2014 Baseball America Draft Coverage

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Three Strikes: Week 13

May 13, 2014 by Aaron Fitt

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College Stat Roundup: Week 13

May 13, 2014 by Clint Longenecker

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Starting soon...

 

2014 Draft Top 100 Prospects Chat

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All of the draft preview articles are subscriber content.

 

2014 Draft Preview: Lefthanders

 

2014 Draft Preview: Righthanders

 

2014 Draft Preview: Catchers

 

2014 Draft Preview: Second Basemen

 

2014 Draft Preview: First Basemen

 

2014 Draft Preview: Third Basemen

 

2014 Draft Preview: Shortstops

 

2014 Draft Preview: Outfielders

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Link on the main page was broken...

 

2014 Top 100 Draft Prospects List

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Tyler Beede to the crew in this one and my boy Kyle Freeland to the Cubs, this mock is depressing. At least they mention a connection to Grant Holmes.

 

2014 Draft Preview: Rodon Remains Atop Mock Draft 2.0

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2014 Draft Order And Essential Information

May 15, 2014 by Staff Report

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Read up, Will explains exactly what needs to happen if you have draft interest.

 

Top 200 Kicks Off 2014 Draft Preview Database

May 22, 2014 by Will Lingo

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2014 Draft Preview: Shakeup Atop Mock Draft 3.0

May 23, 2014 by John Manuel

 

12. BREWERS: As usual, not many in the scouting community (or media) have heard much about what the Brewers are doing. With their big league team playing well, and several key homegrown products contributing, the Brewers could get aggressive with the injured Hoffman, whom they would not have had a chance to get before his injury. They also should have a clear shot at enigmatic Vanderbilt righty Tyler Beede, whose stock has fluctuated due to his inconsistent performance.

Projected Pick: RHP Tyler Beede

 

*sigh* Though I do like Hoffman idea better than taking Beede... I'm going to stop picking out LHPs whom I like because they always perform too well and end up out of the Brewers reach in these mock drafts (Aiken, Freeland, Newcomb), even though I've been desperate for LH pitching forever. Hopefully the draft goes down differently and one of those guys or Grant Holmes is still sitting there. Holmes was on the board for this draft but Manuel sees the Brewers continuing their recent college pitcher trend.

 

I thought the Cubs pick was extremely interesting, if true they are in heavy on Pentecost that would be 2 drafts with great pitching at the top in which they grabbed the hot college bat. They can certainly buy free agent pitching when the time comes but everyone keeps looking at their farm system's pitching and saying "this is the year" (including me), but maybe they go bat once again.

[TheCrew07]

Only 14 years too late but hey we'll take what we can get...

 

With College Pitch Counts, Times Are Changing

May 29, 2014 by J.J. Cooper

 

Twice in a three-week span this spring, North Carolina State lefthander Carlos Rodon, a candidate to go No. 1 overall in this June’s draft, made starts that seemed like relics from an earlier time.

 

In an era where major league pitchers rarely journey beyond 110 pitches and almost never top 120 in a start, Rodon used 134 pitches in a dominating 7⅔ innings against Duke. Just two starts later, he threw 132 pitches in nine innings against Georgia Tech.

 

This is actually not all that unusual for Rodon. He’s thrown more than 120 pitches five times this season, and he’s topped 100 in 12 of his 14 starts this year. He threw more than 130 pitches four times last year as well. Overall, he’s averaging 113 pitches per start, which is more than any major league pitcher averaged per outing last year.

[TheCrew07]

Let's see what could overworked arms & and unchanged poor mechanics lead to? This is a subscriber piece.

 

For Elbow Injuries, College Pitchers Fare Worst

May 29, 2014 by J.J. Cooper

 

The discussions will be taking place in homes across the country as high school pitchers get ready for the draft. Go pro or go to college?

 

Amateur scouts will make the pitch for players to sign and go pro straight out of high school. They’ll talk about the signing bonus—guaranteed money now—instead of playing for a bigger payout three years later. They’ll point out that clubs offer college scholarships along with bonus dollars.

 

But the strongest selling point of the scouts’ pitch is this: Sign now and your long-term health will be the key focus until you reach the big leagues. Whether it’s a no-hitter or a game to win a minor league title, no pitching prospect will go any further than what is deemed prudent. No one will ever come back on short rest.

