Draft 14 – Brad Zimmer, Evan Skoug, Trea Turner, Scott Hurst, Kyle Schwarber

2-5-14 - Number 18 on our countdown is San Francisco junior outfielder Bradley Zimmer. The La Jolla, California native attended La Jolla, High School. He was a three year varsity starter as he led the squad in many categories including average (.446), home runs, RBI, stolen bases, on-base percentage. As a freshman, he started 42 games while hitting .242 in 153 at-bats with nine doubles, one triple, and 15 RBI. In 2013, he played in 58 games while hitting .320 with seven home runs, 37 RBI and 19 stolen bases. He had a team-high .512 slugging percentage and team-best .949 OPS. He spent the summer with the USA Collegiate National Team where he hit .300 with a home run, 11 RBI and a team-best 11 stolen bases. He finished the summer with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League where she was named postseason MVP after leading the team to the league championship. http://ht.ly/2DA1oL

1-27-14 – BP - Positional Preview: High School Catchers - Evan Skoug | C/CIF | Libertyville (Libertyville, IL) | Commit: Texas Christian  Height/Weight: 5-foot-10/200 pounds  B/T: L/R  Draft Day Age: 18y 7m  As was the case with Schwarz, Skoug really stood out in Syracuse at the East Coast Pro showcase, and in particular during his BP sessions where the big left-handed power was on display. The TCU commit took an even bigger step forward up follow lists with a monster performance in Jupiter for the Reds Midwest Scout Team, showing huge pull-side power throughout the tournament and very little difficulty squaring velocity. Skoug boasts a thick build with a monster lower half and has no trouble generating torque in his swing. He’s among the more interesting left-handed power bats at the high school ranks due to his solid approach and recent on-field performances, and should enter the spring high on Midwest follow lists. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=22662

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 6. Seattle Mariners — Trea Turner, SS, North Carolina State - Arguably my favorite player in the 2014 MLB draft, the 6’-1” right-hander is a burner who gets on base and plays great defense at a premium position. Some have questioned his hit tool but all he has done is hit for a high average with great strikeout/walk ratios. Over 56 games as a sophomore, he hit .368/.455/.553 with 30 stolen bases and drew 38 walks to just 30 strikeouts. He also hit seven home runs, showing developing power. As a freshman, he led the nation in stolen bases with 57 and was only thrown out four times. He was slowed by an ankle injury over the summer, which might have led to some dropping him in their rankings, but he is fully healed now and should be one of the most exciting players in college this year again.  http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 39 Scott Hurst OF L/R 5-10 167 Bishop Amat, La Puente., Calif. Cal State Fullerton http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/

3-20-14 – Cubs Insider - • Kyle Schwarber, Indiana University catcher/outfielder: Might be another reach at No. 4, but this could be the best college power bat available. Not sure if he would remain at catcher. The Cubs had at least two staffers scouting him when the Hoosiers came to Surprise Stadium for last month’s Pac-12/Big Ten Challenge. http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/mlb-draft-cubs-identifying-targets-no-4-overall-pick

Draft 14 – Nick Burdi, Mac Marshall, Derek Hill, Evan Skoug

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 29. St. Louis Cardinals — Nick Burdi, RHP, Louisville - I just keep imagining a bullpen of Burdi, Trevor Rosenthal and Jason Motte — all three capable of hitting triple-digits on the radar gun. Burdi, a 6’-4”, 215 pound right-hander who most certainly will remain a reliever due to his lack of a third pitch, put together a monstrous season for Louisville last year. Over 35.2 innings, he posted a 0.76 ERA with 62 K/13 BB for a silly 15.7 K/9 ratio. Aside from his plus/plus fastball, he also adds a slider that sits in the 88-91 mph range and completely baffles hitters who are waiting on his fastball. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

12-9-13 – Pine Tar Press  -  26- LHP Mac Marshall Parkview HS (LSU Commit) 1/27/96- His HS has become a must stop for cross checkers the last 3 years with former first rounder’s Matt Olson and Josh Hart playing there. He comes in fast on hitters because of the drive in his delivery. He works with 3 pitches and has a change up that he uses a lot. A low 90’s guy now, Marshall is easy to dream on as a future #2 or 3 SP in the big leagues. (Dodgers @ 25) http://pinetarpress.com/early-look-2014-mlb-draft/

