BA's Draft Report Cards

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2015 DRAFT REPORT CARDS
We put the final bow on the 2014 draft with our annual team-by-team review of all the selections and how the players’ professional careers have started. As instructional leagues closed, editor-in-chief John Manuel and assistant editor Clint Longenecker spoke with scouting directors, as well as other scouting and player-development personnel, to break down each of the 30 draft classes. For most categories, we consider only players who signed professional contracts. Notable exceptions include Most Intriguing Background and of course The One Who Got Away. Best Late-Round Pick applies to selections from the 11th round or later. Numbers in parentheses indicate the round in which a player was chosen.

Best Draft
1. Indians
2. Royals
3. Red Sox
4. Cubs
5. Blue Jays
Best Pure Hitter
1. Kyle Schwarber, c/of, Cubs (1)
2. Alex Jackson, of, Mariners (1)
3. Forrest Wall, 2b, Rockies (1s)
4. Nick Gordon, ss, Twins (1)
5. Bradley Zimmer, of, Indians (1)
Best Power Hitter
1. Kyle Schwarber, c/of, Cubs (1)
2. Jacob Gatewood, ss, Brewers (1s)
3. A.J. Reed, 1b, Astros (1s)
4. Chase Vallot, c, Royals (1s)
5. Alex Jackson, of, Mariners (1)
Fastest Runner
1. Anfernee Seymour, ss, Marlins (7)
2. Derek Hill, of, Tigers (1)
3. Joseph Daris, of, Braves (14)
4. DonAndre Clark, of, Royals (33)
5. Trea Turner, ss, Padres (1)
Best Defensive Player
1. Matt Chapman, 3b, Athletics (1)
2. Milton Ramos, ss, Mets (3)
3. Derek Hill, of, Tigers (1)
4. Marcus Wilson, of, D-backs (2s)
5. Alex Pantoja, ss, Indians (9)
Best Fastball
1. Tyler Kolek, rhp, Marlins (1)
2. Nick Burdi, rhp, Twins (2)
3. Mason McCullough, rhp, D-backs (5)
4. Nick Howard, rhp, Reds (1)
5. Ryan Butler, rhp, Padres (7)
Best Secondary Pitch
1. Carlos Rodon, lhp, White Sox
(1; slider)
2. Touki Toussaint, rhp, D-backs
(1; curve)
3. Brandon Finnegan, lhp, Royals
(1; slider)
4. Aaron Nola, rhp, Phillies
(1; changeup)
5. Brent Honeywell, rhp, Rays
(2s; screwball)
Best Pro Debut
COLLEGE/JC PLAYERS
1. Brandon Finnegan, lhp, Royals (1)
2. Kyle Schwarber, c/of, Cubs (1)
3. Aaron Nola, rhp, Phillies (1)
4. Ryan Yarbrough, lhp, Mariners (4)
5. Brian Anderson, 2b/3b, Marlins (3)
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS
1. Spencer Adams, rhp, White Sox (2)
2. Kevin Padlo, 3b, Rockies (5)
3. Alex Verdugo, of, Dodgers (2)
4. Bobby Bradley, 1b, Indians (3)
5. Josh Morgan, ss, Rangers (3)
Best Athlete
1. Monte Harrison, of, Brewers (2)
2. Justin Twine, ss, Marlins (1s)
3. Ti’Quan Forbes, 3b, Rangers (2)
4. Michael Gettys, of, Padres (2)
5. Pat Connaughton, rhp, Orioles (4)
Most Intriguing Background
BASEBALL RELATIVES
1. Nick Gordon, ss, Twins (1)
2. Ryan Ripken, 1b, Nationals (15)
3. Derek Hill, of, Tigers (1)
4. Conor Gillaspie, 1b, Rays (1)
5. Kevin Cron, 1b, D-backs (14)
HUMAN INTEREST
1. Cole Way, lhp, Royals (38)
2. Michael Conforto, of, Mets (1)
3. Jed Sprague, 1b, White Sox (37)
4. Bobby Ison, of, Indians (21)
5. Ben Holmes (Wetzler), lhp, Marlins (9)
Closest To The Majors
COLLEGE PLAYERS
1. Brandon Finnegan, lhp, Royals (1)
2. Carlos Rodon, lhp, White Sox (1)
3. Nick Burdi, rhp, Twins (2)
4. Jaco Lindgren, lhp, Yankees (2)
5. Aaron Nola, rhp, Phillies (1)
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS
1. Forrest Wall, 2b, Rockies (1s)
2. Derek Hill, of, Tigers (1)
3. Luis Ortiz, rhp, Rangers (1)
4. Spencer Adams, rhp, White Sox (2)
5. Cody Reed, lhp, D-backs (2)
Best Late-Round Pick
1. Gage Hinsz, rhp, Pirates (11)
2. Josh Pennington, rhp, Red Sox (29)
3. Roberto Gonzalez, of, Twins (15)
4. Kyle Kinman, lhp, Braves (25)
5. Karsten Whitson, rhp, Red Sox (11)
The Ones Who Got Away
COLLEGE PLAYERS
1. Andrew Suarez, lhp, Nationals (2)
2. Trevor Megill, rhp, Cardinals (3)
3. Austin Byler, 1b, Nationals (9)
4. Zach Zehner, of, Blue Jays (7)
5. Daniel Salters, c, Nationals (22)
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS
1. Brady Aiken, lhp, Astros (1)
2. J.B. Bukauskas, rhp, D-backs (20)
3. Mac Marshall, lhp, Astros (21)
4. Jacob Nix, rhp, Astros (5)
5. Luke Bonfield, of, Mets (21)


ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Arizona’s class is as high-risk, high-reward as any class save the Marlins. A breakthrough by Cron would be a nice boost to the power arms the Diamondbacks amassed
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: The Diamondbacks got two high school bats they believe in, both under 6 feet tall. OF Matt Railey (3) performed as a prep against strong competition, and had a hamstring injury interrupt a hot streak at Rookie-level Missoula. SS Isan Diaz (2s) earns Jose Vidro comparisons for his strong frame and Puerto Rican heritage. » BEST POWER: 1B Kevin Cron
(14) has size (6-foot-5, 245 pounds) and strength that gives him plus raw power, which played better with wood than it did with metal. He hit 12 homers in his debut after hitting just 14 in three seasons at Texas Christian. » FASTEST RUNNER: OF Marcus Wilson (2s) has posted blazing 6.5-second times over 60 yards, plus speed that plays better presently in center field than on the bases. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Wilson is a long strider with a lean, long-limbed 6-foot-3, 175-pound frame. He reminds the Diamondbacks of former Astros outfielder Brian Hunter, a teammate of Arizona scouting director Ray Montgomery.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: In a velocity-heavy draft, Arizona loaded up on power arms. RHP Mason McCullough (5) hit 98 mph regularly in the spring and 101 mph this summer . LHP Cody Reed (2) pitches anywhere from 88-94 mph, touching 96 in the spring, and gets lots of ugly swings with his fastball thanks to natural deception. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: RHP Touki Toussaint (1) has dastardly secondary stuff to go with a plus fastball that has touched 97. His curveball has tremendous spin and flashes 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale. His changeup also flashes plus.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Cron hit .291/.356/.498 overall and helped Hillsboro win the short-season Northwest League. LHP Zac Curtis (6) saved every Hops playoff victory after going 2-1, 1.00 with 14 saves and 42 strikeouts in 27 innings. 1B Trevor Mitsui (30) swatted 12 homers with Rookie-level Missoula while hitting .331/.386/.546 overall. » BEST ATHLETE: Wilson may be a two-year Rookie-ball player but has the raw athleticism the Diamondbacks coveted. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Cron’s father Chris, an ex-big leaguer, is the Diamondbacks’ minor league hitting coordinator. His older brother C.J. is the Angels’ DH. LHP Lawrence Pardo (38) is the son of Astros scout Larry, who pitched parts of seven minor league seasons. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Curtis, McCullough and RHP Brent Jones (4) all could move quickly in relief roles, with Curtis’ fast start and lefthanded-ness giving him the edge. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: While he often struggled at TCU, Cron was a third-rounder out of high school and played like one in his pro debut. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Diamondbacks wanted to make runs at several players, particularly RHP Jacob Bukauskas (20), the highest-ranked player on the BA 500 who went to college. He’s at North Carolina.

