Rob Butcher
Cincinnati Reds’ VP Media Relations

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Reds Director of Amateur Scouting Brad Meador tonight announced the selection OF Austin Hendrick (6-0, 195, BL-TL) with the team’s first pick (12th overall) of the 2020 first-year player draft.
Hendrick, 19, is rated the ninth-best player in the draft by Baseball America and 13th-best player by MLB.com.
https://www.mlb.com/video/2020-draft-austin-hendrick-of?t=mlb-draft
https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-draft-prospect-austin-hendrick-facts-to-know
A pre-season first-team All-American at West Allegheny High School in Imperia, PA., Hendrick has committed to Mississippi State University. He is the highest-drafted player from the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League since Neil Walker was taken 11th overall in 2004.
The Reds don’t draft again until tomorrow, when they will select 48th (2nd round), 65th (Competitive Balance Round B), 84th (3rd round),113th (4th round) and 143rd (5th round).
Wednesday’s draft included only Round 1 (selections 1-29) and Competitive Balance Round A (selections 30-37).
Beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET Thursday, MLB Network and ESPN2 will televise Round 2, beginning with the 38th overall selection, through Round 5.
The 5 rounds of the 2020 MLB Draft will span 160 total selections. The signing deadline for the 2020 Draft has been moved from July 10 to August 1.
With the 12th overall pick in the first round of tonight’s 2020 MLB Draft presented by T-Mobile, the Cincinnati Reds have selected outfielder Austin Hendrick from West Allegheny High School in Pennsylvania.
The left-handed hitter is regarded as one of the best power bats in the draft and showed that skill in winning the 2019 Under Armour All-America Home Run Derby at Wrigley Field ahead of the All-America Game, one of the premier events of the annual baseball showcase circuit.
Reds fans will also appreciate that Hendrick’s favorite all-time player is Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.
The draft continues on Thursday with the remaining four rounds of this year’s abbreviated event. The Reds will have five more selections – the 48th, 65th, 84th, 113th and 143rd overall choices, which includes a selection in the second competitive balance round. Coverage begins at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and MLB Network.
Austin Hendrick Scouting Report
School: West Allegheny HS (PA)
Year: High School Senior
Birthdate: 06/15/01
Position: Outfielder
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 195