Photo credit: Perfect Game

Major League Baseball has announced that the 2020 MLB Draft will take place on June 10 and June 11. With the draft now less than a month away, mock draft predictions are beginning to become more clear and first round selections are beginning to take shape. The Mets have six picks in this year’s draft, including the no. 19 overall selection in the first round.

With the no. 19 overall selection in the 2020 MLB Draft, recent mock drafts by Baseball America and MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo have the Mets slated to select University of Texas commit, Jared Kelley, a right-handed pitcher out of Refugio High School in Texas and member of the 2018 18U USA National Team.

Kelley, just 18 years of age, has been listed by Baseball America as one of the 50 top prospects in this year’s draft class, sitting as the no. 12 overall prospect. He stands at 6-3, weighing 215 lbs. His 97 mph fastball, with a peak velocity of 99 mph is what stands out to scouts, along with his ability to consistently pound the strike zone. He ranks in the 99th percentile according to Perfect Game, among the class of 2020 pitchers. Kelley also has an 80 mph changeup and an 83 mph slider.

While his primary role on the field is pitching, Kelley also has game experience as a shortstop. However, he is known for and is expected to serve primarily in his role as a pitcher. Many scouts say that with his maturity and control on the mound, that Kelley could quickly make his way to becoming a no. 2 starter in the big leagues.

Kelley will also make history in this year’s draft by becoming Refugio High School’s first-ever player to be drafted in the MLB Draft.