2014 MLB Mock Draft: Version 1

This early in the year, there are very few things to go on and very few teams have strong ties to players. At least ties that I have any knowledge of. I generally tried to use the tendencies of the current scouting director, if they had any. Many teams don't have a clear pattern, so I just picked a player that has the ability to be taken in that general area. This is more about where the talent fits more than the actual team that will take the player.

First Round

1. Houston Astros: Carlos Rodon, LHP, N.C. State

Rodon is still the consensus #1 overall pick but this isn't a slam dunk. There is a non-zero chance that someone else goes 1st overall but it is pretty close to 0%.

2. Miami Marlins: Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina U.

Hoffman has top of the draft stuff but results have lagged behind his first two collegiate seasons. The stuff is that of a top of the rotation arm though and will be drafted as such. It's hard to see the top two picks not being these two at this point but a lot can change in a few months.

3. Chicago White Sox: Jacob Gatewood, SS, California HS

The White Sox love power hitters and big bodied players. Gatewood is both. He would fit well in this system and would be the top prospect in the system after Erik Johnson graduates.

4. Chicago Cubs: Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt

The Cubs have a ton of offense on the way. Beede would slot in a top of the rotation arm, potentially. Command needs to stay on but fastball and breaking ball are MLB pitches now, as long as he is controlling them.

5. Minnesota Twins: Tyler Kolek, RHP, Texas HS

The Twins have need for immediate impact and upside. While a player closer to the majors may make more sense, Kolek may have the highest ceiling of any arm in the draft and could be one of the quickest to the majors out of high school.

6. Seattle Mariners: Trea Turner, SS, N.C. State

The Mariners have quite a bit of depth up the middle but how can you pass on a solid defensive up the middle player with an average bat and game changing speed.

7. Philadelphia Phillies: Nick Gordon, SS, Florida HS

The last winning core in Philly was led by two up the middle stars in Rollins and Utley. Crawford and Gordon could be another core to build around. Physicallity has improved this spring. Great all around player.

8. Colorado Rockies: Alex Jackson, C/3B/OF, California HS

I think Jackson could go as high as number two. His power is arguably the best in the draft but his defensive home is a question. In Colorado, RF would be difficult because of Jackson's growth potential but the bat could be outstanding.

9. Toronto Blue Jays: Brady Aiken, LHP, California

As a lefty who has more polish than tools, but no shortage of the latter. Aiken has excellent current stuff and projects more. He could be a front of the rotation type in time.

10. New York Mets: Touki Toussaint, RHP, Florida HS

Crazy potential and elite stuff make this reasonable. The lack of polish and risk involved makes this risky but the Mets have had excellent luck drafting and acquiring arms. Touki could add to that stable of talent.

11. Toronto Blue Jays: Michael Gettys, OF, Georgia HS

Gettys is tooled up. He has elite bat speed, high end running speed, a huge arm and good range make him a good defender. He can throw well enough he would be looked at as a top three round pitcher if he couldn't hit at all. The Jays like athletes. Gettys is arguably the best in this years draft.

12. Milwaukee Brewers: Grant Holmes, RHP, South Carolina HS

Holmes is a physcial righty with upper 90's velocity and a knockout breaking ball. There is a chance he ends up at the back of the bullpen but he could be a front end starter if everything works out.

13. San Diego Padres: Sean Newcomb, LHP, Hartford U.

After really coming on last summer, Newcomb sits 91-93 and can hit 95. He has flashed an impressive slider and with that combo, I would be shocked if he isn't taken in the top 15 picks barring injury.

14. San Francisco Giants: Sean Reid-Foley, RHP, Florida HS

Foley has had some impressive performances at big events and impressed some people in high places. If he continues to improve, he could get picked early in the draft. The Giants seem to hit on pitchers when they roll the dice. Foley may be next.

15. Los Angeles Angels: Max Pentecost, C, Kennesaw State

Pentecost is the best collegiate catcher available. His good defensively and makes good contact. He takes good at bats and has a solid approach. He won't hit for a lot of over the fence power but has solid gap-to-gap power. The Angels could use a solid prospect who will help the big league team. While not being a high ceiling player, he is a pretty sure bet.

16. Arizona Diamondbacks: Brandon Finnegan, LHP, Texas Christian U.

Finnegan has one of the most electric arms in the draft. High end velocity and improving secondaries, Finnegan should be a lock for the first round. His command has improved and he would add to the depth the D'Backs pitching ranks.

17. Kansas City Royals: Braxton Davidson, 1B, North Carolina HS

As one of the most polished prep bats and possesing plus hitting ability, power and approach, Davidson could be a middle of the order bat. While his skills may translate to LF/RF, he's likely a 1B and will follow up behind Eric Hosmer. By the time Hosmer is hitting free agency, Davidson may be close to taking over if his price tag is too high.

18. Washington Nationals: Luis Ortiz, RHP, California HS

Ortiz has really come on in the last two years. He lost a lot of weight and gained velocity. His weight will always need to be watched but his fastball and slider are excellent pitches. His slider can damn near be unhittable at times. Ortiz could be the best pitcher in this draft in three years. He has that kind of potential. The Nats like impact and Ortiz could be an impact arm.

19. Cincinnati Reds: Aaron Nola, RHP, LSU

Nola has continued to pitch really well each season at LSU. He is a guy that stands above his peers in college but is a mid-rotation guy in pro ball, I think. His stuff is average but not dominant. He has good command and eats innings. He could be a long term peice in the Reds rotation but he won't be an ace.

