Scott Blewett, Braxton Davidson, Milton Ramos, Trea Turner, Connor Joe, Derek Fisher

5-11-14  -  Scott Blewett, RHP, Baker HS (NY) - At 6’-6” and 220 pounds, Blewett has the size you want in a frontline starter. He also has the arm as his fastball can touch 95 mph. He adds a potential plus curveball with great looping action, as well as a change-up and a circle-curve (change) he has been working on. Through 26 innings, he has 50 K/8 BB and has allowed one run on 12 hits. With his size, stuff and smooth mechanics, there is a lot of projection left. Committed to St. Johns.  http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-high-school-players-rise-final-edition/42853#cZ17mE5vsjiSvU18.99

3-17-14 – TTF – 10 High School Players On The Rise – Braxton Davidson, OF/1B, Roberson HS (NC) - At 6’-3” and 220 pounds, the left-handed hitting Davidson is already a beast. His power and advanced approach from the left side will land him in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft. His strong arm (92 mph from outfield) would play well in a corner outfield spot, although some believe he could end up at first base where he could be a plus defender. Over five games this season, he has gone 11-for-16 (.688) with four doubles and a home run, and he has yet to strike out. He has shown off his arm by striking out 20 over 10 shutout innings on the mound, allowing just one hit. Committed to North Carolina. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-high-school-players-rise-second-edition/41810#OfV5L7GbWgi2Xqtf.99

3-26-14 – TTF – 10 high school players on the rise — third edition – Milton Ramos, SS, American Heritage HS (FL) - One of the best defensive shortstops in the 2014 MLB draft, if not the best, Ramos is a 6’-1”, 170 pound right-hander with a lot of upside offensively, as well. He has shown some pop this season hitting .487/.543/.923 over 12 games with two doubles, three triples and three home runs. He has added seven stolen bases and has been clocked at 6.53 in the 60, showing above-average speed on the base paths. If he continues to show his offensive skills, he could go in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-high-school-players-rise-third-edition/42098#CmrUPUJfBWKiV2MO.99

3-20-14 – Cubs Insider - • Trea Turner, North Carolina State University infielder: There are long-term questions about whether he could stay at shortstop, but with nearly 100 stolen bases on his college resume, he could become an offensive catalyst from the leadoff spot. http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/mlb-draft-cubs-identifying-targets-no-4-overall-pick

3-19-14 – TTF – Connor Joe, C/OF/1B, San Diego (NR) - It’s not so much what Joe has been doing lately, it’s what he has been doing all season. Over 19 games, the 6’-0”, 210 pound right-hander is hitting .364/.474/.649 with five doubles, five home runs and 25 RBI, and he has drawn 11 walks to 11 strikeouts. He has shown the ability to play behind the plate, in the outfield and first base if needed. He is new to catching but the arm plays well and he has been getting praise for his receiving skills. The power is real and he has a solid approach at the plate. As I mentioned above, the  catching crop is weak this year and if scouts believe he can remain behind the plate, he could hear his name early on day two due to his power potential. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-college-players-rise-week-5/41905#JeRjl1lAwHFUPJlv.99

3-18-14 – Jonathan Mayo - 3-18-14 – Jonathan Mayo - Derek Fisher came in at No. 15 on that Top 50, the third-highest-ranked college hitter on the list. The University of Virginia outfielder is out four to six weeks after breaking the hamate bone in his right hand against Duke the weekend of March 8. Keep in mind, once Fisher is back, it often takes those with this injury a while to get their power stroke back. "There probably have been a lot of guys who've seen him already," one cross-checker said about how this will impact Fisher, Draft-wise. "The clubs that feel really comfortable with him could see it as a bonus. Those that haven't might be chasing their tails." http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140318&content_id=69552214&notebook_id=69553420&vkey=notebook_mlb&c_id=mlb

Draft 14 – Jacob Gatewood, Derek Fisher, Austin Cousino, Elliot Cary

2-3-14 – MaxPreps - Top 10 MLB Draft Prospects in high school - 2. Jacob Gatewood, Clovis (Calif.) Slowed by an injury for most of last year, Gatewood has been outstanding during the summer showcases. Scouts like his size (6-foot-5, 190 pounds) and his arm. His pop at the plate also makes him a high draft pick, possibly among the first 10 picks in the first round. He starts at shortstop, but some reports having him moving to third base at the next level. 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  - Tommy Thorpe, LHP, Oregon (NR) - The 6’-1” southpaw was thrust into the Friday night starter spot when sophomore Cole Irvin was lost for the season having to undergo Tommy John surgery. Although he realizes he isn’t going to be an ace at the next level, he has been one of the best pitchers in college this season for one of the best teams. Over his last three starts, he has allowed just two runs over 22 innings with 22 K/1 BB, allowing 10 hits. On the season, he is now 3-2 with a 2.23 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 33 K/10 BB over 40.1 innings. Thorpe had 11 K/4 BB over 10 innings for Collegiate Team USA over the summer. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-10-college-players-rise-week-6/42071#MDUXGtxd7YCtKt0X.99

3-9-14 – MLB Draft Insider - Derek Fisher – OF Virginia – Fisher played left field and hit third in both games for Virginia. He went one for four with three strikeouts and a double in a win for Virginia. In the second game he was one for four again this time in a Virginia loss. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/03/the-rundown-march-8/#more-3872

3-5-14 – TTF - 10 college players on the rise — week 3  - Austin Cousino, OF, Kentucky (NR) - One of the more exciting players in college, the 5’-10”, 185 pound left-hander makes up for his lack of size by doing a little bit of everything on a baseball field. Over his last six games, he has gone 13-for-27 (.482) with four doubles, a triple, four stolen bases, two HBP and hasn’t struck out. He is the ultimate “sparkplug” player who sets the table on offense and plays great defense in center field. For the year, he is hitting .438/.500/.667 over 11 games. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-week-3/41478#ilZqhEaASo2Kkjik.99

OF - Elliot Cary, Sr., Clackamas (Ore.) - A transfer who moved to Oregon from Florida, Cary is likely to provide a huge boost for the Cavs after hitting .438 as a junior playing against Florida 6A competition. Cary becomes one of the top hitters in the region and his athleticism is an asset in the outfield as well. It's rare for a high school team to land an impact senior like this and it is a huge boost for a team that was one win away from capturing their second state championship of the decade last year. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9561

