...

Finally, Manfred gets off the potty and announces Colorado's pick...

#35. Colorado Rockies - Drew Romo, C

A catcher!

(Not a trade announcement for Joey Bart...)

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Drew Romo

And Panini gave me not only one Drew Romo....

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Drew Romo

But TWO Drew Romoses!

If he develops into a Yasmani Grandal type of player, I'm definitely good with that. And once the Rockies finalize that trade of Ian Desmond, Wade Davis, Jake McGee and Bryan Shaw to the San Francisco Giants for Joey Bart, Romo can be his backup!

Whatever...

Cleveland!

#36. Cleveland Indians - Tanner Burns, RHP

I chose this picture of Burns specifically for the sunset behind the stands...

And the very last pick of the first night goes to the Tampa Bay Rays. 

Who selected...

#37. Tampa Bay Rays - Alika Williams, SS

Shortstops are always safe picks, because you can move them anywhere on the diamond if they don't work out at short. Especially in a draft where you couldn't scout anyone in the months leading up to said draft.

So here's the final Draft Board after the first round and Competitive Balance Round A.

But there were still cards in my Blaster that hadn't yet found homes! Including my second hit!

So I guess I'll need to pay some attention to the next day's live stream.

Not like there was anything else going on...

Right Dan?

Damat! Dan O’Dowd is back for day two! The background is a dead giveaway. I'm using a day one graphic because I didn't feel like screen capturing him again. Why couldn't MLB Network have replaced him with Lauren Shehadi for this broadcast?

At least he represents a good segue into my favorite pick of day two...

Oh, Manfred?

#46. Colorado Rockies - Chris McMahon, RHP

Wait, that's not Manfred... That's Matt Vasgersian! I forgot Manfred only works round one. He's a busy man, with busy things to do! Like not getting the 2020 MLB Season going...

Not only am I happy that the Rocks drafted what looks to be a good pitcher sliding down in the draft, but Chris McMahon just happened to be...

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Chris McMahon Red Ink Autograph

My second hit of the Panini Stars & Stripes Blaster! A jersey auto numbered 78/222 made me happy when I pulled it. That he ends up on a team I'm actively collecting, was an unexpected bonus!

So I'm fully expecting Jeff Bridich to botch signing him...

But if he works out, plugging him into a rotation with Jon Gray, German Marquez and Kyle Freeland, could mean big things for the Rockies. Especially if they can find a third baseman anywhere near as good a player as Nolan Arenado is. Because I'm sure he will be gone by then...

Maybe even a third place finish!

Even Tim Corbin, and his ugly suit, agrees!

#59. Minnesota Twins - Alerick Soulaire, OF

Minnesota's second round pick, an outfielder I've never heard of!

Speedy right-handed bat with some pop...

But no Panini Stars & Stripes card...

#72. Houston Astros - Alex Santos, RHP

And I can't bring myself to any degree of sympathy for the Houston Astros. Due to their garbage can beating, they lost both first and second round picks for 2020 and 2021. Meaning their first pick was at the end of Competitive Balance Round B, and it would be this right-handed pitcher.

Who doesn't have a Panini Stars & Stripes card...

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Tyler Brown

But Tyler Brown does!

He was taken by the Astros in the third round.

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Alec Burleson

As does Alec Burlson. Who was drafted by the Cardinals and signed a below slot deal. Which should give St. Louis extra money for signing Jordan Walker.

Minnesota didn't have a third round pick. It was surrendered due to the Twins signing third baseman, Josh Donaldson, to the largest free agent contract in team history. (Still shocked by that...) Since there's no news to report on the Twins at this moment, let me relay a brief story involving Minnesota's first round pick in the 1989 MLB Draft...

As I was writing this story, I had to go to the Walgreens to pick up a prescription. Which means one thing... Some Fairfield Repacks! On this day, I picked up four of those $4.99 boxes. Consisting of 100 random cards and 1 unopened pack, each. Inside the first box, it had three of the four cards from the 1992 Chuck Knoblauch Holoprism hologram card set. Which came out in tribute to his Rookie of the Year 1991 season.  

I'm a big Chuck Knoblauch fan. But until now, I never had any of these Knoblauch cards. But I just got cards 1, 3 and 4 from it... Maybe card number 2 is in one of the three remaining unopened Fairfield Repacks, and I could complete the set without even trying!

Well, each of those three boxes of Fairfield Repacks did contain more Chuck Knoblauch Holograms. All four of them had cards numbered 1 and 3, three of them had card number 4, but not a single one of them had card number 2. 

