5/4/14

Draft 14 – Braxton Davidson, Brandon Finnegan, Grayson Greiner, Jeff Hoffman, Branden Kelliher



2-3-14 – MaxPreps - Top 10 MLB Draft Prospects in high school - 5. Braxton Davidson, Roberson (Asheville, N.C.) Davidson has consistently been listed as one of the top five players in every mock draft. An infielder in high school, he could move to the outfield at the next level. Davidson doesn't have great power, but scouts expect him to be a consistent hitter at the next level. He could go somewhere in the top 15. http://www.maxpreps.com/news/B41AzcsA90iOL5xwFL8T7Q/top-10-major-league-baseball-draft-high-school-prospects.htm

3-25-14 – TTF 10 college players on the rise — week 6  - Brandon Finnegan, LHP, TCU (18) - With 10 K/2 BB over seven shutout innings against Texas Tech on March 21, Finnegan now has double-digit strikeouts in five of his six starts this season. In the other one, he had nine strikeouts. With 65 K/9 BB over 43.2 innings, he has a 13.4 K/9 ratio to go along with a 1.44 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and .172 BAA. Arguably the best pitcher in college this season with a fastball that touches 100 mph to go along with a plus slider, he isn’t being considered for the top-five selections because of one thing — his size. At 5’-11” and 195 pounds, he is considered undersized to be an elite starter at the next level simply because of the track record for guys that size. There is always the anomaly, however, and if a team believes he can continue to dominate at the next level, there is no telling how high he could go. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-college-players-rise-week-6/42071#MDUXGtxd7YCtKt0X.99

3-6-14 – Nats GM -  Grayson Greiner C University of South Carolina - The first thing you notice about Greiner is his physically imposing size, as he appears larger than his listed 6-5 220lbs; this immediately makes scouts question if Greiner will be able to remain a catcher in the professional ranks.  However, Greiner provides a big, quiet target for the pitcher, shows notable arm strength, and is fairly agile behind the plate, making him a surprisingly quality defensive catcher.  Offensively Greiner has a longish swing with quality bat speed, but has not shown the production or power one might expect from such a strong, talented prospect in his first two collegiate seasons. Greiner will be an interesting prospect this coming June, as some teams will be put off by his size and lack of power numbers in college, yet some team will fall in love with his present defensive skills and dream on the potential of his bat.  While I do not see him as a 1st round pick, polished collegiate catchers are always in demand on draft day, and I see Greiner being selected early in June. http://natsgm.com/2014/03/06/scouting-the-2014-mlb-draft-early-march-edition/

3-5-14 – TTF - 10 college players on the rise — week 3 - Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina (3) - It’s hard to say Hoffman is rising considering he is already projected as a top-three pick. With his latest outing, however, he could be challenging Carlos Rodon for the top spot by the end of the year. Against Western Kentucky on Friday, the 6’-4” right-hander was brilliant, striking out 14 to one walk over eight innings. He allowed one unearned run on five hits in the no-decision. He had been showing off his ridiculous repertoire all year, but this time the results matched the stuff. With four pitches that grade out to at least above-average, along with his size and effortless delivery, the Justin Verlander comps are looking legit. Hoffman now has 26 K/6 BB over 21.1 innings, allowing just 14 hits. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-week-3/41478#ilZqhEaASo2Kkjik.99


P - Branden Kelliher, RHP/SS, Sr., Lake Stevens (Wash.) - The biggest arm in the region belongs to a smaller right hander, and his development has continued to progress at a good pace ever since establishing himself as one of the top prospects in the northwest at a young age. Kelliher ran his fastball up to 94 at the WWBA World Championship in October and he pairs it with two good offspeed pitches, an upper 70s curveball with hard 12-6 break that has reached as high as 80 mph, and an advanced changeup. He's also a good shortstop at this level and is one of the best all around high school players in the region. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9561

No comments: