Justin Twine, Carson Sands, Bradley Zimmer, Mac Marshall, Mike Papi

5-11-14 - Justin Twine, SS/RHP, Falls City HS (TX) - A two-way standout in both baseball and football, Twine is a great athlete who has been a one-man wrecking crew for Falls City this season. At the plate, he is hitting .544/.672/1.196 over 16 games with six doubles, six triples, four home runs and has stolen 18 bases. He has drawn 16 walks to five strikeouts, showing a patient approach. On the mound, he has 49 K/8 BB over 21.1 innings, allowing just seven hits. At 5’-10” and 200 pounds, he has more upside as a position player where his speed (6.52/60) and strong arm will allow him to play at several positions. He is considered raw as he has split his time between sports, but he has all the tools and the power is already coming. Committed to TCU. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-high-school-players-rise-final-edition/42853#cZ17mE5vsjiSvU18.99

3-26-14 – TTF – 10 high school players on the rise — third edition – Carson Sands, RHP, North Florida Christian HS (FL) - In a huge match-up between Alex Destino of The First Academy, Sands was brilliant allowing one run on one hit over 6.2 innings, striking out 11 to one walk in a 7-1 win. Kiley McDaniel at Scoutingbaseball.com tweeted that he was hitting 92 mph with his fastball with plus life. For the season, he now has 45 K/11 BB over 24.2 innings, allowing 10 hits. The 6’-3”, 215 pound southpaw has a low-90s fastball with arm-side run and there is still room for more velocity as he matures. He has great mound presence and looks like a polished pro. He also shows two solid secondaries in a change-up and curveball. Committed to Florida State. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-high-school-players-rise-third-edition/42098#CmrUPUJfBWKiV2MO.99

3-21-14 - Dan Kirby ‏@DanMKirby  - Bradley Zimmer hitting .424/.473/.706 over 20 G with 5 2B, 5 HR, 9 SB. Cubs have to be looking at him at 4, best power/speed combo in draft.

Mac Marshall, LHP, Parkview HS (GA) - With a fastball that sits in the low-90s, an upper-70s curveball that shows plus potential, and an upper-70s change-up with a good feel, Marshall is one of the better southpaws available in the 2014 MLB draft. He is the best pitcher for one of the best programs in the country and is a big-game pitcher. Through 55.2 innings, he has 80 K/25 BB and has allowed just two runs on 24 hits. He could sneak into the first round and should be gone in the top-40 picks. Committed to LSU. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-high-school-players-rise-final-edition/42853#cZ17mE5vsjiSvU18.99

3-19-14 – TTF – Mike Papi, 1B/OF, Virginia (54) - When projected first-round pick Derek Fisher went down with a broken hamate bone in a series against Duke, Papi let the team know he could carry the load by responding with his bat. In the next game against James Madison, he went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in a 13-2 win on March 11. Already a gifted hitter with a great approach from the left side, the 6’-3”, 215 pound junior is showing off the power most thought would come with his size. Through 18 games, he is hitting .338/.470/.600 with five home runs and has drawn 16 walks to 11 strikeouts. He is starting to gain late-first round attention. Fisher is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-college-players-rise-week-5/41905#JeRjl1lAwHFUPJlv.99

Michael Chavis, Gareth Morgan, Carson Sands, Michael Conforto, Nick Gordon

5-12-14  -  Michael Chavis, 3B, Sprayberry HS (GA) - Not many have improved their stock as much as Chavis has this year. He has continued to show his massive power potential, advanced hit tool and athletic abilities to stick in the infield. He hit four home runs in his last two games and hit .536/.632/1.143 over 30 games with seven doubles, 14 home runs and 17 stolen bases. He played shortstop and should be able to handle third base at the next level where the bat will more than play well. He looks like a good bet for the first round. Committed to Clemson. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-high-school-players-rise-final-edition/42853#cZ17mE5vsjiSvU18.99

3-14-14 – Prospect Insider - The Canadian Junior National Team has spent their spring training playing at the beautiful Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida. Outfielder Gareth Morgan is the top prospect on the squad and is one of the best high school prospects to come out of Canada in several years. Morgan has very quick hands that should generate solid pop. Although his swing may need to be toned down a bit in the future, as there is currently a lot of length in it. Morgan will be facing top flight competition, as the Canadian team will be facing local colleges as well as Pittsburgh Pirates’ and Detroit Tigers’ minor league squads. This might be the best look that scouts get at him before the draft, as when he returns to Canada he will be facing inferior competition. http://prospectinsider.com/category/2014-mlb-draft

3-26-14 – MaxiPreps – Carson Sands, North Florida Christian (Tallahassee, Fla.) - The senior left-hander is closing in on 40 career wins and 400 career strikeouts. He is off to a 4-1 start with a 0.57 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 24.2 innings pitched. He has a 35-9 career record with 398 strikeouts http://www.maxpreps.com/news/kRbRSgP8z06XdyYf0_JnPg/tyler-kolek,-michael-gettys,-brady-aiken-among-senior-baseball-prospects-off-to-strong-starts.htm

3-11-14 – TTF - Michael Conforto, OF, Oregon State (24) - Over his last six games, Conforto is hitting .563/.720/.875 with three doubles, a triple, 11 RBI and has drawn nine walks to one strikeout. The 6’-3” left-handed hitter is proving to be one of the best bats available in the 2014 MLB draft and could go in the first half of the first round due to his ability to rake to all fields. He has yet to hit a home run this season, but with a .396/.570/.566 slash line over 17 games, including 21 BB/5 K, few have been better offensively. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-college-players-rise-week-4/41715#PjStmsQ7UB5h8BYU.99

