A well rounded class that has impact tools and depth. It's loaded with college arms and is the strength of this area but it has everything.
The Deep South is loaded with talent this year. There is someone that fits nearly every profile here. Big power, top of the rotation arm, toolsy middle infielders, all of it is available here. The college arms run really deep here. That is a strength in this draft and is really strong in this region. Here is the interactive map if you'd like to see where some of these guys are located geographically.
If you appreciate my work and want more of it now and in the future, support me by purchasing the 2014 MLB Draft Book. It will be available between May 19th and May 30th. The longer it takes, the more that will be in it. It's $4.99. PDF only. Last year it was 101 pages and will be larger this year with articles and information.
Name
POS
Level
Floor
Ceiling
Bats
Throws
Height
Weight
Birthdate
Tyler Beede
P
JR
40
65
Right
Right
6'4"
200
5/23/93
Potential for three plus pitches. Prototypical frame. Control and command need improvement and consistency but have improved. Great breaking ball. Mid-rotation guy. Could be a #2.
Chase Vallot
C
HS
35
60
Right
Right
6'1"
210
8/21/96
Big bat speed and power. Good arm. Good athelte. Hit tool questions. Needs work defensively but is young for the draft. Intriguing potential.
Greg Deichmann
2B
HS
35
60
Left
Right
6'2"
180
5/31/95
Plus power potential. Good bat. Struggles with off speed stuff. Not sure on defensive fit but likely a 2B. He may be tried at 3B but I'm not sure he has the arm for it. The bat is what will carry him.
Aaron Nola
P
JR
40
55
Right
Right
6'2"
170
6/4/93
Nothing overpower, just solid average fastball with command of breaking ball and change. Mid rotation type. Low arm slot is a concern for some.
Cody Reed
P
HS
30
60
Left
Left
6'3"
235
6/7/96
Good athlete. Up to 97. Big potential here. Big breaking ball and flashes an average change but control and command need work. Needs to gain consistency in delivery but #2/3 starter possible.
Ti'quan Forbes
SS
HS
25
60
Right
Right
6'4"
175
8/26/96
Big time power potential but so much is projection. Great athlete. Could stick up the middle. Raw player will need time. His arm isn't huge so SS may not work. I worry some about the hit tool but athleticism should help that.
Justus Sheffield
P
HS
30
55
Left
Left
6'2"
195
5/13/96
Short lefty has an excellent breaking ball. Fastball can reach 95 and shows an average to above changeup. Has a hard time getting downward plane on the ball. Fastball looks hittable but has armside run.
Chris Oliver
P
SO
30
55
Right
Right
6'4"
180
7/8/93
Big time arm strength. Up to 97. Fastball is straight. Long arm action on the back makes the breaking ball hard to break off. Shows a change but slows are. One pitch guy for the most part. Bullpen might be best fit.
Bobby Bradley
3B
HS
30
55
Left
Right
6'2"
215
5/29/96
Thick build. Strong but questionable hit tool. Pedro Alvarez type. Large amount of power projection. Likely a 1B due to lack of range but bat is the only thing that matters with him.
Lane Thomas
LF
HS
30
55
Right
Right
6'1"
180
8/23/95
Intriguing all around tools. Solid contact often. Line drive approach but power could come. Speed and ability should allow him to play CF but his arm should allow him to move to RF if he slows down.
Brian Anderson
2B
JR
40
50
Right
Right
6'3"
185
5/19/93
Athletic build. Good footwork for a player new to keystone positlion. Strong arm. Contact approach. Solid all around player. Could be a CF as well. Super utility possible.
Josh Laxer
P
JR
40
50
Right
Right
6'1"
210
6/7/93
Short righty with a 95 MPH fastball. It's straight but it's 95. Hard slider is a swing and miss pitch. Could be a useful reliever. 7th-8th inning guy.
Jacob Lindgren
P
JR
40
50
Left
Left
6'
205
3/12/93
Lindgren worked low 90's when he was starting but his velocity ticked up to 93-95 out of the bullpen. He has a knockout slider and the numbers show it. Could be an asset out of the pen.
Chris Ellis
P
JR
35
50
Right
Right
6'5"
215
9/22/92
Fastball that sits 91-93 but can hit 95. He has a slider but it doesn't have the bite that it needs for impact. Good changeup that is a solid second pitch. Mid rotation potential as a strike thrower.