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 – Derek Fisher, Jacob Gatewood, Carson Cross, Nick Gordon, Braxton Davidson

2-17-14 - Virginia outfielder Derek Fisher has been named the first Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Player of the Week of the 2014 season. Fisher hit .455 in three weekend games as Virginia posted two wins in the Hughes Brothers Challenge in Wilmington, N.C. Fisher had at least one hit in all three games to lead the top-ranked Cavaliers, who bounced back from an opening loss to Kentucky with wins over VMI and UNC Wilmington. The Rexmont, Pa., native had two hits in each of Virginia’s wins, including two that drove in runs in Sunday’s 7-2 victory over UNCW. Fisher scored five times in the three games to lead all ACC players in weekend play and had three RBIs. http://www.theacc.com/#!/news-detail/ACC-Baseball-Players-Of-The-Week-Announced_02-17-14_s5vjs3

3-25-14 – MLB Draft Insider Mock – 12   Jacob Gatewood  SS/3B                Clovis HS (Calif.)                  -  Several area guys told me that I shouldn’t have Gatewood on my top 25, and I get it, the hit-tool is going to take a lot of work to get to anywhere close to average. But I just can’t drop him out of the top 12. If I don’t like what I see in person in a couple of weeks, that will change. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/03/the-board-2014-volume-ii/

2-19-14 - University of Connecticut pitcher Carson Cross, who was the top local prospect for this year’s Major League Baseball draft, will have shoulder surgery and miss his entire college season, the school said earlier this month. UConn, which opens its season Friday against Ohio State in Port Charlotte, Fla., said Cross, a Brentwood native who starred at Exeter High School, would have surgery performed by specialist Dr. James Andrews. He will have one season of college eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-5 Cross was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 24th round last June but opted to return to UConn for his redshirt junior year. Last spring he was the staff ace, going 9-4 with a 2.44 ERA, 86 strikeouts and 24 walks. His 110.2 innings led the team. http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20140213-SPORTS-140219851

2-11-14 – PG/Florida HS Dream Team – Best Infield Arm: Nick Gordon, Sr. Olympia - As stated above, Gordon has top of the line arm strength, recently throwing 94 mph across the infield at the World Showcase. His throws are accurate and show plus carry, but what is most impressive is how easy and effortless the throws are out of his hand. http://perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9372

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 14. San Francisco Giants — Braxton Davidson, 1B/OF, TC Roberson HS (NC) - While he may end up at first base — putting extra pressure on his bat to produce — his power from the left side and approach at the plate are very enticing to scouts. At 6’-3” and 215 pounds, he is already a man but still has room for projection. His excellent bat speed allows him to wait on pitches and not get cheated. Over 31 games as a junior, he hit .403 with seven doubles, eight home runs, and drew 30 walks for a .600 OBP/.831 SLG. Committed to North Carolina. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

Draft 14 – Michael Gettys, Aaron Nola, Alex Jackson, Derek Fisher, Nick Gordon

2-17-14 - Jim Callis ‏@jimcallisMLB  -  Michael Gettys, if he convinces scouts he'll hit. @NoToryousone1: of top 15 #mlbDraft Prospects, who can make biggest jump based on what they show

3-25-14 – MLB Draft Insider Mock –  11  Aaron Nola         RHP        LSU        -  Let me be clear; Nola is still fighting an uphill battle as a guy who doesn’t have an out-pitch and who throws from that low of slot, but his command and feel for pitching have been as good as any pitcher in baseball. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/03/the-board-2014-volume-ii/

2-14-14 - The No. 1 player from the Southern part of the state is Alex Jackson a catcher/outfielder from Rancho Bernardo (Calif.). Jackson is a physical player, standing in at 6-foot-1, 225-pounds and is headed off to Oregon, if he doesn’t sign after the draft. At the Area Code workout last summer, Jackson showed his defensive skills from behind the plate, but it was in the outfield where you got an appreciated for his arm strength. At the plate, he has a good swing and solid approach. - See more at: http://www.studentsports.com/baseball/2014/02/13/alex-jackson-socals-no-1/#sthash.ZE8Fg86C.dpuf

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 13. San Diego Padres — Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia - The Padres always seem to need some offense in their system, and Fisher is one of the best all-around college players available. He made great strides last year in his approach at the plate dropping his strikeouts from 61 to 38 over roughly the same number of games. The 6’-3” right-hander is a great athlete with good speed on the base paths. Over 53 games as a sophomore, he hit .306 with 12 doubles, seven home runs, stole eight bases and had a .420 OBP/.505 SLG. He hit .333 in the Cape Cod League and drew 25 walks to just 19 strikeouts, again showing his improvement in his approach. I think a big year is coming. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

2-11-14 – PG/Florida HS Dream Team – UT – Nick Gordon, Sr. Olympia - Gordon has been in the national spotlight for some time and continues to show high level tools every time he steps on the field. The multi-position standout will stick at shortstop at the next level, thanks to his superb athleticism and smooth fielding actions, but he also has a strong feel with the bat from the left side. Gordon is also a top round talent on the mound, working comfortably with his fastball in the low-90s and also shows feel for a hammer breaking ball. He has the MLB bloodlines – his father is former big-league coser Tom “Flash” Gordon – but Gordon is his own player and has added noticeable muscle to his frame, helping to develop power and show all five tools at an elite level.  http://perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9372

Draft 14 – Monte Harrison, Jeff Hoffman, Derek Fisher, Jack Flaherty, Lane Thomas

2-11-14 - Monte Harrison is the No. 1 guy out of the Midwest and he could very well be one of the top athletes in the class. He is a dual sport guy and had a great senior season on the football field this year when his team won the Class 5A State title in Missouri. He had 29 touchdowns this year and caught 60 passes. He is headed off to Nebraska in the fall and he has a bright future in both sports. - See more at: http://www.studentsports.com/baseball/2014/02/11/monte-harrison-leads-midwest-crop/#sthash.97Y8kxce.dpuf

