CINCINNATI — With the 12th overall pick of the 2020 MLB Draft, the Cincinnati Reds have selected outfielder Austin Hendrick.
The 18-year-old hails from West Allegheny High School in Imperial, Pennsylvania.
Hendrick is rated the ninth-best player in the draft by Baseball America and 13th-best player byMLB.com.
The journey begins... welcome to Reds Country, @Aust_Hendrick7! #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/tF1mBt6sds
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 11, 2020
According to Baseball America, Hendrick's high bat speed makes him one of the most "utterly elite" young players today. Hendrick told the publication his favorite hitter of all time is former Red and Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr.
Hendrick has committed to Mississippi State University and is the highest-drafted player from the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League since Neil Walker was taken 11th overall in 2004.
The MLB draft will conclude with rounds two through five on Thursday.
You can watch the draft live on MLB Network, ESPN2 and MLB.com, starting at 5 p.m.
