2014 Draft Discussion

[Guest]

Kiley's revised top 50: http://sbb.scout.com/2/1318151.html

 

1. Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State

2. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina

3. Tyler Kolek, RHP, HS (TX)

4. Trea Turner, SS, North Carolina State

5. Austin Jackson, C, HS (CA)

6. Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia

7. Michael Gettys, OF/RHP, HS (GA)

8. Braxton Davidson, 1B, HS (NC)

9. Grant Holmes, RHP, HS (SC)

10. Brandon Finnegan, LHP, TCU

 

He has Jacob Gatewood falling to 11, Tyler Beede at 21, Touki Touissant at 23, Michael Cederoth at 26, Jack Flaherty at 31, Aaron Nola at 38, former Cub draft pick Bradley Zimmer at 44, Karsten Whitson at 45, Michael Conforto (whose bat I love) at 46 and Brady Aiken at 48.

[Guest]

Karsten Whitson at 45

 

Wasn't that guy rated/drafted really high at one point?

[davell]

Karsten Whitson at 45

 

Wasn't that guy rated/drafted really high at one point?

9th overall by Hoyer/McLeod out of HS. Backed out of deal at last minute from most reports. Was considered a potential overall top pick but shoulder issues and a still high asking price caused him to drop outside the top 10 rounds as a college junior. Supposedly has his stuff back now. Could wind up back in top 10, if he does.

[Guest]

Failed to mention Kiley thinks Rodon and Hoffman are better prospects than Appel, who was his top prospect in the 2013 draft.

[Guest]

Karsten Whitson at 45

 

Wasn't that guy rated/drafted really high at one point?

9th overall by Hoyer/McLeod out of HS. Backed out of deal at last minute from most reports. Was considered a potential overall top pick but shoulder issues and a still high asking price caused him to drop outside the top 10 rounds as a college junior. Supposedly has his stuff back now. Could wind up back in top 10, if he does.

 

Actually, I don't think there are any reports of him since he had surgery. He looked good last fall and the procedure wasn't supposed to be too risky or intrusive.

[Guest]

Jackson came in third in BA's top 10 Area Code Games prospects list (behind Kolek and Gatewood):

 

Clint Longenecker[/url]"]3. Alex Jackson, c, Rancho Bernardo, Escondido, Calif./San Diego Show

 

After standing out as an underclassman at the Tournament of Stars, Area Code Games and Under Armour All-America Game last summer, Jackson is one of the most famous players in the class. At 6-foot-1, 224-pounds, Jackson has a strong build with muscular legs and a wide back. The Oregon commit has above-average bat speed and feel to hit, although he has a deeper load and more of a bat wrap than he used to, lengthening his swing. Jackson has plus raw power. He has one of the strongest arms in the class, a plus weapon capable of pop times in the low-1.80 range. Jackson is more athletic than most catchers and runs well for the position. He has gotten some time in the outfield and could profile as a right fielder. Jackson will likely be the sixth first-rounder in the last 20 drafts out of Rancho Bernardo, a powerhouse program that produced Hank Blalock and Cole Hamels.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

I get Cole Hamels, but Hank Blalock? lol

[jersey cubs fan]

I get Cole Hamels, but Hank Blalock? lol

 

Why lol? He didn't have an amazing pro career, but he still had a career, and that is a name any high school would be proud of producing.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I remember when everyone was always trying to come up with trade proposals that would get us Blalock. This was pre-NSBB, I think.

[Rex Buckingham]

I get Cole Hamels, but Hank Blalock? lol

 

Brett Jackson would kill to have Blalock's career

[imb]

I remember when everyone was always trying to come up with trade proposals that would get us Blalock. This was pre-NSBB, I think.

 

I just remember juan cruz for shea hillenbrand

[StarlinOnYou]

MLB Tonight is profiling Gatewood as the number 1 pick.

[Elrhino]

Kiley's revised top 50: http://sbb.scout.com/2/1318151.html

 

1. Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State

2. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina

3. Tyler Kolek, RHP, HS (TX)

4. Trea Turner, SS, North Carolina State

5. Austin Jackson, C, HS (CA)

6. Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia

7. Michael Gettys, OF/RHP, HS (GA)

8. Braxton Davidson, 1B, HS (NC)

9. Grant Holmes, RHP, HS (SC)

10. Brandon Finnegan, LHP, TCU

 

Given the Cubs current winning% and season trajectory, looks like they could have their pick of anyone not named Rondon.

