MLB Draft Round 1 Review
By Jay Blue
Dec 12, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Executives with the Texas Rangers talk during the Rule 5 Draft during the MLB Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. The Texas Rangers chose Russell Wilson, quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks in the draft. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Well, Day 1 of the MLB Rule 4 Draft has come and gone and things weren’t all that different from what prognosticators prognosticated. Here’s a summary of what went down in the first round.
1. Houston Astros – LHP Brady Aiken (HS)
This was the pick that most people were predicting for Houston. With a lower (reported) bonus demand and just as high an upside as Carlos Rodon, the Astros decided to go for the high schooler.
2. Miami Marlins – RHP Tyler Kolek (HS)
The big Texan with the big fastball (that reportedly touches 102 mph) was a bit of a surprise but really shouldn’t be. The premium has been placed on velocity lately and Kolek has the type of arm that hasn’t been seen in a long, long time.
3. Chicago White Sox – LHP Carlos Rodon (NC State)
While Rodon’s stock dropped from the surefire 1st overall pick before this season started, a lot of people think this is great value for the White Sox and also think he immediately becomes their #1 prospect (if he signs).
4. Chicago Cubs – C Kyle Schwarber (Indiana)
The first big surprise in the draft came from the Cubs who went for a big-bodied catcher who has one of the best-developed bats in this year’s class. Schwarber may not stick behind the plate, making it a curious selection to take a player who will like end up at a non-premium defensive position down the road.
5. Minnesota Twins – SS Nick Gordon (HS)
The son of Tom “Flash” Gordon and brother to Dee Gordon, Nick has big league bloodlines and “off-the-charts” makeup. Gordon projects to stay at shortstop and could be an elite talent there to go along with Miguel Sano at third base. Put Byron Buxton in center field and the Twins could be scary. Gordon won me over with his smile and how he said that he’d text his grandma first.
6. Seattle Mariners – C/OF Alex Jackson (HS)
The Mariners got a guy who had been projected to go a little bit higher. Jackson, who oozes power and athleticism, had been connected with the Cubs at #4 but will probably command a higher bonus than Schwarber and will take longer to develop.
7. Philadelphia Phillies – RHP Aaron Nola (Louisiana State)
Nola is probably the most polished pitcher coming out of this draft and I mentioned yesterday that I really like this type of guy who doesn’t ooze “stuff” but has figured out how really pitch. Maybe I’ve been watching too much of Mark Buehrle this season.
8. Colorado Rockies – LHP Kyle Freeland (Evansville)
By taking another college pitcher, the Rockies are stocking themselves for a future studly rotation after taking Jon Gray last year. Freeland is another player who saw his stock rise after dominating in the Cape Cod League.
9. Toronto Blue Jays – RHP Jeff Hoffman (East Carolina)
Hoffman made headlines when he underwent Tommy John surgery last month, tumbling down the draft board. The Blue Jays love his upside (he could have been the #1 pick if he hadn’t have gotten injured) and the risk of drafting an injured pitcher enables them to get away with saving money against the bonus pool cap.
10. New York Mets – OF Michael Conforto (Oregon State)
Conforto is basically a bat with limited outfield range, arm strength and speed. He’s also a big swinger who will strikeout out a lot but will produce a ton of power.
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11. Toronto Blue Jays – C Max Pentecost (Kennesaw State)
The Jays got Pentecost, the highest rated catcher (who is expected to stay at catcher) in this draft, with their second first round pick as compensation for failing to sign first-rounder Phil Bickford last year. Pentecost is very athletic but teams probably want to see him put on some weight to better hold up to the rigours of catching. He’s got a good contact bat and a lot of speed for a catcher but some question his power.
12. Milwaukee Brewers – LHP Kodi Medeiros (HS)
Medeiros comes from Hawaii and brings a low-90s heater to the table from a low arm slow that plays up with a lot of movement. His slider seems to be a frisbee-type pitch that has a ton of break in the upper 70s.
13. San Diego Padres – SS Trea Turner (NC State)
Rodon’s teammate fell a bit from his expected draft position: Blue Jays analysts were thinking the Jays would go for him if he was available. New to shortstop, scouts think that he can stick there and his speed and contact ability should help him move through a system.
14. San Francisco Giants – RHP Tyler Beede (Vanderbilt)
Drafted at #21 overall by the Blue Jays in 2011, Beede is probably more likely to sign this time around. While his career at Vandy didn’t get off to a great start, he rallied and really brought it this year with a FB/CU/CH combination that made him a Golden Spikes finalist. He struggles with control at times though.
15. Los Angeles Angels – LHP Sean Newcomb (University of Hartford)
Newcomb is one of the bigger pitchers in the draft at 6-foot-5 and 240 lbs. Watching some video of him, he looked absolutely effortless in throwing the baseball over 90 mph and could be a durable horse for the Angels for years to come.
