The 2021 Panini Draft Picks baseball card set featured prospects selected in the 2020 MLB Draft. While some of these players have yet to make their professional debuts, the set highlights many of the top talents that teams hoped could one day contribute at the major league level. With the unpredictability of player development, not every name will pan out as expected. Here are some of the best rookie cards from the 2021 Panini Draft Picks set that could prove to be valuable long-term holdings based on the prospects’ draft pedigree and skill set.
Spencer Torkelson – Detroit Tigers (1st Overall Pick): As the top selection in the 2020 draft, Torkelson was virtually a consensus choice as the best college hitter available. Playing for Arizona State, he slashed .337/.443/.729 with 27 home runs as a junior to cement his status as the top draft-eligible player. Torkelson has all the tools to be a perennial All-Star, with his ability to hit for both power and average his carrying tool. His card is the most coveted from the set as he is poised to be the future cornerstone of the Tigers’ lineup.
Austin Martin – Toronto Blue Jays (5th Overall Pick): Many had Martin rated as the best all-around player in the entire 2020 draft class. He put up incredible stats as a junior at Vanderbilt, hitting .377 with a .486 on-base percentage while providing plus defense up the middle. Martin’s 5-tool ability and high baseball IQ give him All-Star upside. He has the potential to be a franchise cornerstone for the Blue Jays once he reaches the majors.
Nick Gonzales – Pittsburgh Pirates (7th Overall Pick): Gonzales did nothing but produce during his three years at New Mexico State, culminating in a video game-like 2020 season where he slashed .448/.599/.908 with 15 home runs in just 23 games. He has one of the best pure bats in the 2020 draft and showed no weakness in his collegiate performance. Gonzales could be an impact middle of the order hitter if he continues developing as expected.
Robert Hassell III – San Diego Padres (8th Overall Pick): As one of the top high school bats in the 2020 class, Hassell showed an advanced approach at the plate with impressive raw power potential. He has the tools to develop into a true five-tool player at the top of the Padres’ order for years to come. Hassell’s combination of youth, upside, and landing spot with a perennial contender make him an intriguing long-term hold.
Emerson Hancock – Seattle Mariners (6th Overall Pick): The top college pitching prospect available in 2020, Hancock dominated as the Friday night starter at Georgia. He possesses three plus pitches with command of all his offerings. His combination of stuff and polish out of the draft give him a high floor. As one of the headliners of the pitching class, Hancock was a great selection for the Mariners who need impact arms. He could develop into a future #2 starter.
Garrett Mitchell – Milwaukee Brewers (20th Overall Pick): Mitchell turned heads with his five-tool skill set as an outfielder at UCLA. He has the speed, power, and defensive abilities to stay in center field long-term. While he may not have the name recognition of some other high picks, Mitchell is a very safe bet to develop into a regular at the major league level. His combination of tools and high-floor profile make him a solid long-term prospect pick.
Zac Veen – Colorado Rockies (9th Overall Pick): As one of the top prep bats on the board, Veen showed impressive raw power from the left side to go along with a promising hit tool. He has the athleticism and instincts to stick in center field long-term. Veen’s combination of power, speed, and upside made him a great selection for the Rockies, who need impact position players in their system. He has the potential to be a cornerstone if development goes according to plan.
Ed Howard – Chicago Cubs (16th Overall Pick): The Cubs landed one of the top high school shortstop talents in Howard with their first round selection. He has the defensive skills and athleticism to stick at a premium position. Offensively, Howard has the chance to be an impact hitter as well with his raw power and bat speed from the right side. His combination of tools and landing spot with a well-regarded development organization like the Cubs gives him a high ceiling.
Tyler Soderstrom – Oakland Athletics (26th Overall Pick): As one of the top catching prospects in the 2020 class, Soderstrom showed impressive offensive abilities from the left side in high school. He has the chance to be an impact hitter from a premium defensive position. Landing with a shrewd organization like the A’s bodes well for his long-term development. Soderstrom has the upside of a future All-Star caliber catcher.
Cade Cavalli – Cincinnati Reds (22nd Overall Pick): The Reds landed one of the top arms on the board in Cavalli, who dominated as the Friday starter at Oklahoma. He possesses a plus fastball and slider with the makings of at least three quality pitches. Cavalli has the ceiling of a future #2/#3 starter if he continues refining his command. His combination of stuff and landing with a team that develops arms well makes him a great long-term pitching prospect.
Bryson Stott – Philadelphia Phillies (14th Overall Pick): Stott was the top college hitter still available when the Phillies selected him in the middle of the first round. He did nothing but produce offensively and defensively at shortstop for UNLV. Stott has a polished bat from the left side with the chance to hit for both power and average. His high floor profile and landing with a contender gives him a good chance to develop into an everyday player.
While prospect development is unpredictable, the 2020 draft class featured many players with the upside to be franchise cornerstones. The top names selected like Torkelson, Martin, and Gonzales have the highest ceilings. But prospects throughout the first round like Mitchell, Veen, Howard and more provide opportunities for long-term value. For those betting on upside and landing spots, cards from the 2021 Panini Draft Picks baseball set could prove to be worthwhile investments down the road.
