Dodgers 2020 MLB Draft grades: What you need to know about each pick

Who the Dodgers picked: RHP Clayton Beeter, Texas Tech

Competitive Round B (66th overall)

Grade: C+

Using the Competitive Balance Round B pick acquired in the Kenta Meada trade from the Minnesota Twins, the Dodgers selected another college pitcher in Clayton Beeter from Texas Tech.

Beeter was ranked as the 58th best prospect entering the draft by Baseball America. After recovering as a redshirt from Tommy John surgery in 2018, he worked as a reliever in 2019, before transitioning into a starter role this past abbreviated season, pitching effectively in four starts with a 2.14 ERA. Similar to the Dodgers’ second round pick Landon Knack, Beeter excelled with a high strikeout-to-walk-ratio (33:4).

His 2020 campaign was an improvement over a 2019 season that saw him earn eight saves but struggle with his command, finishing 0-3 with a 3.48 ERA out of the bullpen.

The Dodgers should be able to use some of the slot money they save on Knack to secure Beeter, who has a slot value just above $1 million. Without a full 2020 season, there are questions whether his performance this past shortened season provides enough of a sample size to eliminate concerns from 2019.

Baseball America highlights his underlying analytics are sound.

"The pitch analytics on both his fastball and curveball are reportedly impressive, and he has a solid arm action with a higher slot."

With such a short sample of high-level performance, it’s hard to grade this pick as a sure-thing. It’s also unclear whether his future role will be better suited as a starter or reliever. Until we learn more about Beeter, he grades as a par-level pick for the Dodgers.