Brewers 2020 MLB Draft Prospect Profile: OF Austin Hendrick

The 2020 MLB Draft is getting closer and closer, and we take another closer look at a first round prospect who might be the Milwaukee Brewers selection at No. 20 overall, prep outfielder Austin Hendrick.

There are two things that will catch the eye of the Milwaukee Brewers when they look at Austin Hendrick: His left-handedness and his pure, raw power. The combination of his power with hitting from the left side of the plate would make him a very attractive player to have hitting in Miller Park.

As a high school player who missed the entire spring baseball season due to the pandemic, he’s a riskier pick, but at No. 20 overall, Hendrick could represent good value.

Austin Hendrick, OF, West Allegheny (PA) HS

MLB Pipeline has Hendrick ranked as the No. 13 overall prospect heading into this draft and the second-highest ranked high school hitter behind Zac Veen (No. 7). Hendrick, a Mississippi State commit, has the most power of any high school position player this year, with Prospect 365 giving him 70-grade power on the 20-80 scouting scale.

His performance has been inconsistent, mostly due to some swing-and-miss tendencies that could be concerning. Because of that, his hit tool isn’t as advanced as his power, and while he may hit for a decent average in the future it won’t be his calling card.

Based on recent draft decisions the Brewers have made, Hendrick doesn’t exactly fit the mold of a player that the Brewers have gone after in the early rounds. Nevertheless, his power profile would still play up in Miller Park and he could be a 30-40 home run per season type of bat.

Defensively, Hendrick has the speed to stick in center field but is more likely to move to a corner spot. He possesses above average arm strength, so he should be able to hold down right field.

Brewers fans should also know that Hendrick is a big fan of Ben Gamel‘s pre-game routine of shotgunning a Red Bull before a game with his spikes.

So, there’s another reason to want Hendrick in the Brewers system.

With high school prospects projected to fall down the board a little bit in this draft due to not being able to play this spring, there’s a chance Hendrick could fall to the Brewers at No. 20. If he’s there, the power potential in his left handed swing is very tempting and easy to dream on. Middle of the order left handed power is something the Brewers can never have enough of.

With the draft coming up soon, we’re going to continue to cover all the potential paths the Brewers could take.