Blaze Jordan vs. Jordan Walker: 2020 MLB Draft Prospect Showdown, Corner Infield Rankings

Leading up to the 2020 draft on June 10, we’ll preview each position group by comparing and contrasting two of the top players in the mix. Today is corner infielders, led by Blaze Jordan and Jordan Walker.

You can see outfielders here.

Hitting:

At his best, Jordan has a handsy, fluid righthanded swing with a professional, all-fields approach and solid ability to handle velocity and make adjustments to offspeed pitches. While Walker has a solid hit tool, he’s a bit more power over pure hitter, and the length of his arms could create more swing-and-miss issues going forward. A slight edge for Jordan here. EDGE: Jordan

Power: Jordan is more famous for his displays of power throughout his high school career, but Walker has the more projectable frame when looking at future power potential. Walker is 6-foot-5, 220 pounds compared to Jordan, who is 6-foot-2, 218 pounds. Both are among the top five in the prep class, but Walker has the slight edge. EDGE: Walker

Speed: Neither Walker nor Jordan are burners and both are projected to be below-average runners moving forward. This one is a push. EDGE: Draw

Fielding: Both Jordan and Walker have spent time at third base and first base, and both have risk to wind up at the low end of the defensive spectrum. However, scouts prefer Walker’s athleticism and hands to Jordan’s, so he gets the edge here. EDGE: Walker

Arm: Walker has shown solid carry and power on his throws from the hot corner, and he has a chance for above-average arm strength, so he gets the edge over Jordan, whose arm is just average. EDGE: Walker

X Factor: More and more teams are beginning to place an emphasis on the age of draft prospects, particularly on the hitting side. As a natural member of the 2021 high school class who reclassified last year to be draft eligible this year, Jordan is one of the youngest players in the 2020 class and the youngest among the top 200 prospects. He won’t turn 18 until this December, and that youth could push him up boards, especially for teams that place an emphasis on statistical modeling. EDGE: Jordan

Scout’s take on Blaze Jordan: Seventeen and a half, real power … plays first base at the end of the day … It’s a sound swing and he’s so young … Not a great body but he’s just a baby and he’s hitting balls to the moon. It’s rare righthanded power.

Scout’s take on Jordan Walker: “I think the industry probably has him as the best high school prospect in Georgia by far. He’s the total package for me. You have some concerns on the bat, just pure hittability, but the power is exceptional and the makeup is really good.”

SPOTLIGHT: Top 2020 Corner Infielders

Strength: 3 stars

Spencer Torkelson‘s offensive profile is so appealing that he has a chance to be drafted No. 1 overall. Jordan Walker, Aaron Sabato and Blaze Jordan also have the potential to develop impact power, but a lack of third basemen drags down the overall star rating.

See full scouting reports in the BA 500 here.

First-Round Talents
No.	Rank	Player	Pos	School	State	HIT	POW	RUN	FLD	ARM
1	1	Spencer Torkelson	1B	Arizona State	AZ	60	80	40	55	50
Second-Round Talents
No.	Rank	Player	Pos	School	State	HIT	POW	RUN	FLD	ARM
2	34	Jordan Walker	3B	HS—Decatur	GA	45	70	40	40	55
3	35	Aaron Sabato	1B	North Carolina	NC	50	70	30	40	40
4	50	Gage Workman	3B	Arizona State	AZ	50	55	50	60	60
5	60	Casey Schmitt	3B	San Diego State	CA	55	50	40	55	60
Third- To Fifth-Round Talents
No.	Rank	Player	Pos	School	State	HIT	POW	RUN	FLD	ARM
6	78	Coby Mayo	3B	HS—Parkland	FL	45	60	50	50	60
7	92	Blaze Jordan	3B	HS—Southaven	MS	50	70	40	40	50
8	94	Tanner Witt	3B	HS—Bellaire	TX	45	60	40	45	60
9	113	Tyler Keenan	3B	Mississippi	MS	50	60	30	40	50
10	122	Jamal O’Guinn	3B	Southern California	CA	50	55	50	50	50