K.J. Hockaday
3B
J3
35
50
Right
Right
6'3"
220
4/5/93
All bat. Power will come but hit tool is good. Average defender but may have to move off 3B.
Brandon Woodruff
P
JR
35
50
Right
Right
6'4"
215
2/10/93
Has had command issues this spring but has been up to 96 in the past and has a solid slider and a usable change.
David Michael Burkhalter
P
HS
30
50
R
R
6'4"
185
Big body. Long swing. Sits 87-90 and tops out at 91. slider at 81, curve at 71 with a nice 12/6 break. 80 MPH change. Very projectable. I really like him.
Justin Steele
P
HS
30
50
Left
Left
6'2"
165
7/11/95
With a fastball that ranges from 84-93. He has a good breaking ball and a change but both are inconsistent like his fastball. He could be an interesting project or a high round pick in three years with gained consistency.
Ryan Tella
OF
SR
40
45
Left
Left
5'11"
170
5/18/91
Solid bat to ball ability. Can cover some ground in CF but not a starter there. Tweener 4th OF type.
Adam Ravenelle
P
JR
40
45
Right
Right
6'2"
185
10/5/92
Up to 94. Works more 91-93 with mid 80s slider. Good armside tail on low 90's fastball and straightens out with velo. Power bullpen arm most likely.
Hawtin Buchanan
P
JR
30
50
Right
Right
6'8"
245
4/29/93
6'8" righty with a huge arm. Up to 98 in the past. Command is an issue for him. Curveball is inconsistent. Haven't seen a change but there is potential in his arm.
T.J. Pecoraro
P
SR
40
45
Right
Right
6'
170
11/22/92
TJS survivor. Forgotten man on deep Vandy team. Fastball just breaks 90. Big breaking slow curve is tough to hit. Very good change as well. Three pitch mix would make a fringy MLB starter but could be an asset.
Bre'shon Kimbell
LF
JR
40
45
Right
Right
6'2"
210
11/6/92
Athletic corner OF with some pop in his bat. Showed well in summer ball but hasn't hit as well this spring.
Will Allen
C
SR
40
45
Right
Right
6'3"
215
3/25/92
Good hitter. Solid approach at the plate. Solid defender. Looks to be able to stick behind the dish. Good senior sign for someone.
Jonathan Holder
P
JR
40
45
R
R
6/2
245
Strong build. College closer doesn't have a big arm but sits upper 80's and hits 94 on occasion. Good breaking ball could be an out pitch against lower level competition. Will have to improve to be an impact big leaguer and I don't see it.
Carson Baranik
P
J3
30
50
Right
Right
6'3"
205
11/6/92
I haven't seen him since high school but I loved him then. Tumultuos college career has leveled off this year him getting innings and putting up solid results. Low 90's with a good breaking ball in the past.
Mark Laird
OF
JR
35
45
Left
Left
6'2"
180
Really skinny athlete. Fast runner. Simple swing allows for good contact. Minimal over the fence power. Speed is his biggest asset. Should allow him to be a CF but he's a corner guy due to lack of experience and poor route running. It is still a possibility though.
Spencer Turnbull
P
JR
35
45
Right
Right
6'3"
220
9/18/92
Big arm that can sit 95, touch 98 but is in the low 90's when he is a starter. Lack of quality secondaries make me question his future success.
Mason Robbins
LF
JR
35
45
Left
Left
6'
200
2/1/93
Solid contact swing. Good approach but minimal power. Doesn't have the power to profile at a corner and doesn't have the ability to stick in center. Tweener 4th OF.
Jared Miller
P
JR
35
45
Left
Left
6'6"
240
8/21/93
Upper 80's velo but can touch higher. Good slider is a swing and miss pitch.
Keaton Haack
P
SO
35
45
Right
Right
6'5"
200
10/25/93
Good projection. Solid 3 pitch mix. Good fade on breaking ball, good 12-6 curve
Jonathon Holder
P
JR
35
45
Right
Right
6'3"
245
6/9/93
Impressive college closer. Works 88-90 but has a hammer curve that will work really well in the low minors.
