2014 First-Year Player Draft GDT | Day 3: June 7 - 1:00 PM EST | Live on MLB.com

[burlingtonbandit]

Teams must have done studies on whether it would be worth it or not. Say for example you had a 5 Million dollar draft budget and spent 20 million signing all these hard signs for 1 or 2 million each. You would get taxed on the overage so really you would be spending about 30 million. is 30 million$ worth it when you might get the increased value of maybe 7 or 8 guys that are worth 2nd or 3rd round picks in talent?

[ace3113]

Ok, I found the page in the old thread:

 

http://www.bluejaysmessageboard.com/threads/1231-2014-MLB-Draft-An-Early-Look?p=224586&highlight=irvin#post224586

 

Some notable links:

 

http://sbb.scout.com/2/1344047.html

http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=9250

http://throughthefencebaseball.com/sneak-peak-2015-mlb-draft-10-college-arms-watch/42607

 

 

College

 

1. Michael Matuella, RHP, Duke

 

The 6’-6”, 225 pound right-hander has been the talk of the 2015 MLB draft and is considered the early favorite to go first overall due to his size and four-pitch arsenal. He suffered a lat sprain in his first start of the season and missed a month. When he came back, he was on a limited pitch count but the reins have since been released and he has been dazzling. His fastball can touch 97 mph and he has been sitting 93-96 mph. He adds two potential plus off-speed pitches in a 79-82 mph, 12-6 curveball with great depth and an 83-86 mph slider with tight spin. His change-up sits 87-89 and is a decent offering already. Over 25.1 innings this year, he has 34 K/7 BB and is holding opponents to a .128 batting average. He is still considered a bit raw as he has added a couple of pitches this year and he works primarily off his fastball right now, but the upside is ridiculous once he puts it all together.

 

2. Alex Bregman, SS, LSU

 

Voted Freshman of the Year by many outlets, the 6’-1” right-hander had an outstanding freshman year, hitting .369/.417/.546 over 67 games with 18 doubles, seven triples, six home runs and 16 stolen bases. He drew 24 walks to just 25 strikeouts, showing an advanced approach at the plate. His 104 hits ranked second in the nation. He had a 23-game hitting streak during which he hit .495/.542/.742, and he also reached base in 31 straight games. LSU lost a lot of impact players to the draft and graduation, and Bregman will be the leader of the team, along with staff ace Aaron Nola, in hopes of guiding the Tigers to Omaha again. I got a chance to ask Alex Bregman a couple of questions about the upcoming season. See the interview here.

 

3. Skye Bolt, OF, North Carolina

 

Like Bregman, Bolt put together an impressive freshman year and also led his team to Omaha, hitting .321/.418/.491 over 54 games with 14 doubles, six home runs, 51 RBI and 10 stolen bases. He also showed an advanced approach at the plate by drawing 32 walks to just 28 strikeouts. The 6’-2”, switch-hitter should develop more power, and his athleticism, strong arm and instincts allow him to play all three outfield spots. A high-character kid with a ton of upside who was also a member of Collegiate Team USA.

 

4. James Kaprielian, RHP, UCLA

 

At 6’-4” and 200 pounds, Kaprielian has the size you want in a frontline starter. He also has the stuff as his fastball sits 91-94 mph and his slider sits 81-84 mph with sharp bite. His change-up is coming fast, rounding out a classic three-pitch mix. As a freshman, he posted a 1.55 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and allowed just 19 hits over 40.2 innings with 53 K/24 BB. He then went to the Cape Cod League and had 38 K/6 BB over 26 innings, wowing scouts with his stuff and command. Through 10 starts this year, he has a 2.12 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 68 K/21 BB over 68 innings. Kap was just named to the 2014 Team USA Collegiate National Team.

 

 

5. Nathan Kirby, LHP, Virginia

 

After posting a 6.06 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 37 K/13 BB over 32.2 innings as a freshman, Kirby dominated the New England Collegiate Baseball League, striking out 81 over 54 innings with a 2.32 ERA. The 6’-3”, 185 pound southpaw has a plus curveball and his fastball sits in the low/mid-90s with great movement. His change-up is solid and just getting better, and he has a lot of projection with his size and clean mechanics. This year, he has been dominant as the Friday night starter for the number-one ranked team in the nation. On April 4, he tossed a no-hitter, striking out 18 to one walk against Pittsburgh. Through 10 starts, he is 8-1 with a 1.36 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 73 K/15 BB over 66.1 innings, holding opponents to a .159 batting average. He has some of the best swing-and-miss stuff in the 2015 MLB draft and should be near the top of everyone’s draft boards. And I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t mind rooting for a Kirby on the Cubs.

