FanPost

Very Early 2014 MLB Mock Draft

Here we go again! I finally have enough time on my hands to write up a mock draft. It's still early so this is more of a stab in the dark, but here goes nothing!

Houston Astros- Carlos Rodon- LHP- Rodon seems to be a future ace (and I’m very pissed off at the Brewers for not trying harder to sign him), with a mid-90s fastball and a wicked slider that can give batters fits. Once he gets through the minors, he could become a fearsome rotation anchor for a long, long time.

Miami Marlins- Jeff Hoffman-RHP- Hoffman is the best collegiate pitcher in this draft not named Carlos Rodon, with a fastball that can touch the upper-90s with an excellent curveball. He’s still lanky and could fill into his frame and probably add a couple ticks to his fastball. With Hoffman, the Marlins could get another frontline starter for the future.

Chicago White Sox- Tyler Kolek- RHP- While historically the White Sox has preferred collegiate players, Kolek may be too difficult to pass on. He has a massive, intimidating frame, and the stuff to match it. He has a blistering fastball and breaking pitches that has the potential to be plus pitches. While he may need some time in the minors to develop, his ceiling is massive.

Chicago Cubs- Tyler Beede- RHP-The Cubs so far have the potential to develop the most fearsome lineup in all of Major League Baseball, and by adding Beede they will add an excellent pitcher who could benefit from such a lineup. Beede has 3 above average pitches with his fastball, changeup, and curveball. His command hasn’t been very sharp, but perhaps some time in the minors could correct that. If the command comes around, he could be a top of the rotation starter.

Minnesota Twins- Alex Jackson- C- Jackson is one of the best high school position players in the draft, with excellent raw power. He’s also quite athletic, so even if he doesn’t stick behind the plate, he could still be an excellent player in the outfield.

Seattle Mariners- Jacob Gatewood- 3B/SS- Gatewood has massive power that could land him in the middle of a big league lineup. There are some questions about his hit tool, but if he could correct that his bat would certainly add more power to the Mariners’ lineup.

Philadelphia Phillies- Michael Gettys-OF- The Phillies love toolsy players, and Gettys has plenty of tools to work with, highlighted by a cannon arm, blazing speed, and potential for above-average power. At the very least if things click he could be a top of the order catalyst; if the power develops he could be an excellent 5-tool player at the heart of a big league lineup.

Colorado Rockies- Trea Turner-SS- One of the things that Turner is known for is his speed, which he can utilize to net 30+ stolen bases per season. He also is able to provide good defense at a premium position and a good enough hit tool to actually utilize his excellent speed. He may not provide massive power, but with the magic of Coors Field, he may hit enough home runs to keep things interesting.

Toronto Blue Jays- Grant Holmes-RHP- Holmes, unlike the prototypical high school pitcher, doesn’t have much room left to grow. But his present stuff is still excellent, with a fastball that can reach 97 and an excellent breaking ball. With proper development he could develop into a #2/3 starter.

New York Mets- Brady Aiken-LHP- Left handed pitchers are always in demand, and left handed high school pitchers with a good degree of polish can be a very valued commodity. Aiken doesn’t have otherworldly stuff, but he has 3 average to above-average pitches that could become better as he fills out. He also has good command of his stuff, which may allow him to go through the minors a little faster than most high school pitchers.

Toronto Blue Jays- Aaron Nola-RHP-Nola doesn’t have the flashiest raw stuff in the draft, but he has excellent command of his pitches that more than make up for the lack of flashiness. Considered to be one of the best command pitchers in the draft class, Nola could breeze through the minors and contribute to the major league rotation in a couple of years.

Milwaukee Brewers- Touki Toussaint-RHP- In recent years the Brewers have favored high-risk, high reward players for their first picks of the draft, with players such as Victor Roache, Clint Coulter, and Devin Williams, and could once again return to that route. Toussaint is also a high-risk, high-reward player, with excellent raw stuff such as a mid-90s fastball and a devastating curveball, but he still needs to work on the finesse of pitching which is crucial for success in a big league rotation. He’s going to need time in the minors, and could very well not pan out, but if everything clicks he could be a frontline starter.

San Diego Padres- Justus Sheffield-LHP- Like I’ve said earlier, left handed pitchers are always in demand, and high school lefties with advanced stuff and good command will be very much in demand. Sheffield may not have as good of a raw stuff as his brother Jordan, but he still has good stuff of his own, with a fastball that reaches 94, good breaking ball, and good changeup, with good command.

