Blue Jays choose pitcher Trent Palmer in third round of MLB Draft

MLB insider Shi Davidi joins Good Show to discuss Austin Martin falling on the Blue Jays lap at #5 in the 2020 MLB Draft, and why it was important to select based on best available player over biggest need.

Michael Hoad June 11, 2020, 7:16 PM

The Toronto Blue Jays selected right-handed pitcher Trent Palmer out of Jacksonville University in the third round of the 2020 MLB Draft.

Palmer was the second college pitcher taken by the Blue Jays on Day 2 after the team selected CJ Van Eyk in the second round. In four starts this season, Palmer registered a 1.30 ERA with 41 strikeouts and five walks.

The 21-year-old spent time as both a starter and reliever during his collegiate career, posting a cumulative 3.52 ERA in 133 innings in the NCAA.

Palmer features a fastball that can hit 96 m.p.h. and backs it up with two solid secondary pitches with his change-up and slider.

What experts are saying about the pick

Palmer was a late riser, big physical kid with a fastball that works up to 98 or so with bowling-ball sink. One of the best sliders in the college class, some reliever risk https://t.co/QfHzBej9HI

— Vinnie Cervino (@vcervinoPG) June 11, 2020

For me Palmer fits in that Chris McMahon/Jeff Criswell mold, chance to be a workhorse starter with a mid-90s heater and three pitches. #Bluejays fans, check out @DSeifertD1PBR’s Then & Now piece on Palmer’s development at Jacksonville:https://t.co/OorP1exSvn https://t.co/vNlFM8fSIG

— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) June 11, 2020

Trent Palmer to Toronto. Excelled in his first year of starting full time this year. Touched 97 on the Cape last year, good slider and change-up too.

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) June 11, 2020

Trent Palmer, who the Jays just took at pick 77, was ranked number 76 on @keithlaw's big board. So… net gain.

Palmer, Law says, has been described to him as an 'analytics darling,' noting some red flags for him on the scouting side of things. https://t.co/15sSPsWI8p

— Andrew Stoeten (@AndrewStoeten) June 11, 2020

Trent Palmer is a Minnesotan (despite pitching for Jacksonville) and spoke about his disgust over George Floyd's death at the hands of the police in his hometown in an interview last week with @GeneFrenette.

Good pick, Jays.https://t.co/0gOLbkdZd3

— Andrew Stoeten (@AndrewStoeten) June 11, 2020

#MLBDraft prospect Trent Palmer describes his pitching arsenal:

"I'm going to use the fastball a lot. It's my best pitch by far. I do like using the slider a lot. And the biggest addition is my split-finger."

How would he describe himself as a pitcher: "A bull in a china shop." pic.twitter.com/9Kn12qgc0E

— Andrew Gibson (@1010XLAG) June 10, 2020

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