[TheCrew07]

What’s The Ideal Body Type For A High School Righthander Anyway?

June 2, 2014 by Matt Eddy

 

When 6-foot-5, 250-pound Tyler Kolek goes off the board near the top of the 2014 draft, he will become the heaviest high school righthander ever selected in the first round.

 

In fact, we can find just five first-round righties in the first 49 years of draft history who were listed at 230 pounds or heavier at the time they were selected.* In order of appearance:

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Marlins Trade 39th Pick In Draft To Pirates For Morris

June 2, 2014 by John Manuel

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Homegrown Bounty: The Best Picks To Star With All 30 Drafting Teams

June 3, 2014 by Matt Eddy

 

14. Brewers

The Brewers’ track record with first-round position players is not a new phenomenon. In the decades since Paul Molitor and Robin Yount led Milwaukee to the 1982 World Series, the Brewers identified stars such as B.J. Surhoff and Gary Sheffield in the 1980s, Geoff Jenkins in the 1990s and Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks in the 2000s.

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BA 500: Your Ultimate Guide To Draft Talent

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Youngest And Oldest Players In The 2014 Draft

June 3, 2014 by Clint Longenecker

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2014 Draft Preview: Best Tools

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God I hope...

 

Mock Draft 5.0: Aiken Looks Like No. 1

June 5, 2014 by John Manuel

 

BREWERS: The Brewers have been linked to one of the first round’s other wild cards, Texas prep righty Michael Kopech. But Milwaukee took a high school righty with its first pick last season and is said to be looking college this year, with Newcomb, Brandon Finnegan and Vanderbilt’s Tyler Beede the most likely targets.

Projected Pick: LHP Sean Newcomb

[TheCrew07]

Everything you need from BA for the draft is linked here.

 

Welcome To Draft Day!

June 5, 2014 by Will Lingo

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Subscriber content.

 

Cubs Find A Bargain, Fill A Need With Schwarber

June 6, 2014 by Gordon Wittenmyer

 

Jason McLeod, vice president of scouting and player development, said the Cubs coveted high school lefthander Brady Aiken, but once he was off the board as the No. 1 pick, they focused on Schwarber—the lefthanded-hitting slugger who McLeod called “the best hitter, hands down, in this year’s draft.”

 

The Cubs have enough well regarded righthanded hitting prospects in the system that they brought in Manny Ramirez as a mentor for that reason.

 

But Schwarber could quickly become their top-rated lefty hitting prospect.

 

The Cubs talked with Schwarber and other position players the week of the draft to measure signability as they looked to preserve as much as possible from the $4.6 million bonus pool to apply to high-quality depth in later rounds.

[TheCrew07]

2014 MLB Draft: First Round Analysis

June 5, 2014 by Clint Longenecker

 

4. CUBS:

Pick: Kyle Schwarber, c/of, Indiana

Pick value: $4,621,200

Area Scout: Stan Zielinski

Pick analysis: There was some belief that the draft truly started at the fourth pick with the Cubs, who were reportedly considering a number of different players, mostly position players. The Cubs got one of the best college hitters in the draft, who may not have the conventional upside of a top-five pick but has as high a floor as nearly any position player in the college ranks.

Scouting report: Recruited by some Big 10 Conference schools to play middle linebacker, Schwarber instead brought his fierce physicality and power to the middle of the diamond, anchoring Indiana’s lineup for the last three seasons. His 18 homers in 2013 ranked third in the country and helped the Hoosiers become the first Big Ten team to reach the College World Series since 1984. Listed at 6-feet, 240 pounds, Schwarber has made considerable improvement defensively over the course of his Indiana career, carrying over some hard-learned lessons when he struggled handling velocity with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team last summer. He still stabs and boxes too many balls, and a long transfer can sabotage his solid-average arm strength, but he’s thrown out 33 percent of basestealers this season after nabbing just 19 percent in 2013. His leadership qualities have been evident with the Hoosiers and he has a strong, durable body for catching, but he’ll never be more than a fringe-average defender. Schwarber fits in the first round for his bat. He’s a smart hitter who studies pitchers and has tremendous strength to punish pitches to all fields. He’s thick and could be quicker on pitches inside with a trimmer physique. He’s a better athlete than he looks and is even a fringy runner with the aggressiveness to have stolen eight bases this spring, second on Indiana’s team. His athleticism gives him a chance to shift to left field if catching doesn’t work out.