3-25-14 – MLB Draft Insider Mock – 07   Jeff Hoffman     RHP        East Carolina  -  There’s still an awful lot of baseball to be played, but the fact of the matter is that Hoffman has been mediocre far too often this year to justify putting him in the top five, much less the top two. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/03/the-board-2014-volume-ii/  

2-5-14 - Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia - A very good athlete, and maybe the best overall college bat in the 2014 MLB draft, Fisher is a 6’-3”, 200 pound right-hander who should hit for more power this year. He made great strides last year in his approach at the plate dropping his strikeouts from 61 to 38 over roughly the same number of games. Over 53 games as a sophomore, he hit .306 with 12 doubles, seven home runs, eight stolen bases and a .420 OBP/.505 SLG. He hit .333 in the Cape Cod League and drew 25 walks to just 19 strikeouts, again showing his improvement in his approach. Along with his good speed, he also has a strong arm but there are questions about his throwing mechanics and he may be forced to left field. Many are expecting a big year, and if he does breakthrough with the power numbers, he could be in the mix at pick four. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-dark-horse-candidates-chicago-cubs-first-pick/41075#UeYBipV5rOuYd7xE.99

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 33. St. Louis Cardinals (Carlos Beltran) — Jack Flaherty, 3B/RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA) - Flaherty is a 6’-4”, 200 pound right-hander with massive power potential. The ball jumps off his bat and his plus bat speed suggests he should hit for a high average, as well. His arm, instincts and power potential profile well at the hot corner. He has shown above-average speed but probably isn’t a guy who is going to steal many bases. Playing for a national powerhouse, he will get plenty of attention this year. He is a baseball player in every sense of the word. Committed to North Carolina. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 52 Lane Thomas OF R/R 6-0 170 Bearden HS, Knoxville, Tenn. “Tennessee” http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/

Draft 14 – Derek Fisher, Tim Susnara, Gregory Deichmann, Roberto Gonzalez, Michael Conforto

2-2-14 - Derek Fisher - Fisher is a 6'3", 205 LB outfielder with a pedigree unlike many in this draft. He was a well-known prep prospect but a less than elite performance as a senior and a big price tag allowed him to slide in the draft. The Rangers chose not to sign him after he had a seven-figure price tag. Fisher is a bit of a tweener. Not the immediate profile of an impact prospect. He's not an impact guy but he could be an excellent MLB player. His floor is much higher than almost anyone else in the draft but defensively he may be limited to LF. He has the speed to handle center field at this point but lacks the instincts and the route running to make that work. His arm is usable but not the level of a good right fielder. Aggressive runners would test him and win in the majors often enough to be frustrating. I doubt he will stick there at higher levels of pro ball. http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/2/2/5365054/2014-mlb-draft-profile-derek-fisher-of-virginia

1-27-14 – BP - Positional Preview: High School Catchers - Tim Susnara | C/OF/1B | St. Francis (Mountain View, CA) | Commit: Oregon  Height/Weight: 6-foot-1/195 pounds  B/T: L/R  Draft Day Age: 18y 2m  Susnara shows a good feel for the game and a high level of comfort behind the plate, in the box, and on the basepaths. He is capable of producing some pop, but works best driving the ball up the middle and to the oppo gap. His upper and lower halves can get out of sync, but the fluidity in his swing improved over the course of the scouting season, and the Oregon commit appears to be poised for a breakout spring if he can continue to grow his approach and log reps. Defensively, he has solid actions behind the dish. He’ll routinely pop in the 2.02 to 2.05 range in-game, and I’ve clocked him as low as 1.82 during workouts, with enough arm strength and accuracy to overcome some length in his arm swing and transfer. There’s a lot to like here, and we could just be scratching the surface at this point. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=22662

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 65. Pittsburgh Pirates — Gregory Deichmann, SS, Brothers Martin HS (LA) - Left-handed hitting power shortstops are a nice commodity to have, and the 6’-2”, 190 pound Deichmann has a chance to stick at short due to his strong arm, speed and instincts in the field. He has excellent bat speed and can put on displays in the cage during batting practice. Even if he ends up at third, the power and arm will play well. Committed to USC. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 51 Roberto Gonzalez OF R/R 6-0 192 University HS, Orlando, Fla. Uncommitted http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/

3-20-14 – Cubs Insider - • Michael Conforto, Oregon State University outfielder: The reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year, from the same program that produced Jacoby Ellsbury and Darwin Barney. http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/mlb-draft-cubs-identifying-targets-no-4-overall-pick

Draft 14 – Derek Fisher, Michael Conforto, Mex Pentacost, Kel Johnson

1-24-14 - Derek Fisher would be filling a need for the Mets, as he would give the system an outfielder with power who could potentially move quickly through the team's farm system. Fisher is an outfielder for the University of Virginia who has the tools of a stud corner outfielder, but those tools have yet to translate on the field. In 2013, Fisher recorded an .888 OPS and hit only seven home runs—solid numbers but not indicative of his raw talent. Despite the lack of home runs, Fisher has plenty of raw power that makes scouts salivate at his future home run potential. Another quality that could attract the Mets to Fisher is his patient approach at the plate, a trait the Mets preach to their young prospects. While his patience is enticing, Fisher still has some swing-and-miss in his approach. As Mets fans have witnessed with Ike Davis, power hitters can be supremely frustrating when they aren't making contact. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1934895-4-prospects-the-new-york-mets-could-target-in-the-2014-mlb-draft/page/3

1-20-14 – PG Preseason College All-Americans – Outfield - Michael Conforto, Oregon State - 2013 Stats: .328 AVG, 14 2B, 1 3B, 11 HR, 47 RBI, 41 BB, 47 SO, 6 SB There are only a couple of hitters in college baseball that would be more feared than Conforto. Conforto is a pure hitter and has advanced skills in other areas, too. Conforto has an elite arm in left field, and offensively, he led the Beavers last season with big-time power despite hitting in a home ballpark that typically isn’t conducive to amazing power numbers. Conforto has a stocky/compact frame and is expected to have a productive spring as the nation’s No. 17 overall prospect. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9294

