Draft 14 – Sean Newcomb, Alex Jackson, Max Pentecost, Cole Tucker, Clay Casey

2-11-14 - Number 6 on the countdown is Hartford junior LHP Sean Newcomb. The Middleboro, Massachusetts native attended Middleboro High School where he went 9-0 with a 0.46 ERA and three saves as a senior in 58 innings pitched. As a freshman, he made nine starts while going 2-4 with a 4.17 ERA in 45.1 innings pitched before suffering a season ending injury. His sophomore season saw him go 5-4 with a 3.75 ERA in 13 appearances (12 starts) while striking out 92 batters in only 72 innings pitched. He walked 37 batters while holding opponents to a .213 average. http://ht.ly/2DLX8Y

3-25-14 – MLB Draft Insider Mock – 06   Alex Jackson      C/OF      Rancho Bernardo HS (Calif.)  - Hey! A hitter! I’d say that no position players in the top five is just a case of the pitching being amazing, but, that’d be a lie. Jackson hasn’t been outstanding to start the year, but I think he has the most talent of any hitter — college or prep — in this year’s class. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/03/the-board-2014-volume-ii/

2-5-14 - Max Pentecost, C, Kennesaw State - If scouts believe Pentecost can stick behind the plate, he has an outside chance to go this high with a strong junior season. His offensive potential alone makes him a first round pick. He picked up MVP honors at the Cape Cod League after hitting .346 over 35 games with six home runs, 29 RBI and five stolen bases. He also drew 16 walks to 22 strikeouts, showing off a solid approach at the plate. The 6’-2”, 195 pound right-hander is a very good athlete who has been clocked at 6.8 in the 60. Over 57 games as a sophomore, he hit .302/.374/.410 with 14 doubles, three home runs and drew 22 walks to 27 strikeouts. More of a line-drive hitter right now, many believe more power is going to come. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-dark-horse-candidates-chicago-cubs-first-pick/41075#UeYBipV5rOuYd7xE.99

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 67. Atlanta Braves — Cole Tucker, SS, Mountain Pointe HS (AZ) - A switch-hitting shortstop with crazy hair who does everything well on a baseball field, the 6′-3″, 175 pound Tucker is long and rangy with good actions to remain at a premium position. He was a leader for the gold-medal winning U18 USA Team. At the plate, he makes good contact with a loose swing and projects to a top-of-the-order hitter with decent speed (6.8/60). Committed to Arizona. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 40 Clay Casey OF R/R 6-1 196 Desoto Central, Southhaven, Miss. Mississippi http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/

Draft 14 – Grant Holmes, Brady Aiken, Cole Tucker, Jakson Reetz

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 18. Kansas City Royals — Grant Holmes, RHP, Conway HS (SC) - One of the better performers over the summer, the 6’-2” right-hander wowed scouts with a plus fastball, plus curveball and great command. He sat in the mid-90s all summer with his fastball and showed an above-average change-up to round out a three-pitch mix. The one knock: Many believe he has maxed out physically and there isn’t much projection left. Still, he projects to a mid-rotation starter who should miss a lot of bats. Committed to Florida. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

12-9-13 – Pine Tar Press  -  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) http://pinetarpress.com/early-look-2014-mlb-draft/

12-10-13 – TTF – Top 50 HS Players - 45. Cole Tucker, SS, Mountain Pointe HS (AZ)  - A switch-hitting shortstop with crazy hair who does everything well on a baseball field, the 6′-3″, 175-pound Tucker is long and rangy with good actions to remain at a premium position. He was a leader for the gold-medal winning U18 USA Team. At the plate, he makes good contact with a loose swing and projects to a top-of-the-order hitter with decent speed (6.8/60). Committed to Arizona. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-top-50/40532#zz88YJZTOG8iEa1Z.99

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 33 Jakson Reetz C/OF R/R 6-0 206 Norris HS, Hickman, Neb. Nebraska http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/

Draft 14 – Kodi Medeiros, Gabe Gonzalez, Aaron Nola, Nick Gordon, ColeTucker

11-11-13 – PG HS Rankings – 5  -   Kodi Medeiros LHP OF, 1B 6-0 185 L L Waiakea Hilo HI  Pepperdine Big League  -  Can flat out pitch! Unhittable and up to 95 at PG AA. Excellent breaking ball. Impressed at WWBA World Championship http://www.perfectgame.org/Rankings/Players/Default.aspx?gyear=2014&num=500