[CyHawk_Cub]

Kiley's revised top 50: http://sbb.scout.com/2/1318151.html

 

1. Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State

2. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina

3. Tyler Kolek, RHP, HS (TX)

4. Trea Turner, SS, North Carolina State

5. Austin Jackson, C, HS (CA)

6. Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia

7. Michael Gettys, OF/RHP, HS (GA)

8. Braxton Davidson, 1B, HS (NC)

9. Grant Holmes, RHP, HS (SC)

10. Brandon Finnegan, LHP, TCU

 

Given the Cubs current winning% and season trajectory, looks like they could have their pick of anyone not named Rondon.

 

Donnie Murphy will keep McThoyer out of the top 3.

[Guest]

Under Armour Game is on MLB Network at 1:30 PM CT today. Game is at Wrigley, for those who are interested.

 

Guys like Touissant and Kolek will pitch and Gatewood and Jackson will play. During yesterday's practice session, the leading candidate for 1.1 in 2015, Daz Cameron, stole the show. Daz is Mike Cameron's oldest son.

[RammyFanny]

I'm not going to be completely sold on Hoffman until he really proves it this season. K/9's are really low for him (under 7 / lower than Appel's when he was getting criticized as a sophmore). Hopefully the Cape was a sign of something great, but I need more than 24 innings or whatever it was before I can really buy into the hype.

[Guest]

I'm not going to be completely sold on Hoffman until he really proves it this season. K/9's are really low for him (under 7 / lower than Appel's when he was getting criticized as a sophmore). Hopefully the Cape was a sign of something great, but I need more than 24 innings or whatever it was before I can really buy into the hype.

 

Well, yes, his K/9 isn't great. But very few prospects give you 3 years of elite play so you have to be able to project what they'll do with improved coaching. The Appel criticism was silly too. Hoffman has elite stuff to back up his monster Cape.

[RammyFanny]

Only caught the first 4 innings or so of the game at Wrigley, but Toussant, Cease, Gatewood, Jackson, and Gettys impressed me. Didn't see Kolek. Jackson looked like he just controlled the strikezone up there while alot of kids were uber-agressive. Pretty advanced bat. Gatewood's swing was pretty and powerful for that wiry frame and I can see the hype. I don't know why, but I was expecting to be a little underwhelmed by him. Toussant' raw stuff looked great, though I don't know if it was his frame or delivery, but something seemed a little high effort.

[Guest]

Kolek was easily the most impressive pitcher (Touki was second). His stuff was dynamic and it came easy. He even took a little off and got better movement.

[videographer]

After watching video of Kolek, I hope the Cubs stay away from him on draft day. He has a very pronounced step toward 3rd base. The cross-body action in his delivery will always limit his control and is a precursor for arm injury, ala Kerry Wood.

[imb]

Kolek was easily the most impressive pitcher (Touki was second). His stuff was dynamic and it came easy. He even took a little off and got better movement.

 

Another poor review of alex jackson

[Redfoot]

I liked Michael Kopech a lot. He's long and loose with an absolutely nasty slider. Alex Verdugo is another guy who looked really good on the mound but he's probably a hitter/outfielder rather than a pitcher.

 

Nick Gordon really impressed me too. He has a real nice short quick line drive swing and could add some pop when grows into his body. He's also pretty smooth at SS and has plus speed.

 

I wasn't all that impressed with Gatewood. His swing is long and he missed some pitches he should have hit hard. Maybe he was trying to do too much but he was turning and burning on everything.

[jersey cubs fan]

MLB Draft ‏@MLBDraft 22m

It's official. Mark your calendars: The commencement of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft shall be Thursday, June 5, 2014.

[A New Era]

So Michael Kopech isn't in the discussion in the top 50 yet? If so he's someone I'd love us to target in round 2. Love his high leg kick and deceptive delivery. Has some plus movement on his breaking stuff already at age 17. worked low 90s but had a filthy looking 77mph changeup. Saw him in the Under Armor game at Wrigely and really liked what I saw. edit: see I'm not the only early Kopech fan here. :wave:

[Guest]

Kevin (Chicago, IL) The 2014 draft is __% better than the 2013 in terms of talent.

 

Klaw  (2:01 PM) 25%.