 

6. Riley Ferrell, RHP, TCU

The 6’-1”, 200 pound right-hander turned heads when he was sitting 95-98 mph with Collegiate Team USA over the summer. His secondary stuff is still developing and the progress of those offerings will decide his starter/reliever role. For now, he is a dominant arm out of the pen for TCU, posting a 0.79 ERA, 0.62 WHIP and 38 K/6 BB over 22.2 innings this year. His 15.1 K/9 ratio shows the kind of power he has, as well as command. With an electric fastball, and continued work on his secondary stuff, Ferrell will be a big name next year if he gets in the rotation.

 

7. Walker Buehler, RHP, Vanderbilt

 

Buehler has been electric this season, showing a four-pitch mix headlined by a 92-94 mph fastball with late life, and a curveball with depth and late bite. He adds a change-up and slider and commands all of them well. At 6’-1” and 170 pounds, he has a lot of upside due to his smooth, effortless delivery and athleticism. Over his last six starts, he has a 1.57 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 49 K/12 BB over 34.1 innings for a 12.86 K/9 ratio. He should be the Friday night starter next year and will be constantly tested in the SEC.

 

8. Justin Garza, RHP, Cal State Fullerton

 

With a compact delivery, the 5’-11”, 170 pound right-hander gets the most out of his frame. His fastball sits in the 90-94 mph range due to his quick arm, and his change-up shows plus potential with good depth. He put together a monster of a freshman season, going 12-0 with a 2.03 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 95 K/17 BB over 115 innings. The Titans are going to be tough to beat with Garza, Eshelman and incoming freshman, Phil Bickford, at the top of the rotation.

 

9. Ryan Burr, RHP, Arizona State

 

A 6’-4”, 215 pound power right-hander, Burr was untouchable his freshman season as opponents hit just .141 against him. Over 31 appearances, he posted a 2.20 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and had 60 K/23 BB over 45 innings. Playing for Collegiate Team USA, he was even more impressive, striking out 20 over 9.2 innings, allowing just two hits. His fastball sits in the mid 90s and can touch 97 mph, although he can get wild when he overthrows. He adds a slurve that has plus potential and wipes out hitters when on.

 

10. Kyle Funkhouser, RHP, Louisville

 

At 6’-3” and 225 pounds, Funkhouser has good size and his fastball sits 92-94 mph and can touch 97 mph. His slider is a solid offering and his change-up is still developing but there is still upside due to his size and easy delivery. Command has been an issue for him this year but the deception in his delivery makes it hard for hitters to pick up his stuff as he is holding opponents to a .211 batting average. Through 10 starts, he is 7-2 with a 2.51 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 58 K/36 BB over 64.2 innings. With improved work on his command, he should be in first-round talks next year.

 

11. Cole Irvin, LHP, Oregon

 

Irvin had Tommy John surgery on February 3 and will miss the entire 2014 season. His upside is high but will obviously depend on his rehab. At 6’-4” and 190 pounds, the southpaw is a workhorse pitcher who can touch 94 mph with his fastball and sits 89-92. He adds a plus change-up and his slider flashes plus potential, sitting 81-83. His curveball is an average right now but looks to be a solid offering, giving him four quality pitches. As a freshman, he went 12-3 with a 2.48 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 60 K/22 BB over 116 innings, completing a team-high four games. Irvin is a big-game pitcher; he is an alumni of Team USA Baseball and he has played in countless tournaments/events during his decorated career at Servite HS in California.

 

12. Thomas Eshelman, RHP, Cal State Fullerton

 

Eshelman has made 26 starts at Cal State Fullerton. He is 17-4 with a 1.70 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and has allowed juts two home runs over 185 innings. He also has 139 strikeouts and has issued just six walks for a mind-boggling 23.2 K/BB ratio. For perspective’s sake, the MLB single-season record for a starter is 11 K/BB by Bret Saberhagen in 1994 when he had 143 K/13 BB over 177.1 innings. The 6’-1”, 180 pound right-hander isn’t a power arm as his fastball sits 86-89 mph, but he knows how to mix his pitches and locates his stuff better than anyone. He adds a curveball and change-up — both solid offerings — and works both sides of the plate like an artist. Extremely efficient, he can toss a complete game throwing under 100 pitches. Not as much upside as others on this list but, like Aaron Nola of LSU this year, not many can toss a game quite like Eshelman.