16. Arizona Diamondbacks – RHP Touki Toussaint (HS)
For a high schooler, Toussaint throws hard (in the mid-90s) and has a very good curveball already. He could be a tough sign for the D-backs, considering that he’s committed to Vanderbilt which generally has a strong hold on high school pitchers.
17. Kansas City Royals – LHP Brandon Finnegan (TCU)
Proving that undersized pitchers are becoming a “thing,” Finnegan goes in the first round, standing at 5-foot-11. With a 93-95 mph fastball and solid slider, Finnegan still gets the “he may end up a reliever” tag that all short pitchers get. See Sonny Gray and Marcus Stroman.
18. Washington Nationals – RHP Eric Fedde (UNLV)
Tall and thin, Fedde may or may not add velocity, being a college guy who’s 6-foot-4 and 180 lbs. He throws in the low 90s and has a decent slider. A lot of pitchers in this draft, as you can tell.
19. Cincinnati Reds – RHP Nick Howard (Virginia)
A two-way player in college and a closer in his junior year, Howard is an interesting player to be selected this high. His velocity plays up when he pitches in short relief and has issues with his secondary pitches which may mean that he becomes a high-leverage reliever.
20. Tampa Bay Rays – 1B Casey Gillaspie (Wichita State)
An outstanding switch hitter, Gillaspie is, of course, the younger brother of Conor Gillaspie. He has power from both sides and has a proven track record with wood bats thanks to his time in the Cape Cod League.
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21. Cleveland Indians – OF Bradley Zimmer (University of San Francisco)
Zimmer also has professional bloodlines with his older brother Kyle going 5th overall in 2012. He’s got a good arm and a strong bat, especially considering his 6-foot-5, 205 lb frame.
22. Los Angeles Dodgers – RHP Grant Holmes (HS)
Hitting the high 90s, Holmes isn’t thought to have much projection left (not that it’s needed when you throw 97 mph regularly). Scouts love his FB/CU combo and he could polish his change into a solid third pitch.
23. Detroit Tigers – OF Derek Hill (HS)
Hill has a lot of things going for him including excellent speed and a strong arm. Scouts love the fact that his dad, Orsino, was a pro player and is a scout and has helped his son gain more advanced knowledge about the game.
24. Pittsburgh Pirates – SS Cole Tucker (HS)
Tucker’s a switch-hitting shortstop that scouts think can stay at the position. He’s a better hitter from the left side of the plate but his overall athleticism should serve him well.
25. Oakland Athletics – 3B Matt Chapman (Cal State – Fullerton)
Chapman is a very toolsy player but he hasn’t really made good on a lot of that potential in games. He has trouble making hard contact but shows above-average power in BP. Chapman has a Plan B, however, thanks to a fastball that has hit 98 mph. He doesn’t have much experience as a pitcher, though.
26. Boston Red Sox – SS Michael Chavis (HS)
Reading descriptions of Chavis, I’m reminded of someone named Garin Cecchini: a guy who maximizes his tools by the way he plays the game. He doesn’t stand out above the crowd but is a line-drive hitter who can make hard contact all over the field.
27. St. Louis Cardinals – RHP Luke Weaver (Florida State)
At 6’2″ with a lanky frame, Weaver has solid stuff including a low-90s fastball and a changeup that scouts really like. With a better developed third pitch, and some Cardinals’ magic, could he be someone special who goes on to a big career despite concerns over his size?
28. Kansas City Royals – LHP Foster Griffin (HS)
Big and strong (6-foot-3 and 200 lbs) already, scouts like Griffin’s three-pitch mix and his feel for using it.
29. Cincinnati Reds – SS Alex Blandino (Stanford)
He’ll probably end up at third or second base and there are questions about his power but he’s had good success in the Cape Cod League
30. Texas Rangers – RHP Luis Ortiz (HS)
There are some injury concerns (forearm) and his size (6-foot-3, 230 lbs) keeps him from being particularly projectible. With 92-95 mph velocity and three decent pitches, he may be more advanced than some other HS pitchers.
31. Cleveland Indians – LHP Justus Sheffield (HS)
A Vanderbilt commit (where his older brother, Jordan, attends school), Sheffield has athleticism and mechanics that scouts like, despite being 5-foot-10.
32. Atlanta Braves – OF Braxton Davidson (HS)
Power is Davidson’s game and he’s one of the highest rated high school power hitters in this draft. He’s also got a strong arm for the outfield and scouts also like his hit tool.
33. Boston Red Sox – RHP Michael Kopech (HS)
Despite some funky mechanics, Kopech gets a lot of leverage from his long frame and generates plus velocity (mid-to-high 90s) and scouts like his breaking ball too.
34. St. Louis Cardinals – RHP Jack Flaherty (HS)
The Cardinals take Flaherty who is also interested in playing on the offensive side of the ball if he goes to University of North Carolina. Scouts like him as a pitcher with four potential average pitches.