With less than 24 hours until the start of the 2014 MLB Draft, let’s take a look at some of the top prospects eligible. With 34 picks in the first round of the draft, including compensatory picks, which will be airing at 7 p.m. on MLB Network, and MLB.com, let’s take a look at the top prospects.
1. Brady Aiken – California (HS) – LHP
The 2014 draft does not feature a clear-cut future super star at number one, like Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, and Byron Buxton, in recent years. Aiken, however, has an intriguing skill set which has him as the favorite to be the first overall selection. At only 17 years old with a still projectable frame, Aiken can already dial it up at 97 mph, significant for a southpaw. Aiken also possesses very good command, location, and break on his pitches for a high school prospect. His second best pitch might be his changeup, and he also uses a good curveball as well.
2. Carlos Rodon – North Carolina State – LHP
A power pitcher who possesses the most upside of any college pitcher, compared to the relatively safe pick of Aiken, Rodon may have the quickest path to the bigs of any starter in this year’s draft. His command and control are the biggest hindrances at this point, however. Along with a heater that reaches the upper 90s in velocity, Rodon has a nasty slider, which is arguably the best breaking ball in the 2014 draft class. Rodon has yet to develop a reliable tertiary pitch, which could relegate him to relief duty if he is unable to do so.
3. Alex Jackson – California (HS) – OF/C
There are few power bats in this year’s draft, but Jackson would coveted even in a deep class. Jackson is one of the better pure hitters this year, and has the potential to swat over 30 homers in a season. At this point he lacks a true position in the majors, as he is subpar behind the plate, and does not have great range for the outfield. He does have a cannon arm which could lead to a career in right field.
4. Jeff Hoffman – East Carolina – RHP
If not for having undergone Tommy John surgery last month, Hoffman would be in serious contention with Aiken for the top spot on this list. Hoffman features a fastball that tops out at 98, and usually sits between 96-93 mph. He also has great movement on his curveball which looks to have the makings of an out pitch, combined with a well above average changeup for a college prospect. Hoffman likely will be drafted lower than his ranking due to injury, but could be a great long-term payoff.
5. Bradley Zimmer – San Francisco – OF
There is a lot to like about Zimmer, considering his plus bat, outfield arm, and glove. Zimmer has the tools to be a very good center fielder in the majors, especially his bat, which should be well above average for the position. Zimmer did not face consistent top end competition with the Dons, but clearly showed the talent to do so.
6. Braxton Davidson – North Carolina (HS) – OF
Davidson is all bat and no glove. While he has the requisite arm strength to play in right, his range, glove, and erratic throwing make his best long-term position at first base. Davidson has great power potential in his bat and has a disciplined approach at the plate to mask his fielding deficiencies.
7. Tyler Kolek – Texas (HS) – RHP
In terms of pure pitching velocity, Kolek is amongst the best. He ranges from the low-90s to the mid- to upper-90s, topping out in the triple digits. Naturally, Kolek’s fastball is fantastic, but he also has a plus arsenal of breaking balls, including a curve and a slider. There are some minor concerns due to how much weight he carries on his frame and how that can affect his stamina, delivery, and durability.
8. Nick Gordon – Florida (HS) – SS
The son of former MLB closer Tom Gordon, Nick has a good arsenal on the mound like his father. However, the younger Gordon has little interest in pitching, as he possesses excellent fielding and hitting tools. Gordon has great speed on the basepaths, and the range and arm to play short at the major league level. While he lacks much power, he is enough of a contact hitter to become an everyday player.
9. Nick Burdi – Louisville – RHP
While Kolek is amongst the best fireballers in this class, Burdi is the best. He can also hit triple digits, but has a higher range of 98-95 mph. Burdi also has a nasty slider and has very good movement in his arsenal. However, Burdi is only a two pitch pitcher without good control or command which greatly hinders is odds of being a starter. At either rate, Burdi could become an elite closer with his tools, if he can’t hack it as a starter.
10. Grant Holmes – South Carolina (HS) – RHP
For a high school player, Holmes is a very polished pitcher, especially in terms of his frame and arsenal. The Florida commit already has three plus pitches which he uses with excellent command. Holmes’ fastball generally is in the 92-94 mph range, accompanied by a curve and changeup.
11. Derek Hill – California (HS) – OF
Hill might not be a standout at the plate, but he is mightily talented in the other facets of the game. He has exceptional range and the glove to play centerfield, the best in 2014. Hill can also be a terror on the basepaths when his bat gets him on.
12. Michael Gettys – Georgia – OF/RHP
Gettys can either play as a low average, excellent fielding position player, or as a hard throwing reliever. He has outstanding speed in both halves of an inning, as well as an arm that translates well to the outfield. The power in his bat could also help make him a position player.