ATLANTA BRAVES
Tony DeMacio’s final draft class with the Braves may provide good value, but a thinned farm system and Frank Wren’s firing as GM led to an overhaul of the scouting department.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: The Braves weren’t the only ones convicted on the bat of OF/1B Braxton Davidson (1), who has a chance to be a middle-of-the-order presence. He’s already shown the ability to make adjustments and has excellent strike-zone awareness » BEST POWER HITTER: Davidson showed plus power with wood on the showcase circuit, though he focused more on contact this spring and didn’t homer after signing. 3B Jordan Edgerton (9) has hand-eye coordination and strength that allow him to hit for solid power as well. » FASTEST RUNNER: OF Joseph Daris (14) gives the Braves a true burner with 80 speed and an explosive first step. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: OF Sean Godfrey (22) was a college senior with tools. He has an average arm if not a tick above and has 70 speed that allows him to play center.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: A two-way player at Southern Mississippi, RHP Brad Roney (8) will focus on pitching as a pro and has run his fastball up as high as 98 mph since signing. RHP Garrett Fulenchek (2) has athleticism and repeats his delivery more consistently than Roney, pounding the bottom of the zone with a lively 89-93 mph fastball. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Omaha product LHP Kyle Kinman (25) led NAIA with 141 strikeouts and can show two plus pitches: a fastball that has touched 95 and a plus, hard curveball with power and late action. RHP Chad Sobotka (4) has also shown a a plus slider when healthy and was throwing it in instructional league. LHP Chris Diaz (5) has the group’s best changeup, at times a plus pitch as well.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Godfrey finished the season at high Class A Lynchburg and hit .321/.358/.464 overall, stealing 18 bases in 20 tries. Sinkerballing RHP Max Povse (3) went 4-2, 3.42 at Rookie-level Danville, allowing only one home run. »BEST ATHLETE: Daris was a high school running back and linebacker at 5-foot-10 and has strength and explosiveness in his compact, 170-pound body. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: 2B Luke Dykstra (7) is the son of ex-big leaguer Len. C Sal Giardina’s (31) father Sal. Sr. coached at Lynn (Fla.), and his brother Carmine has reached Double-A with the Angels. Unsigned SS Grayson Byrd (39) is the son of Paul Byrd, who won 109 games in the majors and spent parts of two seasons in Atlanta. Unsigned LHP Tucker Baca (32) is the son of Mark, a national crosschecker for the Nationals.
» CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Kinman and Diaz have very different repertoires, but both could move quickly as lefthanded relievers. Diaz still may start, giving Kinman the edge. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Godfrey, Daris and Kinman all have carrying tools to become big league role players. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Braves made a run at OF/RHP Ashton Perritt (17), whose fastball has touched 95 mph in the past. He returned to Liberty. RHP Jake Godfrey (21) had a rough spring and wound up as part of Louisiana State’s boffo recruiting class.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES
THE ORIOLES WERE THE LAST TEAM TO PICK IN THE 2014 DRAFT AND DID NOT MAKE THEIR FIRST SELECTION UNTILTHE THIRD ROUND. THEY TOOK PITCHERS WITH THEIR FIRST FIVE PICKS, A NUMBER OF WHOM HAVE TAKEN SIGNIFICANT STEPS FORWARD SINCE SIGNING.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: 3B Austin Anderson (9) was a consistent producer in the SEC the last two years who walked more than he struck out. Anderson has a simple, direct swing from the left side that produces power to the gaps. » BEST POWER HITTER: OF Jamill Moquete (32) has a great-looking body at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds that has drawn physical comparisons to Matt Kemp. He started playing baseball later but has physical ability, including plus raw power. » FASTEST RUNNER: OF Jay Gonzalez (10) is a 70-grade runner. The lefthanded hitter has wiry strength and some pop, but is at his best offensively when he employs a slash-and-dash approach. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Gonzalez, who began his college career at Auburn before attending Mount Olive, has the potential to remain in center field.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: LHP Tanner Scott (6), who got a third-round bonus, was up to 98 before the draft and touched 100 this summer. He is working on improving his delivery, but no other lefthander in the 2014 draft has been up to triple digits. RHP Pat Connaughton (4) was up to 97, as was RHP David Hess (5). Projectable RHP Jean Cosme took a big step forward this summer and touched 96 after touching 93 in the spring with a loose, fast arm. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: LHP Brian Gonzalez (3) was the first player the Orioles selected. He has a strong build and easy delivery with advanced feel for a plus changeup. Hess' curveball flashes plus, as does LHP John Means' (11) curve. RHP Patrick Baker (29) is a reliever with a heater up to 95 and curveball that shows above-average potential.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Gonzalez did not allow an earned run in 25 innings in the Gulf Coast League while striking out a batter an inning and registering just eight walks. » BEST ATHLETE: Connaughton has been a two-year starter at small forward for the Notre Dame basketball
team. The athletic, versatile Connaughton scored 13.8 points per game and ranked in the top three for the Fighting Irish in nearly every significant statistic. Infielder Steve Wilkerson (8) was recruited by colleges as a quarterback before focusing on baseball at Clemson. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Connaughton. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Hess had three straight outings this summer where he touched 97 mph and sat in the mid-90s while showing feel for a changeup and a plus breaking ball. His ability to throw his fastball to both sides of the plate and his strong, sturdy frame have drawn comparisons to Nationals righthander Jordan Zimmerman. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Means is a strike-throwing lefthander with feel for secondary stuff. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: Prep RHP Connor Seabold (19) has a chance to develop at Cal State Fullerton.

BOSTON RED SOX
Boston began its high-upside draft class with two high schoolers and tied for the most prep signees of any American League team with eight.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: 1B Sam Travis (2) was one of the top righthanded college bats in the draft. His natural strength produces bat speed and a direct swing, leading to high contact rates in college and in his pro debut. » BEST POWER HITTER: 3B Michael Chavis (1) unleashes plus bat speed from a compact stroke, producing plus raw power and a different sound off his bat. Both Chavis and Travis have a chance to hit for both average and power. 1B Josh Ockimey (5) has 70-grade raw power. » FASTEST RUNNER: Switch-hitting OF Danny Mars (6) is a plus runner who gets out of the box quickly with a line drive stroke. Overslot OF Trenton Kemp (15) is an explosive athlete with plus speed. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: C Devon Fisher (20) had one of the strongest catching arms in the draft, drawing at least plus grades, though it needs to be more accurate. He signed for $300,000.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Michael Kopech (1) has a loose, quick arm and the ball explodes out of his hand with plus life, touching 98 in the spring and 96 this summer. RHP Jake Cosart (3) has elite arm speed and sat 92-95, touching 97 after signing. RHP Kevin McAvoy (4) can pitch off his low-90s fastball with heavy, sinking life. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: The breaking balls for both Kopech (slider) and Cosart (curveball) have at least plus potential. RHP Karsten Whitson (11) used to have a wipeout slider; it has shown flashes of returning during instructs. RHP Chandler Shepherd (13) and Jalen Beeks (12) have above-average to plus changeups.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: McAvoy produced a 1.91 ERA and 7.7 strikeout-walk ratio in 28 innings. Travis hit .316/.351/.467 with seven home runs and 44 RBIs across two levels, reaching low Class A Greenville. 3B Jordan Betts (18) finished fourth in the New York-Penn League in home runs (10) while hitting .269/.333/.479. » BEST ATHLETE: RHP Kevin Steen (9) led his team deep into the state playoffs in basketball, limiting his mound time this spring. The 6-foot-1 Steen has impressive leaping ability capable of producing highlight reel dunks. He has a quick arm and could take a jump once he gains strength to his lean, long-limbed body. »MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Cosart is the younger brother of Marlins righthander Jared Cosart. Whitson turned down $2.1 million as the ninth pick in the 2010 draft and signed for $100,000 this year. OF Derek Miller (23) is the son of Blake Miller, vide president of security and parking for the Texas Rangers. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Travis and Beeks. »BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Whitson provides value and upside. Josh Pennington (29) had Tommy John surgery but is athletic with a fastball that sits in the low-90s. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: Projectable LHP David Peterson (28) could go in the top few rounds after three years at Oregon.

CHICAGO CUBS
The Cubs executed a plan deftly, getting the consensus top bat in Schwarber and saving enough to add needed million-dollar arms in Stinnett, Sands, Steele and Cease.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: Several scouting directors contacted for this feature called C/OF Kyle Schwarber (1) the best hitter in the draft, wowed by his combination of strength, short swing and confident presence in the box. » BEST POWER HITTER: Schwarber has plus power from pole to pole and made hitting home runs look easy in his debut, mashing 18 over three regular season levels (and one more in the high Class A Florida State League playoffs) after hitting 14 in the spring for Indiana. » FASTEST RUNNER: Five-foot-9, 170-pound OF Calvin Graves (27) has no power to speak of but is an aggressive 60 runner who stole 92 bases in four seasons at Division II Franklin Pierce (N.H.). » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: 2B Andrew Ely (32) was an all-league defender in the Pacific-12 Conference with sure hands, good range and instincts to spare.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP James Norwood (7) and RHP Jake Stinnett (2) have the best present fastballs, with the Cubs giving Norwood a slight edge. Both reach 97 mph regularly as starters, and pitch in the 92-95 mph range as starters. RHP Dylan Cease (6) came out of the gate hitting 98 mph this spring but got hurt and needed Tommy John surgery after signing in July » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Stinnett has improved his feel for a hard, late slider that has power in the 78-83 mph range.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Schwarber made pro ball look too easy, hitting .344/.428/.634 with 18 homers and a 39-57 walk-strikeout ratio in 262 at-bats. He struggled more with the defensive part of the game. OF Kevonte Mitchell (13) hit .294/.374/.371 in the Rookie-level Arizona League, showing a more advanced swing than expected and stealing 19 bases in 20 tries. » BEST ATHLETE: At 6-foot-4, 185 pounds, Mitchell was a first-team all-Missouri basketball player as a junior, but he was committed to play baseball at Southeast Missouri State. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: OF Joey Martarano (22) was one of Idaho’s top prep players in 2013 but didn’t sign and attended Boise State to play football. The Cubs drafted him in 2014 and signed him while allowing him to continue playing linebacker for the Broncos. LHP Carson Sands (4) has a younger brother Cole who is a priority follow for the 2015 draft. » CLOSEST TO MAJORS: Schwarber’s arrival will depend mostly on his ability to catch. If the Cubs decide to stick him in left field, he’ll be in Wrigley Field in 2015. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: RHP Jeremy Null (15) had back problems in the spring and saw his velocity drop into the mid-to-upper 80s. The 6-foot-8, 230-pounder threw the ball better this summer after signing and was back up to reaching 93 mph with good downhill plane. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: Athletic OF Isiah Gilliam (23) was ruled ineligible this spring at Parkview High in Lilburn, Ga., limiting looks at the athletic switch-hitter. He’ll make up for lost time at Chipola (Fla.) JC.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Starting with Rodon, the White Sox loaded up on quality pitching, with Adams a very pleasant surprise in the second round. They give the Sox a pair of first-round talents.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: 2B Jake Peter (7) earns the “pro hitter” cliche because it’s true. He works counts, spoils pitchers’ pitches and makes hard contact consistent because he has a plan at the plate. » BEST POWER HITTER: OF/C Zach Fish (11) has bat speed and strength to go with short arms. His above-average power will play more if he can move back to catcher, which he played earlier in his amateur career before moving to an outfield corner as a junior. He got off to a good start defensively in instructional league. » FASTEST RUNNER: The White Sox didn’t get any burners, with OF Michael Suiter (24) tops in the group as an above-average runner. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: OF Louie Lechich (6) was a senior cost-saver with tools, particularly defensively. He covers a lot of ground in center field and has a strong arm that helped him work in the high 80s as a college pitcher.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: LHP Carlos Rodon (1) has hit 97-98 mph when he’s loose and pitched at 94-96 in short stints after signing. He needs to locate it better, particularly to his arm side. RHP David Trexler (17) bumped up his velocity after signing, sitting 92-96 mph while throwing consistent strikes. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Multiple scouts from multiple organizations have seen Rodon pitch with a consistent 70 slider, if not an 80, with mid-80s power and tilt. It’s a devastating pitch that played in his debut as Rodon racked up 13.86 strikeouts per nine innings.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Peter so dominated Rookie-level Great Falls (1.023 OPS) that he jumped to high Class A Winston-Salem; he hit.332/.385/.477 overall with just 26 strikeouts in 241 at-bats. RHP Matt Cooper (16) went 4-2, 3.18 with 47 strikeouts in 34 innings for Great Falls. » BEST ATHLETE: Pitchers often don’t win this category, but RHP Spencer Adams (2), a fine prep basketball player, does for the White Sox. Lechich also has long strides and athleticism in his tool-set. »MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: The Sox also drafted Rodon’s college roommate and N.C. State teammate, C Brett Austin (4), but they didn’t play together in their debuts. Unsigned 1B Jed Sprague (37) is the son of Ed Sprague Jr., who was an Olympic gold medallist for baseball in 1988, and Kristen Babb-Sprague, a gold-medal-winning swimmer in 1992.
» CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Had Rodon signed earlier, he would have reached the majors in September. He’ll get there in 2015 if healthy, likely breaking into the bullpen first, and may not need any more minor league time. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Trexler’s development is exciting; he showed above-average changeups and curveballs before and after the draft to go with an average-to-plus fastball, making him a future rotation-mate of Rodon’s very possible » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Sox drafted mammoth RHP Bryce Montes de Oca (14) as a hedge, as insurance in case Rodon didn’t sign. The 6-foot-7, 265-pounder headlines Missouri’s strong recruiting class.