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 11. Toronto Blue Jays — Max Pentecost, C, Kennesaw State - The Blue Jays receive this pick for failing to come to terms with their 2013 first round pick, Phil Bickford. Maybe the highest riser in the draft so far, Pentecost is perhaps the best catching prospect in a class weak on them. Even if he doesn’t stick behind the plate, his offensive potential and athleticism make him first-round material. The 6’-1” right-hander was the MVP of 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. Many believe the power will continue to develop. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 65 Kel Johnson OF/1B R/R 6-3 196 Homeschooled, Palmetto, Ga. Georgia Tech http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/

Draft 14 – Derek Fisher, Carlos Rodon, Alex Jackson, Marcus Wilson

1-20-14 – PG Preseason College All-Americans – Outfield - Derek Fisher, Virginia - 2013 Stats: .293 AVG, 12 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 48 RBI, 28 BB, 40 SO, 8 SB - Fisher has yet to live up to his full potential, but all the pieces are there to accomplish that goal as a junior this spring. Fisher is a 6-foot-3, 210-pounder, who has an impressive skill set, most notably very solid raw power. Fisher should excel at the plate with plenty of help around him in this year’s Virginia lineup. For now, the talented junior is ranked the nation’s No. 6 college prospect. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9294

1-23-14 - Jonathan Mayo ‏@JonathanMayoB3 - RT Where would Carlos Rodon, TToussaint and JGatewood rank? @jakgreenberg31 @jimcallisMLB Rodon top 5; Toussaint and Gatewood not yet #mlbpipeline

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 2. Miami Marlins — Alex Jackson, C/OF, Rancho Bernardo HS (CA) - With four picks in the top 42, I can see the Marlins gambling a bit here and going with the prep bat over a guy like Jeff Hoffman — whom many have going at this spot. One of the more polished prep players in the 2014 MLB draft, Jackson is a 6’-2”, 200 pound right-hander with excellent bat speed and tremendous power to all fields. While he has the goods to at least be given a shot behind the plate, most believe he will end up in a corner outfield spot where his plus arm and bat would play well. Committed to Oregon. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 24 Marcus Wilson OF R/R 6-2 176 Junipero Serra HS, Los Angeles Arizona State http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/

Draft 14 – Jacob Gatewood, Ross Kivett, Carlos Rodon, Derek Fisher

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 3 Jacob Gatewood SS/3B R/R 6-4 189 Clovis (Calif.) HS Southern California http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/

1-17-14 - College Baseball Daily continues our countdown to the start of the season with our 2014 Top 100 College Baseball Players. Today, we continue the countdown at number 33 with Kansas State senior 2B Ross Kivett. The Broadview Heights, Ohio native attended St. Edward High School where he was a three year letterwinner under Dan Allie. As a high school senior, he hit .485 (47-for-97) with 10 doubles, two triples, 16 RBI and 16 steals bringing his team to the high school championship. Kivett as a freshman played in 48 games with 38 starts. He finished the season hitting .314 (49-of-156) with four doubles, one triple and 19 RBI. He was solid on the basepaths stealing 8 bases in 13 attempts. As a sophomore, he started every game at second base hitting .286 with 10 doubles, five triples and 28 RBI. He tied for fifth in the Big 12 in triples. He continued his strong base running by stealing 25 bases which was good enough for second best in the Big 12. http://ht.ly/2D2Buk

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 1. Houston Astros — Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State - I don’t see any reason to remove Rodon from the top spot until he gives reason to. The 6’-3”, 240 pound southpaw has everything you want in an ace. After a sensational sophomore season in which he posted a 2.99 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 184 K/45 BB over 132.1 innings, he dominated for Collegiate Team USA, going 3-0 with 21 K/4 BB over 17 shutout innings, allowing just five hits. With guys like Mark Appel, Lance McCullers and Mike Foltynewicz already in their system, the Astros can continue to build on an impressive future rotation. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

12-9-13 – Pine Tar Press  -  17- OF Derek Fisher Virginia 8/21/93- He is one of two players who turned down the Rangers out of HS and look to be top 15 picks in this draft. (Max Pentecost the other) His hit tool is the best in the college class but the question mark is his defense. He will be a LF because his arm strength and speed only fit that position. I think he could be a 20-25 HR with 40 2B guy in his prime but bat first (and maybe only) prospect are always a concern. (Brewers @ 12) http://pinetarpress.com/early-look-2014-mlb-draft/

Draft 14 – Luke Weaver, Derek Fisher, Cameron Varga, Cobi Johnson, John Jones

10-19 – BLF – Luke Weaver - Fastball:  Weaver shows a 91 to 94 mph Fastball with good tailing action. Secondary Pitches: Weaver throws a slider that shows flashes of plus potential and sits in the low 80s.  It sometimes shows a sweeping action and at times a harder break, once he is able to find a consistency in the slider it will be easier to grade.  But both have plus potential. Command: He shows excellent command and pounds the lower half of the strike zone.  He isn’t afraid  to pound the inner have of the  plate with all his pitches. Summary:   Luke Weaver is my dark horse in this draft.  He has a lot of good pieces and if he puts them together, Weaver will become a very good pitcher.  I see him as a #1/#2 type but could become a pure #1 if things go right.  I have heard comps on him like Brett Saberhagen and Tim Hudson. http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/10/19/scouting-report-luke-weaver-rhp/

10-18-13 – Matt Garroich – Derek Fisher at Virginia was highly touted out of high school, I had him 20th overall in the draft, and he has done nothing to hurt his stock while a Cavalier. He still has some swing and miss issues, a balding head and big time power but his speed has maintained better than I expected. His toolset is that of a solid regular or better in the majors. http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/10/18/4851030/2014-mlb-draft-atlantic-region-college-discussion

10-15-13 – Baseball America - 40. Cameron Varga, rhp, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Loveland, Ohio: Nagging injuries sidelined Varga this summer, but the 19-year-old has touched 95 mph with his fastball in the past with a plus curveball, and he has an athletic build. http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-draft-top-50-october-2013-carlos-rodon/