And that's kind of funny to me...

#81. Colorado Rockies - Sam Weatherly, LHP 

Colorado's third round pick...

#110. Colorado Rockies - Case Williams, RHP 

And a local product in the fourth round, Williams signed quickly after the draft for a below slot deal. It makes sense for Colorado to take a chance on local pitchers, who have some experience throwing at altitude. Roy Halladay would have been great wherever he played, but coming from suburban Denver, he would have had an advantage had he ever played for the Rockies. 

And I still blame O'Dowd for botching that rumored trade that would have brought Roy Halladay to the Rockies in 2010...

In preparation for their fourth round pick, Twins President Derek Falvey, plays Tetris is his Target Field office. A photo of Joe Mauer looms in the background, above a tray of snacks.  

#128. Minnesota Twins - Marco Raya, RHP

Then Matt Vasgersian tells us that Joe Mauer guided Falvey into taking Marco Raya. A high school pitcher that signed with Minnesota a week after the draft, making proclamations that we will know his name.

Hope so, the Twins are going to need pitching. So get going and get good!

I'll be watching.

I'll also be watching this....

MLB Network Presents is a great series of in-house produced documentaries about baseball teams and players of the past. The excellent episode from a couple years ago, celebrating the 1995 Seattle Mariners run to save baseball in the Pacific Northwest, made me wonder when Ken Griffey Jr. himself, would get his own show. Well, the answer is June 21st, 2020. The DVR is set!

(I didn't finish this before it aired. But I really enjoyed the show.)

#140. Colorado Rockies - Jack Blomgren, SS

Colorado's fifth round pick was a college shortstop.

I don't know much about him, so here's a screen capture of him fielding.

He didn't have a card in Panini Stars & Stripes that I saw.

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes 15 & Under National Team

He's probably not in this team photo since he'd be too old.

So who was the Twins final pick in the Draft?

I'll bet Matt knows...

#158. Minnesota Twins - Kala’i Rosario, OF

A high school outfielder from Hawaii. Can't imagine the culture shock of growing up in Hawaii, then dealing with a Minnesota winter. I'm thinking he wont live here in the offseason. I sure wouldn't!

Blat!

The 2020 MLB Draft ended two picks later. One of the top ranked eligible prospects went undrafted, and was brought to my attention since I pulled his card from the Blaster, and read up a little before the draft.

2020 Panini Stars & Stripes Casey Optiz

Casey Opitz was a Top 100 college catcher for Arkansas. Considered an excellent defensive catcher with promising offensive potential, Optiz seemed like a no brainer for teams looking to stock up on catchers in the draft. Due to the pandemic, the rules for college eligibility were changed to allow underclassmen an additional season, if they chose to not turn pro. This gave players some leverage against the shortened format of the draft. Either he was looking for more money than teams were willing to spend on him, or he felt a return to college would improve his standing in a normal draft next season.

Opitz was of particular interest to me since he's from Colorado. Not just Colorado, but Opitz played high school ball for Heritage High School in Littleton. 

This is the baseball field at Littleton High School. Not where Optiz played his home games, but a rival school where Heritage High played some of their road games. The photo is taken from the bike path that paralleled the creek, flowing behind the outfield walls. My apartment from May 2006 to May 2018 used to be in this area, and three floors up. From my balcony, I had an obstructed view of the diamond, and could watch parts of games while standing outside. It was a cool perk of living there, and about as close to the Wrigley Field experience as I'll ever have.

As far as the Panini Stars & Stripes set goes, I likely wont buy any more.

The cards would be better if they weren't foil board.

And the Targets were out of them when I checked.

Despite knowing there would be an ongoing screen crawl throughout the draft, keeping me informed as to who went where and when, I have to maintain my old school approach. As each pick was announced by Manfred, I scribbled them down on my notepad. Even with all the technology at my disposal, I still hold pen and paper in high regard.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for that technology. 30 years ago, I wouldn't be able to follow the draft live. In fact, I'd be lucky if I heard any draft results beyond the first round for weeks afterward. For years, it was typical to hear who the Twins drafted with their first round, on the radio during that night's game, but no mention of any other picks would be made. Often I'd only know expanded results of the draft by waiting a few weeks for the summary in an issue of Baseball America.

I loved Baseball America back in the 1990's...

And let's hope we never have to endure another draft debacle like the one J.D. Drew and his agent Scott Boras cooked up in 1997.

But that's a story for a different day. 

This one has taken way too long to write already.