CINCINNATI REDS
The Reds have had success drafting college infielders like Blandino and college pitchers like Howard. If Sparks comes into his own, he could be the top talent in the entire class.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: SS Alex Blandino (1), the second of the Reds’ two first-round picks, hit.310 over two summers in the Cape Cod League, then used his loose, quick-wristed swing to hit.283/.367/.480 in his pro debut, spending more than half of it with low Class A Dayton. 1B/3B Gavin LaValley (4) has an advanced approach, particularly for a high school hitter who faced modest competition, and present strength. » BEST POWER HITTER: 3B Taylor Sparks (2) remains raw offensively and swings and misses a lot. But when he connects, the ball travels, and he has well-above-average raw power. »FASTEST RUNNER: 2B Shane Mardirosian (7) is a plus runner, if not a bit more. Sparks also earns 60 grades, getting to first base in 4.2 seconds from the right side at his best. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Sparks has a chance to be a plus third baseman, with a plus arm, agility and first-step quickness. C Mitch Trees (11) has catch-and-throw tools but missed part of the summer with a bout of mononucleosis.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Nick Howard (1) can sit in the 94-97 mph range even over multiple innings and touched 98 this spring. The Reds intend to develop the former Virginia closer as a starter next season. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Howard started as a sophomore and has retained his ability to keep his curveball and slider distinct. He throws both with power, a 79-82 mph curve and slider up to 85. The Reds have confidence in both pitches.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Blandino hit eight homers in his debut. RHP Wyatt Strahan (3) was one of the top pitchers in the Rookie-level Pioneer League, with 40 strikeouts, a 2.76 ERA and no home runs allowed in 42 innings. » BEST ATHLETE: Sparks is a potential power-speed corner bat if he can improve his contact rate. Reds officials compare his overall profile to that of Drew Stubbs. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: 3B Montrell Marshall (12), who missed the season with a stress fracture in his lower back, is the first cousin of Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips. Trees is the first cousin of Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth. Unsigned LHP Logan Browning (36) is the son of ex-Reds lefty Tom Browning, now a minor league pitching coach in the system. C Seth Roadcap (39) is the son of Reds scout Steve. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Howard could have finished the year in the majors if the Reds move him as a reliever. He and Blandino both could move to Cincinnati quickly. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Marshall has power athleticism, and profiles for third base if he gets healthy. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Reds tried to sign Alaskan OF Roderick Bynum (18) but ran up against their budget limit. The speedy basketball player wound up at Arizona Western CC.

CLEVELAND INDIANS
Armed with three of the first 38 picks, the Indians got an impressive haul of talent, offering upside and probability in position players and pitchers.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: All three of the Indians position players drafted in the top three rounds— Bradley Zimmer (1), Mike Papi (1) and Bobby Bradley (3)—have strong cases for this category, but Zimmer gets the nod. Zimmer has a quick, direct and level stroke with the ability to drive the ball to all fields from a solid approach and strike zone awareness. » BEST POWER HITTER: Bradley has at least plus raw power and that power impacted games this summer, leading the Rookie level Arizona League in home runs and isolated slugging (.290). » FASTEST RUNNER: OF Greg Allen has at least plus speed, drawing some 70 grades from scouts. OF Jodd Carter (24) has at least 60 speed and ran the 60 in 6.5 seconds. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Allen was one of the best defensive center fielders in the draft with speed, instincts and an average arm, while Alexis Pantojas (9) was one of the top prep defenders at shortstop with loose, athletic actions and at least an average arm.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Julian Merryweather (5) threw strikes with his fastball earlier in his career, then saw his velocity jump after going to the Texas Baseball Ranch, touching 96. Justus Sheffield (1) and Grant Hockin (2) have both touched 95.» BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Sheffield has feel for secondary stuff with a curveball that has plus potential and a changeup with at least above-average potential. Hockin's slider is above-average with a chance to be plus.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Bradley was the MVP of the Arizona League after leading in all three triple-slash categories (.361/.426/.652). » BEST ATHLETE: Zimmer has plus speed, arm strength and raw power with a long, rangy 6-foot-5 build. RHP Dominic DeMasi (31) averaged 39 yards per punt as the punter at Valdosta State. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Zimmer became a first-rounder two years after his brother, Kyle, was drafted fifth overall by the Royals. Sheffield's older brother Jordan is a righthander at Vanderbilt who could have went in the first round out of high school but suffered Tommy John. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Zimmer and Papi could both move quickly as advanced lefthanded college bats who control the strike zone and saw time in the Midwest League. » MOST INTERESTING BACKGROUND: Contact-oriented OF Bobby Ison (21) was temporarily paralyzed from the waist down in eighth grade because of Guillain-Barre syndrome. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Robinson has a low-90s fastball, strike-throwing ability and a four-pitch mix, with his curveball presently ahead of his slider. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: Shelton State (Ala.) JC RHP Grayson Jones (14) touched the mid-90s with heavy sink and was in play for the Indians' remaining bonus pool money.

DETROIT TIGERS
The Tigers picked a prep position player in the first round for the first time since Cameron Maybin in 2005, before turning their attention to SEC power arms.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: OF Mike Gerber has plus raw power from the left side of the plate and hit 11 home runs this spring for Creighton. He continued to hit in pro ball across two levels (.298/.367/.492).OF Derek Hill (1) has the raw tools to become an above-average hitter with a quick line-drive oriented swing. » BEST POWER HITTER: C Grayson Greiner (3) has a huge frame at 6-foot-6, 215 pounds with plus raw power from the right side and a swing path conducive to lifting the ball. A broken hamate bone in his left hand cut his first pro season short by roughly a month. » FASTEST RUNNER: Hill is at least a 70-grade runner who impacts the game in many ways with his speed, out of the box, on the bases and in center field. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Hill was arguably the top prep center fielder in the class, capable of closing gaps quickly with his speed and tremendous defensive instincts. He is capable of highlight reels catches and his arm improved significantly over the last year, showing above-average potential.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Spencer Turnbull (2) is capable of running his fastball up to 98 with heavy, bat-breaking arm-side run and sink from a large, powerful body. RHP Adam Ravenelle (3) has a great pitcher's body and sat 93-95, touching 97. »BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Ravenelle's slider is an out pitch with at least plus potential.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Greiner hit .322/.394/.444 in the Midwest League before his late-season injury. » BEST ATHLETE: Hill was one of the top prep athletes in the class. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: C Shane Zeile (5) is the nephew of 16-year major league veteran Todd Zeile (5), who also attended UCLA. Hill is the son of Dodgers scout Orsino Hill, who played in the minors for 12 years and served as a hitting coach before becoming a scout. 1B Magglio Ordonez (38) is the son of the former major leaguer by the same name who played for the Tigers for seven years. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Although Ravenelle threw only four innings in his debut after signing late following Vanderbilt's College World Series victory, he is likely the fastest-moving pitcher. With more consistent innings as a junior, Ravenelle's strike-throwing ability sharpened significantly. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Gerber, who could have come out as a junior performing at a high level (.328.385/.567), lost more than a month of the season to an appendectomy. He finished this summer at Low Class A. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: RHP Alex Faedo (40) is the son of former big leaguer Landy Faedo. He suffered a turf toe injury early in the season that caused him to gain weight. But he was up to 94 last fall with a loose, easy arm. He will head to Florida.

HOUSTON ASTROS
After not signing Aiken with the first pick, Houston grabbed three college bats with hitting ability and power potential. The Astros have the second and fifth picks in the 2015 draft.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: While all three of the college bats the Astros drafted in the top three rounds—OF Derek Fisher (1), 1B A.J. Reed (2) and 3B/1B J.D. Davis (3)—have a case, Davis gets the nod. He has bat speed and strength from the right side to go with plus power potential, hitting .293/.373/.508 with 13 home runs across two levels. » BEST POWER HITTER: Reed led all of college baseball with 23 home runs and a .399 isolated power. He has plus power potential from the left side. Fisher has plus raw power. » FASTEST RUNNER: OF Bobby Boyd (8) is at least a 70-grade runner with a short stroke from the left side. Fisher is also at least a plus runner.
» BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Boyd has the potential to be a plus defender in center with his speed, first-step quickness and instincts.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Derick Velazquez (7) has an explosive fastball that sat 92-93 mph this summer, touching 96 with plus life to his arm side. RHP Dean Deetz (11) walked 6.8 per nine this summer, but his fastball was 92-94, touching 97. »BEST SECONDARY PITCH: RHP Daniel Mengden (4) is a tough, competitive strike-thrower who shows the makings of a plus changeup. Velazquez's changeup has plus potential and his slider flashes plus. Deetz's curveball shows at least above-average potential.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Davis impressed with his offensive production and his improved defense. Fisher likely would have been taken higher if not for a broken hamate in the spring. His beautiful lefthanded swing is short and compact with bat speed, producing a .303/.378/.408 line this summer. » BEST ATHLETE: Fisher for his strong, angular 6-foot-1, 207-pound build and plus raw power-speed combo. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: RHP Josh James (34) grew up in the ****** Islands and didn’t begin playing baseball until he was 17. He is the next product out of a loaded Western Oklahoma State JC program that has produced Andrelton Simmons and Sicnarf Loopstok. James is arguably the top pitching athlete of the Astros draft class with a fastball that ranges from 90-94 and slider that shows at least average potential, flashing above-average. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Reed combines lefthanded power with the potential to draw walks at an above-average clip. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: LHP Ben Smith (17) looked like a candidate to go in the top half-dozen rounds before undergoing Tommy John surgery after six starts. Nick Tanielu (14) is transitioning to second from third base. He is a natural, fluid and instinctual hitter with some pop from the right side. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: LHP Brady Aiken (1) became the first No. 1 pick to go unsigned since Tim Belcher in 1983. Aiken's camp and the Astros had been tight-lipped on whether or not the two sides were involved in a grievance, and Aiken had yet to enroll either at UCLA, where he'd been committed, or in a junior college.