Chris Harvey
C
JR
30
45
Right
Right
6'5"
225
3/10/93
Early entrance to school makes this his first time available in the draft. Hasn't gotten the playing time I expected or performed at the level I expected. He's a good player that more could become better but has yet to show it.
Clay Casey
OF
SR
30
45
R
R
6/3
204
5/14/95
Good power potential. Fast bat but some swing and miss. Should stick in RF. Nice late round get.
Alexander Wiel
1B
JR
30
45
Right
Right
6'4"
225
1/11/93
A big atheltic hitter shows potential all over the field but is very inconsistent. Hasn't hit as well this year but there could be an average regular in there.
Handsome Monica
C
HS
30
45
Right
Right
6'2"
210
8/5/95
short quck to the ball. Solid power. Good bat. The rest of his game lags behind
JT Mauldin
3B
HS
30
45
Right
Right
6'2"
210
9/24/95
busy bat pre-swing. Strong wrists. Hard hit ball. Balanced approach
Jesse McCord
P
HS
30
45
Right
Right
6'1"
173
8/2/95
Atheltic prep arm up to 92. I don't love the arm action but I think he will be signable later in the draft if he falls.
John Wesley Ray
P
HS
30
45
Right
Right
6'5"
200
12/6/94
Projectable upper 80's RHP, good breaking ball
Sikes Orvis
1B
JR
35
40
Left
Right
6'2"
210
5/1/93
More of an org player but could make a solid impact in any organization needing solid hitters in the the order.
Wes Rea
1B
JR
35
40
Right
Right
6'5"
270
Big right handed power but very little else.
Damek Tomscha
3B
SR
35
40
Right
Right
6'3"
225
8/27/91
Good hitter. Good approach. Not a high end guy but good org depth guy who can help a team and maybe surprise with the bat.
Connor Castellano
2B
JR
35
40
Left
Right
6'
180
6/11/92
Good bat speed. Hits the ball hard. Should have average or above bat for 2B. Big weight shift will give him problems with good off speed pitches.
Senquez Golson
CF
JR
20
45
Right
Right
5'10"
185
7/7/93
An extremely good athelte had a lot of potential but hasn't played any baseball to speak of since H.S.He has still shown interest in the sport otherwise I would have written him off. Just a flier on an athlete at this point.
Jacob Greer
RHP 1B, 3B, SS
HS
30
40
R
R
6'7"
250
Interesting big man.
Rock Rucker
RF
SO
Left
Left
6'5"
225
3/24/93
Tyler Spoon
OF
SO
R
R
5/11
185
9/28/92
Zac Curtis
LHP
Sr.
L
L
5/9
180
7/4/92
Heath Slatton
P
SO
L
R
6'3"
185
9/17/93
Christian Trent
P
SO
L
L
6'1"
200
9/10/92
David Hess
P
JR
Right
Right
6'2"
180
7/10/93
Clint Freeman
OF/LHP
SR
L
L
6/2
195
5/25/91
Austin Bousfeld
OF
JR
R
R
5/11
185
7/5/93
Jalen Beeks
LHP
JR
L
L
5/11
205
Jonathan Frebis
LHP
JR
L
Left
6'3"
220
9/24/92
Austin Robichaux
P
JR
Right
Right
6'5"
170
11/23/92
Bradley Roney
P
JR
Right
Right
6'2"
190
9/1/92
Daniel Koger
P
JR
Right
Left
6'6"
185
8/12/93
Connor Barron
SS
JR
Left
Right
6'3"
190
9/23/92
Wade Wass
C
J4
Right
Right
6'
209
9/23/91
Chandler Avant
2B
HS
R
R
6'1"
175
7/11/95
Johnny Norwood
OF
JR
Right
Right
6'2"
205
9/24/92
Tripp Martin
3B
JR
Right
Right
6'2"
190
4/2/92
Austin Coley
P
JR
Right
Right
6'3"
200
7/14/92
Rocky McCord
P
JR
Right
Right
6'2"
180
11/16/92
Jared Foster
OF
JR
Right
Right
6'1"
185
Kevin Steen
P
HS
R
R
6'2"
165
7/24/96
Michael Strentz
C
JR
Right
Right
6'1"
215
11/10/91
Jamal Howard
OF
HS
R
R
6'3"
205
3/23/96
Philip Pfeifer
P
JR
Left
Left
6'
190
7/15/92
Ivan DeJesus
2B
SR
Right
Right
5'11"
190
5/1/87
Johnathan Frebis
P
JR
Left
Left
6'4"
230
Ben Moore
LF
JR
Right
Right
6'
200
9/22/92
Andro Cutura
RHP
JR
R
R
6/1
195
8/22/93
Justin Kamplain
P
JR
Right
Left
6'
175
2/13/93
Michael Clemens
P
JR
R
R
6'4"
210
7/27/93
Sam McWilliams
RHP
HS
R
R
6'5"
185
Kwanstan Adkins
OF 1B
HS
L
L
6'2"
193
11/20/95
Austin Bain
SS
HS
R
R
6'1"
185
5/2/95
Grayson Jones
RHP
J1
R
R
6/2
205
Brent Honeywell
RHP
J1
R
R
6/3
180
3/31/95
Emmanuel Marrero
SS
JR
B
R
6/1
180
5/16/93
Randy LeBlanc
P
SR
Right
Right
6'4"
185
3/7/92
Eric White
RHP 3B, 1B, SS
HS
R
R
6'3"
205
Jim Ploeger
LHP
SR
L
L
6/3
225
Justin Friend
1B
J1
L
R
6/4
235
Reagan Rutledge
OF
JR
B
R
6/1
170
Jonathan Keller
P
JR
Right
Left
6'
205
11/12/92
Alex Massey
P
JR
Right
Right
6'2"
160
2/1/93
Westin Stringer
LHP
J2
L
L
6/1
195
Chase Compton
1B
SR
L
R
6/2
210
9/26/91
Dylan Shoffner
LHP
J2
L
L
6/2
190
Jake Hubbard
P
JR
Right
Right
6'1"
185
12/3/92
SETH LUCIO
RHP
JR
R
R
5/11
185
4/30/93
Steven Rice
P
Sr.
Left
Left
5'8"
170
11/26/91
Hayden Barnett
P
J2
Right
Right
6'4"
201
7/8/93
Trevin Hall
OF/1B
JR
R
R
6/3
180
Jo-el Bennett
OF
JR
Right
Right
6'2"
185
9/9/92
Taylor Byrd
LHP
SR
L
L
6/2
175
8/15/92
Cameron Cochran
RHP
J2
R
R
6/3
210
Justin Camp
P
RS-SO
Right
Right
6'1"
225
5/17/93
Kida de la Cruz
RHP
J2
R
R
6/6
245
Dathan Prewitt
OF
J2
R
R
6/1
170
Josh Peterson
P
JR
Left
Right
6'2"
170
2/26/93
Donte Albert
SS
J2
R
R
6/2
185
Justin Stawychny
SS
JR
R
R
6'2"
180
Marc Frazier
3B
SO
Left
Right
6'1"
195
2/20/93
Nick Masonia
SS
JR
R
R
5'10"
160
Kyle McKenzie
P
SR
Left
Right
6'
165
9/13/90
Jhon Peralta
RHP
JR
R
R
6/1
175
Tyler Mapes
P
SR
Right
Right
6'2"
200
7/18/91
John Lieske
P
JR
Right
Right
6'2"
200
9/30/91
Mike Bernal
3B
SO
R
R
5/11
190
Blake Stansberry
3B RHP
HS
L
R
6'1"
205
Zac Fowler
P
Jr.
R
R
6'3"
205
Vince Conde
SS
JR
Right
Right
6'1"
182
10/13/93
Nick Howell
OF/1B
SR
L
L
6/3
185
7/24/92
Colton Hathcock
RHP/3B
HS
R
R
6'2"
195
Tyler Cameron
SS
SR
R
R
5/10
170
Aaron Greenwood
RHP
SR
R
R
6/4
200
CHANDLER HAWKINS
LHP
JR
L
L
6/1
170
2/28/93
Jordan Romero
C
J1
R
R
6/2
215
Chase Nyman
SS
J2
Left
Right
6'
185
10/2/93
CODY WALKER
C
JR
R
R
5/11
205
5/7/93
Blake Austin
C
SR
Right
Right
6'1"
210
7/1/92
Bret Marks
P
JR
R
R
6'3"
175
5/22/92
Ethan Gross
SS
SR
R
R
6/1
195
9/12/91
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