13. Luis Ortiz – California (HS) – RHP
Ortiz is a very good all-around pitching prospect, who lacks a defining trait, though he has good velocity, control, and movement on his pitches. The Fresno State commit throws a 97 mph fastball at the max, with a slider and changeup.
14. Monte Harrison – Missouri (HS) – OF
Harrison is a bit of a risky pick out of high school, as he is committed to Nebraska both as a baseball player and as a wide receiver on the football team. His outfield arm and glove are both great for a high school prospect and could likely keep him from ever attending college as he moves through the pro baseball ranks.
15. Trea Turner – North Carolina State – SS
Turner brings little at the plate, but his speed and base running prowess are undeniably major league. With his bat, Turner has little value outside of playing shortstop, but his average arm could force a switch to the other side of the bag.
16. A.J. Reed – Kentucky – 1B/DH
Reed has the look of a poor man’s Adam Dunn. He has outstanding power from the left side of the plate, and has a very disciplined approach at the plate. He is a well below average defender, even as a first basemen, and may be a DH only option.
17. Michael Chavis – Georgia (HS) – 3B/OF
Chavis is not a great fielder, but he brings good versatility to potentially play either third, left, or right field. He has both above average hit and power tools.
18. Tyler Beede – Vanderbilt – RHP
For a draft-eligible college pitcher, Beede is very young, but also lacks the command and control of an older, experienced prospect. He tops out at 96 mph, and features a very good changeup.
19. Michael Conforto – Oregon State – OF/1B
Conforto has little defensive value, but makes up for this deficiency with great plate discipline and very good power in his bat. His left-handed swing is easy and effective making a spot in the middle of a lineup realistic in the majors.
20. Kyle Freeland – Evansville – LHP
Freeland tops out at 94 mph, but has outstanding movement on his pitches, which includes an extremely effective “slutter.” He also has good control and command on the mound.
21. Spencer Adams – Georgia (HS) – RHP
Adams lacks great velocity, dealing mostly in the low-90s, but showcases plenty of movement on his pitches, which includes a curveball, slider, and changeup. His command and throwing mechanics make him such a highly regarded prospect.
22. Jacob Gatewood – California (HS) – 3B/SS
The USC commit has a very lean and lanky frame, but possesses the potential for excellent power somewhere down the line. His arm and range could allow him to play either position on the left side of the infield.
23. Aaron Nola – LSU – RHP
Nola is a definite finesse pitcher, as he rarely gets the ball over the low 90s. However, he has pinpoint control and a strong changeup in his arsenal.
24. Derek Fisher – Virginia – OF/1B
Like Conforto, Fisher is limited to either left or first. He also has very good power potential, as well as a patient approach and easy swing.
25. Casey Gillaspie – Wichita State – 1B
Gillaspie has a large frame for such a good defender, albeit at first base, but his bat is what shines as a prospect. He is a good contact and power hitter, though not elite in either category.
26. Max Pentecost – Kennesaw State – C
The best pure catcher in the draft, Pentecost is highly athletic behind the dish. His arm is average, and competition level is well below average, but his hit tool is good for a backstop.
27. Forrest Wall – Florida (HS) – 2B
Pure second base prospects are rare this high in the draft, but Wall is the exceptional with a great hit tool and speed to burn on the bases. Unfortunately, shoulder injuries have hindered his stock and arm strength.
28. Kodi Medeiros – Hawaii (HS) – LHP
Medeiros’ slider is second only to Rodon’s this year, with amazing lateral movement. His arm mechanics may limit him to relief duty, however.
29. Brandon Finnegan – TCU – LHP
Finnegan is small-framed, but throws with outstanding velocity. He throws a high-end slurve, but injuries and throwing mechanics could relegate him to the bullpen in the majors.
30. Ti’Quan Forbes – Mississippi (HS) – SS
Forbes is long-framed and very skinny, making most of his stock based upon projection. He has potential to be a power hitting short stop if his body develops.
31. Kyle Schwarber – Indiana – 1B/C
Schwarber is another player without a true position and a below average glove who is an excellent hitter. The lefty did not get much to hit during his latter seasons with the Hoosiers but has outstanding power in his bat.
32. J.D. Davis – Cal State-Fullerton – 1B/RHP
Davis has the ability to play any corner spot on the baseball diamond, but has enough hitting ability to play at first. He is also a pitching prospect who ranges from 94 to 92 mph.
33. Jakson Reetz – Nebraska (HS) – C/OF
Reetz is very athletic for a catching prospect, and could get looks in the outfield or the infield based on that. He is well above average on the basepaths for a backstop.
34. Touki Toussaint – Florida – RHP
Though he can light up the gun near triple digits and throws breaking balls with outstanding movement, Toussaint has very little command and control over his stuff. He might be best as a two-pitch pitcher from the pen.
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