COLORADO ROCKIES
Kyle Freeland had an elbow issue before the draft and signed for a discount that helped the Rockies land Forrest Wall ($2 million) and three other above-slot preps.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: 2B Forrest Wall (1s) has natural feel for hitting, surprising power and the speed to leg out extra hits. His contact ability translated in his pro debut, as he walked (27) almost as often as he struck out (32). He's as good a pure hitter as any player drafted in 2014. OF Drew Weeks (7) led Division I in hitting in the spring, hitting .430. » BEST POWER HITTER: 3B Kevin Padlo (5) has a strength-oriented swing and athleticism that helped him star in high school basketball at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds. » FASTEST RUNNER: Wall posts 70 run times to first base from the left side, which would play if he were to move to center field and which plays on the bases. OF Wes Rogers (4) has above-average speed that covers a lot of ground in the outfield.
» BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Rogers is raw but could be an above-average center fielder. SS/2B Chris Rabago (13) has sure hands and arm strength, so the Rockies tried him at catcher in instructional league.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: LHP Kyle Freeland (1) pitched with similar stuff to what he showed in the spring, with a lively fastball touching 96 mph and consistently in the 91-94 range. He has excellent control and delivers his fastball with plane and angle, making it tough for hitters to square up. LHP Sam Howard (3) has touched 96 from the left side, while RHP Ryan Castellani (2) has hit 95 with a hard sinker. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Freeland’s slider was so good in college, at 85-87 mph, he had a tendency to throw it too much.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Freeland went 3-0, 1.15 in 39 innings and helped low Class A Asheville win the South Atlantic League title. 3B Shane Hoelscher (17) led the short-season Northwest League in OBP during a .332/.427/.466 debut. Padlo, Wall and SS Max George (6) comprised three-quarters of the Rookie-level Grand Junction infield, with Padlo posting a 1.015 OPS, Wall .907 and George (.896). » BEST ATHLETE: Rogers lacks arm strength and needs to add strength but has fast-twitch traits. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Rabago’s brother Hector converted from infielder to catcher in the Yankees system. RHP Hunter Brothers (30) is the younger brother of Rockies reliever Rex. RHP Gavin Glanz (23) is the son of Gary Glanz, a second-round pick in 1978. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Freeland has the fastball command to move quickly if healthy. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Hoelscher and Rebago could be useful role players, as could RHP Grahamm Wiest (14), a command-oriented starter with an above-average changeup. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Rockies signed every pick in the first 27 rounds but couldn’t land sophomore-eligible 2B Landon Lassiter (28), who went back to North Carolina, or 1B Pavin Smith (32), now a freshman at Virginia.


KANSAS CITY ROYALS
The Royals signed four players for at least $1 million each and brought in three high-upside high school players in Foster Griffin, Scott Blewett and Chase Vallot.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: 1B Ryan O'Hearn (8) has a quick, loose stroke from the left side with natural loft. He was young for the college class, 20 on draft day, and won MVP honors in the Pioneer League after hitting .361/.448/.590 with 13 home runs. » BEST POWER HITTER: C Chase Vallot (1) had some of the best power in the prep class, at least 70-grade raw. He finished tied for third in home runs (seven) and had the third-highest ISO (.188) in the Appalachian League.
» FASTEST RUNNER: Athletic switch-hitting OF DonAndre Clark (33) is a top-of-the-scale runner who has posted runs times as low as 3.84 to first. OF Rudy Martin (20) is a small-framed 70-grade runner from the left side of the plate. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: OF Brandon Downes (7) is an above-average defensive center fielder who is a plus runner underway with great instincts and a plus arm.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: Although his 2014 season began eight months ago, LHP Brandon Finnegan (1) was still able to reach back for 95 and 96 mph in the playoffs (after touching 97 in the spring). His fastball has been a swing-and-miss offering at the major league level with plus to plus-plus life as the ball jumps out of his hand. RHP Scott Blewett (2), who signed for a late first-round bonus, has a great frame at 6-foot-6 and heater up to 96 mph while sitting 91-94 at his best. He struck out 29 Appalachian League hitters in 28 innings. RHP Evan Beal (21) touched 97. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Blewett's 12-6 downer curveball has plus potential. Finnegan's changeup improved over the last year, giving him a second plus secondary offering to go with his slider. LHP Foster Griffin (1) is working to improve their consistency, but both his curveball and changeup flash plus.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Finnegan raced through three levels while posting a 1.33 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 27 innings to emerge as a key reliever on the Royals' playoff roster. » BEST ATHLETE: Downes is an above-average athlete who can run and throw while providing at least average power from the right side. OF Logan Moon (6) is an average to above-average runner with a plus arm and simple swing. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Griffin, the son of a former professional golfer, is a scratch golfer both left and righthanded. Cole Way (38) is a 6-foot-11, 235-pound lefthander who was the starting punter on Tulsa's football team. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Finnegan was the first member of the 2014 draft class to make the majors. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: 3B Manny Olloque (16) is a competitive, projectable position player who was young for the class and made contact at a well above-average clip in his pro debut. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: OF Scott Heineman (19) will return for his senior season at Oregon.

MIAMI MARLINS
Attention centers on Kolek’s velocity and size, but the Marlins are also excited about their speedy group of athletes, which Meek calls the best in his 13-year tenure.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: 2B/3B Brian Anderson (3) hit better with wood than he had in the spring with metal bats. OF Casey Soltis (5) has shown an advanced feel to hit, plate discipline and a short, repeatable swing. » BEST POWER HITTER: OF Stone Garrett (7) passes the eye test with a muscular 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame. There’s some stiffness to his swing the Marlins will need to loosen up to tap into his plus raw power. He didn’t homer in his debut. » FASTEST RUNNER: This class has several speedsters but none can touch SS/OF Anfernee Seymour (7). The Bahamas native ran a 6.14-second 60-yard dash in a team pre-draft workout, making him the fastest player director Stan Meek has ever scouted. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: The Marlins are convicted in C Blake Anderson (1s) behind the plate, where he shows athleticism and agility in his 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame. The Mississippi prep product got off to a rough start with 13 passed balls in 26 games.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: Meek was one of many scouts this spring who said that RHP Tyler Kolek (1) was the hardest-throwing pitcher, on a consistent basis, he had ever seen, consistently hitting 100 mph with his fastball. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: RHP Nick White (11) has good shape and power on his upper-70s 12-to-6 curveball. LHP Michael Mader (3) also flashes plus with his curve.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Brian Anderson hit 13 homers in three seasons for Arkansas, then hit 11 during his .300/.363/.496 debut with short-season Batavia and low Class A Greensboro. 2B Mason Davis (19) hit a combined .313/.389/.453 at the same two stops, though with considerable more time in Batavia. » BEST ATHLETE: SS Justin Twine (2) has power and speed in his 5-foot-11, 205-pound frame that helped him excel in track and as a running quarterback in football. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: LHP Ben Holmes (9; formerly known as Ben Wetzler) was suspended by the NCAA in the spring for contact with an agent after failing to sign with the Phillies as a 2013 fifth-rounder. He went on to lead the nation with a 0.78 ERA for Oregon State. Davis’s father Fred played briefly in the NFL in 1987. At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Kolek has the largest listed weight of any first-round pitcher in draft history. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Anderson, particularly if he can handle third. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Colorado prep RHP Jordan Holloway (20) got $400,000 thanks to a fastball that touches 94 mph and projectable 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame. The class also got a boost when the Marlins signed OF John Norwood, who hit the game-winning home run for Vanderbilt in the College World Series, as a non drafted free agent in August. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: 3B Mitchell Robinson (22) headed to Florida International.


