Padres complete 2020 draft with signing of Cole Wilcox
Credit: U of Georgia
The San Diego Padres announced Tuesday afternoon that they signed third-round draft pick Cole Wilcox.
With the signing, the Padres officially signed all six of their 2020 picks.
The #Padres have agreed to terms with Cole Wilcox, the 80th overall selection in the 2020 #MLBDraft.
Welcome to the #Padres, @ColeWilcox11! pic.twitter.com/hQiG19egWS
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 30, 2020
Wilcox did not come cheap for the Padres. Given that he is a draft-eligible sophomore, Wilcox had a lot of leverage given he could go back to the University of Georgia and likely be picked higher next year. However, general manager A.J. Preller and Wilcox agreed to a record-setting deal for a 3rd round draft pick.
3rd-rder Cole Wilcox signs with @Padres for $3.3 million (slot 80 value = $767,800). Georgia RHP, fastball can reach 100 mph, power slider & fading changeup can flash plus. Sets @MLBDraft 3rd-rd bonus record, eclipsing $3 mil SD gave Hudson Head last year.
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 30, 2020
Fourth-round draft pick RHP Levi Thomas signed first for the Padres for $80K, which is significantly below slot value. Wallace’s 0.39 ERA in 2020 put him on the draft scene.
Fifth-round pick LHP Jagger Haynes signed for $300K, below slot value. Haynes committed to the University of North Carolina, which is the reason why Haynes received more than Wallace despite being drafted later.
Second-round draft pick OF Owen Caissie signed for $1.2 million, below slot value. Caissie is a raw hitter who committed to the University of Michigan.
Supplemental round draft pick RHP Justin Lange signed for $2 million, right at slot value. Lange can reach 100 MPH on his fastball, and committed to Dallas Baptist University.
First-round draft pick OF Robert Hassell signed for $4.3 million, slightly below slot average. Hassell is considered to be the best prep bat in the 2020 draft class. Hassell committed to play at Vanderbilt University.
With all six players signing for the San Diego Padres, they continue to build on their elite farm system. The strength of A.J. Preller has been his ability to find talent in the draft. On the surface, it seems he and his scouting department did another great job this year.
Dominic is a graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Journalism. He also is the producer and co-host of the “Padres EVT Podcast.”