11-6-13 – Todd Gold – WWBA World Championship – Gabe Gonzalez (2014 RHP, Ohio Warhawks) - While most of the scouting world caught a glimpse of the power armed Las Vegas product in his first outing at the Area Code Games, most of that massive scouting contingent had left Long Beach before he took the mound for his second outing, in which he was far more comfortable. After topping out at 89 mph and finding himself behind in the count too frequently to show any of his offspeed pitches, most scouts didn't get to see the real Gonzalez. With his nerves calmed, his second outing of the Area Code Games was considerably better, and while he still battled some wildness, he sat 88-90 touching 91 and got to use his solid mid-70s curveball and low-80s changeup. In Jupiter he kicked it up another notch, hitting 94 mph in a relief outing. His fastball velocity also plays up due to the combination of a wingspan longer than that of a typical 6-foot-3 pitcher, with his very long arm action and long extension out front. He's still a bit of a mystery as a prospect, but scouts will be watching him closely next spring as they search for clues as to his future. One thing is certain, he has a live arm. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9157


11-4-13 – MLB Draft Insider - Top 14 for ’14: College Pitchers - 5. Aaron Nola / RHP / LSU – Nola was one of the best pitchers in the SEC last year, pounding the strike zone with a low 90′s fastball and above-average secondary offerings. His arm slot is a major concern from the scouts I’ve talked to, however. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2013/11/top-14-for-14-college-pitchers/


10-15-13 – Baseball America - 11. Nick Gordon, ss/rhp, Olympia HS, Orlando, Fla.: The son of former big leaguer Tom and brother of Dodgers infielder Dee has a chance to stick at short with a plus arm, good actions and a solid lefthanded swing. http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-draft-top-50-october-2013-carlos-rodon/


9-11-13 - Sully’s 2014 Top 100 MLB HS Draft Prospects – 18.Cole Tucker – SS, Mountain Pointe (AZ) HS http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-2014-top-100-mlb-hs-draft-prospects/

Draft 14 – Cole Tucker, Sean Reid-Foley, Alex Jackson, Ryan Castellani, Bryan Dobzanski

8-23-13 - Player:  Cole Tucker   Primary Position:  SS  Height/Weight:  6’3/175  Bats/Throws:  S/R Home Town:  Phoenix, AZ  School:  Mountain Pointe  Class of:  2014  Committed To:  Arizona  Scouting Notes: 2013 Tournament of Stars notes from Don Olsen: Cole is a tall thin frame with a good deal of projection, very little lower half development with long arms, hands and feet big for frame, could continue to grow.  He is a little noisy in the box from the left side, good bat speed, path with a bit of lift.  Cole has gap power and ability to turn on velocity.  Right side was a little more natural, path was similar, but more line drive path.  Both sides show the bat speed and patience, works the ball to all fields.  Cole displays above average to plus speed, could be a high doubles producing bat with developing power.  Plus arm strength with carry, moves around well, first step burst, lateral range to both sides.  His footwork around the bag is fluid, quality defensive player. http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/08/22/2014-mlb-draft-profile-cole-tucker/

 

8-16-13 - 11th All-American Classic - Sean Reid-Foley | RHP | Sandalwood HS (Sandalwood, FL) - Height/Weight: 6-foot-3/208 pounds - B/T: R/R  Draft Day Age: 18 years, 9 months Commitment: Florida State - istory: Reid-Foley’s solid PG National showing in June kicked off his summer, and he quickly followed up that performance with a Tournament of Stars showing that earned him an invite to the USA Baseball 18U Team Trials beginning today in Fullerton, California. Two weeks ago the Florida State commit sparkled in a three-inning outing in Syracuse, New York during the East Coast Pro Showcase, easily carving through the outing sitting 92-94 mph and showing two future plus offerings in a low-80s slider and mid-80s changeup. His follow-up outing in Long Beach at the Area Code Games last week involved a step back, as he struggled to find consistency in his offerings and left some evaluators wondering whether he was running on empty after a long summer schedule. - Development: This past weekend in San Diego, Reid-Foley was once again dominant—this time in a one-inning showing during the Perfect Game All-American Classic. His fastball sat in the 92-94 mph range, touching 95, and his slider was back to flashing plus with hard bite and tilt. It was an important outing in front of a lot of high-level decision makers, particularly after struggling in front a lot of the same faces last week in Long Beach. Reid-Foley has raised his stock greatly this summer and should enter the spring as one of the top righty arms in the class.  http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=21537

 

8-13-13 - The Perfect Game All-American Classic in San Diego - Rancho Bernardo’s Alex Jackson. Jackson was a bit more inconsistent over the weekend, but if you had to ask me which player I like better now, I’d take Jackson. He’s not a catcher, but he’s got the athleticism and arm strength to be a very good rightfielder, and the bat will certainly play there with plus bat speed and above-average power. There may not be as much upside in Jackson, but I think the overall package is just a little better. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2013/08/thoughts-on-perfect-game-all-american-classic/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

8-14-13 – Through The Fence – Top 50 Prospects – 28. Ryan Castellani, RHP, Brophy Prep HS (AZ) - The 6’-4”, 200-pound right-hander has an advanced feel for the mound and can dial his fastball up to 92 mph with late, downward life. He adds a mid-70s curve and a change-up that sits in the 79-83 mph range and both project to above-average pitches down the road. He has good command of his stuff and there is still room for projection due to his size and easy mechanics. Committed to UCLA. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-top-50-prospects/36463#mwWwsFxSUZy7YC5V.99