9-30-13 – TTF Mock 2.0 - 28. Oakland Athletics — Cobi Johnson, RHP, James Mitchell HS (FL) At 6’-4” and 180 pounds, the right-hander has the ideal size for a frontline starter. His fastball has touched 93 mph, and he adds a solid curveball. His change-up, like most prep pitchers, is still developing, but he shows a  good feel for pitching, and his athleticism will help with his progression. He has shown very good command of his stuff and had 103 K/14 BB over 71 innings as a junior. He also hit .426/.508/.703 over 30 games with 18 stolen bases. His velocity does drop off in later innings, but he should gain more stamina as he fills out his frame. He struck out three in one perfect inning at the PG Classic. Committed to Florida State. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-mock-draft-2-0-draft-order-set/38280#5E3F5j1jWOgE69bJ.99

9-11-13 - Sully’s 2014 Top 100 MLB HS Draft Prospects – 81.John Jones – C, East River (FL ) HS http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-2014-top-100-mlb-hs-draft-prospects/

Draft 14 – Grant Holmes, Derek Fisher, Michael Cederoth, Brian Gonzalez, Jeff Hoffman

10-15-13 – Baseball America - 24. Grant Holmes, rhp, Conway (S.C.) HS: Powerfully built but undersized, the 6-foot Holmes has a fastball that reaches 96 mph with power and depth to his curveball. http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-draft-top-50-october-2013-carlos-rodon/

10-14-13 – Top ’14 College Hitters - 1. Derek Fisher / OF / Virginia — Fischer is going to have to hit — he doesn’t have the arm strength or instincts to be anything but a left fielder — to earn this ranking, but he certainly has the offensive tools to justify it. The left-handed hitting outfielder has above-average bat speed and a linear swing that should lead to above-average power numbers, though we haven’t seen that translate into games as much as one would hope. Consistency has been a problem for Fischer, but with a strong junior season you could see him go very early, as he’s one of the few middle of the order type bats in this class. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2013/10/top-14-for-14-college-hitters/

9-30-13 – TTF Mock 2.0 - 13. San Diego Padres — Michael Cederoth, RHP, San Diego State  He is 6′-6“, 210 pounds and can touch 100 mph with his fastball. Shall I go on? He also adds a mid-80s slider, as well as a mid-80s change-up that is more of an out pitch. His command can be shaky at times as he is still learning how to be a pitcher instead of just running his overpowering fastball. Over 15 starts this year, he had a 4.25 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 109 K/48 BB over 95.1 innings. If he works on his command the way Jonathan Gray did last year, as well as refine his off-speed stuff, he should be one of the first college pitchers off the board. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-mock-draft-2-0-draft-order-set/38280#5E3F5j1jWOgE69bJ.99

9-11-13 - Sully’s 2014 Top 100 MLB HS Draft Prospects – 92.Brian Gonzalez – LHP/1B, Archbishop McCarthy (FL) HS http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-2014-top-100-mlb-hs-draft-prospects/

10-18-13 – Matt Garroich – Jeff Hoffman of East Carolina is a righty that has frontline potential and three plus pitch potential. He would be the kind of guy who would be in discussions for the top pick in any draft, so he should be in this draft as well, even with Rodon in it. I don't want to oversell Hoffman at this point because his stuff has always been better than his results but his summer on Cape Cod was simply dominant. http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/10/18/4851030/2014-mlb-draft-atlantic-region-college-discussion

Draft 14 – Brady Aiken, Tyler Kolek, Jake Nix, Derek Fisher, Tyler Beede

9-30-13 – TTF Mock 2.0 - 30. Boston Red Sox — Brady Aiken, RHP, Cathedral Catholic HS (CA) One of the youngest players in the 2014 MLB draft, the 6’-4” southpaw is an alumni of Team USA Baseball and is very polished on the mound. His fastball sits in the low 90s, and both his curveball and change-up are solid offerings. He has great control of his pitches and dominated at The Tournament of Stars, striking out seven over three scoreless innings. He then earned the win in the gold medal game against Japan at the World Cup Championships in Taiwan, striking out 10 over seven innings, allowing just one run. He had a 1.18 ERA and 80 K/25 BB over 53.1 innings as a junior for a team that included 2013 fourth-round pick Stephen Gonsalves. Committed to UCLA. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-mock-draft-2-0-draft-order-set/38280#5E3F5j1jWOgE69bJ.99

9-29-13 – XMLBScout – 3.)RHP, Tyler Kolek, 6'5 250, R/R, Shepard HS, Shepard TX, a big'un is all I can say, good arm strength, middle 90's with his FB, at times the fb explodes with tailing life in vs RHH and on occ cuts the fb, topped out at 96 on my gun, also threw some sharp breaking balls he calls a curveball, I won't argue there, he's got a good one when he leads with front elbow and keeps his arm arm and follows through properly, command of his pitches is good for his size and improving from what I was told by several of his team's followers at TOS, definite early round follow, could be in the top 10 for sure with his arm and projection, did have surgery a little while back and seems completely 100%.  http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/

9-11-13 - Sully’s 2014 Top 100 MLB HS Draft Prospects – 71.Jake Nix – RHP, Los Alamitos (CA) HS http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-2014-top-100-mlb-hs-draft-prospects/

10-6-13 – Kendall Rogers/PG – College Prospects -  6. Derek Fisher, of, Virginia (Drafted: 2011, Rangers -- 6th round) - Last year, Hunter Renfroe was the guy we tabbed as someone who would take a big step forward. Fisher fits that bill for the 2014 campaign. Fisher is very athletic with a good frame. He has a smooth swing from the left side and has the tools and power to be a feared, elite hitter in college and at the next level. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9081

10-9-13 – Early Pick for Cubs - Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt - Here’s what you need to know about the 6’-4” right-hander from Vanderbilt: He has two plus pitches in a mid-90s fastball and knee-buckling curveball, and hitters can rarely touch him. He allowed just 64 hits more than 101 innings as a sophomore for a .187 BAA. He also added 103 strikeouts and a 2.32 ERA. He did allow 63 walks, however, and his control is the only knock on him. With three quality pitches in his arsenal, along with the size and make up of a future ace, his upside is special. Another reason to love this pick for the 2014 MLB draft is that former Vanderbilt pitching coach, Derek Johnson, is the current minor league pitching coordinator for the Cubs. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-early-targets-chicago-cubs-fourth-overall-pick/38723

Draft 14 – Derek Fisher, Scott Blewitt, Braxton Davidson, Conor Welton, Carlos Rodon

