MLB Draft 2020: Cincinnati Reds select OF Austin Hendrick in 1st round

The mock drafts of the last month continued to link the Cincinnati Reds with the glut of talented high school outfielders that looked like they’d be available in the middle of the 1st round of tonight’s MLB Draft, and that’s exactly what played out.

With their first selection of the shortened 2020 draft, the Reds plucked Austin Hendrick out of Pennsylvania, a product of West Allegheny High School just outside Pittsburgh. Hendrick is a bit old for his class, but has long been one of the better, more projectable hitters in this high school class. Possessing top-tier power, he’s undergone a bit of a swing evolution over the last year, but his bat speed has long been considered elite, with the power potential also a plus.

Hendrick is currently committed to Mississippi State University, which I’m sure makes Jeff Brantley proud.

For more on Hendrick, check out the scouting report we compiled last week.