MLB’s 2014 Amateur Draft was full of intrigue for the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox organizations. These three dedicated fan bases should be delighted by the additions to famously deep farm systems. All three clubs did not pick until late in the first round, but, made quality picks there and later on that will add depth at key positions for these perennial contenders. The economics of baseball requires teams to now build through the draft if they are to sustain greatness. This isn’t just a draft, but rights to add depth to your favorite baseball team at lower costs than free agency. Here’s a look at what these clubs acquired on their shopping sprees.
Braves 2014 Amateur Draft
The Atlanta Braves, who forfeited their original first round pick to sign Ervin Santana, did not have their first choice until pick number 32. Braxton Davidson, a high school senior 6′ 3″ 215 lb left handed power hitting outfielder from Asheville, North Carolina, was the splash they were looking for. For a Braves lineup that is constantly battling to get rallies going, Braxton’s .587 on base percentage will be a welcome addition down the road. Many experts felt that he was the best hitter in the draft. Power is a tough commodity to come by and Davidson has a ton along with a .449 batting average his senior season.
The next several picks turned into an old fashioned arms race with selections that look to bolster an already rich pitching pool down in the minors. The number two pick, 66th over all, was pitcher Gary Fulenchek. Another high school senior, the 6′ 4″ right hander has good movement on a mid-90s fastball. Round 3 pick 102 went to Max Povse. A 6′ 8″ 220 lb rhp from UNC Greensboro that can touch the radar gun at 95 mph, but will take some grooming before you’ll see him at Turner Field. Hitting the strike zone consistently with that tall lanky frame, will be the challenge going forward for pitching coaches staff through out the organization.
Rounding out the rest of Atlanta’s draft, there were a few more notables that will get the fans excited in Braves Country. Round 6 brings NCAA Division II Gold Glove winner, center fielder Keith Curico from Florida Southern College. Lenny Dykstra’s son, second baseman Luke Dykstra was the 7th round selection. One would hope that he has his dad’s ‘Nails” mentality and hustle. Oklahoma State’s first baseman Tanner Krietemeier was selected in the 23rd round as well. Sign-ability will be the key to this class and it appears that it will not be much of a hurdle for GM Frank Wren and the rest of the front office.
Red Sox Draft Review
The Boston Red Sox started their very successful draft with a bang and addressed the much needed shortstop position in the first round. Michael Chavis, 26th overall out of Sprayberry High School in Marietta, Georgia. At 5′ 11″ and 195lb he is likened by most as a David Wright type of batter. MLB network’s Peter Gammons said that Chavis was the best high school bat in the draft and his favorite player. High praise by a baseball expert.
Just seven picks later, still in the first round, Boston selected highly touted Mount Pleasant High School righty Michael Kopech from the state of Texas. With a high leg kick and great velocity, Kopech will have plenty of time to develop in the Redsox farm system. Though he is a Arizona Wildcat college commit, the Red Sox expect to convince him and his 98 mph fastball to sign.
The second round selection is an eye to the future. First baseman Sam Travis from Indiana University, could be the heir apparent to Mike Napoli and Big Pappi (David Ortiz). In just 59 games Travis hit 12 home runs, 58 RBI and a .347 average. His swing has been compared to Toronto Blue Jay slugger Edwin Encarnacion. That’s some elite company to be mentioned with.
The third round delivers a talented, but raw right handed pitching Jake Cosart from Seminole State. His brother Jared Cosart is a starter for the Houston Astros currently. Jake has a 98 mph fastball and a tremendous upside. Yet, pitching down at Seminole State after transferring from the ACC’s Duke University, he posted a high 5.34 era. On the positive, Cosart did have 67 strikeouts in 64 innings of work.
The rest of the draft will bring plenty of optimism and coffee shop and bar stool chatter to Red Sox Nation. Round four was rhp Kevin Mc Avoy from Bryant University who made a name for himself with five starts in the Cape Cod League last summer. In his final season at Bryant, he posted 94 strikeouts versus only 28 walks.
Catcher Ben Moore from the Alabama Crimson Tide is a great hitter with 23 extra base hits this past season. Karsten Whitson, RHP, Florida Gators went in the 11th round. If they can sign him, Whitson would be a nice addition.
St. Louis Cardinals Draft Review
The St. Louis Cardinals had one of the best drafts in all of MLB and started it with a college star that might be big-league-ready sooner than later. Rhp Luke Weaver out of Florida State University is a 6′ 2″ 170 lb lanky starter that has been compared to Tim Hudson. The Friday night starter for the Seminoles posted an 8-4 record and a 2.62 era with a fastball that has topped out at 97 mph. He always has a nice change up that is a bread and butter pitch he can lean on. An avid bird watcher, Weaver will return the favor as St. Louis fans will enjoy watching the 27th pick overall by the Cardinals in the near future.
The 34th pick of the draft was highschooler Jack Flaherty. A rhp that stands at 6′ 3″ and 190 lbs out of Harvard-Westlake in California. He has a 92 mph fastball with nice movement and was 10-0 with a 0.63 era. To top it off, Flaherty threw no-hitter in histeam’s playoff opener.
At number 68, the Cardinals took rhp Ronnie Williams from American Senior Highschool of the state of Florida. A fire baller with a 97 mph fastball, Williams only stands at an even 6′ 0″ and 180 lbs. His 8-2 record with a 0.97 era stood plenty tall along with 65 innings and 73 strikeouts.
Rounding out the St. Louis draft was a handful of players that will surely make an impact in the near future. Shortstop Andrew Sohn from Western Michigan University and second baseman Darren Serenfina of Miami Dade College were both taken in the top 10 rounds. Strong moves to add depth to the infield after starting the draft with six consecutive pitchers. Andrew Morales is a right handed starting pitcher from College World Series bound UC Irvine. He was 10-2, 1.64 era and shut out the Oklahoma State Cowboys to advance his school to Omaha. A gritty competitor, Morales seems to have that big game “it” factor. Of all the picks in 2014, this might be the one with most value. Some think that Weaver, although good, was a bit of a stretch for the first round.
Look for Andrew Morales to be the quickest to get to St. Louis and make a real impact, even if Luke Weaver ends up being the crowning jewel of the Cards 2014 Amateur Draft.
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