Former high school standouts from Seattle, Spokane selected in 2020 MLB Draft
Washington residents heard far fewer familiar names called during the 2020 MLB Draft, which wrapped up its shortened five-round event Thursday.
But, three college players with Washington roots were among the 160 players picked in a draft limited by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s a rundown of the three former high school standouts – from Seattle, Spokane and Bellevue – who were selected:
▪ OF Jesse Franklin, Michigan, Seattle Prep
Round: 3 | Overall pick: 97 | Team: Atlanta Braves
Franklin was considered the top high school prospect in Washington in 2017, and racked up accolades as a senior at Seattle Prep. After hitting .571 with four homers, 21 RBI and 11 stolen bases on as many attempts, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound lefty was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year in addition to earning first-team all-state and 3A Metro League MVP nods. The hometown Seattle Mariners drafted Franklin in the 37th round in 2017, but he opted to head to Michigan, where he continued to build his draft profile. He was a unanimous all-Big Ten Freshman Team selection in 2018 after leading the Wolverines with a .588 slugging percentage and 10 homers. He was a NCAA College World Series all-tournament pick the following season as a sophomore. The 21-year-old was injured for the entirety of Michigan’s shortened 2020 season, but still logged more than 500 plate appearances in 115 games for the Wolverines in his career, slashing at .287/.385/.520 with 26 doubles, two triples, 23 homers, 102 RBI and eight stolen bases. In 49 games across two seasons in the Cape Cod League, he hit .293/.370/.401.
MLB Pipeline: “He starred as a freshman and while his numbers declined as a sophomore as he got more power-happy, he helped the Wolverines to a shocking second-place finish at the 2019 College World Series. Scouts were curious as to which version would show up in 2020, but he broke his collarbone in a skiing accident and never took the field before the shortened season ended.
“Franklin’s strength gives him solid to plus raw power and he’s at his best when he lets it come naturally. … He has hit for average but with only modest power in the wood-bat Cape Cod League, so his offensive projection remains a bit of a puzzle.”
▪ LHP Jeremy Wu-Yelland, Hawaii, Central Valley H.S. (Spokane)
Round: 4 | Overall pick: 118 | Team: Boston Red Sox
A first-team all-state standout for Central Valley in high school, the dominant lefty opted to continue his career in the Mountain West, appearing as both a starter and reliever in three seasons at Hawaii. He primarily pitched out of the bullpen for the Rainbow Warriors, making 40 appearances (eight starts) and striking out 92 while walking 55 across 88 2/3 innings. His ERA consistently ticked down his freshman and sophomore seasons, and last summer in the Cape Cod League, and he was on track for a stellar junior campaign before the pandemic cut the season short. The 20-year-old allowed just one earned run across 13 innings this spring, posted a 0.69 ERA and struck out 16 while walking five in seven appearances. Wu-Yelland has already said he will sign with the Red Sox, declining the option to return to Hawaii for a replay of his junior season. MLB.com analysts suggest Wu-Yelland “likely profiles best as a reliever largely because of command issues.” His fastball can reach the mid-90s, and he carries a breaking ball and changeup as secondary offerings.
▪ RHP Stevie Emanuels, Washington, Interlake H.S. (Bellevue)
Round: 5 | Overall pick: 157 | Team: Oakland A’s
Lengthy and athletic at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, Emanuels was considered the top high school pitching prospect in Washington in the 2017 class. He stayed close to home to play college ball for the Huskies, and set a UW freshman record with 34 pitching appearances his first season. His eight wins led UW that year, and tied for third in the Pac-12. He worked primarily as a reliever for the Huskies his first two seasons and in the Cape Cod League last summer before moving into a rotation role in his shortened junior season. He made four starts before college baseball was shut down, posting a 3-1 record and 0.79 ERA with 38 strikeouts and nine walks across 22 2/3 innings. The 21-year-old led the Pac-12 in strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings (15.1) before the season was canceled. In his career at UW, Emanuels compiled a 13-6 record with a 2.81 ERA in 69 games (five starts) with 135 strikeouts and 59 walks across 121 2/3 innings.
MLB Pipeline: “Emanuels has an ideal pitcher’s frame, though he doesn’t always take full advantage of it. He throws his low-90s fastball, one that will touch 95 mph, with a loose arm and the ball jumps out of his hand, getting on the hitter in a hurry to create a lot of late swings. … He’ll sometimes show two distinct breaking balls, but they often blend into an average pitch that is more slider than curve. He’ll mix in an average changeup as well.
“Emanuels tends to be around the strike zone, though he doesn’t have pinpoint command. It’s possible there’s more in the tank velocity-wise as he adds weight and strength. A team taking him would likely send him out as a starter to see if what he showed this spring is for real, knowing that everything would tick up a bit if he ended up back in the bullpen.”
