Brady Aiken, Jackson Reetz, Forest Griffin, Carlos Rodon, A.J. Reed

5-12-14 - Brady Aiken, LHP, Cathedral Catholic HS (CA) - When you’re projected to be the first prep player off the board, and maybe first player off the board, you know you had an impressive year. 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. He is getting the Clayton Kershaw comp and, although unfair for any player, you can see the comparisons. He is as polished as any prep pitcher in recent memory and he is only going to get better. Through 43.2 innings, he has 80 K/7 BB, allowing five runs on 19 hits. Committed to UCLA. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-high-school-players-rise-final-edition/42853#cZ17mE5vsjiSvU18.99

3-26-14 – MaxiPreps – Jackson Reetz, Norris (Firth, Neb.) - You won't find many season-opening performances better than Reetz's. He went 3-for-3 with three runs scored, five RBIs, a triple and two home runs in leading his team to an 11-0 win over Lincoln. He went 1-for-2 against Waverly and is batting .667 (4 for 6) on the season. http://www.maxpreps.com/news/kRbRSgP8z06XdyYf0_JnPg/tyler-kolek,-michael-gettys,-brady-aiken-among-senior-baseball-prospects-off-to-strong-starts.htm

3-12-14 – 10 High School Players on the Rise – Foster Griffin, LHP, the First Academy HS (FL) - At 6’-5” and 190 pounds, the southpaw has a lot of projection due to his size and loose frame. He has been hitting 94 mph with his fastball recently and, along with a much improved breaking ball, is generating first-round buzz. Over 15.2 innings this season, he has 26 K/7 BB and has allowed eight hits. Committed to Mississippi. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-high-school-players-rise/41773#oFu0m6JRyhOHXIwD.99

3-9-14 – MLB Draft Insider - Carlos Rodon - LHP NC State – Rodon pitched a complete game today as part of a double header. He was reportedly throwing hard to the end of the game, but the numbers show he was not quite as dominant as he has shown in the past. He allowed ten hits, one walks, and three runs. He also struck out seven hitters; it was another good showing and he notched a win against Notre Dame. Rodon the likely top pick in the draft currently has the highest BA/against and ERA of the NC State starters, the pitching staff for NC State has been lights out all year. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/03/the-rundown-march-8/#more-3872

3-11-14 – TTF -  A.J. Reed, 1B/LHP, Kentucky (NR) - Over his last six games, Reed has reached base 19 times. He has gone 7-for-15 (.467), has drawn eight walks and has been hit by a pitch four times. He has added two home runs and driven in 10 runs over that span. On the season, the 6’-4”, 240 pound left0hander is now hitting .436/.579/.945 (1.524 OPS) with eight home runs, 28 RBI and has drawn 15 walks to nine strikeouts. He has been the best offensive player in the nation and he can sling it on the mound, as well. Over four starts, he is 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 14 K/9 BB over 26 innings. Some think he has more upside on the mound, but if he keeps hitting the way he has, he could be a first round pick due to his bat. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-college-players-rise-week-4/41715#PjStmsQ7UB5h8BYU.99

Draft 14 – Derek Fisher, Riley Moore, Tyler Beede, A.J. Reed, Forest Griffin

3-4-14 - When I first laid eyes on Derek Fisher he was an awkwardly muscular, acne ridden high-schooler wearing a jersey that was two sizes too big. This past weekend, I saw a body-beautiful outfielder who’s as tooled-up as any position player in college baseball. The physically striking Fisher currently patrols left field for the Cavaliers, not because his skill set relegates him to a corner, but rather because Virginia has superior options at other positions. A pro club will at least give the 6-foot-3, 210 pounds. Fisher a look in center field as he has the requisite speed and arm strength for the position. The legs grade out just beneath plus-plus –- I had Fisher timed at 4.03 and 4-flat down the line from the left side, albeit with a little bit of a jailbreak –- more than enough to run down balls in the gaps, while his arm grades out around average. There’s room to solidify that throwing grade if Fisher’s sometimes-awkward throwing mechanics are made to be more efficient. Despite Fisher’s up-the-middle physical capabilities, there are serious questions about his feel for defense. His reads don’t always come instantaneously and his routes to balls are often circuitous and inefficient. http://prospectinsider.com/scouting-derek-fisher-uva-prospects

