2014 Draft Discussion

[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.

 

Donnie Murphy will keep McThoyer out of the top 3.

 

Coming into the September final stretch. Houston almost has Rondon locked up. Miami is out of reach for the 2nd pick, but we're breathing down the White Sox necks for that #3 spot.

[Guest]

BA's top 30 prospects in the Cape Cod League: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/cape-cod-league-top-30-prospects/

 

1. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina

Hoffman made a name for himself last summer in the Cape, touching 95 mph in the all-star game and ranking seventh on this list. He showed flashes of brilliance during an uneven sophomore spring at ECU, then firmly established himself as a strong candidate to be drafted inside the top five overall picks in 2014 with a strong four-start tour through the Cape this summer.

 

Hoffman is still filling out his gangly 6-foot-4, 183-pound frame, but at his best he works in the 94-97 mph range and touches 98, though some scouts have seen him top out around 94 in other outings. He lacks pinpoint command of his fastball but is capable of working both sides of the plate, usually with good downhill plane. Hoffman’s 12-to-6 curveball can be a wipeout pitch at 79-84 mph, earning some plus-plus grades from scouts. His mid-80s slider can be a little flat at times, but it is another major weapon when it’s on. He also flashes an average changeup with fade and bottom.

 

“When he locates his fastball, it’s pretty tough,” Hyannis coach Chad Gassman said. “He’ll be sitting 96-97 in the sixth, seventh inning—it’s almost like his velocity jumps later in the game. The thing about him is he’s made to be a starter. It’s free and easy, hardly any effort in there, and he really has an idea of how to be efficient when he needs to be.”

2. Ian Happ, 2B/3B.OF, Cincinnati (2015 draft)

3. James Kaprielian, RHP, UCLA (2015 draft)

4. Bradley Zimmer, OF, San Francisco - previously drafted by the Cubs

5. Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia

6. Erick Fedde, RHP, UNLV

7. Kyle Freeland, LHP, Evansville

8. Max Pentecost, Kennesaw State

9. Sean Newcomb, LHP, Hartford

10. Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Louisville (2015 draft)

11. Kyle Twomey, LHP, Southern Cal (2015 draft)

12. JD Davis, 1B/3B/RHP, Cal State Fullerton

13. Dylan Davis, OF/RHP, Oregon State

14. Alex Blandino, 3B, Stanford

15. Drew Jackson, SS, Stanford (2015 draft)

16. Lukas Schiraldi, RHP, Texas

17. Brian Anderson, OF/3B, Arkansas

18. DJ Stewart, OF, Florida State (2015 draft)

19. Scott Heinamn, OF, Oregon

20. Rhett Wiseman, OF, Vanderbilt (2015 draft) - previously drafted by the Cubs

21. Kevin Newman, SS, Arizona (2015 draft)

22. Hunter Cole, OF, Georgia

23. Casey Gillaspie, 1B, Wichita State

24. Ben Smith, LHP, Coastal Carolina

25. Jordan Foley, RHP, Central Michigan

26. Dillon Peters, LHP, Texas

27. Branden Cogsell, SS, Virgina

28. Ross Kivett, 2B, Kansas State (2015 draft)

29. Matt Troupe, RHP, Arizona

30. San Coonrod, RHP, Southern Illinois

[davell]

I can see the Marlins skimping out at 2, doubt the White Sox would at 3. If Rodon and Hoffman become a two man class, having 3 could be beneficial. I think we'll be fine picking anywhere inside the top 10 personally.

[Guest]

I can see the Marlins skimping out at 2, doubt the White Sox would at 3. If Rodon and Hoffman become a two man class, having 3 could be beneficial. I think we'll be fine picking anywhere inside the top 10 personally.

 

Why? It's not like they've ever prioritized the draft and their ownership is one big reason this awful new system has been implemented.

 

I'm not saying they won't, but I'm not sure I'd rule it out.

[Elrhino]

Cubs and Twins tied for 4th worst winning% in baseball at .407. How is the 4th pick decided?

[Guest]

Cubs and Twins tied for 4th worst winning% in baseball at .407. How is the 4th pick decided?

 

Cubs got the 4th pick. Tie is broken by the previous season's record.

