Pine Tar Press - Mock

1- LHP Carlos Rodon NC State 12/10/92: Clear-cut #1 player in the 2014 MLB draft. The lefty has dominated college baseball with a plus fastball and slider. (Astros @ 1)

2- RHP Jeff Hoffman East Carolina 1/8/93: He received very little attention immediately out of HS in upstate New York but he began to become a guy during the Connie Mack World Series in August of 2011.  He became a dude when he threw 95 during the 2012 Cape Cod All-Star game. Tall, lean RHP with a projectable frame and easy mid 90’s heat and a big breaking curve. (Marlins @ 2)

3- RHP Tyler Kolek Shepherd HS (TCU commit) 12/28/95- Big Texas kid with the quintessential “Texas body” who arrived late on the scene in baseball circles because he missed his junior campaign with a broken left arm. He arrived when he threw 97 at an Area Codes Game tryout and followed that up as a late arrival to the PG National at the Metrodome. His power arm is still finding command of his secondary pitches but it looks like the slider might end up being his second offering. His younger brother, Stephen looks to be a high pick in 2015. (White Sox @ 3)

4- C Alex Jackson Rancho Bernardo HS (Oregon commit) 12/25/95- He comes from baseball rich HS Rancho Bernardo in So Cal and is very well known on the showcase scene. He has a very good arm and probably moves to RF as a pro. RH power is hard to find and this kid has it.  Showcased his arm at PG national with a 1.85 POP time and an easy swing, very lively bat. He was also clocked at 97 in the OF which would certainly be a plus arm out there. (Twins @ 5)

5- C Max Pentecost Kennesaw State 3/10/93- Rangers missed out on a good one here when they failed to sign the 7^th rounder out of high school. He nearly missed winning the Triple Crown on the Cape last summer and after watching him play 4 times he is very easy to dream on. He is, without a doubt, my favorite hitting prospect in this draft. I read a lot of report on him and no one mentions his speed or baseball IQ. He really reminds me of Craig Biggio and I know he is a guy that could be a terrific catcher or patrol CF with his speed. (Which I definitely do not think is just average as several have put in their reports) The ball just jumps off his bat and if you respect his power and play back he will lay down a perfect drag bunt on you. He is simply a ball player and I would have no problem taking him with a top 10 pick. (Mets @ 10)

6- RHP Tyler Beede Vanderbilt 5/23/93- He turned down the Blue Jays (21^st overall) out of HS and has become a dominant collegiate for Vandy winning 14 games as a sophomore. He has 3 solid pitches with a 92-94 fastball and a very good curve and change. He still has question marks with overall command. (Cubs @ 4)

7- SS Trea Turner NC State 6/30/93- Plus speed guy who will join his Wolfpack teammate as a top 10 pick.  He has all of the intangibles of a great offensive weapon including plate awareness, and a solid line drive swing.  He should be able to stick at SS but should also be viewed as a potential CF. (Mariners @ 6)

8-OF/RHP Michael Gettys Gainesville HS (Georgia Commit) 10/22/95- He is probably the most exciting player in this draft with his 5 tool potential as an OF and his powerful arm off the mound. I like him, as a position player personally as his tool set is game changing. He has plus speed with a plus arm (throwing 100 from RF in a showcase) but with his aggressive approach he still lacks the elite status because of his swing and miss potential. (Phillies @ 7)

9- LHP Brady Aiken Cathedral Catholic HS (UCLA Commit) 8/16/96- He is going to be 17 at the time of the draft, which is impressive considering many kids with his birthday, would be going into their junior year. The top high school lefty in the country working with 3 solid, not spectacular, pitches. He turns a lot of heads with his overall athleticism. He would be a potential 2-way player if he were to go to UCLA. He has a very deliberate arm and was 88-91 at PG national last June. He showed a change at 83 and a mid 70’s curve. (Blue Jays @ 9)

10- RHP Luis Ortiz Sanger HS (Fresno State Commit) 9/22/95- Like a lot of HS arms Ortiz oozes with potential. Right now, he is pretty darn good and he could quickly emerge as a top 5 pick before the June draft. He has powerful legs and I could easily see the 6’2 righty as a 97-98 guy as he reaches his prime. He also possesses a solid slide piece and will show a curve and change. (Blue Jays @ 11)

http://pinetarpress.com/early-look-2014-mlb-draft/