San Francisco Giants- Braxton Davidson-OF-One of the top high school bats in the draft, Davidson comes with an above-average hit tool and plus power. He may not have the speed that would be beneficial for outfielders, but even if he moves to 1B his bat would still make him an above-average player.

Los Angeles Angels- Luis Ortiz-RHP- Ortiz, unlike many high school pitchers, doesn’t have much room left to grow, but his present stuff makes him a very good prospect already. His fastball sits in the low to mid-90s and he has a sharp slider than can be a swing and miss pitch. Assuming that he’ll be able to make it through the minors, he could become a #2 starter in the big leagues.

Arizona Diamondbacks- Derek Fisher-OF- One of the better collegiate batters in this year’s draft class, Fisher has solid tools across the board. His best asset, however, is his bat. He has good bat speed and compact swing, which allows for a good hit tool. He also shows power that could help him be a solid batter at the heart of a big league lineup.

Baltimore Orioles- Kodi Meideiros-LHP- Based on stuff alone he would be in the top 10, but because of his size and his unusual delivery, there are questions about whether he would be able to be durable enough to be a starter. He still has excellent stuff that is augmented by his unusual delivery, and while his stuff is good enough to make him a good starter, if the starting gig doesn’t work out, he could still be a lights-out reliever in the big leagues.

Kansas City Royals- Luke Weaver-RHP- Weaver comes with above average stuff that is augmented by his command. With a low-90s fastball, good changeup, and decent breaking ball to go with his command, he could develop into a future mid-rotation starter, who may pitch like a #2 starter for some of his career.

Washington Nationals- Max Pentecost-C- Pentecost rose through the draft ranks as he mashed through the Cape Cod League and flashed excellent potential with the bat. He also displays athleticism that could help him adjust to other positions if catching doesn’t work out. If he continues to play as well as he did in the Cape Cod League, he could be well out of reach for the Nationals.

Cincinnati Reds- Sean Newcomb-LHP- While he hasn’t faced the best competition in collegiate baseball, he still has formidable raw stuff with a fastball that can reach 97 and a plus slider.

Tampa Bay Rays- Sean Reid-Foley-RHP-Reid-Foley comes with a fastball that touches the mid-90s and above-average breaking balls. With proper development in the minors, he could develop into a mid-rotation starter.

Cleveland Indians- Kyle Schwarber-C-Schwarber is another excellent collegiate bat, with tremendous power and good hit tool. His ability to stick behind the plate is questionable, but even if he doesn’t stick behind the plate, he could still contribute at 1B or DH.

Los Angeles Dodgers- Scott Blewett-RHP-Blewett has been rising through draft boards with a strong fall. He has a fastball that could reach 96 and a very good curveball, not to mention that his 6’6 frame makes him an intimidating pitcher to face. With some time in the minors and barring the usual possible prospect implosions, he could develop into a solid mid-rotation starter.

Detroit Tigers- Michael Cederoth-RHP- Cederoth is not as polished as ideal college pitchers should be, but he has tremendous raw stuff, which is highlighted by a blazing fastball in the upper 90s and a hard breaking ball. He still needs to work on command, and there may be health concerns, both of which may relegate him to the bullpen in the long run, but if he is able to solve those issues, he could be a formidable starter.

Pittsburgh Pirates- Nick Gordon-SS-Gordon is a two-way player who could have a brighter future at SS. He provides solid defense at a premium position and has the speed to provide a bunch of stolen bases. His hit tool is also solid, which would allow him to consistently utilize his speed.

Oakland Athletics- Michael Conforto-OF-Conforto is another good collegiate bat with excellent left-handed power and advanced approach at the plate. He may not be a burner and he may not be a future gold-glover, but his calling card is his power.

Atlanta Braves- Mac Marshall-LHP-Marshall is a prep lefty with a low- 90s fastball, a good feel for a changeup, and a curveball that has the potential to be plus. He also has room to grow and add a few ticks to the fastball, and could turn out to be a solid mid-rotation starter.

Boston Red Sox- Erik Fedde-RHP- Unlike most collegiate pitchers, Fedde still has some room to grow, even though he has solid stuff to begin with. He has a good fastball that can touch the mid-90s and a slider that has the potential to be a plus pitch, and he also has a decent changeup in his arsenal.

St. Louis Cardinals- Cobi Johnson-RHP-Johnson is a tall, projectable prep righty with a fastball that sits in the low-90s and an above-average curveball. He’s still fairly raw and will need substantial time in the minors, but the Cardinals are among the best in the league when it comes to developing young players, and could very well turn Johnson into a solid mid-rotation starter.

Trending Discussions