Draft 14 – A.J. Vanegas, Tyler Beede, Kyle Freeland, Josh Morgan, Jeren Kendall

2-10-14 - Stanford righthander A.J. Vanegas, may be the most-talented player in this year’s senior class—and actually enrolled in college with more acclaim than Appel did a year earlier after turning down a seventh-round offer from the San Diego Padres that approached $2 million. But Vanegas’ career at Stanford has been wracked by inconsistency and injury. He worked in only nine innings as a junior while battling back from off-season back surgery and also contracting mononucleosis. Predictably, he slipped to the 19th round of last year’s draft and never seriously entertained signing with the Oakland A’s. http://perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9404

3-25-14 – MLB Draft Insider Mock – 05   Tyler Beede        RHP        Vanderbil  -  Beede continues to dominate even in conference play, and the command continues to be impressive, especially when you consider how poor it was last year. http://mlbdraftinsider.com/2014/03/the-board-2014-volume-ii/ 

2-5-14 - Kyle Freeland, LHP, Evansville - The southpaw was extremely impressive at the Cape Cod League, posting a 2.25 ERA and 48 K/4 BB over 40 innings. He seemed to get better as the season went on, and his last start was his best outing — he allowed three hits over seven shutout innings while striking out 10 to no walks. His slider is already a plus pitch, and his fastball can touch 96 mph and sits in the 91-94 mph range. His change-up is still developing, and there is some effort in his delivery, but with his size (6’-4”, 185 pounds) and athleticism, there is a lot to like as a possible number-two starter. Projected as a mid-to-late first-round pick, he would have to show a lot this year to be considered at four. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-dark-horse-candidates-chicago-cubs-first-pick/41075#UeYBipV5rOuYd7xE.99

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 68. Boston Red Sox — Josh Morgan, SS, Orange Lutheran HS (CA) - A quick-twitch athlete, Morgan is a 6′-0″, 185 pound right-hander with great actions at shortstop. he has worked extremely hard to remain at the premium position, including dropping 10 pounds to become more fluid in the field. He also gained more speed in doing so. At the plate, he makes consistent, hard contact to all fields. One of those kids who just gets better every time out. Committed to UCLA. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 34 Jeren Kendall OF L/R 5-9 171 Holmen (Wisc.) HS Vanderbilt http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/

Draft 14 – Sam Travis, Foster Griffin, Jeren Kendall, Jake Jarvis

1-20-14 – PG Preseason College All-Americans - First Base - Sam Travis, Indiana - 2013 Stats: .316 AVG, 22 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 57 RBI, 39 BB, 33 SO - Travis didn’t receive as much fanfare as Schwarber last season. One reason for that is that he hit several points lower than Schwarber, but still managed to smack 10 homers and knock in 57 runs while nursing a broken hamate bone for much of the season. Travis, ranked No. 41 in our college prospects list, has big-time raw power and packs a punch in his 6-foot, 210-pound, frame. Entering the season 100-percent healthy and ready to go, look for Travis to tally very good offensive numbers this season. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9294

1-3-14 – TTF Baseball - 58. Washington Nationals — Foster Griffin, LHP, The First Academy (FL) - At 6’-5” and 190 pounds, the southpaw has a lot of projection and already has a great feel for pitching. His fastball can touch 92 mph and he adds a mid-70s change-up with nice fade. He has a loose and lanky frame, which bodes well for added velocity and mechanics. His size alone makes him an intriguing prospect. Committed to Mississippi. http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2014-mlb-draft-2/40753#ppGUqI6CbWFvzsPf.99

12-9-13 – Pine Tar Press  -  50-OF Jeren Kendall Hoiman HS (Vanderbilt Commit)- A late bloomer to pro scouts with tremendous upside, Kendall comes from a non-traditional baseball state but has all of the tools to slip into the first round. He is blessed with plus speed and has a very strong arm. He projects as a CF with his speed and his left-handed bat should make him intriguing as a future leadoff guy in the big leagues. (Out of first round- Cubs selection) http://pinetarpress.com/early-look-2014-mlb-draft/

11-21-13 – BA Top 100 High School Players - 67 Jake Jarvis 3B/RHP R/R 5-10 180 Klein Collins HS, Spring, Texas Texas A&M http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-high-school-top-100-with-commitments/

Draft 14 – Alex Jackson, Keaton McKinney, Chase Vellot, Braxton Davidson, Jeren Kendall

8-12-13 - Alex Jackson, C, Rancho Bernardo High School (Escondido, CA) -  It was an honor to join Joe Hamrahi on stage this weekend as we presented Alex Jackson with the first annual Baseball Prospectus Prospect of the Year Award, at the Perfect Game All-American Classic in San Diego. Jackson is a dual threat talent, with an easy plus-plus arm behind the plate, near elite pop times, and big power from the right side. It's a similar profile to high-ceiling prospect Jorge Alfaro, which should give you some indication how special this player could be. Getting to watch the talent on the field opened my eyes to his physical abilities, but the way he carried himself off the field, the natural leadership qualities and maturity he possesses, opened my eyes to the type of makeup that can make his ceiling more than just an exaggerated fantasy. When physical talent and makeup join forces, the end result can change the fortunes of an organization, and Jackson looks like a player well on his way to that reality. – http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=21504

 

7-24-13  -  Keaton McKinney, rhp, Ankeny (Iowa) High/Marucci Elite - At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, McKinney has a physical build with a strong lower half and still has room to grow into his upper body and large frame. With a quick, whip-like arm action from a three-quarter arm slot, McKinney sits 89-92 mph, touching 93. An Arkansas signee, he also throws a two-seamer with above-average armside run and sink and pitches aggressively off his fastball. His low-80s changeup with fade is his most advanced secondary offering. His 76-79 mph slider with tight rotation shows the makings of an average pitch. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/tyler-koleks-heavy-fastball-among-tournament-of-stars-standouts/

 

7-25-13 – Top 30 High School Prospects For 2014 Draft - 19. Chase Vallot, C, St. Thomas More HS (LA) - 6'0/205, R/R, Draft Day Age: 17.79, Mississippi State commit, Full Report - Quick Take: Vallot is just five days older than Forbes in the competition for youngest player in the class and also brings a lot of tools to the table. He has an ability to stick behind the plate with an above average arm and a powerful, sturdy frame that already generates average raw power with a good mix of bat speed and strength. http://sbb.scout.com/2/1310090.html

 

2013 East Coast Pro Showcase Top 50 Prospects   - 3. Braxton Davidson – OF/1B, T.C. Roberson (NC) HS - The most feared hitter in the 2014 class. Davidson hits everything hard and had three home runs at TOS. He continued to hit at ECP. http://www.ninebaseball.org/Wordpress/sullys-top-50-ecp-prospects/

 

8-10-13 - New Balance Area Code games - Jeren Kendall (WI) was the star of the show for the White Sox and has been impressive all week. He launched a ball to the wall in right field for a triple. The center fielder has shown off some of the best speed at the Area Codes this week. Kendall also showed some pop, yanking a few foul balls well into left field. http://prospectinsider.com/view/2013-area-codes:-day-4-notes/