It's draft day in the MLB, and for die hard MLB fans it's almost as exciting as a birthday, and sometimes with all the excitement,
it can get out of hand (too bad he didn't sign). But in all seriousness, draft day is extremely important for many organizations, as it is their main avenue to infuse their system with quality talent, especially with the small market clubs. This years draft is relatively weak when compared to recent years, with not a lot of "can't miss" talent, rather a lot of raw players that could become All-Stars, but are just as likely to never become productive starters in the majors. The strength of this draft is left handed pitching, as the highest end talent can be found with them, and high school pitching in general should be in abundance at the end of the first round.
This year I will be using the 20-80 scale to provide the upside of the player (
Ceiling), and the more conservative/if things don't go as expected outlook of the player (
Floor). Many people use the 20-80 scale differently, and here is how I use it for this draft board:
80: Potential top 3-5 player in the game, once in a generation talent.
75: Perennial Cy Young/MVP candidate, top 10 starter in MLB, #1 Starter on any team, top 3 player at their position, middle of the order bat.
70: Cy Young/MVP candidate possible in their prime, consistent All-Star, #1 starter on most teams, middle of the order bat.
65: All-Star regular, top of the rotation upside, #1-2 starter, could contend for Cy Young or MVP in career year, middle of the order bat, .300 hitter or 30 homer hitter.
60: Above average regular, #2-3 starter, 200 inning starter or elite closer, 1-5 hitter in the lineup with good average and/or power, elite defender, possible All-Star.
55: Slightly above average regular, #3-4 starter, innings eater or good closer/elite reliever. Great defender, good hitter without defense, or leadoff/ 4-7 hitter in the lineup.
50: Average regular, #4-5 starter, good reliever, average regular with .280-.290 average or around 20 homers, or a good defender/basestealer.
45: Below average regular/bench option. #5 starter, decent reliever. Bottom of the order hitter or decent defender with little offense, or some power but low average.
40: Bench option/reliever on bad team.
35: AAA player that could see some major league games.
30: May reach AAA, organizational player
25: Tops out at AA, organizational player
20: Never leaves A-ball.
This is my draft board, meaning how I would rank the players and choose my draft picks if I was in the position to make the picks, and this is not a mock draft. I provide brief scouting reports for the first 25 players, then the Ceilings and Floors for the next 25, then continue to rank the top 80 players on my board. Enjoy!
1.) Brady Aiken--LHP--6'4--200--High School
Big lefty with fastball sitting 92-94 and touching 97 with solid command. His curve is an easy plus pitch and his change could end up plus as well, with some saying it could be even better than his curve. Great pitchability and repeatable delivery give him the chance to be a frontline starter.
Ceiling: 70
Floor: 55
2.) Carlos Rodon--LHP--6'4--235--College Junior--NC State
Unique delivery that adds deception, throws his fastball at 91-94, touching 97 with movement. His big breaking slider is a plus-plus pitch that could be the best breaking pitch in the draft, but his changeup is more of an average pitch right now.
Ceiling: 65
Floor: 60
3.) Tyler Kolek--RHP--6'5--250--HS
Could have the best fastball in the draft, sitting mid 90's and frequently hitting triple digits. His curve and slider both have the chance to be above average pitches, or even plus offerings, but his changeup needs to develop. His fastball can get straight and he can lose his command at times, but he has #1 starter potential.
Ceiling: 70
Floor: 50
4.) Alex Jackson--C--R/R--6'2--215--HS
Considered by many to be the best bat in the draft, Jackson has the ability to hit for a good average with plus power in the future. He has a good arm behind the plate with solid pop times, but his receiving skills need work and could cause a shift to one of the corner outfield spots. While his swing can be inconsistent, it should still be enough to provide value at any position.