[Guest]

Kendall Rogers' (Perfect Game) top 10 college prospects for the 2014 draft: http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9081

 

1. Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State

2. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina

3. Trea Turner, SS, North Carlina State

4. Brandon Finnegan, LHP, Texas Christian

5. Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt

6. Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia

7. Michael Cederoth, RHP, San Diego State

8. Kyle Schwarber, C, Indiana

9. Nick Burdi, RHP, Louisville

10. Max Pentecost, C, Kennesaw State

 

Honorable Mention: Grayson Greiner, C, South Carolina

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

How did Finnegan jump to 4th?

[Guest]

How did Finnegan jump to 4th?

This is just one guys' rankings. I know he's a big fan of Finnegan.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Woops, I thought Kiley did another ranking and didn't even look to see it was Rogers.

[Cubswin11]

Kendall Rogers' (Perfect Game) top 10 college prospects for the 2014 draft: http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9081

 

1. Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State

2. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina

3. Trea Turner, SS, North Carlina State

4. Brandon Finnegan, LHP, Texas Christian

5. Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt

6. Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia

7. Michael Cederoth, RHP, San Diego State

8. Kyle Schwarber, C, Indiana

9. Nick Burdi, RHP, Louisville

10. Max Pentecost, C, Kennesaw State

 

Honorable Mention: Grayson Greiner, C, South Carolina

I really like Beede.

[Guest]

Kendall Rogers' (Perfect Game) top 10 college prospects for the 2014 draft: http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9081

 

1. Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State

2. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina

3. Trea Turner, SS, North Carlina State

4. Brandon Finnegan, LHP, Texas Christian

5. Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt

6. Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia

7. Michael Cederoth, RHP, San Diego State

8. Kyle Schwarber, C, Indiana

9. Nick Burdi, RHP, Louisville

10. Max Pentecost, C, Kennesaw State

 

Honorable Mention: Grayson Greiner, C, South Carolina

I really like Beede.

 

Meh. He has good stuff but horrible control. He really needs to make strides there.

 

Also don't think a closer should be 9th, I'd prefer someone like Sean Newcomb or Luke Weaver.

[davell]

Velo be damned,(and it's low 90's) when all is said and done, I'll be surprised if Aaron Nola isn't one of the top 10 collegiate players drafted.

[bukie]

The only real meaning I can get from draft lists at this point is hoping that somehow Rodon falls due to some non-injury reason, like he decided to take next spring off to rest his arm, so he falls to 4th.

[UK1679666180]

The only real meaning I can get from draft lists at this point is hoping that somehow Rodon falls due to some non-injury reason, like he decided to take next spring off to rest his arm, so he falls to 4th.

 

Using the old Ben Christensen approach? :D

[Guest]

Chris Crawford's top 14 college hitters for 2014:

 

Chris Crawford[/url]"]It was a bad year for college bats in 2012, it was a bad year for college bats in 2013, and — on paper — it’s a bad year for college bats in 2014; at least in terms of quantity. There are two guys that I can see going in the top ten, but after that you are reaching for a guy that I would give a first round grade at this time. That being said, a few players did improve their stock considerably over the summer, and have a chance to work their way into said consideration if they show the same abilities over the spring. Long story short: On paper it looks bleak, but there’s some hope.

 

1. Derek Fisher / OF / Virginia — Fischer is going to have to hit — he doesn’t have the arm strength or instincts to be anything but a left fielder — to earn this ranking, but he certainly has the offensive tools to justify it. The left-handed hitting outfielder has above-average bat speed and a linear swing that should lead to above-average power numbers, though we haven’t seen that translate into games as much as one would hope. Consistency has been a problem for Fischer, but with a strong junior season you could see him go very early, as he’s one of the few middle of the order type bats in this class.

2. Trea Turner / SS / NC State — Turner was outstanding over his sophomore campaign, but an ankle injury essentially ruined his Team USA experience this summer. Turner’s speed is élite, and with above-average pitch recognition and hand-eye coordination, many scouts believe he is a future prototypical leadoff hitter. Defensively he was outstanding in 2013 as well, using his speed to make plays to his left and right with above-average arm strength for the position. Don’t be surprised to see Turner go off the board in the first five picks of the 2014 draft.