20. Tampa Bays Rays: Kyle Schwarber, C/1B, Indiana U.

Lets not kid ourselves, with the new defensive metrics and analysis, I don't think Schwarber will get much run behind the dish. Schwarber's value is in his stick. He has some swing and miss but he has huge power. He should hit for good average but will work counts well. Schwarber could be an impact bat in the Rays order for a long time.

21. Cleveland Indians: Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia

With a strong pedigree, Fisher is still a first round player with good hitting ability, power potential and speed worthy of this spot. His performance the first two years of school have been lacking and a lot depends on how well he plays this year. His power has yet to show up and if that continues this spring, his stock could fall.

22. Los Angeles Dodgers: Michael Cederoth, RHP, San Diego State

With high end velocity and excellent secondaries, Cederoth could be a dominant closer or even make a run at being a front end starter. Even if you aim low, he'll be an asset.

23. Detroit Tigers: Nick Burdi, RHP, Louisville

Burdi has a high effort delivery and is a reliever all the way but has a low 80's knockout slider and a fastball that hits triple digits. He could be the closer in Detroit in 2016.

24. Pittsburgh Pirates: Chris Ellis, RHP, Ole Miss

I haven't seen much of Ellis but he broke out on the Cape last summer. He has a solid FB, good slider and a starters build. The Pirates can never have enough pitching.

25. Oakland Athletics: Michael Conforto, OF, Oregon State

Conforto has a big bat. He is a good hitter, has big power and that's it. He doesn't profile defensively, so he's likely a 1B but when you have a bat, you'll have a shot.

26. Atlanta Braves: Luke Weaver, RHP, Florida State University

He's a polished mid-rotation starter with an above average fastball and average secondaries.

27. Boston Red Sox: Joey Pankake, 3B, South Carolina

Pankake doesn't have any eye popping abilities but is a solid average player across the board. He has a good bat, shows avearge power and is a defensive asset at the hot corner after moving there from short stop.

28. St. Louis Cardinals: Cobi Johnson, RHP, Florida HS

With a fastball that sits in the low 90's and can bump up to 95, he has a first round arm. He has a very good breaking ball, soild change and has big league ties. His Dad is a pitching coordinator for the Blue Jays.

Compensation Round

29. Seattle Mariners: Erick Fedde, RHP, UNLV

Recent riser has sinking low 90's fastball and slider worthy of a high pick. Mid-rotation type.

30. Kansas City Royals: Matt Chapman, 3B, Cal State Fullerton

Power may not be profile power for a 3B but total package is excellent. Huge arm on the mound as well.

31. Cincinnati Reds: Michael Chavis, 3B, Georgia HS

Excellent hit and power potential make him interesting although his defenseive profile isn't a lock at 3B.

32. Texas Rangers: Brad Zimmer, 3B, San Francisco

Great athlete looks the part. May be a RF and power needs to improve. Solid skills but nothing elite.

33. Cleveland Indians: Jakson Reetz, C, Nebraska HS

Versatile player could likely play anywhere on the field. None of his tools stand out but all are solid average or better.

34. Atlanta Braves: Mac Marshall, LHP, Georgia HS

Up and down performances keep him here. With consistency, he could be a top 10-15 pick. Big fastball, ridiculous slider at times.

35. Boston Red Sox: Monte Harrison, OF, Missouri HS

Great athlete. High level football recruit. The only high end FB/BB talent this year. Potential for Plus skills across the board.

36. Boston Red Sox: Scott Blewett, RHP, California HS

Big righty with low 90's fastball and inconsistent breaking ball screams projection. Could go much higher with good spring.

37. St. Louis Cardinals: Dylan Cease, RHP, Georgia HS

His fastball can reach 97 but his secondaries lag behind. Needs to improve command and stay on top of pitches. Could go much higher. Boom or Bust candidate.

Competitive Balance Round

38. Colorado Rockies: A.J. Reed, 1B, Kentucky

He's also a LHP with fringe average stuff but the power is 70+. In game usable power, not just BP. Could be a star in the light air.

39. Miami Marlins: Jack Flaherty, SS, California HS

Could go much higher but my personal preference weighs in here. His tools are solid but nothing stands out and has looked flat every time I have seen him. If a team sees him good, he could go in the teens.

40. Houston Astros: Justus Sheffield, LHP, Tennessee HS

This shows the depth of this draft. He could go in the teens as well. Good stuff, solid projection, everything you look for in a lefty. There is a lot of college talent that is more proven and could cause him and other preps to slide.

41. Cleveland Indians: Marcus Wilson, OF, California HS

One of the most projectable players in the draft. The long, lean athletic frame looks like that of a future impact player. It'll take some time but he could be a profile RF.

42. Miami Marlins: Taylor Sparks, 3B, UC-Irvine

May need to move to RF but solid skills across the board would make him a solid pick here.

43. Kansas City Royals: Grayson Greiner, C, South Carolina

Leader at the plate and behind the dish. One of the best catcher arms around. Keeps improving and working. Big, tall player may have to move from behind the dish due to size but the bat is good enough to still take him here.

44. Milwaukee Brewers: Derek Hill, OF, California HS

Polished atheltic center fielder. One of the few in this class that I know can stick there. Bat is good but power is gap-to-gap right now. Safe high school pick with remaining potential.

Others that were considered:

Kodi Medeiros, Greg Deichmann, Chase Vallot, J.D. Davis, Karsten Whitson, Keaton McKinney, Tiquan Forbes, Kyle Freeland, Alex Verdugo, Matt Imhof, Dan Mengden, Dylan Davis, Cam Varga, Aramis Garcia, Zach Lemond, Forrest Wall, Greg Allen, Brandon Downes, Alex Blandino.