3-25-14 – 9.  Riley Moore, Arizona Height 6'2" Weight 180 DOB: ? L/R - California kid!  Lefty bat!  Moore got a lot of hype as a prep from some of the draft blogs I follow.  Wildcats Link The UA site isn't giving enough info for me.  I bet he's filled in from that weight, that's his HS info.  Moore of course won a national championship his freshman year.  Big watch on this guy. http://www.yougottalikethesekids.com/2014/03/ten-catchers-in-2014-mlb-draft.html

2-21-14 – Project Insider - Tyler Beede, RHP — Vanderbilt  Beede was among the more disappointing arms from last week and will have a good shot to show better command and more consistent stuff versus Illinois-Chicago. http://prospectinsider.com/draft-prospect-watch-hoffman-vs-fisher

2-27-14 – TTF - 10 college players on the rise - A.J. Reed, LHP/1B, Kentucky (NR) - I asked Kendall Rogers — National college baseball writer for Perfect Game — on Twitter if Reed was a pitcher or hitter at the next level. He said he placed a higher premium on left-handed pitching and I agreed. Let’s just hope he gets drafted by a National League team so we get to watch him smack a baseball around. Over his first seven games, the 6’-4”, 240 pound left-hander has a silly six home runs, 17 RBI and a .433/.500/1.133 slash line. On the mound, he is 2-0 and has allowed two runs on nine hits over 12 innings. His fastball can touch the mid-90s and he adds a good slider, but his change-up needs refining. Reed is the type of player a team can draft, send him out there as a hitter, and if all else fails, could become a power arm out of the bullpen. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-college-players-rise-2/41299#ldBBF8hRKzmaiy5H.99

2-11-14 – PG/Florida HS Dream Team – P – Foster Griffin, Sr. The First Academy - The only lefty to crack this rotation, Griffin shows everything you’d want to see in a young pitcher: lefthanded, 6-foot-5 and projectable and a three-pitch mix. With a fastball topping out at 92 mph, Griffin is able to make that play up as he uses his long levers and creates excellent downhill plane. His curveball flashes potential and presently shows a very good changeup with fading action. Not only does he have a feel for three pitches, he knows how to use them with an advanced overall feel on the mound. http://perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9372

Draft 14 – Michael Cederoth, Michael Gettys, A.J. Reed, , Justin Smith, J.J. Schwarz

2-21-14 – Project Insider -  San Diego State ace Michael Cederoth struggled last weekend — 3 2/3 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 6 SO — and needed a relief appearance mid-week to get in his work. He walked a batter in that inning, too. He’s no Stephen Strasburg, but he’s better than that. Or at least he’ll need to be to avoid falling off the map. One additional Aztecs note: freshman catcher CJ Saylor started mid-week versus Loyola Marymount and went 2-for-4 with two extra-base hits. Remember the name, he’ll be a legit prospect in 2016. http://prospectinsider.com/draft-prospect-watch-hoffman-vs-fisher

3-25-14 – MLB Draft Insider Mock – 22   Michael Gettys OF          Gainesville HS (Ga.)        -  There’s no denying Gettys’ athletic ability, and he has one of the strongest throwing arms in the entire class and some power potential; but that doesn’t mean much if Gettys’ can’t hit, which is still very much in doubt. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/03/the-board-2014-volume-ii/   

2-23-14 - A.J. Reed - Has “it”. On the mound, he’s a back of the rotation starter or middle reliever with three pitches. Fringy fastball, average breaking ball and good change. Fastball could tick up with strength and conditioning. At the plate, he has some swing and miss but also induces the HSE. The HSE or Holy Shit Effect is brought on occasionally by players that unleash tools or accomplishes something that one would not expect them to possess. When he lauches a ball 420′ to RCF in a game when he doesn’t hit them that far in BP, you say holy shit. Love this guy. He’s a ball player. http://mlbdraftprospects.com/aj-reed/

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 66. Oakland Athletics — Justin Smith, OF, Bartram Trails HS (FL) - The 6’-2”, 200 pound right-hander has all five tools, including a canon arm in the outfield (92 mph) and plus speed (6.6/60). He is still considered raw in some areas, but his excellent bat speed, along with his frame, make for a huge upside. He stood out at the East Coast pro tournament making several strong plays in the outfield and driving the ball to all fields. Many are expecting a huge senior season. Committed to Miami. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

2-11-14 – PG/Florida HS Dream Team – C – J.J. Schwarz, Sr. Palm Beach Gardens - Finding a catcher who projects to stay behind the plate at the next level isn’t always an easy task, never mind a defensive catcher that shows big potential at the plate. That’s exactly what you’ll find in Schwarz, who shows solid catch-and-throw ability behind the plate with a quick release and a strong, accurate arm to second base in game action. At the plate, the 6-foot-2 Schwarz uses his long limbs to create leverage in his easy and loose swing, repeatedly driving the ball to deep left field. He shows good bat speed and the ball seems to jump of his barrel and finds a second gear once in flight. http://perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9372  

Draft 14 – A.J. Reed, Tyler Beede, Brian Finnegan, Aaron Nola

A.J. Reed, 1B/LHP, Kentucky - Both a pitcher and hitter for the Wildcats, the 6’-4”, 245-pound left-hander has been his own offensive force when on the mound. Over the three games he has started, he is 10-for-14 with a triple, two home runs and 11 RBI. On the season, he is hitting .409 (18-for-44) with a double, triple, four home runs and 22 RBI over 11 games. His .480 OBP and .750 SLG show the kind of offensive talent he is. On the mound, he is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 11 K/2 BB over 15.1 innings. LINK

6-6-13 - Mike (Toronto) - are you more bearish on Tyler Beede than others? (your comment on his W/L record....) – Keith Law - No, I just don't see any argument that he was top three in the country this year.

6-11-13 - Player:  Brandon Finnegan -  Position:  LHP -  School:  Texas Christian -  Date of Birth:  4/14/1993 -  Height/Weight:  5’11/184 -  Bats/Throws:  L/L -  2014 Class:  College Junior -  Previously Drafted:  2011, 45th rd, Rangers -  Scouting Report:  Low 3/4 arm slot   Quick arm   Fastball 93-96 early, 91-94 late, has touched 97   Fastball shows very good life -  Slider, 85-88, shows above average potential -  Change 82-85 -  Does a good job of changing speeds -  Has some issues with command LINK

6-10-13 -  Aaron Nola, RHP, Louisiana State -  Like the other pitchers on this list, Nola shows very good stuff.  His fastball sits 89-93 and touches 94, with good run.  His slider and change are also good pitches.  Nola shows exceptional command and can throw any pitch on any count. LINK

Draft 14 – A.J. Reed, Kyle Schwarber, Tyler Beede, Carlos Rodon

Kentucky sophomore A.J. Reed (LHP-1B)was named All-SEC first team as the designated hitter and utility player.  http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/052813aaa.html Reed is the first UK player to earn first-team All-SEC honors since Thomas McCarthy in 2011. He is the first UK player to earn first-team honors as the designated hitter since Brad Hindersman in 1993.

I haven't scouted Kyle Schwarber yet, but the people that have can't stop raving about his bat. The squatty lefty hitter catches now but won't stick there and is a right field or first base fit long-term but the above average bat and power stand out, while his sophomore year numbers aren't bad either: .381/.469/.670, 33 BB, 25 K, 13 HR LINK

Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt - The only other player who has a chance to challenge Rodon for the top pick in next year’s MLB draft is Beede, who would be one hell of a consolation prize. The 6’-4” right-hander has three plus pitches of his own in a mid-90s fastball with great movement, a power curveball and a deceptive change-up. He doesn’t have quite the command that Rodon does, but he is just as unhittable. On the year, he is 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 20 K/9 BB over 18.2 innings, allowing just 12 hits for third-ranked Vandy. LINK

College Baseball 360‏ @CB360updates - NC State so. LHP ace Carlos Rodon faced only 36 (3 over min.) while allowing an unearned run & only one hit in 10 innings vs. UNC (14 Ks)