2/23/14

Top 10 LHP In 2014 MLB Draft - Updated 2-22-14

   
     1.       Carlos Rodon – North Carolina State –




9-4-13 – Mack’s Mock Draft v1.0 –  1 – Houston – LHSP Carlos Rodon – North Carolina State – This might be the last year that the Astros gets the first pick in the draft, though it is the third in the row. It’s close to impossible… no, I take that back… it’s literally impossible for them to pass on picking Rodon, who is so far more taleted than anyone in this draft. He has a five- pitch arsenal that includes a mid-90s fastball, a wipeout slider, a lethal cutter, an above-average curveball and a change-up with nice fade. He could be in the majors by late 2015.


1-20-14 – PG Preseason College All-Americans - Starting Pitcher - Carlos Rodon, NC State - 2013 Stats: 2.99 ERA, 132 1/3 IP, 184 K, 45 BB, .200 OPP BA - It really doesn’t get any better than Rodon in college baseball. Rodon has a physical frame at 6-foot-3, 234 pounds, and is incredibly difficult to hit, especially when he has the slider working from the left side. Rodon has a fastball into the mid-90s, a solid slider in the mid- to upper-80s, and a low-80s changeup that continues to develop. Assuming he has a good 2014 campaign, look for Rodon to be the top overall pick in the MLB draft next summer. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9294

   
     2.       Brady Aiken – Cathedral Catholic (CA) HS –

9-4-13 – Mack’s Mock Draft v1.0 – 16 –  LHP Brady Aiken – Cathedral Catholic (CA) HS – 6-4 frame, Aiken is going to be a great major league pitcher. Had a great summer at the 11th All-American Classic and the Area Code Games. Every scout was wowed by his control… 91-92 fastball… 73-74 curve. He also will be one of the youngest players in the 2014 draft. Could easily wind up a top 10 pick.


2-5-14 - Brady Aiken, LHP, Cathedral Catholic HS (CA) - Arguably the most polished prep pitcher available in the 2014 MLB draft, Aiken is a 6’-4”, 205 pound southpaw with some upside left. His fastball can touch 94 mph but sits more in the 89-92 range with good tailing action. His curveball sits in the low 70s and looks like a future out-pitch with good rotation. His change-up has good depth and deception and sits in the low 80s. He is an alumni of Team USA Baseball and was the winning pitcher in the gold-medal game against Japan in the World Cup Championship in Taiwan, allowing just one run over seven innings while striking out 10. The Cubs also lack depth in left-handed starting pitching and Aiken is a mature kid with great mound presence. Committed to UCLA. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-dark-horse-candidates-chicago-cubs-first-pick/41075#UeYBipV5rOuYd7xE.99

   
     3.       Kyle Freeland – Evansville –

2-5-14 - Kyle Freeland, LHP, Evansville - The southpaw was extremely impressive at the Cape Cod League, posting a 2.25 ERA and 48 K/4 BB over 40 innings. He seemed to get better as the season went on, and his last start was his best outing — he allowed three hits over seven shutout innings while striking out 10 to no walks. His slider is already a plus pitch, and his fastball can touch 96 mph and sits in the 91-94 mph range. His change-up is still developing, and there is some effort in his delivery, but with his size (6’-4”, 185 pounds) and athleticism, there is a lot to like as a possible number-two starter. Projected as a mid-to-late first-round pick, he would have to show a lot this year to be considered at four. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-dark-horse-candidates-chicago-cubs-first-pick/41075#UeYBipV5rOuYd7xE.99


    4.       Kodi Medeiros - Waiakea (HI) HS –

9-4-13 – Mack’s Mock Draft v1.0 – 26 – LHP Kodi Medeiros - Waiakea (HI) HS – No one has come out of nowhere quicker this summer than Medeiros, who turned heads at June's PG National in Minnesota. Scouts said his stuff was ‘absolutely filthy’, aided by his strange deliver. FB: 90-93, 94… 78-80 breaking ball… throws from low three-quarters — almost sidearm.

2-6-14 - Looks like pitching leads the way in the Four Corners region with Kodi Medeiros taking the top spot. (Check out his Day in the Life here and see how he spends the time in Hawaii.) He is a 6-foot-1, 190 pound lefty out of Waiakea (Hilo, Hawaii) and is headed to Pepperdine. At the Area Code Games, playing for the Reds, in August he was in the low 90′s and by the time he got to the Perfect Game All-American Classic later that week he touched 95.  - See more at: http://www.studentsports.com/baseball/2014/02/06/kodi-medeiros-leads-top-players-corners-hawaii/#sthash.qpfyJAOu.dpuf