9-30-13 – TTF Mock 2.0 - 17. Baltimore Orioles — Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia  A great athlete, the 6’-3”, 210-pound left-hander greatly improved his approach this season cutting down his strikeouts from 61 to 38 over roughly the same number of plate appearances while upping his walks from 22 to 28. Over 53 games, he hit .306 with 12 doubles, seven home runs, stole eight bases and had a .420 OBP/.505 SLG. His size suggests more power will come and, if it does, he will be one of the better all-around college bats available in the 2014 MLB draft. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-mock-draft-2-0-draft-order-set/38280#5E3F5j1jWOgE69bJ.99

9-11-13 - Sully’s 2014 Top 100 MLB HS Draft Prospects – 41.Scott Blewitt – RHP, Charles W Baker  (NY)  HS http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-2014-top-100-mlb-hs-draft-prospects/

9-29-13 – XMLBScout – 20.)1B, Braxton Davidson, 6'2 205, L/L, TC Roberson HS, Asheville NC, has some bat speed and dead pull power to RF, ave arm strength and knows how to handle the bag, not a burner as far as a runner goes, 4.4 from Left side at best, 7.2, 60 type guy, will go as far as his bat takes him. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/

Kendall Rogers ‏@KendallRogersPG  - Injury news for #UGA: P Pete Nagel has returned well from Tommy John, throwing good pens, Conor Welton back strong from shoulder surg.

10-6-13 – Kendall Rogers/PG – College Prospects - 1. Carlos Rodon, lhp, North Carolina State (Drafted: 2011, Brewers -- 16th round) - There are very few things negative that can be said about Rodon. Rodon is a stocky 6-foot-3, 234-pounder, who despite his dominant stuff, plays with a chip on his shoulder. Besides his bulldog-like attitude, Rodon has a 93-97 mph fastball, 85-87 slider with two-plane break and a low-80s changeup with potential. One college baseball legend recently told me he hadn’t seen a lefty like Rodon in at least 10 years. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9081

Draft 14 – Alex Calbick, Kel Johnson, Matt Lloyd, Derek Fisher, Sean Reid-Foley

10-2-13 - The first player on the list checking in at number 100 is Maine infielder Alex Calbick. The Burnaby, British Columbia native attended Burnaby Secondary school where he hit.390 as a senior with one home run and 38 RBI and as a junior, batted .333 with a home run and 29 RBI while being a member of the Canadian Junior National Team.  As a freshman in 2011, he appeared in all 57 games for the Black Bears, starting 56 of them. He hit for an average of .280 with 56 hits, 30 RBIs, nine doubles, a triple, and five home runs while having multiple hits in 16 games. He was named to the America East Second Team, America East All-Rookie Team selection and a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American. http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2013/10/01/2014-top-100-players-countdown-100-alex-calbick-maine/

 

9-30-13 – TTF Mock 2.0 - 37. Milwaukee Brewers — Kel Johnson, OF, Home School, (GA)  A 6’-4”, 210-pound right-hander who has been a fixture on Perfect Game tournaments, Johnson is home schooled by his parents and plays for the East Cobb Braves — one of the premiere youth baseball operations in the country. Power would be his best tool right now as he generates a ton of it with his strong wrists and bat speed. A player who you come to watch hit batting practice. Finished second to Gatewood in the home run derby at Citi Field, hitting 11 in total. Committed to Georgia Tech. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-mock-draft-2-0-draft-order-set/38280#5E3F5j1jWOgE69bJ.99

9-21-13 - Foothill Dawgs Baseball shortstop Matt Lloyd was very impressive and the Alberta native certainly has to rank among the top 2014 Canadian prospects in the class. He’s a strong and lean 6-foot-2, 175-pound lefthanded hitter who was outstanding on defense, and single-handedly saved the Dawgs 3-3 tie with the Cal Stars a couple of times with his glove and arm. He charges the ball very well from shortstop but has the arm strength to make the long throw as well. Lloyd was also involved in a bizarre triple play that actually took a minute or two to figure out what went on. With the bases loaded and no outs in the fifth inning, the Dawgs brought their infield in. Lloyd made a diving stop of a hard line drive up the middle and the umpire responded with a somewhat quiet “out” call. The runner on third, thinking the ball had been trapped, raced home and Lloyd jumped to his feet and threw home for what he thought was a force-out. By then no one knew what was going on and had stopped, so the Dawgs just threw the ball around to every base, tagging players and bases until the umpires signaled three outs – 3 http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9017

9-4-13 – Mack’s Mock Draft v1.0 – 8 – Phillies – OF  Derek Fisher – Virginia – Excellent gap hitter with above average bat speed. Had a horrible 2013 offensively in school but still projects out as a top draft pick. Projects as one of the top college bats in the draft.

9-11-13 - Sully’s 2014 Top 100 MLB HS Draft Prospects - 5.Sean Reid-Foley – RHP, Sandalwood (FL) HS http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-2014-top-100-mlb-hs-draft-prospects/

Draft 14 – Derek Fisher, Josh Morgan, Jack Flaherty, Jeff Harding Jr., Tyler Beede

9-29-13 – XMLBScout – 8.)OF, Derek Fisher, Virginia, 6'2 210, L/R, strong durable build with solid ML arm from the OF, has on the way, plus speed once he gets out of the box, could steal 20 bases in ML once he arrives, has straight away power, a lil glitch in his hitting approach but good strength and bat speed to make adjustments with hitting instruction at the pro level. Definite early round follow for 2014. http://xmlbscout.angelfire.com/

9-21-13 -The player who stood out for the Nighthawks was shortstop Josh Morgan. Morgan didn’t have a strong summer, but PG’s Todd Gold reported that Morgan had been playing very well recently. That was certainly the case Friday night, as Morgan looked lighter and much faster, both with the bat and with his straight line running speed. He had a few long battles at the plate with Vetrovec that could have gone either way.  http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9017

9-4-13 – Mack’s Mock Draft v1.0 – 7 – Padres – 3B Jack Flaherty – Harvard-Westlake (CA) HS – I rate Flaherty as the top power hitter in the draft. He has the natural power and, because the ball jumps off the bat, he projects as an above average BA hitter as well.  Only has an average arm so he probably projects to stay at third and not move into the outfield. Potential 35/125 hitter.

