The Cincinnati Reds made five selections from Rounds 2 to 5 on the second and final day of the 2020 MLB Draft. They were tied for the second-most Day 2 picks among all teams as only the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals had more (six).
With the 12th pick in the first round, Cincinnati chose prep outfielder Austin Hendrick, who graded out with strong power and quick hands at the plate along with right-field arm strength.
Round 2 (No. 48): RHP Christian Roa
The Reds took Texas A&M University pitcher Christian Roa, who was the right-handed counterpart of No. 4 overall pick and fellow Aggie Asa Lacy. Roa was not drafted out of high school.
Roa threw 20.0 innings over four starts in his shortened 2020 college season. He struck out 35 batters while allowing 18 hits and nine walks. He offers four pitches, including a curveball and slider. Roa’s fastball sits in the lower-90s that can reach around 95 or 96 MPH.
In 31 career games at Texas A&M, Roa started 11 of them so he could develop into a starter or reliever depending on how he progresses with Cincinnati coaches and evaluators.
Roa was named SEC Pitcher of the Week for the week of March 18, 2019, after throwing seven shutout innings of three-hit ball against No. 2 Vanderbilt. He was also a three-year letter-winner in football as a wide receiver for his high school team.
Competitive Balance Round B (No. 65): C Jackson Miller
Cincinnati scooped up a catcher with its third choice. From J.W. Mitchell High School in Florida, Jackson Miller is a six-foot, left-handed hitter.
Miller is a Wake Forest University commit. His 60-yard dash time was clocked at 6.90 seconds, and his pop time is 1.89.
MLB.com says Miller has an above-average arm in addition to saying his agility and hands have the potential to help him become a good defensive catcher.
Round 3 (No. 84): RHP Bryce Bonnin
As the draft moved away from compensatory and competitive balance picks, the Reds drafted their second college arm in the third round.
Bryce Bonnin, 21, hails from Texas Tech University after transferring from the University of Arkansas in order to establish himself as a starting pitcher. His fastball and slider grade at 60, according to MLB Pipeline.
Bonnin threw 14.2 innings in 2020 and struck out 27 hitters versus walking just six, including a nine-strikeout performance on Feb. 22 against Stanford in which he tossed five innings.
An interesting note is that Texas Tech went 12-1 in his 13 starts during his sophomore season in 2019. Bonnin was also selected to the 2019 All-Lubbock Regional Team. He was also a solid shortstop coming out of high school.
Round 4 (No. 113): OF Mac Wainwright
All of Cincinnati’s position player picks were from the high school level as the Reds chose St. Edwards outfielder Mac Wainwright.
Wainwright’s talent is headlined by his raw power and speed. He has hit an exit velocity of 104 MPH, proving he swings with intent. Wainwright’s home-to-first time clocks at 4.45 seconds; he could play center field or move to right field as his arm grows stronger.
Wainwright is 6-foot-1 and around 205 pounds and was not among MLB Pipeline’s top-200 draft prospects. He bats and throws right-handed.
Round 5 (143): RHP Joe Boyle
To wrap up their draft class, the Reds chose Joe Boyle, a 20-year-old righty from the University of Notre Dame.
Boyle stands at 6-foot-7 and appeared in 32 games over three seasons with the Fighting Irish, none of which he started. In 2020, Boyle allowed just three hits and struck out 17 in 8.1 innings pitched.
Boyle was a 2020 Baseball America Third Team Preseason All-American and was named the top prospect from the Northwoods League in 2018. Boyle’s best pitch is his fastball, which grades at 80, according to MLB Pipeline, and has topped at 102 MPH. He also offers a plus-slider.
