Mack's Mets: TTF - Mock 8.0

5/13/14

TTF - Mock 8.0

1. Houston Astros — Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State

Rodon started this wild year here, and I believe he will end it here. After a bit of a rocky start in which his command and stuff were off, he has been back to his dominant self of late, posting a 0.71 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 51 K/11 BB over his last five starts (38.1 IP) He has that ridiculous slider, his fastball is back to the mid-90s with giddy-up, and, at 6’-3” and 240 pounds, he is a workhorse who never seems to tire out there.

2. Miami Marlins — Nick Gordon, SS, Olympia HS (FL)

Alright, this is where I think it starts to get strategic. Now, Gordon is one of the best players in this class and has been rising all year due to his ability to stick at shortstop, advanced approach at the plate and developing power from the left side. Being represented by his dad — former big league closer Tom Gordon — the Marlins could get him for under slot, thus saving some money for their other three picks in the top 43 and maybe try and lure one of the three prep players I mentioned above to sign. Over 30 games, Gordon hit .506/.613/.874 with 10 doubles, six home runs and 19 stolen bases. He drew 18 walks and struck out just three times. Committed to Florida State.

3. Chicago White Sox — Brady Aiken, LHP, Cathedral Catholic HS (CA)

With Tyler Kolek and Brady Aiken on the board, I think the White Sox would go with the more polished pitcher and the kid with better overall present stuff. At 6’-4” and 200 pounds, Aiken wowed scouts all year with his added velocity and has touched 96 mph this year. He adds two potential plus off-speed offerings and he has excellent command of his stuff. Kenny Williams and Co. haven’t taken a prep pitcher in the first round since 2001 but Aiken is too good to pass up. The southpaw has been getting the Clayton Kershaw comp and he’s pretty good. Through 43.2 innings, he has 80 K/7 BB, allowing five runs on 19 hits. Committed to UCLA.

4. Chicago Cubs — Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt

With Kolek still on the board, I hope the Cubs take Beede here. Nothing against Kolek, but I just love Beede, and for those pointing to his command issues, just take a look at Matt Harvey’s numbers in college. When he is on, he has maybe the best swing-and-miss stuff in the 2014 MLB draft. At 6’-4” and 215 pounds, his stuff is ace material, headlined by a mid-90s fastball and silly curveball. His change-up is plus at times and his character and poise is 80-grade. Through 13 starts, he has a 3.43 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 81 K/25 BB over 69 innings, holding opponents to a .214 batting average. I could also see any of the next four picks going here.

5. Minnesota Twins — Tyler Kolek, RHP, Shepherd HS (TX)

And Kolek falls into the Twins’ lap. The 6’-5”, 240 pound imposing right-hander has been scaring the life out of poor Texan kids all year with his 100 mph fastball and potential plus slider. He has shown the makings of a future plus change-up but doesn’t need it right now as he can simply blow away his peers with the gas. Over 54.1 innings, he had 112 K/6 BB, allowing two runs on 20 hits. He threw a first-pitch strike to 132/194 batters and averaged 86.6 pitches-per-start. Committed to TCU.

6. Seattle Mariners — Alex Jackson, C/OF, Rancho Bernardo HS (CA)

Jackson may have the best power potential in the 2014 MLB draft. At 6’-2” and 200 pounds, the ball winces when approaching his bat. I saw him at Wrigley Field last summer and the ball truly does sound different coming off his bat. He has the tools to stick behind the plate but his offensive upside will likely send him to right field where his plus arm will play well, along with the bat. Over 25 games, he hit .403/.587/.944 with five doubles, 10 home runs and drew 20 walks to seven strikeouts. He also was plunked a whopping 12 times. Committed to Oregon.

7. Philadelphia Phillies — Grant Holmes, RHP, Conway HS (SC)

The Phillies could opt for Bradley Zimmer here but I think Holmes is too good to pass up. At 6’-2” and 200 pounds, he has three pitches that are present above-average to plus offerings. His fastball has touched 98 mph but has been sitting around 92-94 and he adds a plus curveball that sits 79-81 with late bite and great depth. His change-up already is an above-average offering, sitting 84-86 mph. Not much projection left but he doesn’t need it. Committed to Florida.

8. Colorado Rockies — Aaron Nola, RHP, LSU

The 6’-1” right-hander features a plus, low-90s fastball with nasty sink to it. He offsets his fastball with a deceptive change-up that freezes hitters, and he is known for his pin-point control. Through 13 starts, he has a 1.43 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 111 K/22 BB over 94.2 innings, holding opponents to a .169 batting average. Nola could join Jonathan Gray and Eddie Butler to form quite the trio at the top of the rotation for the Rockies in the near future.

9. Toronto Blue Jays — Trea Turner, SS, North Carolina State

Tuner has been one of my favorites since his freshman season as he offers a unique package of tools. With his plus/plus speed, he is a headache on the bases. He also has great range and instincts in the field and should be able to stick at a premium position. He has an advanced approach at the plate and has shown some pop this season, especially of late. Through 48 games, he is hitting .319/.418/.505 with 10 doubles, seven home runs and has drawn 33 walks to just 24 strikeouts. He also has gone 22-for-25 in stolen base attempts.

Bradley Zimmer is the best power/speed prospect in the 2014 MLB draft.

10. New York Mets — Bradley Zimmer, OF, San Francisco

Maybe the best power/speed prospect in the 2014 MLB draft, Zimmer is a 6’-5”, 200 pound left-handed hitter who alao has a good approach at the plate. He has been raking all season and is hitting .370/.462/.575 through 49 games with eight doubles, six triples, seven home runs and 27 walks to 32 strikeouts. He has gone 21-for-30 in stolen base attempts. Defensively, he has a canon arm like his brother Kyle Zimmer and his athleticism could allow him to stick in center field, although he could easily handle right field where the bat would justify.

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