Ceiling: 65
Floor: 45
5.) Grant Holmes--RHP--6'2--190--HS
Fastball that sits 92-94, but has hit the high 90's and touches 97 deep into games. He pairs that with a plus curve in the low 80's, along with a change that could be plus, as well. There is little to no projection left in his body, but as a polished pitcher out of high school, he has the ceiling of an ace and a relatively low floor.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 50
6.) Michael Conforto--OF--L/R--6'2--217--CJr--Oregon State
He's an on base machine with an OBP of over .500 this spring, and is seen as a relatively safe pick. He can hit for a solid average along with above average power, but may not produce at an All-Star level. Not much of a defender, and he will most likely end up in left field, where he has the ability to hit 30+ homers a year if everything goes right.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 55
7.) Bradley Zimmer--OF--L/R--6'4--185--CJr--San Francisco
Toolys player with nothing that currently stands out, but his swing can generate plus power in the future, and there's still room to add strength in his frame. He's a slightly above average runner and has a good arm in the outfield. There's a chance he could play center, but he'll probably end up in a coerner outfield spot.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 50
8.) Aaron Nola--RHP--6'2--170--CJr--LSU
Considered a safe pick as a pitcher, he has put up great stats but his upside may be limited. Fastball sits 91-93 with good sink and plus command, and his curve and change could both be above average pitches. He reminds me of Danny Hultzen, but a right handed version.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 55
9.) Nick Gordon--SS--L/R--6'2--170--HS
Athletic infielder who possesses good fielding ability and above average speed on the base paths, pointing to the idea that he could be a player similar to his brother Dee Gordon. He makes solid contact, but probably won't have much power in the future. He uses the whole field as a hitter, but his speed and defense are what put him this high on the board.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 45
10.) Jeff Hoffman--RHP--6'4--185--CJr--East Carolina
Underwent Tommy John Surgery in May, meaning he won't be able to pitch until mid-2015. He had top of the rotation stuff before the injury, and many considered him to be in the mix for the top overall selection. Fastball sits in the mid 90's with a plus curve and the potential for an above average change, as well as a good feel for pitching.
Ceiling: 65
Floor: 45
11.) Touki Toussaint--RHP--6'2--185--HS
Erratic pitcher, but when he's on he has the potential for two 70 or better pitches on the 20-80 scale. His fastball sits in the low 90's, but he has touched 97 in the past. His best pitch could be his mid 70's curveball, which has ridiculous break that make it difficult for both hitters and catchers, and could be the best curve in the class. He's developing a changeup, and command can be a major problem. He has one of the highest ceilings in the draft, but needs to develop a quality changeup and improve his command in order to reach that ceiling.
Ceiling: 65
Floor: 45
12.) Tyler Beede--RHP--6'4--215--CJr--Vanderbilt
A former first round pick in 2011, Beede has been inconsistent in both performance and draft rankings. He has great stuff with a fastball that sits 92-94 and frequently hits the mid 90's, and a plus change and potentially above average curve, but control issues take away from the pitches. He has the upside of a #2 starter, but there is a small chance he ends up in the bullpen if his control doesn't improve.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 45
13.) Max Pentecost--C--R/R--6'2--190--CJr--Kennesaw State
A great defensive catcher with good arm strength behind the plate, pairing that with solid receiving skills that make him a near lock to stay at the position. He has a short swing that can generate solid contact, but he hasn't produced much power to this point. He could hit for a decent average with the possibility for 15 homers, and also has surprising speed.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 50
14.) Jacob Gatewood--SS--R/R--6'5--180--HS
A big shortstop with plus raw power that could be the best in this draft class, but there are major concerns about his hit tool and swing. He has a strong arm and the athleticism to stay at short, but it is very possible that he ends up at third or in a corner outfield spot. His huge raw power gives him a lot of upside, but the development of the rest of his game will determine how far he can go.
Ceiling: 65
Floor: 40
15.) Sean Newcomb--LHP--6'5--240--CJr--Hartford
Fastball sits 90-94, but hits 96 frequently with an easy delivery. He has the potential for an above average slider, with a curve and a change that should be average pitches. His control can be poor, but a solid four pitch mix make him a good prospect.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 50
16.) Monte Harrison--OF--S/R--6'4--180--HS
Three sport star in high school, and is also a Wide Receiver recruit for Nebraska. He is extremely athletic with plus speed and could be a plus defender in the outfield, as well. He's very raw at the plate, but has the ability to hit for average and above average power. He has great arm strength, and has a very high upside as possibly the best 5-tool prospect in the draft.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 40
17.) Trea Turner--SS--R/R--6'1--170--CJr--NC State
Plus plus speed and is a safe bet to stick at short int he pros. His bat is a question, but he has made consistent contact in the past and could even be a .280-.300 hitter in the future. Power is not part of his game, but as a shortstop who could hit for a good average with 40 stolen base potential, he is a clear first round talent.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 45
18.) Derek Hill--OF--R/R--6'2--175--HS
An athletic outfielder who has plus speed, running a sub 6.4 60, along with plus defense in centerfield. He's not projected to hit for much power, but 10-12 homers a season is reasonable. His hit tool is also a question mark, but he makes enough contact to hit for a decent average at the professional level.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 40
19.) Kyle Schwarber--C--L/R--6'0--230--CJr--Indiana
Power is the biggest part of his game, with plus raw power but there are potential holes in his swing that could cause high strikeout rates int he future. He could hit for average, but is more likely a .250-.260 hitter with power. There are questions as to whether he can stay behind the plate, and he could end up in a corner outfield spot. He needs to work on the accuracy of his throws as a catcher.
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 50
20.) Kyle Freeland--LHP--6'4--185--CJr--Evansville
Projectable body that could add velocity to his 90-93 MPH fastball that can already reach the mid 90's. His slider can work as an above average pitch, and his change could be slightly above average, as well. He has very good control and has drawn comparisons to Chris Sale.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 45
21.) Erik Fedde--RHP--6'4--170--CJr--UNLV
Underwent Tommy John Surgery in May, and won't pitch until mid 2015. Sat 91-93 with movement, touching 96 at times before the surgery, but struggled with his command despite low walk totals. He has a potential plus slider along with a change that could be slightly above average. He has a projectable frame that could see in increase in velocity, but he will be 22 by the time he pitches next.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 45
22.) Michael Gettys--OF--R/R--6'2--205--HS
Very toolsy player with plus speed, plus fielding ability in center, and a plus-plus arm. His bat is a huge question, as he didn't perform well this spring. His swing is solid, allowing him to generate good power in batting practice, but he hasn't made the same consistent hard contact in games. If he would have hit, he could have been a top 10 pick this year.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 35
23.) Brandon Finnegan--LHP--5'11-185--CJr--TCU
Dealt with a shoulder injury at the end of the year, but when healthy he was one of the top performers in the NCAA. Fastball that sits 93-95 that can hit the upper 90's with good control, along with a potentially above average slider/slurve in the low 80's. Could have a slightly above average change, but because of injury and size concerns and great two pitch mix, many see him as a great reliever/closer in the future.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 45
24.) Luis Ortiz--RHP--6'2--190--HS
A forearm injury raises a lot of concerns for scouts, but still sat 92-95 after the injury. He has hit 97 and has the potential for an above average slider, with the makings of a curve and a change that could be average, along with average command.
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 40
25.) Ti'Quan Forbes--R/R--6'4--170--HS
Raw player that could end up above average across the board. His swing has a hitch in it that will need to be corrected if he can tap into his potential above average power and hit tools. He's very athletic and could stay at short, but could also be a solid fielder in the outfield. He already possesses above average run and arm tools that could play at any position on the diamond.
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 30
26.) Derek Fisher--OF--L/R--6'3--210--CJr--Virginia
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 40
27.) A.J. Reed--1B--L/L--6'4--245--CJr--Kentucky
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 50
28.) Braxton Davidson--OF--L/L--6'3--215--HS
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 35
29.) Justus Sheffield--LHP--6'1--180--HS
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 45
30.) Scott Blewett--RHP--6'6--210--HS
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 35
31.) Jake Bukauskus--RHP--5'11--180--HS
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 45
32.) Mac Marshall--LHP--6'2--180--HS
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 40
33.) Alex Blandino--3B--L/R--6'0--190--CJr--Stanford
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 50
34.) Casey Gillaspie--1B--S/L--6'4--230--CJr--Wichita State
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 45
35.) Forrest Wall--2B--L/R--6'1--180--HS
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 45
36.) Garrett Fulunchek--RHP--6'4--185--HS
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 30
37.) Spencer Adams--RHP--6'4--180--HS
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 40
38.) Foster Griffin--LHP--6'5--190--HS
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 40
39.) Kodi Medeiros--LHP--6'0--185--HS
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 40
40.) Nick Burdi--RHP--6'3--220--CJr--Louisville
Ceiling: 60
Floor: 30
41.) Spencer Turnbull--RHP--6'3--195--CJr--Alabama
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 40
42.) Jacob Lindgren--LHP--6'0--190--CJr--Mississippi State
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 45
43.) Michael Chavis--3B--R/R--6'0--185--HS
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 45
44.) Sean Reid-Foley--RHP--6'2--210--HS
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 40
45.) Jakson Reetz--C--R/R--6'1--195--HS
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 30
46.) Alex Verdugo--LHP--6'1--190--HS
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 45
47.) Cameron Varga--RHP--6'3--205--HS
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 40
48.) Michael Kopech--RHP--6'4--195--HS
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 45
49.) Gareth Morgan--OF--R/R--6'4--210--HS
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 30
50.) Chris Ellis--RHP--6'5--205--CJr--Ole Miss
Ceiling: 55
Floor: 45
51.) Mike Papi--OF--L/R--6'3--210--CJr--Virginia
52.) Marcus Wilson--OF--R/R--6'3--170--HS
53.) Keith Weisenberg--RHP--6'4--185--HS
54.) Mitch Keller--RHP--6'3--195--HS
55.) Dylan Cease--RHP--6'2--175--HS
56.) Bobby Bradley--1B--L/R--6'1--225--HS
57.) Zech Lemond--RHP--6'3--175--CJr--Rice
58.) Matt Chapman--3B--R/R--6'2--205--CJr--Cal State Fullerton
59.) Matthew Railey--OF--L/L--5'11-195--HS
60.) Dylan Davis--OF--R/R--6'0--200--CJr--Oregon State
61.) J.D. Davis--1B--R/R--6'3--215--CJr--Cal State Fullerton
62.) Matt Imhof--LHP--6'5--220--CJr--Cal Poly
63.) Luke Weaver--RHP--6'2--170--CJr--Florida State
64.) Jack Flaherty--RHP/3B--6'3--190--HS
65.) Daniel Gossett--RHP--6'1--175--CJr--Clemson
66.) Jake Stinnett--RHP--6'4--205--CSr--Maryland
67.) Milton Ramos--SS--R/R--6'2--165--HS
68.) Sam Travis--1B--R/R--6'0--205--CJr--Indiana
69.) Jaren Kendell--OF--L/R--5'10--175--HS
70.) Chase Vallot--C--R/R--6'1--205--HS
71.) Cody Reed--LHP--6'3--260--HS
72.) Bryce Montes De Oca--RHP--6'7--265--HS
73.) Carson Sands--LHP--6'3--200--HS
74.) Taylor Sparks--3B--R/R--6'4--210--CJr--UC Irvine
75.) Grant Hockin--RHP--6'3--195--HS
76.) Cole Tucker--SS--S/R--6'3--165--HS
77.) Trey Supak--RHP--6'5--210--HS
78.) Brett Graves--RHP--6'1--190--CJr--Missouri
79.) Chris Oliver--RHP--6'4--185--CJr--Arkansas
80.) Nick Howard--RHP--6'3--215--CJr--Virginia
If you would like me to go into more depth on a player, just tweet @MicMaw, and I will provide you with any info you may need.