9-11-13 - Sully’s 2014 Top 100 MLB HS Draft Prospects – 82.Jeff Harding Jr. – RHP, Cambridge-South Dorchester (MD) HS http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-2014-top-100-mlb-hs-draft-prospects/

9-30-13 – TTF Mock 2.0 - 7. Philadelphia Phillies — Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt  At 6’-4” and 215 pounds, the right-hander has the size, along with the stuff, to be an ace at the next level. He features a classic three-pitch mix with a mid-90s plus fastball with great movement, a plus power curveball and a deceptive change-up that freezes hitters. Opponents hit just .187 against him as a sophomore as his ability to miss bats is something to see. The one knock on him is that he also has a tendency to miss the strike zone. His stuff and make-up are top notch, however, and if he can harness his control as a junior, he could challenge Rodon for the top pick. Posted a 2.32 ERA, 1.26 with 103 K/63 BB over 101 innings for the Commodores.  http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-mock-draft-2-0-draft-order-set/38280#5E3F5j1jWOgE69bJ.99

Draft 14 – Derek Fisher, Tyler Kolek, Joseph Gatto, Touki Toussaint, Sean Newcomb

8-14-13 – Through The Fence – Top 50 Prospects – 24. Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia - A great athlete, the 6’-3”, 210-pound left-hander greatly improved his approach this season cutting down his strikeouts from 61 to 38 over roughly the same number of plate appearances while upping his walks from 22 to 28. Over 53 games, he hit .306 with 12 doubles, seven home runs, stole eight bases and had a .420 OBP/.505 SLG. His size suggests more power will come and, if it does, he will be one of the better all-around college bats available in the 2014 MLB draft. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-top-50-prospects/36463#mwWwsFxSUZy7YC5V.99

8-31-13 – Area Code Games - Tyler Kolek (RHP) 6’5″ 245; 2014 Big bodied and country strong w/XXL features. Jonathon Gray (COL) body comp. Power arm w/good rhythm to delivery; repeats. Lands closed and arm works across body at times but does not effect strikes. Boring FB gets on hitters in a hurry. In the starting role, its a fringy 7FB who can gear up to 8FB when needed. Shows the makings of a true, power 7SL. CB has late, softer wrinkle that adds different look to breaking ball. Still learning feel for CB spin. Heavy CH will play to contact. Big upside power pitcher w/4-pitch mix.    http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/08/31/area-code-notes/

8-15-13 - Under Armour All-Star Game – Joseph Gatto, RHP: A chance to be a complete pitcher with a good arm that right now generates low 90s fastball while occasionally reaching the mid 90s.  He has  advanced feel and command for his age while also having enough room on his 6'5", 210 lbs frame to add some muscle and perhaps the velo increase that sometimes goes with it.  The height also gives him the advantage of being able to throw with some downward plane. 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 – 2 – Miami – RHSP Touki Toussaint – Coral Springs (FL) High School – The obvious ‘best player available’ here would have been RHP Tyler Beede out of Vanderbilt, but the Marlins do not want to get into a gigantic bonus negotiation with the college junior. They choose instead  a local high school senior they are banking on will sign for slot. It’s still a very good pick for a kid who is ranked in every top ten mock in the country. Very raw, but throws in the high 90s.

9-10-13 – Top Arms in 2013 Cape Cod League - Sean Newcomb 6-5/240, Wareham Gatemen 22.1 IP, 28 K, 4.43 ERA: FB 88-94 CB 69 SL 76-79 CH 81-83 -  Spent most of the summer recovering from illness, and this led to some inconsistency (high ERA). Newcomb is a big lefty that uses little effort to throw in the mid-90s, with a lot of late dive. Most importantly, he improved every time I saw him pitch. http://bullpenbanter.com/2013-all-cape-team-pitchers/

Draft 14 – Alex Jackson, Derek Fisher, Jake Fincher, North Carolina State

 

6-12-13 - One of the top hitters at the Area Code Games as a sophomore, Alex Jackson was among the national leaders in home runs again this year with 14. He batted .343 with 33 RBIs while leading Rancho Bernardo to the San Diego Section Open Division championship. http://www.maxpreps.com/news/E9UKfOG1wUq1fo3tzHLHgw/top-10-high-school-baseball-players-to-watch-for-2014-mlb-draft.htm

6-30-13  -  Frankie Piliere ‏@FPilierePG  - Watching @HarwichMariners take BP - the ball acts very different off Derek Fisher's bat. Easy line drives and big CF carry @UVABaseball

6-26-13  -  Player:  Jake Fincher   Position:  OF   School:  NC State  Height/Weight:  6’0/173   Bats/Throws:  R/R   2014 Class:  College Junior   Scouting Report: - from Don Olsen on 6/18/2013 = Jake has a medium athletic lean build.  Patient hitter and very selective, impressive strike zone awareness and pitch recognition.  Keeps his weight back and fights offerings to ride with the pitch when caught off.  Spray contact that can drive the pitch as well, more of a gap power type hitter.  Aggressive on the path, quick first step, caught 3.1 on steal to 2nd base, overall very dangerous on the paths.  Range and glove are solid, arm is good enough.  Jake has the defensive game to transition to CF, but isolated to LF if forced on the corner. http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/06/25/2014-mlb-draft-profile-jake-fincher/

6-27-13  -  North Carolina State: The Wolfpack will have the nation's elite starting pitcher in Carlos Rodon, along with fellow likely starting pitchers Brad Stone and Logan Jernigan. However, the Pack, at this point, has some significant holes to fill in the bullpen with the departures of several impressive arms. The offense also has some losses, though N.C. State returns shortstop Trea Turner and catcher Brett Austin, who we feel like will have a breakout junior campaign http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=8705