Twitter:

 

12. BREWERS:

Pick: Kodi Medeiros, lhp, Waiakea HS, Hilo, Hawaii

Pick value: $2,805,700

Area Scout: Josh Belovsky

Pick analysis: The Royals (No. 17) were rumored to strongly covet Medeiros, who has some of the nastiest stuff in the class. The Brewers knew he wouldnt be around for their next pick. Medeiros is one of the most unique players in the class as a low-slot lefthander with premium stuff.

Scouting report: The last two Hawaiian high schoolers to go in the top two rounds both went No. 59 overall (Brandon League in 2001 and Dane Sardinha in 1997), which gives Medeiros the opportunity to be the highest-drafted Hawaiian prep since the draft moved to a single phase. He was the first pitcher to throw in game action on the showcase circuit for the 2014 draft at Perfect Game National last June, and Medeiros quickly opened eyes. His fastball sat 90-92 mph over extended innings this spring and has touched 95. He throws from a low arm slot that is just above sidearm, giving his fastball plus-plus life with heavy arm-side run and sink. His heavy, groundball-inducing fastball was a constant discussion point for hitters on the showcase circuit. Medeiros’ slider is at least a plus offering and one of the best breaking balls in the high school ranks. The Pepperdine commit’s changeup has improved, showing the makings of an above-average offering with continued refinement. Controlling his stuff in the zone will be key for his ability to remain in a rotation, and many in the industry believe Medeiros will likely be a reliever in the long run because of the uniqueness of his arm slot and the potential for large platoon splits, as well as his stature. The 6-foot-1, 191-pounder has a strong, defined and athletic build and used to participate in judo. He is young for the class and will turn 18 just before draft day.

Twitter: @kodi_medeiros

 

19: REDS:

Pick: Nick Howard, rhp, Virginia

Pick value: $2,090,500

Area Scout: Jeff Brookens

Pick analysis: The Reds have a history of taking college relievers and giving them the chance to start in the pros. Howard has the stuff to make the transition or could move quickly in the bullpen.

Scouting report: Howard had a strenuous sophomore season, getting more than 200 plate appearances as a third baseman and sometime shortstop while logging 61 innings as one of Virginia’s starters. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder also started in the Cape Cod League last summer, though the quality of his stuff was down. That has not been the case this spring after the Cavaliers have moved him to a relief role, where Howard has developed into an aggressive strike-throwing machine with power stuff and malicious intent. He was averaging 16.6 strikeouts per nine innings and had allowed just 18 baserunners through 23 innings. He pitches aggressively off a fastball that ranges from 93-96 mph and touches higher. Howard’s curveball comes and goes, at times showing power and 12-to-6 shape, but he doesn’t always throw it with conviction. He also throws a slider and changeup at times, all the while employing Virginia’s trademark delivery that starts with bent knees. Howard’s four-pitch mix and athleticism give him a chance to start, but he could zip to the majors as a reliever.

Twitter: @HowieBallGame33

 

24: PIRATES

Pick: Cole Tucker, ss, Mountain Point, Phoenix

Pick value: $1,925,500

Area Scout: Mike Steele

Pick analysis: Tucker has risen as much as any high school position player in the country over the course of the spring. The Pirates have been tied to prep position players and Tucker is one of the few with an up-the-middle profile.

Scouting report: A high-energy, scrappy player with passion for the game, Tucker was the starting shortstop for USA Baseball National team that won its second consecutive World Cup gold medal last summer. He has plus instincts that make his tools play up. Tucker began switch-hitting two years ago, but his natural lefthanded swing offers better bat speed and a more compact swing path. He could be at least an average hitter (with the potential to be better) as a high-contact bat that uses the whole field and stays inside the ball. His line-drive swing path will likely limit him to below-average power, as he drives the ball to the gaps. Tucker’s speed plays at plus out of the box and is even better underway as a long strider. A natural athlete, Tucker has the ability to stay at shortstop with an above-average arm that can throw from different angles, soft hands and smooth actions. The long, lean and wiry Tucker offers a considerable amount of projection with his body for a position player at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds. He has long arms, big feet and will likely add a significant amount of strength. As a tall lefthanded-hitting infielder that can play shortstop, Tucker has drawn comparisons to Andy Fox. The Arizona commit comes from a baseball family and his father is in the Florida high school baseball hall of fame. Tucker is very young for the class and won’t be 18 until after draft day.