12-10-13 – TTF – Top 50 HS Players - 26. Derek Hill, OF, Elk Grove HS (CA) - One of the better defensive outfielders in the 2014 MLB draft, the 6’-2” right-hander has been timed at 6.44 in the 60 and his arm has been clocked at 93 mph from the outfield. His instincts, route running and speed allow him to make highlight plays in center and he should stick at the premium position. At the plate, he shows good bat speed and developing power. Committed to Oregon. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-top-50/40532#zz88YJZTOG8iEa1Z.99

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 47 Evan Skoug C L/R 5-9 203 Libertyvile (Ill.) HS Texas Christian http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/

Draft 14 – Evan Skoug, Nick Gordon, Kyle Schwarber, Alex Jackson, Slade Heggen

10-30-13 - Clint Longenecker/BA – WWBA World Championship - Although he was not a part of the championship squad, Reds Scout Team catcher Evan Skoug won the tournament’s most valuable player award by hitting .636/.800/1.000 with a double and a home run. The lefthanded-hitting Texas Christian commit from Libertyville (Ill.) High had eight walks against one strikeout. Skoug is a physical beast with a powerful lower half, sloped shoulders and strength throughout his large frame at 5-foot-11, 200 pounds. He is a hard-nosed, high-intensity player with above-average raw power. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/evoshield-canes-win-perfect-game-wwba-world-championship/


10-29-13 – Jim Callis – Top 10 World Wood Bat Association World Championship (WWBA) Jupiter, Fla - 4. Nick Gordon, SS/RHP, Cardinals Scout Team/FTB Chandler (Olympia High, Orlando, Fla./Florida State)  Son of former All-Star Tom offers defensive ability, above-average speed and a low-90s fastball. http://ht.ly/qi5No


10-15-13 – Baseball America - 17. Kyle Schwarber, c/1b, Indiana: Physical lefthanded swing helps him hit for power and average; his best position is clearly the batter’s box. http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-draft-top-50-october-2013-carlos-rodon/


10-29-13 – Jim Callis – Top 10 World Wood Bat Association World Championship (WWBA) Jupiter, Fla - 1. Alex Jackson, C, Cardinals Scout Team/FTB Chandler (Rancho Bernardo High, San Diego/Oregon) -  Plus right-handed power and arm strength are his two best tools; no reason he can't stay behind the plate. http://ht.ly/qi5No


9-11-13 - Sully’s 2014 Top 100 MLB HS Draft Prospects – 100. Slade Heggen – C, Loyala Sacred Heart (MT) HS http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-2014-top-100-mlb-hs-draft-prospects/

Draft 14 – Carlos Rodon, Brian Gonzalez, Scott Blewett, Evan Skoug, Devon Fisher

10-15-13 – Baseball America - 1. Carlos Rodon, lhp, N.C. State: Could have ranked No. 1 in previous two draft classes with a 93-95 mph fastball and premium slider. http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-draft-top-50-october-2013-carlos-rodon/

10-25-13  - PG Showcase – LHP Brian Gonzalez (Archbishop McCarthy HS, Miramar, Fla.) - Gonzalez threw three innings from a high three-quarter arm slot, creating good downhill angle on his 87-91 mph heater. He kept lefthanders off balance with a 74-76 curveball, as well as righthanders with his 79-80 changeup. Gonzalez’s changeup featured fastball arm speed and was a swing-and-miss offering when buried down in the zone.  http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/toussaint-wows-evaluators-at-jupiter/

10-28-13 - There are dozens of future big leaguers playing in Perfect Game's 16th annual World Wood Bat Association World Championship. Of the roughly 1,700 players on the 85 teams, perhaps none looks more like a big leaguer than RHP Scott Blewett. He won't turn 18 until April, but Blewett (Baker High, Baldwinsville, N.Y.) already is a sturdy 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds. The Syracuse Sports Zone right-hander has a sound delivery, especially for a teenager with such a big frame, and the ball comes out of his hand well. Blewett opened the game by firing 91-94 mph fastballs and touched 96 one time in the first inning. Even when the St. John's recruit dipped to the upper 80s in the latter half of his outing, he still was able to get outs thanks to the riding life on the pitch. http://ht.ly/qeYJz

10-28-13 - Perfect Game USA ‏@PerfectGameUSA - Amazing #PGTourney by 2014 C Evan Skoug (IL) for the @RedsScoutTeam reached base 16 of 20 plate appearances 7-11 with a 2B and HR!

9-11-13 - Sully’s 2014 Top 100 MLB HS Draft Prospects – 39.Devon Fisher – C, Western Branch (VA) HS http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-2014-top-100-mlb-hs-draft-prospects/