   
      5.       Sean Newcomb – Hartford –

2-5-14 - Sean Newcomb, LHP, Hartford - He has the size and power arm you want in a frontline starter. At 6’-5” and 240 pounds, the southpaw can dial his fastball up to 95 mph. His secondary stuff stills needs some refining, although his slider shows plus potential. His change-up is still developing and continued progress this year could shoot him up draft boards. 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. There is a lot to like about a pitcher of his size, arm strength and possible four-pitch mix from the left side. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-dark-horse-candidates-chicago-cubs-first-pick/41075#UeYBipV5rOuYd7xE.99

   
     6.       David Peterson - Regis Jesuit (CO) HS –

8-29-13 - Player:  David Peterson   Primary Position:  LHP  Secondary Position(s):  1B  Height/Weight:  6’6/220  Bats/Throws:  L/L  Home Town:  Denve. CO  School:  Regis Jesuit  Class of:  2014  Committed To:  Oregon  Scouting Notes:  2013 Tournament of Stars Notes from Don Olsen  - David is a long, lean, loose projectable arm with present arm speed in a Tyler Skaggs type mold.  He hides the ball well in a nice ¾ slot, angle is tough to pick up with his long arms and lateral two way plane.  David shows a bit of big man mechanics that could use minor ironing, but good arm action.  Fastball has a lot of life on it, 89-90 mph, with a bit more left in the tank.  Curve has a slurve type feel, 76-77 mph, and can be tough on LHH to square up.  He flashes a straight or split change that has a little depth and is projectable offering. Frame and ability are highly enticing; with a good chance for three pitch mix. http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/08/28/2014-mlb-draft-profile-david-peterson/

   
     7.       Brandon Finnegan – TCU –

9-4-13 – Mack’s Mock Draft v1.0 – 27 –  LHP Brandon Finnegan – TCU – In any other year Finnegan would be easily ranked as the top college lefty in the draft.  Fastball: 93-96, 97…  slider: 85-85... change 82-85… Very polished pitcher who mixes pitches well. Some project him out as an eventual closer.

2-1-14 - Brandon Finnegan - Texas Christian University  - Standing under 6', listed at 5'11", 190 LBS, Finnegan wouldn't be as big of a prospect as a righty but he is blessed to be throwing from the left side. He is mature physically and likely won't add any velocity. He has a solid delivery with a ¾ arm slot and long arm action in back but he repeats it fairly well. His fastball sits 90-95 but I have seen it up to 101 on a TV gun, which I'm sure was a little hot. I've heard reports up to 98. His command has improved since he was a freshman as has his stamina and ability to hold his velocity deeper into games. As a freshman, I thought I was watching a future closer. As a sophomore, he looked like there was a good chance to start and I think that remains. http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/2/1/5365036/2014-mlb-draft-profile-brandon-finnegan-lhp-texas-christian-university

   
      8.       Mac Marshall – Parkview (GA) HS –

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 22. Cleveland Indians — Mac Marshall, LHP, Parkview HS (GA) - One of the better southpaws in the 2014 MLB draft, Marshall’s fastball sits in the low/mid-90s and he has worked hard on his delivery and command over the past year. He also flashed a potential plus curveball at the Perfect Game Nationals. At 6’-2” and 185 pounds, he is a great athlete who has been clocked at 6.7 in the 60. As a junior, he had 80 K/32 BB over 46 innings for one of the premiere programs in the country. Committed to LSU. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

   
      9.       Justus Sheffield – Tullahoma (TN) –

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 32. Boston Red Sox (Jacoby Ellsbury) — Justus Sheffield, LHP, Tullahoma HS (TN) - Much like his older brother Jordan, who was considered first-round material until Tommy John surgery all but made him honor his commitment to Vanderbilt, Justus has a plus fastball that can touch 94 mph. The 6’-0” southpaw is a great athlete and also adds an above-average, mid-70s change, as well as a mid-70s curve that still needs refining. Committed to Vanderbilt. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99


    10.   Forest Griffin – The First Academy (FL) HS –


9-4-13 – Mack’s Mock Draft v1.0 – 24 –  LHP Forrest Griffin – The First Academy (FL) HS – Another big lefty (6-5) tha has moved into my first round after an impressive summer at places like the 2013 USA Baseball Tournament of Stars and Under Armour All-Star Game. Fastball: 89-91… curve 73-75… still some velo projection. Had a great summer

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 58. Washington Nationals — Foster Griffin, LHP, The First Academy (FL) - At 6’-5” and 190 pounds, the southpaw has a lot of projection and already has a great feel for pitching. His fastball can touch 92 mph and he adds a mid-70s change-up with nice fade. He has a loose and lanky frame, which bodes well for added velocity and mechanics. His size alone makes him an intriguing prospect. Committed to Mississippi. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

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