Draft 14 – Derek Fisher, Scott Squier, Michael Conforto, Indiana

6-13-13  -  17. San Francisco Giants — Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia - A great athlete, the 6’-3”, 210 pound left-hander greatly improved his approach this season cutting down his strikeouts from 61 to 38 over roughly the same number of plate appearances while upping his walks from 22 to 28. Over 53 games, he hit .306 with 12 doubles, seven home runs, stole eight bases and had a .420 OBP/.505 SLG. His size suggests more power will come and, if it does, he will be one of the better all-around college bats available in the 2014 MLB draft. http://beforeitsnews.com/sports/2013/06/2014-mlb-mock-draft-1-0-no-time-like-the-present-2513748.html?currentSplittedPage=2

6-22-13  -  Player:  Scott Squier   Position:  LHP   School:  Hawaii   Date of Birth:  9/17/1992   Height/Weight:  6’6   Bats/Throws:  R/L   2014 Class:  College Junior   Previously Drafted:  2011, 21st rd, Tigers Scouting Report:  from Don Olsen on 6/18/2013 - Tall and narrow frame, little touch of overall development, comes across in the Chris Sale mold. Fastball 89- 92 (93) mph works with natural tail in the arm slot, shows some sink in the offering.  Slider with more horizontal tilt than vertical and shows the bite that can induce swing/miss offering, grade at above average with some room to grow.  Change up flashes, but needs to grow in order to round out into a solid three pitch mix.  He throws mainly from a natural ¾ slot, but the arm leaks a fair amount of times into a sidearm slot angle might place into bullpen role, some teams do not see this as an issue into role.  The FB/SL combo can ride hard on both sides that logical to fit into a back of the bullpen role, if the change up fails to develop. http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/06/20/2014-mlb-draft-profile-scott-squier/

6-9-13 - 21. Arizona Diamondbacks — Michael Conforto, OF, Oregon State - After an incredible freshman season in which he hit .349 over 58 games with 14 doubles, 13 home runs, 76 RBI and a .438 OBP/.601 SLG, the 6’-1”, 215 pound left-hander has regressed a bit his sophomore year. Over 58 games, he is hitting .326 with nine home runs, 42 RBI and a .450 OBP/.501 SLG. While he has improved his walk rate and approach, the power numbers are down. A great talent, he should be among the better college bats available in the 2014 MLB draft. He has been a little inconsistent in the outfield this season but shows enough to hold down a corner outfield spot. http://beforeitsnews.com/sports/2013/06/2014-mlb-mock-draft-1-0-no-time-like-the-present-2513748.html?currentSplittedPage=2   

6-27-13  -  INDIANA - Head coach Tracy Smith and his staff are doing a terrific job, but must adequately find a way to replace outstanding assistant coach Ty Neal, who's now the head coach at Cincinnati. With that said, the Hoosiers, who were the first team since Michigan in 1984 to reach the College World Series out of the Big Ten, should have yet another fantastic club in 2014. Though starting pitcher Aaron Slegers is fully expected to sign with the Twins as a fifth-round pick, as well as third baseman Dustin DeMuth, IU could very well welcome back reliever Ryan Halstead, who was a 26th-round selection of the Twins. From a pitching standpoint, the Hoosiers welcome back several talented arms, including starting pitchers Joey DeNato, who starred in Omaha, Kyle Hart, who had a 3.01 ERA in 83 2/3 innings of work this past season, and plenty of others, such as Will Coursen-Carr, Scott Effross, Luke Harrison, Brian Korte and Evan Bell, among others. Indiana also will be loaded again at the plate with the return of PG First Team All-American catcher Kyle Schwarber, designated hitter Scott Donley, first baseman Sam Travis and plenty of others. From a newcomer standpoint, freshman catcher Brent Gibbs could be an early contributor from an offensive standpoint. As good as this Hoosiers team will be next season, it also is interesting to see how they perform with a massive target on their back. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=8705

Draft 14 - An Early Look At - OF - Derek Fisher

1.       Derek Fisher

 

5-28-13 - Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia - Like Conforto, the 6’-3”, 210-pound left-hander had a sensational freshman season, hitting .288 with 11 doubles, eight triples, seven home runs and 50 RBI. He has started hot out of the gate for the Cavaliers, going 13-for-38 (.342) over the first 11 games. He has added a double, triple, two home runs and has knocked in 16 runs for undefeated Virginia. A great athlete, he also has an advanced approach at the plate, drawing seven walks to six strikeouts this year and has a .457 OBP. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft/29840#fm24otWuYCEocLQZ.99

 

5-27-13 - Derek Fisher was a much higher profile prospect than Turner in the same 2011 prep draft class, turning down significant money in the 6th round from Texas. Fisher was a big name for a while in high school, but as a cold weather prospect from Pennsylvania that had an iffy spring and serious swing-and-miss questions, his seven figure price tag limited his options. His freshman year in Charlottesville followed this narrative, as he hit .288 with 22 walks and 61 strikeouts in 219 AB despite flashing upside with 11 doubles, 8 triples and 7 homers as a toolshed with a center field profile. Fisher has made some adjustments at the plate this spring, hitting .309/.423/.533 with 23 BB and 30 K. There's a lot to like here with a 6'3, 210 pound left-handed hitting center fielder that flashes above average speed and power with some aptitude for making adjustments. LINK

 

 6-9-13  -   15.Derek Fisher, OF (Virginia): Even though he underwhelmed a bit in 2013, he’s one of the best offensive prospects at the college level. http://www.minorleaguerundown.com/2013/06/09/2014-mlb-draft-top-30-prospects/

 

6-10-13 - Derek Fisher, OF Virginia - Fisher was one of my favorite players in the 2011 draft class.  He is a good athlete with a line drive swing with good bat speed.  There is good power projection in his bat.  His approach has improved over the last year at Virginia. http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/06/10/2014-mlb-draft-early-college-names-to-know/

 

6-13-13  -  17. San Francisco Giants — Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia - A great athlete, the 6’-3”, 210 pound left-hander greatly improved his approach this season cutting down his strikeouts from 61 to 38 over roughly the same number of plate appearances while upping his walks from 22 to 28. Over 53 games, he hit .306 with 12 doubles, seven home runs, stole eight bases and had a .420 OBP/.505 SLG. His size suggests more power will come and, if it does, he will be one of the better all-around college bats available in the 2014 MLB draft. http://beforeitsnews.com/sports/2013/06/2014-mlb-mock-draft-1-0-no-time-like-the-present-2513748.html?currentSplittedPage=2