3-12-14 – 10 High School Players on the Rise – Nick Gordon, SS/RHP, Olympia HS (FL) - Gordon has been displaying more pop in his bat in the early going thanks to added muscle, as well as some extreme patience at the plate. Over 10 games, the left-handed hitter has gone 11-for-24 (.458) with three doubles, a triple, two home runs and six stolen bases. He has drawn nine walks to two strikeouts and has been hit by a pitch four times already. With a canon arm and smooth actions in the field, he should stick at shortstop and, if he continues to show increased power, should be a top-15 pick in the 2014 MLB draft. Committed to Florida State. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-high-school-players-rise/41773#oFu0m6JRyhOHXIwD.99

Draft 14 – Kyle Schwarber, Carson Sands, Monte Harrison, Jack Flaherty

1-20-14 – PG Preseason College All-Americans - Catcher - Kyle Schwarber, Indiana - 2013 Stats: .366 AVG, 10 2B, 1 3B, 18 HR, 54 RBI, 42 BB, 37 SO - Several college baseball coaches have said Schwarber is the best pure hitter they’ve seen in many seasons. Schwarber, though, is a complete player in every sense of the word. Schwarber, ranked as the No. 7 prospect for the upcoming draft, is a 6-foot, 240-pounder, who’s extremely consistent offensively, good defensively and possesses plus raw power. With Schwarber and Travis in the middle of the Indiana lineup, there’s no doubt the Hoosiers are expected to make a return trip to the College World Series this spring. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9294

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 60. Texas Rangers — Carson Sands, LHP, N. Florida Christian HS (FL) - The 6’-3”, 215 pound southpaw has a low-90s fastball with arm-side run and there is still room for more velocity as he matures. He has great mound presence and looks like a polished pro. He also shows two solid secondaries in a change-up and curveball. His command gets him in trouble at times, but all of the ingredients are there. An alumni of Team USA Baseball, he has played against the best competition. Committed to Florida State. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

12-9-13 – Pine Tar Press  -  38- OF Monte Harrison Lee’s Summit West HS (Nebraska commit for football and baseball) 8/10/95- The similarities between Monte Harrison and the last Kansas City area kid to go in the first round out of HS are endless. Both of them are talented athletes who excel in 3 sports and both have the type of arms that could also gain attention on the mound. Both were committed to Nebraska for football and they also both had early birthdays for their class. Harrison has plenty of upside with a cannon for an arm in the OF and as he continues to be educated on how to be a baseball player his ceiling is certainly high.  He is no different than most Midwest hitters though as his hit tool needs serious refinement and reps against quality arms. He has a tendency to be a bit over aggressive on the diamond and I could see where some would see a potential diva type but one would hope that as he ages he will continue to mature as a person too. (Out of first round- Yankees selection) http://pinetarpress.com/early-look-2014-mlb-draft/ 

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 49 Jack Flaherty 3B/RHP R/R 6-3 217 Harvard-Westlake, Burbank, Calif. North Carolina http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/

Draft 14 – Justin Smith, Trea Turner, Carson Sands, Jeff Hoffman, Eric Fedde

8-14-13 – Through The Fence – Top 50 Prospects – 32. Justin Smith, OF, Bartram trial 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. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-top-50-prospects/36463#mwWwsFxSUZy7YC5V.99

 

Top 5 MLB Draft Prospects - #2. Trea Turner, SS (NC State): Heavy-duty hit tool and method with plus speed up the middle, all of which make up for just around compact power potential. In all probability the most power-driven and exhilarating player in the 2014 MLB draft, the 6’-2” right-hander has presented the range, arm and makeups to stick at shortstop. Offensively, his speed is his finest tool and he should be a major menace on the base paths at the next level. He also has a pronounced methodology at the plate and should hit for a high average, as well. He displayed increasing power this season and, if he continues to do so, Troy Tulowitzki comparisons will be impending. Hit .336 as a freshman and led the nation in stolen bases with 57. Over 51 injury condensed games this season, he hit .377 with 12 doubles, seven home runs, 27 stolen bases and drew 35 walks to 30 strikeouts for a .464 OBP/.578 SLG.  http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/08/30/top-5-mlb-draft-prospects/

 

8-15-13 - Under Armour All-Star Game – Carson Sands, LHP: Similar in build and stuff to Griffin, the projectable Sands needs a bit more consistency on his secondaries but both his change and breaking ball. http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2013/08/2014-mlb-draft-ua-game-roster-and-preview-plus-more-tickets-and-meet-up-information/

 

9-4-13 – Mack’s Mock Draft v1.0 – 9 – Twins – RHP   Jeff Hoffman – East Carolina – 6-4 control finesse pitcher (7.06 K/9 IP) who simply gets the job done working the corners with his 92-95, 97 fastball and two + off-speed pitches. 84 K/39 BB over 109.2 innings last season.  Had a big summer in the Cape Cod League and a lot of scouts are predicting a Jonathan Gray-like rise in the rankings for him once the season starts. I already have him there.

 

9-10-13 – Top Arms in 2013 Cape Cod League - Eric Fedde 6-4/175, Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox 30.2 IP, 26 K, 2.35 ERA: FB 91-96 SL 78-80 CH 83-84 -  Slim, projectable frame with 2 plus pitches. The third is a work in progress and will determine whether or not he hears his name called in the first round.  http://bullpenbanter.com/2013-all-cape-team-pitchers/