 

2013 East Coast Pro Showcase Top 50 Prospects    - 24. Bryan Dobzanski – RHP, Delsea Regional (NJ) - 6’4, 225 RHP sat 91-93. All state wrestler who has big time potential on the mound. http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-top-50-ecp-prospects/

 

Draft 14 – Cole Tucker, Ryan Castellani, Mitch Hart, Joe Torres, Bubba Cates

7-2-13 - 2014 Top 100 High School Prospects - 16. Cole Tucker- SS, Mountain Pointe (AZ) HS - One of the most exciting players in the country. Game comes easy to him and plays with big time intensity. http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/jeff-sullivans-top-100-2014-prospects/

7-24-13  -  Ryan Castellani, rhp, Brophy College Prep, Phoenix/Diamondbacks Elite Scout Team - With broad shoulders and lean legs, Castellani has a tall, athletic and evenly-proportioned 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame that offers projection. Using a full wind-up, Castellani gets downhill plane from his three-quarter arm slot. Over the last year, the UCLA commit has reduced the effort in his delivery and shortened his arm action, producing a loose, whippy arm. Castellani has hit 93 mph and sits 89-91 with his fastball. He has feel for a 78-82 mph changeup with tumble that has the makings of an average pitch and a mid-70s curveball. Castellani has an advanced feel for pitching. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/tyler-koleks-heavy-fastball-among-tournament-of-stars-standouts/

7-25-13 – Top 30 High School Prospects For 2014 Draft - 27. Mitch Hart, RHP, Granite Bay HS (CA) - 6'4/175, Draft Day Age: 17.80, USC commit - Quick Take: Hart is another solid projection play in this class, as one of the younger player in the class with good command and a long, lean frame that should add strength down the road. He'll sit 88-92 with occasional sinking life, two above average off-speed pitches in a 78-80 mph slider and 80-82 mph changeup and a curveball that's average and changes hitters' eye level. http://sbb.scout.com/2/1310090.html

7-28-13 - Iona College baseball rising senior outfielder Joe Torres was named Most Valuable Player of the 2013 New England Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game for his performance in leading the East squad to a 2-1 victory Sunday evening. Torres came off the bench as a reserve, singled in his only plate appearance and scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. With one out, Torres sparked the East's decisive rally of the contest. The Laconia outfielder slung a base hit to left before moving to second on a hit by pitch. One batter later, Tyler Boyd (Mystic Schooners / Seton Hall University) drilled a single to right field. An errant throw rolled through the diamond and allowed Torres to score, giving the East a lead they would not relinquish. http://m.icgaels.com/mobile/ViewArticle.dbml?atclid=208759160&DB_MENU_ID=&SPSID=&SPID=&DB_OEM_ID=14900

7-29-13 - College Baseball Daily has learned that Bubba Cates has been relieved of his duties as head coach at Tennessee-Martin according to sources close to the situation. Cates has been with the Skyhawks program for the last 15 years as they went 11-40 overall and 4-26 in Ohio Valley Conference play in 2013. A national search for a new head coach is set to begin soon. As always, College Baseball Daily will keep you informed with the latest coaching moves across the country. http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2013/07/29/bubba-cates-out-at-tennessee-martin/

Draft 14 – Tyler Nurdin, Sam Travis, Trea Turner, Cole Tucker

Sophomore lefty Tyler Nurdin (4-3, 1.83) was hampered by turf toe for much of the season but threw a complete-game shutout in his final regular-season start, and he has learned to command a solid four-pitch mix (5-29-13) - LINK

Sam Travis, 1B, Indiana - I need to show some love for the Midwest. Travis was named the Big 10 Freshman of the Year after hitting .319 over 60 games with 17 doubles, nine home runs, 50 RBI and a slash line of .397/.509/.906. The 6’-0”, 200-pound right-hander reached base in his first 30 games, including a 17-game hitting streak. This season, he has reached base in all eight of Indiana’s games to start the season. Over those eight games, he is 13-for-29 (.448) with five doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI and 10 walks for a ridiculous slash line of .600/.828/1.428. 

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Trea Turner has taken a long path to likely top 10 pick and possible #1 overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft. He was a little-known late riser as a senior from a south Florida high school that passed on a six figure offer from the Pirates as a 20th round pick. I talked to him earlier this season after a solid game early in his return from an ankle injury. He described how he knew he was just a physically weaker, slap-hitting, one dimensional prospect in high school that couldn't get calls returned from his dream school, Florida State. Some elite athletes aren't developed when they turn 18 and especially the slim-bodied, up-the-middle type athletes often have to add some bulk and develop physically before it all comes together.  LINK

Todd Gold ‏@TGold_PG  - Bomb shy...2014 SS Cole Tucker (Phoenix, AZ) is now 3-for-3 with a 1B, 2B & 3B for the #Dbacks Elite Scout Team (all from L side)