Twitter: @cotuck

 

27: CARDINALS

Pick: Luke Weaver, rhp, Florida State

Pick value: $1,843,000

Area Scout: Ty Boyles

Pick analysis: Luke Weaver presents a combination of stuff, athleticism, track record and polish that the Cardinals covet in pitchers and was the top college starter left on the board.

Scouting report: Florida State produced back-to-back first-round righthanders in 1994-95 with Paul Wilson and Jonathan Johnson, but they haven’t had a righty go in the first round since then, with Nick Stocks being a supplemental first-rounder in 1999. Weaver entered the year as the best bet to end that streak but has seen his velocity back up this spring from its 96 mph peak last season. Slight and athletic at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, Weaver pitches off an 88-92 mph fastball that peaks higher on occasion but less frequently this year than last year, as scouts report he has lost some of his previous looseness. His fastball has some sink from a three-quarters slot, and his changeup has good deception and sinking action. Weaver’s slider remains a fringy pitch, as it was when scouts saw him last summer with USA Baseball, and his strikeout rate has plummeted from 10.89 per nine (11th in the country last year) to 7.2 this season. However, he has mound presence, above-average control and the competitiveness demanded of a Friday starter for a top program. Weaver has second- or third-round tools with first-round pedigree.

Twitter: @DreamWeava7

 

29. REDS:Pick: Alex Blandino, ss, Stanford

Pick value:$1,788,000

Area Scout: Rich Bordi

Pick analysis: Blandino had as much late helium as any college position player, a demographic the Reds have gone to often in recent years after drafting Phillip Ervin (2013), Yasmani Grandal (2010) and Yonder Alonso (2008).

Scouting report: Blandino burst on the scene as a freshman, hitting eight home runs despite starting just 29 games. He has yet to match that total in the two ensuing seasons but has hit enough to be one of the top college bats in the class. The 6-foot, 190-pounder has a strong track record hitting with wood, batting .310 with five home runs in 268 at-bats in the Cape Cod League the last two summers, often playing shortstop for Yarmouth-Dennis. He’s struggled a bit more with Stanford, especially as a junior where he’s been pitched around in a below-average lineup. He’s a career .282 hitter heading into the home stretch of his college career, despite having looseness in his swing, good bat speed and quick wrists. He does a good job staying inside the ball but at times sells out trying to generate home run power. Blandino projects more as a fringe-average or average power hitter rather than a true bopper, so a move to second base fits better than third. He’s an average defender with good hands and an average arm, and if his bat doesn’t develop he may be athletic enough to be a utility infielder, playing all three spots. He’s a below-average runner. Blandino’s laid-back demeanor may suit the grind of pro ball better than the short college season.

Twitter: @ablandino10

 

34. CARDINALS

Pick: Jack Flaherty, ss, Harvard-Westlake, Studio City, Calif.

Pick value: $1,650,400

Area Scout: Mike Dibiase

Pick analysis: Flaherty was known as one of the tougher signs in the class and goes with the last pick in the first round. His athleticism, projectable body and feel for pitching fit the Cardinals mold. The Cardinals robust player development system could help Flaherty add velocity, as many Cardinals pitchers have done since they entered the system.

Scouting report: Last summer, scouts regarded Flaherty as a better prospect at third base thanks to his gap-to-gap stroke and quality infield actions. But he struck out 12 in his 2014 season debut on the mound and quickly convinced scouts that he is a potential late first-round talent as a pitcher. Flaherty’s 6-foot-3, 217-pound frame offers current strength as well as projection, and his arm action is clean and fast, so he figures to add velocity as he matures. He already sits at 88-92 mph and touches 93, and his command and control are advanced for his age. Flaherty has good feel for four pitches, led by a changeup that projects as plus to plus-plus. His 77-80 mph slider can be a swing-and-miss pitch, and he can use his curveball as a get-me-over pitch or occasionally as a chase pitch, because it does have some tightness. Scouts believe the slider has plus potential, giving him a chance for three above-average or better offerings.

Twitter: @Jack9Flaherty

[TheCrew07]

Exactly what it says..

 

2014 MLB Draft Day One Running Diary

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Best Available Players For Day 2 Of Draft

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I meant to post this last night... *sigh* anyway it's subscriber content. I said when I picked for them in the mock draft: "The Pirates always go upside and aren't afraid to deviate from the industry consensus about a player if they have a different opinion of the young man", so while I was surprised, I shouldn't have been.

 

Pirates Buck Consensus By Picking Tucker

 

PITTSBURGH—Perhaps the only person not surprised by the Pirates selecting prep shortstop Cole Tucker in the first round was Tucker himself, who said he had a feeling all spring the Pirates would take him at No. 24.

 

Cole Tucker

Cole Tucker (Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode)

“The Pirates had a lot of interest in me coming into the season and all the way up to the draft,” said Tucker, out of Mountain Point High in Phoenix, who ranked No. 84 on the BA 500 entering the draft. “The scouting department was great in letting me know what they thought of me. I knew I was in the running and I was excited about the possibility of it happening.”

 

Tucker hit .404 (34-for-84) this season with eight doubles, four triples, five home runs and 13 stolen bases. The 6-foot-3, 175-pounder helped the United States win the U18 World Cup last September.

 

“We feel he’s a shortstop that will bring quality defense with offensive value as well,” general manger Neal Huntington said. “He’s athletic and we like the way he runs and throws, and obviously his defensive tools. We feel his hit tool is coming along. He’s still 17 and he’s just coming into his own and his body is still maturing.”

[TheCrew07]

2014 MLB Draft: Second-Round Analysis

 

No. 39 Pittsburgh Pirates: Conor Joe, of, San Diego

 

Joe, a first baseman his first two seasons, has seen time behind the plate this season, but was announced as an outfielder. Joe is a righthanded hitter who has a chance to hit, making a ton of contact and controlling the zone.

No. 41 Milwaukee Brewers: Jacob Gatewood, ss, Clovis (Calif.) HS

 

Rumors swirled late in the process that Gatewood was in play for the Brewers’ first selection (No. 12) after impressing in workouts and they got him with their second pick. Gatewood offers upside with some of the best power in the draft and the potential to be an above-average defender at third base. He has a chance to get much stronger, potentially moving to right field.

No. 45 Chicago Cubs: Jake Stinnett, rhp, Maryland

 

The Cubs grabbed the first senior of the draft in Stinnett, who offers a great body and power arm that throws strikes with plus fastball life.

No. 50 Milwaukee Brewers: Monte Harrison, of, Lee’s Summit West (Mo.) HS

 

Milwaukee drafted its third consecutive high school player and arguably the best athlete in the class in Monte Harrison. This group—Harrison, Gatewood and Medeiros—offers considerable upside while also offering the risk associated with high-ceiling high school players. Few teams have accumulated this much pure talent at this point in the draft as the Brewers.

No. 58 Cincinnati Reds: Taylor Sparks, 3b, UC Irvine

 

The Reds drafted their third straight college pitcher with Sparks at 58. He has the potential to be an above-average defender at third base with a plus arm and power potential.

No. 64 Pittsburgh Pirates: Mitch Keller, rhp, Xavier HS, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

 

Keller, who has had as much late helium as any prep pitcher, fits the mold of what scouts look for in a prep righthander, offering a projectable build, athleticism and a fastball that can sit in the low 90s at his best and touch 95 with a curveball that shows plus potential.

No. 68 St. Louis Cardinals: Ronnie Williams, rhp, American Senior, Hialeah, Fla.

 

Williams had been rumored going to the Cardinals and had a strong showing at Sebring. The athletic Williams has a very quick arm and had been up to 97 at his best.

No. 71 St. Louis Cardinals: Andrew Morales, rhp, UC Irvine

 

Morales was the second senior selected and figures to go for under slot. He has a strong track record in college, throws strikes and offers a slider with plus potential.

No. 73 Pittsburgh Pirates: Trey Supak, rhp, La Grange (Texas) HS

 

Supak has improved considerably this spring and offers a projectable body and feel for pitching. He has a loose arm and has been up to 94 with his fastball and his curveball flashes at least above-average.