Draft 14 – Marcus Wilson, Grant Holmes, Aaron Nola, Brady Aiken, Austin Murphy

2-10-14 - Serra’s Marcus Wilson, an Arizona State commit, was the unofficial MVP of the game (there aren’t any official stats). Wilson had two doubles in three trips to the plate and added a stolen base. “Today you saw what Marcus is all about, and what he can be,” a National League scout said. “As he fills out and gains more strength, one of those balls gets out of here.” Of the players who attended, Wilson (No. 24) was the highest-ranked on Baseball America’s most recent Top 100 high schoolers  http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/marcus-wilson-shines-at-southern-california-invitational/

3-25-14 – MLB Draft Insider Mock – 04   Grant Holmes    RHP        Conway HS (S.C.) - I second-guessed myself the moment I had Holmes outside of the top five last time, and I’m not going to let that happen to me this time. There’s just too much here (three quality pitches, good feel for pitching, ready-now body) to keep him out of the top five. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/03/the-board-2014-volume-ii/

2-9-14 - Number 12 on our countdown is LSU junior RHP Aaron Nola. The 6’1 right-handed pitcher from Baton Rouge, Louisiana was selected in the 22nd round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011. During his freshman season, Nola made 19 appearances for the Tigers including 16 starts. He posted a 7-4 record with an ERA of 3.61. In his 89.2 innings pitched Nola struck out 89 while walking just seven—the fewest amount of walks allowed in the SEC. His success earned him a variety of awards including being named to the Freshman All-SEC team, NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team, and Freshman All-American honors. http://ht.ly/2DHAhD

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

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 77 Austin Murphy OF L/L 6-2* 210 Episcopal HS, Jacksonville Auburn http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/