LOS ANGELES ANGELS
After picking seven straight pitchers at the top of the 2013 draft, the Angels again stockpiled hard-throwing arms by picking five straight to begin the 2014 draft.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: Lefthanded-hitting OF Bo Way (7) had a track record of hitting in college and continued to hit this summer while using all fields with a line-drive oriented stroke, gap-to-gap approach and knowledge of the strike zone. » BEST POWER HITTER: 1B Fran Whitten (37) has 70-grade raw power from the left side of the plate. » FASTEST RUNNER: OF Caleb Adams is an above-average to plus runner underway with at least average tools across the board. Way is also at least an above-average runner underway. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Zach Houchins (13) has the potential to be at least an average defender at third base with an above-average arm, good hands and ability to come in well on plays in front of him.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: LHP Sean Newcomb (1) had some of the easiest velocity in the entire draft and some of easiest lefthanded velocity of the last decade. His fastball sits 91-94 mph and he has touched 98. RHP Joe Gatto (2) had some of the easiest righthanded velocity in the draft and the ball jumps out of his hand, sitting 90-93 while touching 95. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Newcomb shows the makings of a plus changeup. RHP Chris Ellis (3) has a power slider at 83-86 mph with at least above-average potential to go with an above-average changeup. While Gatto is learning to make his curveball more consistent, it flashes plus potential with tight shape, power and swing-and-miss potential.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Way hit .347/.412/.510 this summer with a 21-to-29 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has the ability to play all three outfield positions and gets good jumps with his advanced defensive instincts in center field. 3B Andrew Daniel's (11) best tool is his righthanded bat and he hit .340/.408/.510 this summer for Rookie-level Ogden. » BEST ATHLETE: Gatto played quarterback for his high school football team as a freshman and sophomore and starred on the school's basketball team as a junior. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: SS Jose Rodriguez (34) is the first player the Angels have drafted out of Puerto Rico since the 2004 draft. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Newcomb and LHP Greg Mahle (15) offers advanced pitchability to go with tenacity and poise. Mahle varies his arm slot to give lefthanded hitters a different look, ranging from low three-quarters to high three-quarters and varying his velocity from 85 to 94. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Mahle (15) and RHP Jared Ruxer (12) both stand out. Ruxer had the stuff to go in the top half-dozen rounds but he had Tommy John surgery just before the draft. Robichaux has a track record of throwing strikes with three pitches that show at least average potential, though his other tools will need to develop. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: Junior college 2B Blaine Prescott (16) is at least a 70 runner who got some 80 grades from scouts after running times of 4.0 from the right side.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Holmes and Verdugo will carry the load in a top-heavy group, though the development of Uter and college picks like Richy, Brigham and Vanegas would help deepen the class.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: Most teams seemed to prefer OF Alex Verdugo (2) on the mound as a lefthander. Verdugo wanted to hit, though, and the Dodgers like his overall offensive profile. He repeats his swing and has bat speed to go with impressive strike-zone judgment (20 BB 18 SO in his debut). » BEST POWER HITTER: In some ways, Verdugo’s profile resembles that of Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson. Pederson has bigger power, but Verdugo should have average or better home run pop eventually while making more contact than Pederson. The Dodgers project 3B Jared Walker (5) with future above-average power as well. » FASTEST RUNNER: Verdugo and OF Devin Ahart (16) have above-average speed, and the savvy Verdugo stole 11 bases in his debut without getting caught. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Verdugo has the tools and arm strength (he regularly hit 92 mph last summer) to be a profile right fielder, and he’s athletic enough to handle center field for now.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: Dodgers scouts put consistent 70s on RHP Grant Holmes’ (1) heater, reaching up to 97 mph and sitting 94-96 every time out. He uses his fastball aggressively as well. RHP Jeff Brigham (4) hit 97 mph early in the spring and has plus sink that helps him get ground balls by the bushel. RHP A.J. Vanegas (11) also can hit 97. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Holmes calls his breaking ball a power curve while the Dodgers consider it a plus slider. It’s late and sharp at 83 mph when he’s going well, and he throws it for strikes.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Verdugo hit .353/.421/.511 between two Rookie-ball levels. Ahart hit .344/.376/.463 overall, mostly at Rookie-level Ogden and also at low Class A Great Lakes. Vanegas struck out 33 and gave up just four runs in 27 innings. »BEST ATHLETE: RHP Kam Uter (12), signed for $200,000, was once committed to Vanderbilt to play football as a wide receiver before deciding to focus on baseball. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Holmes’ older brother Colby pitches in the Braves system. RHP Brock Stewart (6), a two-way player at Illinois State, is the son of Jeff Stewart, former Illinios State coach and current area scout for the Padres. Unsigned RHP Sam Moore (40) led Division I with 23 saves, one shy of the single-season record. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Vanegas has had trouble staying healthy as an amateur, but if does, he won’t need much matriculation in the minors. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Uter flashed a good curveball, his fastball has reached 92 and he has a fairly clean arm action. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, his body has projection left, particularly as he focuses solely on baseball. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Dodgers intended to sign LHP Christian Trent (29), an eligible sophomore who helped Ole Miss reach the College World Series last spring, but couldn’t reach an agreement.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS
The Brewers gambled on upside and may have gotten the draft’s top athlete (Harrison), power bat (Gatewood) and prep lefty (Medeiros), though all come with considerable risk.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: OF Monte Harrison (1s) was more advanced after signing than the Brewers though. His swing needs more polish and consistency, but for a three-sport prep athlete, he showed a solid approach, patience and bat speed while leading the Rookie-level Arizona League in walks.
» BEST POWER HITTER: SS Jacob Gatewood (1s) entered the spring as the consensus top power hitter available, at least on the prep side. He had an iffy spring and struggled with contact issues after signing, but his 70 raw power potential remains tantalizing. He may shift to third base in 2015. » FASTEST RUNNER: OF Troy Stokes (4) earned L.J. Hoes comparisons in the spring, owing to his body and Mid-Atlantic address. The Brewers liken him more to Phillies outfielder Ben Revere and give him 70 grades while praising his hitting polish. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Harrison needs reps but has a chance to be a young Torii Hunter caliber defender in center field.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Brandon Woodruff (11) still has the big arm strength that prompted the Rangers to draft him in the fifth round out of high school. His lack of command limited him to 90 innings in three seasons with Mississippi State, but he was still hitting 97 mph before and after signing. LHP Kodi Medeiros (1) has premium life and deception on his low-90s heater, which has touched 94-95. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: The best-case comparison for Medeiros, a strong-bodied, athletic, low-slot lefthander, is Madison Bumgarner. His slider flashes present plus now and is more advanced than Bumgarner’s at a similar stage of development.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Harrison hit .261/.402/.339 and led the AZL with 32 stolen bases, being caught just twice. Stokes hit .262/.363/.331 there with 19 steals in 22 tries. C Greg McCall (9) hit .326/.375/465 in 86 at-bats at Rookie-level Helena. »BEST ATHLETE: Harrison has burst, agility and present strength, all of which made him a Nebraska football recruit as a wide receiver. It also made him a highlight reel basketball player who excelled at finishing in transition. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Medeiros is the highest-drafted high school player out of Hawaii in draft history. RHP Cy Sneed (3) is the younger brother of Zeb, a righthanded reliever in the Royals system. Unsigned C J.J. Schwarz
(17) is the son of Marlins minor league pitching coach Jeff Schwarz, an ex-pro. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: The Brewers hope to develop the younger Sneed as a starter but were judicious with his innings after he was Dallas Baptist’s ace in the spring, tossing 104 innings. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Woodruff needs innings and confidence to improve his control and gain some feel for his secondary pitches. His arm strength will warrant a long look. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: Schwarz headed to Florida once the Brewers quickly got their top three picks signed for more than $5.6 million. Milwaukee made more of a run at physical RHP Turner Larkins (28), now at Texas A&M.

MINNESOTA TWINS
After getting the top up-the-middle prep player in the draft, Nick Gordon, the Twins drafted seven straight college pitchers, six of which were relievers in college.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: SS Nick Gordon (1) added bat speed to his quick, loose stroke that works inside the ball and hits to all fields. He projects to be an above-average hitter with strong bat-to-ball skills and projects to hit for at least average power.» BEST POWER HITTER: OF Max Murphy (9) has plus power potential and finished second in the Rookie-level Appalachian League with 10 home runs. OF Roberto Gonzalez (15) has plus raw power to his pull side from the left side of the plate. »FASTEST RUNNER: OF Tanner English (11) has at least 70-grade speed on the 20-80 scale and draws some 80 grades from scouts. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: English was one of the best defensive center fielders in college baseball at South Carolina, with first-step quickness, plus range to the gaps and a plus arm. Gonzalez had one of the best outfield arms from the prep ranks, grading as at least a 65. Gordon had one of the best prep infield arms, garnering 65 to 70 grades.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: The Twins stocked up on power college arms and got two of the biggest fastballs from college baseball in RHPs Nick Burdi (2) and Michael Cederoth (3), who have both touched at least 100 mph. Burdi's fastball is a little bit hotter, having touched 102 and sat 96-99 with plus life. RHP Jake Reed (5) sits 93-95, touching 98 with plus arm-side run. The Twins signed RHP Brandon Poulson as a nondrafted free agent this summer after he touched 100 mph. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Burdi’s slider is a wipeout offering that draws well above-average grades from scouts, touching as high as 93. The breaking balls for LHP Sam Clay (4; curveball), Cederoth (slider) and LHP Michael Theofanopoulos (30; curveball) all show at least plus potential.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Murphy hit .309/.403/.556 with 14 home runs across two levels. Reed had a 10.3 strikeout-walk ratio and 0.36 ERA in 25 innings at low Class A. » BEST ATHLETE: English was one of the best college athletes in this year’s draft. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Gordon is the son of former major league all-star Tom “Flash” Gordon and the half-brother of Dodgers second baseman Dee Gordon. 1B Trey Vavra (33) is the son of longtime Twins coach Joe Vavra. »CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Burdi could be one of the quickest movers in the 2014 draft. Reed is in the Arizona Fall League and not far behind Burdi; it wouldn't be out of the question for either of them to reach Minnesota next season. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: RHP Trevor Hildenberger (22) is a strike-thrower who has been up to 92 mph from a low slot and up to 95 from over the top. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: SS Dalton Guthrie (40) has big league bloodlines, advanced instincts and will likely be a very good college player at Florida.

NEW YORK METS
The Mets need corner power bats, so Conforto can’t arrive soon enough. An organization long on pitching got an infusion of hitters, taking bats with six of their first eight selections.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: The Mets like the combination of strength, polish and hitting ability of OF Michael Conforto (1) and 3B Eudor Garcia (4). Conforto’s Oregon State and Team USA experience give him an edge, as he’s seen better-caliber pitching. » BEST POWER HITTER: Garcia hits ‘em farther and has been noted for his light-tower home runs, though some of that may stem from the thin air of the ballparks in and around El Paso CC, where he played. Conforto also has above-average power. » FASTEST RUNNER: OF Raphael Ramirez (18) is a plus runner who gives scouts occasional 70 times out of the batter’s box, with his slashing approach. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: SS Milton Ramos (3) delights in playing defense even more than scouts do watching him play, and he was among the best defenders in the draft class. He plays with energy, has the arm strength and range for the play in the hole, and has the body control to make plays in front of him.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: LHP Brad Wieck (7) can throw 92-94 mph fastballs at his best and has the biggest pure arm strength. RHP Josh Prevost (5) can hit 94 as well but generally sits 89-93, but the 6-foot-8 senior sign pitches downhill and commands his fastball better. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Wieck has a plus, hard breaking ball that isn’t quite a true 12-to-6 curve. He throws it with power at 80-81 mph and has shown the ability to land it for strikes.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Wieck used his two-pitch mix to strike out 39 in 26 innings at short-season Brooklyn, with a 1.40 ERA and just six walks. LHP David Roseboom (17) didn’t just pitch well (1.59 ERA, 30 SO in 23 IP) at Rookie-level Kingsport. His stuff played, with his fastball and breaking ball both flashing above-average. » BEST ATHLETE: Agile and nimble afoot, Ramos is an above-average runner with great first-step quickness that plays defensively. He has some wiry strength as well. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Ramos is originally from Colombia and is related to Braves righthander Julio Teheran. Conforto’s father played football at Penn State in the 1980s and his mother Tracie Ruiz-Conforto was an Olympic gold-medalist in 1984 (and silver medallist in ’88) in synchronized swimming. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Conforto has the polish to move quickly, but Wieck could beat him there as a lefty reliever. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: The Mets feel fortunate to have signed the speedy Ramirez. They’re also encouraged by Roseboom’s fast start. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: Arkansas’ recruiting class features two players the Mets tried hard to sign in OF Luke Bonfield (21), whom the Mets made a hard run at late in the summer, and RHP Keaton McKinney (28).