 

13. Kyle Cody, RHP, Kentucky

 

At 6’-7” and 245 pounds, Cody is an intimidating figure on the mound, and he can touch 97 mph with his fastball. His secondary offerings are still developing but his raw stuff, live arm and size make for some tantalizing upside. As a freshman, he had 47 K/20 BB over 57.2 innings. This year, as a spot-starter/reliever, he has a 2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 11 K/4 BB over 22 innings, showing improved command of his stuff. With continued work on his secondary offerings, he should be a huge name next year.

 

14. D.J. Stewart, OF, Florida State

 

A Freshman All-American by Baseball America, Stewart is built like a tank at 6’-0” and 230 pounds. The left-handed hitter put up a slash line of .364/.469/.560 over 60 games with 25 doubles, five home runs, 59 RBI and eight stolen bases. He has a great approach at the plate as he drew 38 walks to 40 strikeouts. A very good athlete for his size, he has been clocked at 6.84 in the 60 (although that was in high school) and his arm at 90 mph from the outfield. He generates a ton of power from the left side and he should be able to stick in a corner outfield spot, most likely left field.

 

15. Ryan Kellogg, LHP, Arizona State

 

The 6’-5”, 220 pound southpaw tossed a no-hitter on March 23 against third-ranked Oregon State. For the year, he went 11-1 with a 3.15 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 54 K/17 BB over 103 innings. Not a power pitcher, as his fastball sits in the 88-91 mph range, he relies on his command and ability to mix it up on the mound. He adds a tight curveball that complements his fastball and his change-up is still developing. With his size and easy delivery, there is still projection left.

 

16. Andrew Moore, RHP, Oregon State

 

While he may be a bit undersized (5’-11”, 185 pounds) for a frontline starter, the right-hander was a workhorse for the Beavers as a freshman, logging 131 innings and posting a 1.79 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 14-2 record, which earned him first-team Freshman All-American honors from Baseball America. He added 72 K/28 BB and opponents hit just .207 against him. With the huge workload he took on as a freshman, it will be interesting to see how he responds his sophomore year.

 

High School

 

1. Daz Cameron, of, McDonough (Ga.), HS

(Commitment) Florida State

 

A plus athlete with loud tools, Cameron wowed evaluators last August as one of two underclassmen at the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game. He had the best rounds of batting practice of any player, and showed explosive bat speed, very quick hands and feel for the barrel. The righthanded hitting Cameron created tons of loud contact and also showed pull-side power, hitting more batting practice home runs than any player. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Cameron has an athletic build and natural strength throughout his build, especially his forearms and wrists. The 17-year-old Cameron has arm strength and above-average speed. He is the son of former all-star and Gold Glove winner Mike Cameron.

 

2. Brendan Rodgers, SS, Longwood (Fla.), HS

(Commitment) Florida State

 

Rodgers is a natural, fluid athlete with the ability to excel offensively and defensively. The rangy 6-foot, 170-pound Rodgers plays the game with ease and has quickness, good hands and body control at shortstop. He has at least an average arm and the ability to throw from many angles accurately. A righthanded hitter, Rodgers has bat speed that produces surprising power and loud contact. He has the ability to consistently drive the ball out of the ballpark in batting practice. His elite bat speed is plenty evident to everyone who watches him play, regardless of the level of competition. Rodgers is also a very solid defender at this point and has shown development there, suggesting he may have a shot to stay up the middle if he can continue that trend. The potential to be a power hitting shortstop would make him an extremely attractive prospect heading into 2015.

 

3. John Aiello, 3B, Lansdale (Pa.), HS

(Commitment) Wake Forest

 

The switch-hitting 6-foot-2, 195-pound third baseman has advanced timing and rhythm at the plate. Switch hitter that creates tremendous bat speed and barrel whip through the zone while maintaining balance. Hits the ball to all fields. Very good all-around athlete that combines elite arm strength (93mph) with smooth actions on the infield. Currently plays shortstop for his high school team. Makes the game look easy.

 

4. Kyle Dean, OF, San Diego (Calif.), HS

(Commitment) San Diego

 

Dean is a righthanded-hitting outfielder with a well-rounded skill set. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Dean has an athletic build with some present strength and room to add more. He has a solid line-drive stroke and a chance to hit. Dean, an Area Code Games participant as an underclassman, is an above-average runner in the 60-yard dash and is a better runner underway. His arm has a chance to be average and play in right field.

