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9/30/13
Draft 14 - TTF - Mock v2.0
1. Houston Astros — Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State
The “Lastros” have now secured the first-overall pick a record three years in a row. Barring an injury or signability issues, their prize this year will be Rodon, a 6’-3”, 240 pound southpaw with exceptional stuff. As a sophomore for the Wolfpack, he posted a 2.99 ERA, 1.05 WHIP with 184 K/45 BB over 132.1 innings. He then went out and dominated for the Collegiate National Team, going 3-0 with 21 K/4 BB over 17 shutout innings, allowing just five hits. He has a five-pitch arsenal that includes a mid-90s heater, a power slider, a lethal cutter, an above-average curveball and a change-up with nice fade. He commands all of them well and is comfortable throwing any of them in any situation. After taking Mark Appel with the first-overall pick in this year’s draft, he and Rodon could form a devastating 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation for an organization loaded with talent.
2. Miami Marlins — Trea Turner, SS, North Carolina State
There are a lot of players who could go second-overall but I like Turner, a 6’-1” right-hander with plus/plus speed, an excellent approach at the plate and a kid who will remain at a premium position due to his silly range, strong arm and instincts on the field. Over 56 games as a sophomore, he hit .368/.455/.553 with 30 stolen bases and drew 38 walks to just 30 strikeouts. He also hit seven home runs, showing developing power. As a freshman, he led the nation in stolen bases with 57 and was only thrown out four times. An alumni of Team USA Baseball, he is a franchise-type player and should be a huge fan favorite.
3. Chicago White Sox — Jacob Gatewood, SS, Clovis HS (CA)
With maybe the worst farm system in baseball, the White Sox have a chance to add a franchise player here and should go after the kid with perhaps the highest ceiling among the prep bats. Gatewood is a 6’-5”, 190 pound right-hander with some serious raw power, as well as excellent bat speed. He won the Junior Home Run Derby at Citi Field, slugging 13 home runs — three of them reaching the third deck. I also got to see him launch several bombs out of Wrigley Field as he won the home run derby at the 2013 Under Armour All American Game. He most likely will have to move off shortstop but his canon arm and instincts should play well at the hot corner or a corner outfield spot where his bat will more than justify the position. High character kid who is committed to USC.
4. Chicago Cubs — Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina
With Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Albert Almora and Jorge Soler leading the way, the Cubs have some outstanding offensive potential coming through the system at a rapid pace. By selecting Hoffman here, they can hopefully add that ace in the rotation they so desperately need. The 6’-4”, 200-pound right-hander was dominate at the Cape Cod League this year. Over 24.1 innings, he had 33 K/5 BB and allowed 20 hits for Hyannis. His fastball can touch 98 mph, and both his curveball and change-up are solid offerings and getting better. Over 15 starts as a sophomore, he had a 3.20 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 84 K/39 BB over 109.2 innings. His 7.3 innings-per-start show the kind of stamina he has, and he maintains velocity deep in games.
5. Minnesota Twins — Tyler Kolek, RHP, Sheppard HS (TX)
After selecting flamethrower Kohl Stewart fourth-overall this year, the Twins can add another power arm in Kolek, a 6’-6”, 240 pound right-hander who can touch triple-digits with his fastball. I got to see him throw at Wrigley and he was hitting 99 mph with ease. He also shows a good feel for a slider that has plus potential. His size suggests even more velocity could be coming, and he has great body control considering his frame. He has been timed at 4.8 in the 40, showing great athleticism. He is another in a long line of country strong, hard throwers from the state of Texas.
6. Seattle Mariners — Michael Gettys, OF, Gainesville HS (GA)
There isn’t much to nitpick about the 6’-2” right-hander with all five tools. He has plus speed, an arm that has been clocked at 100 mph from the outfield and, with great bat speed, the power is coming fast. A two-way player with great stuff on the mound, his future is in the outfield where his speed and arm make him a legitimate center field prospect at the next level. Another kid who I got to see launch bombs out of Wrigley, as well as show off him arm with a strike to third base from centerfield, the Mariners would be getting a high character kid with as much talent as anyone in the 2014 MLB draft.
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7. Philadelphia Phillies — Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt
At 6’-4” and 215 pounds, the right-hander has the size, along with the stuff, to be an ace at the next level. He features a classic three-pitch mix with a mid-90s plus fastball with great movement, a plus power curveball and a deceptive change-up that freezes hitters. Opponents hit just .187 against him as a sophomore as his ability to miss bats is something to see. The one knock on him is that he also has a tendency to miss the strike zone. His stuff and make-up are top notch, however, and if he can harness his control as a junior, he could challenge Rodon for the top pick. Posted a 2.32 ERA, 1.26 with 103 K/63 BB over 101 innings for the Commodores.
8. Colorado Rockies — Sean Newcomb, LHP, Hartford
The 6’-5”, 240-pound southpaw was among the leaders in K/9 with a 11.5 mark this season thanks to a fastball that can touch 95 mph. Over 13 starts, he had a 3.75 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 92 K/37 BB over 72 innings while holding hitters to a .213 batting average. With increased improvement of his command, as well as secondary stuff, he should be a big name to watch next year.
9. Toronto Blue Jays — Braxton Davidson, OF, TC Roberson HS (NC)
The 6’-3”, 215-pound left-hander will be one of the best prep bats in the 2014 MLB mock draft (and the real one too) due to his bat speed, advanced approach at the plate and raw power. He shows good pitch recognition, and his strong wrists allow him to wait on any pitch. Over 31 games as a junior, he hit .403 with seven doubles, eight home runs, and drew 30 walks for a .600 OBP/.831 SLG. His strong arm would play well in a corner outfield spot.
10. New York Mets — Grant Holmes, RHP, Conway HS (SC)
A Florida Gator commit, the 6’-2”, 190-pound right-hander hit 96 mph at the Perfect Game Nationals and flashed a plus curveball with excellent command. He also hit 95 mph at the PG Classic, showing one of the better fastballs in the prep class. He adds an above-average change-up, rounding out a solid three-pitch mix. Some scouts think he has maxed out physically, limiting his upside, but as it is, he profiles to a mid-rotation starter and possibly as high as a two. He is a very good athlete with a sound delivery and one of the best prep arms in the draft.
Read more at http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-mock-draft-2-0-draft-order-set/38280#5E3F5j1jWOgE69bJ.99
The rest of the list... http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-mock-draft-2-0-draft-order-set/38280
If only we could've lost that last game and got the 7th pick... Anyway. I know it's still way to early but this definitely sounds like a very solid draft up top. Alex Jackson isn't even in the top 10. With teams like Minnesota & the Cubs in need of pitching in front of us, I hope a solid bat like Jackson, Gettys or Gatewood falls to us.
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