NEW YORK YANKEES
New York did not have a first-round pick for the first time since 2002 and invested heavily in pitching, selecting arms with its first five picks for the first time since 1987.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: OF Mark Payton (7) had a four-year track record of hitting for average and getting on base at Texas. The lefthanded hitter has a loose, quick and compact stroke that hits to all fields. His gap power will likely produce lots of doubles. » BEST POWER HITTER: 1B Chris Gittens (12) produces plus-plus raw power from the right side with a huge, physical frame. 1B Bo Thompson (13) has at least plus raw power from his 5-foot-10, 255-pound build. » FASTEST RUNNER: OF Dominic Jose (24) has at least plus speed underway, capable of running the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds. »BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Vince Conde (9) was the starting shortstop for a College World Series-winning Vanderbilt club ahead of potential 2015 first-rounder Dansby Swanson. The surehanded Conde has the potential to remain at the position with feel for the game and defensive instincts.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Austin DeCarr (3) has a power fastball that touches 96 mph with downhill plane from a quick arm. LHP Jacob Lindgren (2) sits 91-94, touching 95 with tremendous deception and armside run and sink. RHP Jordan Foley (5) has been up to 97. Deshorn Lake, an unsigned 12th-round out of high school who signed this summer as a nondrafted free agent, ran his fastball up to 98. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Lindgren has a wipeout slider that is at least a plus offering with tilt and depth. DeCarr’s downer curveball has power with at least plus potential.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Lindgren moved quickly through the minors and finished the season at Double-A Trenton, striking out an Aroldis Chapman-like 17.3 per-nine across all levels this summer. 1B Connor Spencer’s (8) carrying tool is his lefthanded bat. He led the New York-Penn League in batting (.364/.489/.444) with his inside-out swing. » BEST ATHLETE: Jose has plus speed, at least an average arm with power potential from a strong, athletic build. DeCarr was recruited by colleges as a quarterback. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Jose is the son of former big leaguer Felix Jose. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Not only is Lindgren the closest to the majors in the system, but he also is one of the closest to the majors in the entire 2014 draft class. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: RHP Sean Carley (14) had the pure stuff to go in the top 10 rounds as a big-bodied strike-thrower with a fastball up to 94. RHP Matt Borens (11) has a big, projectable body at 6-foot-7 with a fastball up to 94 that he commands well. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Yankees maxed out their signing budget and had just $70,000 left to avoid going over the 5 percent overall bonus pool threshold that would have cost them a first-round pick in 2015. Prep C Christopher Hudgins (35) has a chance to develop at Pepperdine.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS
After grabbing a college position player in the first round, the A's invested in pitching. More than two-thirds of their signees were arms, and nine of their first 12 picks.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: 3B Matt Chapman (1) has a short, compact stroke from the right side and the ball jumps off his bat. SS Branden Cogswell (7) is an advanced college hitter with strong bat-to-ball ability from a smooth lefthanded stroke and control of the strike zone. SS Trace Loehr
(6) has the skill set to become an above-average hitter, possessing feel for the zone and a quick, compact stroke from the left side. » BEST POWER HITTER: Chapman has a strong, athletic build and at least plus raw power to his pull side. He is learning to use his lower half more in his swing to allow his power and strength to play more in games. » FASTEST RUNNER: Loehr, who received a 3rd round bonus, is at least a plus runner whose speed plays even faster on the field and defensively because of his first-step quickness and baseball instincts. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Chapman was arguably the best defensive third baseman in the draft with quick feet,
soft hands and the ability to make highlight reel plays while possessing at least a 70 arm capable of touching 98 off the mound.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: Athletic RHP Brett Graves (3) has been up to 96 mph while sitting 91-94 with a loose, quick arm. RHP Branden Kelliher (8) touches 95. Converted shortstop Heath Fillmyer (5) has been 93-95 in instructs with downhill plane. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: The curveball for RHP Daniel Gossett (2) shows plus potential with tight 12-6 shape and downer action. His changeup has a chance to be plus as well.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Gossett had the highest strikeout-walk ratio (24.7) of any AL draftee with more than 20 pro innings. OF J.B. Sportman (27) offers positional versatility and runs well in center field, hitting .309/.365/.409 while using the whole field this summer. » BEST ATHLETE: Graves is a plus athlete for a pitcher. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Catcher Max Kuhn (13) was drafted by the A’s out of high school as a summer follow. He has a track record of hitting in college and hit in his pro debut while transitioning behind the plate. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Chapman advanced to Double-A for the playoff run and helped Midland win the Texas League, hitting .310/.375/.586 with two home runs in the playoffs. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Strike-throwing RHP Joel Seddon (11) commands his fastball that sits 88-91, touching 93 out of the pen. RHP Corey Walter (28) has impressed since signing with a strong build and power fastball with sink that sits 90-93, touching 94. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: OF Denz’l Chapman (32) is a switch-hitting burner who ran a 6.44 in the 60 at the Southern California Invitational.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
The Phillies deviated from their high-risk, prep athlete template, signing only one high school player. Marti Wolever, in charge of scouting since 2002, was let go in September.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: 1B/OF Rhys Hoskins (5) works counts, has present strength and a good feel for hitting. He hit .326 in the Cape Cod League last summer and made good adjustments in instructional league. » BEST POWER HITTER: Hoskins has plus raw power and had a 450-foot homer in instructs. OF Aaron Brown (3) hit 13 homers in the spring for Pepperdine, best in the West Coast Conference. He has similar raw power and much more athleticism. » FASTEST RUNNER: Brown and SS Emmanuel Marrero (7) were the best of a modest class, with average speed. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Marrero is a sure-handed, fairly smooth defender at short. If Brown ran better, he could stay in center field, which he played for the Waves, but he’s a better fit in right field long-term, with a plus arm.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Aaron Nola (1) has excellent control for an amateur and improved his fastball velocity in 2014. The Phillies saw him up to 95-96 mph. RHP Chris Oliver (4) has hit 97 in the past and sat 92-94 for most of 2014. LHP Matt Imhof (2) elicits swings and misses on an 89-93 mph fastball from a high release point. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Nola’s changeup was the clear No. 1 in the class for the Phillies. LHP Brandon Leibrandt (6) has a fine changeup as well that earns some plus grades.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Nola reached Double-A and went 4-3, 2.93 overall with 45 strikeouts and just 10 walks in 55 innings. Imhof finished at low Class A Lakewood and struck out 40 while walking 11 in 42 innings overall. » BEST ATHLETE: Brown was a legitimate top-three-rounds talent both as a hitter and as a pitcher. His slider would rank as the best in the Phillies' draft class, as it was a true plus pitch, and he was the best player in Pepperdine's super-regional loss at Texas Christian. »MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Nola’s brother Austin, whom he teamed with at Louisiana State during the 2012 season, is a shortstop in the Blue Jays system who played in Double-A Jacksonville this past season. Leibrandt’s father Charlie won 140 games in a 14-year big league career. SS Drew Stankiewicz (11) is the son of ex-big leaguer Andy, now the head coach at Grand Canyon. Unsigned OF Tom Flacco (32) is the younger brother of quarterback Joe Flacco of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.
» CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: If the Phillies had been in contention, Nola likely would have reached the majors with Brandon Finnegan-like speed. He'll still end up as one of the quickest movers in the 2014 draft. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Physical LHP Austin Davis (12) has a durable 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame and has hit 94 mph with his fastball in the past. »THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Phillies signed who they wanted to sign, but if they’d had more money they would have made a run at local SS Al Molina (29), whom they liked as a catcher. He’s headed to Coastal Carolina.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES
The Pirates didn’t get a lot of plus present tools but believe they got a lot of good ballplayers such as Tucker and Joe. Keller, Supak and Hinsz bring upside to the mound.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: The Pirates were higher on SS Cole Tucker (1) than the industry consensus, but not by much. They believe in his command of the strike zone and feel for hitting and believe he just needs strength gains. » BEST POWER HITTER: OFs Connor Joe (1s) and Jordan Luplow (3) both have solid-average power, if not above-average, as well as the feel for hitting for their power to play. C/OF Kevin Krause (9) hit for power at Stony Brook, but the Pirates were still surprised by the sound off his bat after he signed, and he can put on a show in batting practice.
» FASTEST RUNNER: Tucker is a 60 runner with long strides. His speed shows up every day he’s on the diamond thanks to premium makeup and passion for the game. OF Carl Anderson (19) predicates his game on making contact and letting his 60 speed work. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: The Pirates are betting on Tucker remaining at shortstop even though at a listed 6-foot-3, he’s quite tall for the position. SS Erik Forgione (25), a steady, sure-handed college defender, makes every play.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: The Pirates spent $1 million apiece on prep RHPs Mitch Keller (2) and Trey Supak (2s), picked nine spots apart. Keller has hit 95 mph and Supak 94, and both have athleticism and loose arms. RHP Gage Hinsz (11) has a strong 6-foot-5, 210-pound body and fresh arm. The Montana native has hit 93 mph and the Pirates see more to come thanks to his strength and easy delivery. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Keller’s changeup and curveball both flash plus. Supak’s curve has similar upside but is less consistent.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Several late-round arms got off to fine starts for the Bucs, led by RHP Montana Durapau (32), who went 3-2, 2.21 with a 57-8 strikeout-walk ratio at short-season Jamestown. Former Bethune-Cookman teammate John Sever (20) dominated at Rookie-level Bristol with 63 strikeouts in 41 innings to go with a 1.33 ERA. » BEST ATHLETE: Tucker’s makeup and athletic ability makes the Pirates believe he can pull off being a tall shortstop. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Tucker’s mother Erin was a track athlete at the University of Arizona. Keller’s older brother Jon pitches in the Orioles system. RHP Sam Street (16) came to the U.S. from Australia to play college baseball; he’s a sidearming reliever. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: The Pirates shut Joe down after he signed due to a back issue but love his makeup and bat. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Hinsz stands out for his $580,000 bonus, but Sever opened eyes with his athleticism and fastball up to 93.
» THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: A late run at redshirt sophomore IF/C Paul DeJong (38), who hit 20 home runs in the Northwoods League over the summer, wasn’t enough to keep him from going back to Illinois State.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
St. Louis started its draft with six straight pitchers and signed five. Flaherty, Morales, Gomber, Weaver and Williams provide five varied arms for the pitcher-development system.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: OF Nick Thompson (8) hit .368 in the spring for William & Mary with more walks than strikeouts, then hit .282/.396/.410 with more walks (39) than strikeouts (36) for short-season State College. » BEST POWER HITTER: Thompson controls the strike zone, has good bat speed and shows present strength in his 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame to produce above-average power that fits the corner outfield profile. » FASTEST RUNNER: Five-foot-9 waterbug Darren Seferina (5) is a 70 runner whose speed plays on the basepaths. He stole 34 bags in the spring for Miami-Dade JC, then stole 20 more for State College while being caught five times. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: OF Blake Drake (18) slipped a bit as a junior but was young for the draft class and has solid tools. His best is likely his defense, as he has above-average range and plus arm strength to go with the reads and instincts for him to fit in center field.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Luke Weaver (1) lost some velocity in the spring but has hit 96 in the past and was back touching the mid-90s since signing, often with sink. RHP Daniel Poncedeleon (9), a $5,000 senior sign, has also reached 94-95 mph and has life through the strike zone as well. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Weaver gets plenty of ground balls with his changeup, which has excellent sink. RHP Jack Flaherty (1), a third baseman/pitcher in high school, earns lesser present grades but has the makings of a future plus changeup as he gains experience as a full-time pitcher.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Flaherty dominated the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, posting a 28-4 strikeout-walk ratio and 1.59 ERA in 23 innings. Thompson overcame an 8-for-51 start to rank second in the New York-Penn League in OBP. » BEST ATHLETE: Flaherty was a legitimate prospect as a third baseman before emerging as a pitching prospect. His athleticism helps him repeat his delivery and pound the strike zone. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Poncedeleon was drafted for the fourth time this year and had a contract voided last year after agreeing to terms with the Cubs. Seferina played in the 2005 Little League World Series for Curacao, forming a double-play combination with current Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar. RHP Bryan Dobzanski (29) was a state high school wrestling champion in New Jersey in the 220-pound weight class.» CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: RHP Andrew Morales (2s) is an accomplished strike-thrower with excellent makeup (he went 42-3 in college) and solid-average stuff. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: An NAIA star, Drake has shown enough offensive potential to be a fourth outfield candidate. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Cardinals liked RHP Trevor Megill (3) but never were able to get a deal done. He returned to Loyola Marymount, while the Cardinals get a compensation pick in the third round in 2015.