 

5. Ryan Johnson, OF, College Station (Tx.), HS

(Commitment) TCU

 

There had been just five underclassmen to play in the Under Armour Game until last August, when Johnson received that honor. The lefthanded-hitting Johnson offers hitting ability, bat speed and power potential. At 6-foot-3, 215-pounds, Johnson has a strong build and could develop plus raw power as he matures. A teammate of fellow Under Armour All-American Hayes at the Area Code Games as an underclassman, Johnson crushed one of the hardest hit balls of the event and hit .300/.461/.500 in 13 plate appearances with more walks than strikeouts. Johnson, a corner outfielder who is committed to Texas Christian, has average present arm strength.

 

6. Chris Betts, C/1B, Long Beach, (Calif.), HS

(Commitment) Tennessee

 

Betts has a priority profile as a lefthanded-hitting catcher. He was a hitting standout last summer at the Area Code Games, held across the street from his high school, when he went 4-for-9 with two singles, two doubles and two walks against one strikeout as a 16-year-old. The Tennessee commit has a chance to hit with a line-drive swing path and ability to hit the ball to all fields. His hit tool is presently ahead of his power, but evaluators believe power will come down the road. He has an arm that is at least average and gives him a chance to stick behind the plate. Speed is not a big part of the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Betts’ game, but he does possess present strength and physicality. Betts comes from a powerhouse program that has produced Aaron Hicks, Chase DeJong and Sean Burroughs.

 

7. Thomas Szapucki, LHP, West Palm Beach (Fla.), HS

(Commitment) Florida

 

Florida has a depth of prospects for the 2014 draft and 2015 should be no different, with Szapucki as one of the headliners. A 6-foot-2, 190-pound Florida commit, Szapucki has shown considerable arm strength from the left side, touching 94 mph in the fall. His velocity has ranged from 88-91 to 90-93 this spring from a low three-quarters arm slot that produces fastball life. According to evaluators, his delivery works easily and he can feel for spinning a breaking ball. Throwing strikes consistently will be a key for Szapucki and evaluators said he has thrown more strikes this spring.

 

8. Alonzo Jones Jr., INF/OF, Columbus (Ga.) HS

(Commitment) Florida State

 

The athletic Jones has a carrying tool in his plus-plus speed. He has posted 60-yard-dash times below 6.40 seconds, according to scouts. Jones has good range, lateral quickness and arm strength in the infield to go with soft hands. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Vanderbilt commit is also a switch-hitter and hails from a powerhouse program that has produced 18 draft picks since 1990.

 

9. Jahmai Jones, 2B/OF, Roswell (Ga.), HS

(Commitment) North Carolina

 

Very good all-around baseball player. The 6-foot, 210-pound Jones is an above average but not elite level athlete. His speed works well (6.62) in centerfield, but lacks the arm strength to stay at short (83 mph) where he currently plays for Wesleyan. Very good hitting tools with power potential. Shows serious bat speed from the right side of the plate. Shows the ability to make adjustments. High energy type of player.

 

10. Mike Hickman, C/OF, Katy (Tx.), HS

(Commitment) Oklahoma

 

Raw as a hitter but shows huge bat speed and power potential from the left side of the plate. The 6-foot-1, 205-poun Hickman has a mature physical build and a strong arm behind the plate. Not overly athletic but shifts well enough behind the plate and shows good energy. Very good makeup and work ethic. May have to move to first or an outfield corner, but lefty bat should play anywhere.

 

11. Wyatt Cross, C, Broomfield (Co.), HS

(Commitment) North Carolina

 

The Colorado catcher is a defensive standout at a premium up-the-middle position. Cross has a quick release and the arm strength to consistently post plus pop times (1.79) in both showcase and game situations. He also receives well and has quick feet. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Cross offers offensive potential from the left side of the plate and is committed to North Carolina.

 

(Note) Canadian wunderkind Demi Oroloye is currenty ranked 19th in the class by Scout.

[TwistedLogic]

Made the final updates. Full draft results posted in OP#1, fully updated BA 500 (basically only useful to show who went undrafted at this point) in OP#2, along with the updated graphic for MLB.com TOP 200.

 

On to the signings thread, and a month of nail biting to see who latches on and who brutally rejects us via text.