3. Max Pentecost / C / Kennesaw State

4. Bradley Zimmer / OF / San Francisco

5. Kyle Schwarber / C-1B / Indiana

6. J.D. Davis / 1B-3B / Cal-State Fullerton

7. Alex Blandino / 2B / Stanford

8. Matt Chapman / 3B / Cal-State Fullerton

9. Taylor Sparks / RF / UC-Irvine

10. Austin Byler / 3B-OF / Nevada

11. Casey Gillespie / 1B / Wichita State

12. Brandon Downes / OF / Virginia

13. Michael Conforto / LF-1B / Oregon State

14. Brett Austin / C / NC State

And three more to watch:

Mason Robbins / OF / Southern Miss

Brian Anderson / OF / Arkansas

Joey Pankake / SS / South Carolina

[Guest]

Not looking good for my desire for another near-ready big college bat.

[WrigleyField 22]

Not looking good for my desire for another near-ready big college bat.

No but a few catchers making the list...

[Guest]

Not looking good for my desire for another near-ready big college bat.

 

No. While there is time for someone to step up, last year's draft wasn't as strong in other areas so it allowed guys like Bryant and Moran an easy opportunity to move in the top 6.

[Guest]

@CrawfordChrisV: This will almost assuredly change, but of my preliminary top 100 for the 2014 draft, only 41 are college players.

[Guest]

BA's draft top 50 is out: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/preliminary-2014-draft-top-50-october-2013-carlos-rodon-stands-alone/

 

Rodon and Hoffman typify the power arms from both the college and high school classes that should be the strength of the 2014 draft. Last year, for example, at the Perfect Game All-American Classic in San Diego, one pitcher touched 94 mph: eventual No. 4 pick Kohl Stewart. This year, nine high school hurlers hit 95 or better, with the top velocity belonging to Tyler Kolek, who hit 99 mph and is the top high school player in the class.

 

The high school pitching class is as deep as it has been in years and is replete with big velocity arms that could go in the first 50 picks. The high school hitters did not fare well against top pitching this summer, as many of the top hitters offer loud tools but struggled to hit in games.

 

There is a fairly deep supply of college power hitters in the class, but as usual the college ranks are light on up-the-middle players, as many of the top hitters in the class likely profile in left field or at first base. Shortstop Trea Turner and catcher Max Pentecost have the athleticism and tools to stay at their respective positions; they are the only two college position players with a better than even chance to stay up in the middle in the Top 50.

 

1. Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State

2.  Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina

3. Tyler Kolek, RHP, Shepherd HS (TX)

4.  Trea Turner, SS, North Carolina State

5.  Jacob Gatewood, SS, Clovis HS (CA)

6.  Alex Jackson, C/OF, Rancho Bernardo HS (San Diego, CA)

7.  Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt

8. Touki Touissant, RHP, Christian HS (Coral Springs, FL)

9.  Brady Aiken, LHP, Cathedral Catholic HS (San Diego, CA)

10. Aaron Nola, RHP, LSU

11. Nick Gordon, SS/RHP, Olympia HS (Orlando, FL)

12. Bradley Zimmer, OF, San Francisco

13. Michael Gettys, OF/RHP, Gainesville HS (GA)

14. Luis Ortiz, RHP, Sanger HS (CA)

15. Mac Marshall, LHP, Parkview HS (Lilburn, GA)

[WrigleyField 22]

Sounds like another year to get a highly rated hitter at the top, either HD or College and a big HS arm at two. Presumably followed by a lot more arms.

[Guest]

Sounds like another year to get a highly rated hitter at the top, either HD or College and a big HS arm at two. Presumably followed by a lot more arms.

 

BA seems to be the only scouting service high on the college bats (with the exception of Trea Turner, who everyone thinks is a top 5 guy) and even they don't have a college bat besides Turner in the top 10. Prep bats have a lot of potential but it seems like they've all stagnated. This draft is both deep and strong at the top with arms; of course most of us would prefer to avoid the risk that comes from top-10 pitchers.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Would you rather take Kolek or Jackson?

[Guest]

seeing a guy who profiles as a "leadoff hitter" be ranked the best college positional prospect = roflpuke