SAN DIEGO PADRES
San Diego had Gettys in the mix at 13th overall and got him 51st, and was stunned to get him and Turner. Strong starts by power arms provide more positive early returns.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: OF Auston Bousfield (5), one of the younger players in the college draft class, repeats his low-maintenance swing, uses the whole field and has a mature approach. » BEST POWER HITTER: College OFs Nick Torres (4), out of Cal Poly, and Yale Rosen (11), out of Washington, have plus raw power, and Rosen wowed the Padres with a BP display in a pre-draft workout at Petco Park. But OF Michael Gettys (2) impacts the ball more than any Padres draftee, hitting four line drives at 106 mph or better since signing. » FASTEST RUNNER: The Padres would like to race top picks SS Trea Turner (1) and Gettys and grade Turner as a 70 runner. He’s turned in 3.45-second times on drag bunts and knows how to use his speed on the bases. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: The Padres are convicted Turner will be an above-average shortstop. He has a 55 arm, sound internal clock and the body control to make all the plays. He was generally reliable defensively in his first pro season.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Ryan Butler (7) has power-pitcher size at 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, and power stuff with a fastball that topped out at 97 as an amateur. He’s hit 100 as a pro and throws plenty of fastball strikes as well. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: RHP Zech Lemond (3) is the latest in a long line of Rice pitchers who gets swings and misses with a hard spike curveball. LHP Thomas Dorminy (10) pairs a fastball that reaches 92 with a average-to-plus curveball that can freeze lefthanded hitters.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Turner hit .323/.406/.448 overall in 279 at-bats, adding 23 stolen bases in 27 tries. Gettys led the Rookie-level Arizona League in hits (66) while batting .310/.353/.437 with 14 steals in 16 tries. RHP Colby Blueberg (24) shined primarily at short-season Eugene and was 3-0, 0.50 overall with a 40-8 strikeout-talk ratio in 36 innings. » BEST ATHLETE: The Padres considered Gettys one of top athletes in draft thanks to his strong 6-foot-1, 203-pound body, strength, quick acceleration and speed. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Unsigned RHP Cobi Johnson (35) is the son of Dane Johnson, an ex-big league pitcher who is now Toronto’s roving minor league pitching instructor. Alex Morales, the father of SS Mitch Morales (29), scouts for the Nationals in south. The Padres famously drafted former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel (28), who hasn’t played baseball since high school. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Butler’s move to the bullpen has him ahead of Lemond. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Blueberg has some funk in his delivery and a lot of effort from a 6-foot, 185-pounder, but he pounds the zone at 92-93 mph and has an above-average slider. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Padres liked LHP Brendan McKay (34), now at Louisville, who had a 65-inning scoreless streak over the last two years of his prep career.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
The Giants took a while to sign their players and inked just 23, but they got a balanced class with a strong group of college bats in a year that was thin on such players.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: C Aramis Garcia (2) nearly won the Conference USA modern triple crown in the spring, finishing second in on-base percentage after winning the batting and slugging titles. He has a balanced, strong, mature plate approach. 1B Skyler Ewing (6) has similar strength in a simple swing he repeats and controls the strike zone well. » BEST POWER HITTER: The Giants drafted the last two winners of the Cape Cod League’s home run derby in Ewing (2013) and OF Dylan Davis (6, 2012), who gets Josh Willingham comparisons for his strength, bat speed and righthanded power. »FASTEST RUNNER: OF Seth Harrison (7) has posted 6.5-second times in the 60 in the past and is a plus runner. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: The Giants didn’t draft a premium defender, but Garcia has the arm strength and physicality to be solid-average behind the plate.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Tyler Beede (1) can pitch with a premium fastball at his best, sitting 92-94 mph and reaching 97. Physical RHP Sam Coonrod (5) also has hit 97 in relief. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Beede’s changeup has evolved into his best secondary pitch, earning plus grades. His power 80-mph curve has been plus in the past but regressed this spring. Coonrod features a hard, inconsistent slider that flashes plus.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Ewing hit .291/.417/.473 with eight homers for short-season Salem-Keizer, leading the Northwest League in home runs per at-bat ratio (1 HR/22.75 ABs). OF Austin Slater (8) hit for a similar line (.347/.417/.449) in half the playing time with Salem-Keizer. RHP Greg Brody (11) struck out 27 of the 61 Rookie-level Arizona League batters he faced.» BEST ATHLETE: A former infielder, Slater (8) has speed and strength to stick on an outfield corner, while Harrison has strength and enough speed to stick in center. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Beede, who helped Vanderbilt win the College World Series in June, was a two-time first-rounder; he was the Blue Jays’ unsigned 2011 first-rounder. Unsigned C Benito Santiago (38) is the son of the ex-big leaguer of the same name. RHPs Logan Webb (4, football quarterback) and 6-foot-8 Stetson Woods (9, basketball forward) were better known locally in Northern California for their exploits in other sports.» CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: If he throws strikes, Beede will move to San Francisco quickly. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: The Giants took 3B/OF Hunter Cole (26) as a summer follow and signed him after seeing him rake (.353/.406/.565) in the Cape Cod League this summer. He's likely a better fit in the outfield than in the dirt. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: The Giants went 0-for-2 against North Carolina, as RHP Benton Moss (15) returned for his senior year while hard-throwing LHP Hunter Williams (32), a two-way player at the college level, enrolled as a freshman.

SEATTLE MARINERS
The Mariners invested most of their financial resources to get two of the top power hitters in the prep class and came away with arguably the top prep hitter in Alex Jackson.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: OF Alex Jackson (1) was the top prep bat in the draft, offering plus bat speed, an advanced approach and above-average contact ability. » BEST POWER HITTER: Jackson possesses 70-grade raw power from the right side, with natural loft to his swing and the ability to drive the ball out of all parts of the ballpark. OF Gareth Morgan (2) has at least plus raw power as the ball jumps off his bat. » FASTEST RUNNER: SS Nelson Ward (12) is a plus-plus runner who puts pressure on the defense with a slashing approach from the left side. OF Austin Cousino (3) is an above-average runner with quickness who impacts games on the bases, stealing at a 94 percent clip in college. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Cousino's speed, instincts and first-step quickness make him an above-average defender in center field with an average arm. Jackson has a plus-plus arm he is learning to use in right field.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: LHP Ryan Yarbrough (4) saw his velocity increase in the spring and after reaching pro ball, sitting 90-93 mph, touching 95. His fastball has deception and angle. RHP Tyler Herb (29) also saw a velocity increase after working out of the pen, sitting 91-94, touching
96. RHP Dan Altavilla (5) sits 90-94 touches 96 with above-average arm-side bore. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Altavilla's slider flashes plus potential, as does Yarbrough's changeup. RHP Trey Cochran-Gill (17) is an athletic sinker-slider reliever with a 92-94 mph fastball and plus slider.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: No pitcher with as many innings in the Northwest League (38) had a higher strikeout rate (12.3 per nine) than Yarbrough, who also had the second lowest walk rate (0.9). Cochran-Gill allowed one earned run in 37 pro innings.» BEST ATHLETE: Morgan is a physical specimen with strong 6-foot-4, 220-pound build who moves well and has a plus arm. Cousino was a standout high school hockey player. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: RHP Lukas Schiraldi (15), who flashes a sharp curveball, is the son of former major leaguer Calvin Schiraldi, who also pitched at Texas. Altavila was the highest-drafted college pitcher who did not attend a Division I school. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Yarbrough can move quickly because of his ability to get out lefthanded hitters while pounding the strike zone. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Herb showed a plus fastball this summer and flashed a plus breaking ball with some natural deception. Before RHP Marvin Gorgas (13) had Tommy John this summer, before that he showed a 91-94 mph fastball and a good breaking ball. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: Prep OF DeAires Moses (31) is an 80 runner with raw physical ability. C Scott Manea (40) has defensive acumen from a strong, compact build and will head to North Carolina State.

TAMPA BAY RAYS
The Rays drafted a power bat with their first pick and invested in prep pitching at the top. Brent Honeywell, the first junior college player selected, had an outstanding debut.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: 3B/OF Grant Kay (27) impressed with his bat in a brief Cape stint before signing and continued to impress this summer with his quick, compact stroke. 1B Casey Gillaspie
(1) has plus bat speed, patience (120-63 walk-strikeout ratio in his last two college seasons) and was one of the top college bats in the class. » BEST POWER HITTER: Gillaspie has at least plus raw power from both sides of the plate with strength and leverage in his stroke, and projects to turn that into at least above-average power production. 1B Nic Wilson (24) has what one scout called “freakish raw power” and hit 10 home runs (while hitting just .207) for Rookie-level Princeton. »FASTEST RUNNER: OF Braxton Lee (12) is a 70-grade runner who runs between 3.95 and 4.00 from the left side. He is still learning to use his speed stealing bases. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: SS Alec Sole (18) is a steady, reliable defender at short with agility and a strong arm.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: While RHP Brent Honeywell (2) has a fastball that sits 90-94, touching 96 from a quick, loose arm, his ability to command the offering and manipulate the ball is truly advanced for a 19-year-old. The competitive Honeywell pitches aggressively with his fastball and has drawn rave reviews for his intensity, pitching intelligence and preparation. RHP Kyle McKenzie (20) runs his heater up to 95. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Honeywell’s devastating screwball that is was one of the top secondary offerings in the entire draft class. Prep RHPs Cameron Varga (2) and Blake Bivens (4) both have curveballs with at least plus potential. Honeywell’s changeup flashes plus as well.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Honeywell posted a 1.07 ERA and sparkling ratios of 1.6 walks and 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings for Princeton in the Appy League. » BEST ATHLETE: Lee’s 70 speed plays in center field from a strong, physical 5-foot-8 frame. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Gillaspie is the younger brother of White Sox third baseman Conor Gillaspie, who was also a first-round pick out of Wichita State. Honeywell’s father by the same name pitched for the same Princeton team in the Appy League 26 years ago as a member of the Pirates organization. Varga lived in Europe when he was younger during his father’s professional basketball career. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: RHP Brian Miller (15) is an experienced, battle-tested bullpen arm from a championship club at Vanderbilt who pounds the strike zone from his sidearm slot with a fastball that reaches the low 90s. Gillaspie’s polish could move him quicklky as well. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Kay’s hitting prowess and defensive versatility in the outfield corners and at second and third differentiate him among the rest. OF Zac Law (24) impressed this summer and is very young for the class. He is a former football player with plus speed, physical strength and power potential. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: OF Josh Davis (32) has some athleticism and a chance to develop at Pepperdine.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Toronto continues to covet high-ceiling power arms and athletic up-the-middle position players. Drafting Hoffman and Pentecost was a dynamic start to the overall class.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: C Max Pentecost (1) has the tools to hit at an above-average clip and has a sustained track record of hitting, though his debut was limited because of nagging wrist injuries. The righthanded hitter has an easy, quick and short stroke conducive to line drives to all fields.
» BEST POWER HITTER: Pentecost has plus raw power, though his swing path is unlikely to produce plus power production, with at least average more likely. 1B Ryan McBroom (15) has a strong, physical body and plus power potential from the left side. » FASTEST RUNNER: Both Pentecost and OF/3B Lane Thomas (5) have at least 55-grade speed that plays up because of instincts. Thomas is a plus runner underway who ran the 60 as low as 6.48 last summer. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Pentecost's defense improved significantly over the last year, offering above-average athleticism, flexibility and better receiving to go with a plus arm that has a quick release.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Jeff Hoffman (1) is a premier talent with an elite arm who likely would not have lasted until the ninth pick if not for his Tommy John surgery. Hoffman has a loose, easy arm action and sits 93-95 at his best, touching 98 mph. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Sean Reid-Foley (2) has a plus slider when he is on top of the pitch. Hoffman showed two secondary offerings with at least plus potential in his curveball and changeup. LHP Nick Wells (3) has a big, projectable body and a plus curveball that was one of the best among prep lefthanders.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Thomas, a high school draftee, was an above-average producer across to levels, finishing in the Rookie level Appalachian League while hitting .281/.369/.398. LHP Grayson Huffman (6) had a 0.95 ERA in 38 innings at two Rookie-ball stops despite 20 walks in 38 innings; he gave up just 18 hits. » BEST ATHLETE: Pentecost is a rare athlete for a catcher with a broad skill set. Hoffman was one of the most athletic pitchers in the draft and made exceptional defensive plays on the mound and highlight reel dunks on the basketball court. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: Shafer led his county in passing as a high school quarterback and was a two-way player at Florida. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Pentecost could move quickly as a college catcher with two-way ability. RHP Chase Mallard (14) could move quickly as a strike-thrower with pitchability and an 89-92 mph fastball and solid slider. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: 2B Gunnar Heidt (13) had the tools to go in the top 10 rounds, but broke his hand in late April. He is a high-makeup grinder with some tools. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: Two Illinois prep arms heading to the SEC could become good draft picks in three years, LHP Jake Latz (11; Louisiana State) and RHP Tanner Houck (12; Missouri).

TEXAS RANGERS
The Rangers prioritized high-upside prep players at the top of the draft with Luis Ortiz and Ti’Quan Forbes. Then Texas grabbed a collection of power arms after the 10th round.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: SS Josh Morgan (3) has an advanced approach for a high school player. The righthanded hitter has a quick, compact stroke and level bat path conducive to producing hard line drives to all fields. » BEST POWER HITTER: OF Luke Tendler (23) has above-average raw power from the left side and tied for the Northwest League home run lead (11) and highest isolated power (.215). » FASTEST RUNNER: Morgan's body has improved since signing and his speed has also increased. He is an above-average runner who has posted some plus run times out of the box this summer. 3B Ti'Quan Forbes (2) is an average to above-average runner out of the box, but is a plus runner underway. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Morgan is a polished, sure-handed defender who split his time between shortstop and second this summer while showing smooth actions and soft hands. He has a loose arm that is at least average. The organization is pleased with the defensive progress Jose Trevino (6) is making behind the plate after playing shortstop, third base and catcher in three years in college. He has an average arm that plays up because of a quick release.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: RHP Luis Ortiz (1) was one of the most talented prep arms in the country with a fastball that sat 90-94 mph, touching 96 as the ball jumped out of his hand. He has an easy delivery and advanced command for a prep pitcher. LHP Brett Martin (4) has a large, projectable body, loose arm and fastball up to 95 after signing. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Ortiz has a wipeout slider with at least plus potential. Martin's curveball shows the makings of a plus offering. RHP John Fasola (31) is a strong-bodied reliever with a fastball up to 95 and mid-80s slider with above-average potential.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Morgan was one of the better offensive performers of any prep player drafted by an AL club, hitting.322/.436/.347 though he had just four extra-base hits. » BEST ATHLETE: Forbes was one of the top prep athletes in the class and played three sports in high school. He is a plus runner underway with at least an average arm and above-average bat speed. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: RHP Austin Pettibone (24) is the younger brother of Phillies righthander Jonathan Pettibone. RHP Joe Watson (12), who has been up to 97, was a wide receiver in college. Trevino set a state home run record as a senior in Corpus Christi, Texas. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Ortiz and Trevino. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: RHP Gio Abreu (14) is an upside play as a lean, projectable prep pitcher with a loose arm. » THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: RHP Andre Jackson (32) has a great-looking body and has a chance to turn into a good draft once he gains more strength.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS
The Nats have hit on injured players who fell to them (see Anthony Rendon, 2011, and Lucas Giolito, 2012), so they feel good about Fedde. Not signing Suarez and Byler hurts.
POSITION PLAYERS
BEST PURE HITTER: The Nationals’ draft was pitcher-heavy and they didn’t get a pure hitter. C Jakson Reetz (3) and OF Matt Page (10), who hit .381/.507/.700 at Oklahoma Baptist in the spring, are the best bets thanks to their professional approaches. Page missed time after signing with a hamstring injury. » BEST POWER HITTER: Unsigned 1B Austin Byler (9) was the power hitter in the class. OF Dale Carey (7), toolsier than the average senior sign, has above-average raw power and hit seven homers this spring after hitting four in his first three seasons combined, thanks to a taller setup in the box and simpler swing. » FASTEST RUNNER: Carey is an above-average runner underway, and a healthy Page is an average runner and fine baserunner. But speed was not a strength of the Nats’ class. » BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Reetz’ glove is ahead of his bat, though both have a chance to be above-average. He has strength, soft hands and an above-average arm.
PITCHERS
BEST FASTBALL: As usual, the Nationals emphasized velocity. RHP Erick Fedde (1) was pitching at 95-96 mph as late as the seventh inning in some starts. His combination of velocity, life and command earns 70 grades. RHP Robbie Dickey (4) can sit 94-96 and touch 97 but has to clean up his drop-and-drive delivery. » BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Fedde also pitched with a 70 slider at times this spring and flashes a plus changeup to go with it.
ODDS AND ENDS
BEST PRO DEBUT: Reetz hit .274/.429/.368 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and worked deep counts, with 26 walks and 30 strikeouts in 117 at-bats. » BEST ATHLETE: Fedde was an all-state soccer player and led Las Vegas High to a state soccer title before focusing on baseball. Carey also has above-average athleticism. » MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND: 1B Ryan Ripken (15) is the son of Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. RHP D.J. Jauss (29) is the son of Dave Jauss, currently a coach on the Pirates’ big league staff. Unsigned OF Elliott Cary (32) is the son of ex-big league pitcher Chuck. RHP Kyle Simmons (24) has flashed 95 mph velocity despite pitching just 7¹/› innings in four seasons at Division II Texas Lutheran. » CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Fedde still may move the fastest in the draft class, even after having Tommy John surgery in June. » BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: The Nats like RHPs Domenick Mancini (12), a low-slot reliever out of Miami-Dade JC, and Jim Borque (14), out of Michigan. Mancini has hit 96 mph with sink, while Borque has command issues but flashes plus pitches with his fastball and curve.
» THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: Washington thought Byler (out of Nevada) and Miami LHP Andrew Suarez (2) would sign for slot, but when they didn’t, the Nats weren’t able to bridge the gap. Suarez will be a redshirt junior at Miami, Byler a senior.

 

[bear0555]

Thanks JP! I hope to get around to reading the info this weekend!

 

[Jaypers]

BA's team top 10 lists start Monday, FYI

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