Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Here are some players to watch as likely top 10 picks in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, which gets underway June 5.<\/p>\n
1) BRADY AIKEN, LHP, CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC HS (CALIFORNIA)<\/p>\n
Aiken could become the first high school lefty to go in top-five since 2002 … Has been on scouts’ radars for a while, but jumped to the top of most draft boards this spring when his velocity increased … When he helped Team USA to the gold medal at the 18-and-under World Cup in Taiwan last September he was throwing in the high 80s. After a winter of working out, though, he has seen his fastball jump to 97 mph at times … Curveball was already a plus pitch, but it has been perfected this spring. He throws it with good depth in the 77-79 range with sharp bite … Changeup could develop into an above- average offering, but some scouts think his slider will eventually become his third best pitch … Possess terrific command for someone so young … Some concern that he doesn’t have a go-to strikeout pitch, but the curve could become that with time … Has committed to UCLA<\/p>\n
2) CARLOS RODON, LHP, NORTH CAROLINA STATE<\/p>\n
Considered the best college left-hander since David Price … Has been projected to a be a top-three pick since a stellar freshman season at NC State … Was the driving force behind the Wolfpack’s first World Series berth in 45 years last season, as he set a school record with 148 strikeouts … Hasn’t been as good this season, pitching to a 2.01 ERA, while still striking out 117 batters in 98 2\/3 innings … Will overpower hitters with two pitches. His fastball sits at 91-94 mph, but can reach 97. His best pitch, though, is his slider that usually arrives in the mid-80s … Still trying to develop his changeup, but it could become a solid third offering in time … One downside is that scouts think he relies on slider too much … Another is that he is viewed as being a little over confident at times … If he doesn’t go No. 1, most think Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria won’t let the Cuban-American Miami-born hurler slip past him at two … Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 16th round of the 2011 MLB draft.<\/p>\n
3) TYLER KOLEK, RHP, SHEPHERD HS (TEXAS)<\/p>\n
Has bounced back nicely from a broken left arm that caused him to miss much of his junior season in 2013 … A three-sport athlete who drew big interest from schools as a defensive end … Probably the hardest thrower in this class and has maintained triple-digit radar gun readings all spring, hitting 100-102 mph regularly. In fact most scouts have marveled at his consistent velocity rate for someone so young … Fastball sits 96-98 mph … He also throws both a 12-to-6 curveball and a sharp slider. As he progresses, though, his slider is expected to a be a plus pitch for him … Will have to develop his changeup at the next level … The only real downside has been his command, but facing lesser competition among the smaller schools in Texas he struck out 60-percent of the batters he faced, opposed to just a 6-percent walk rate … Would not be shocked if his home state Houston Astros make him the No. 1 pick … Younger brother, Stephan, who is also a pitcher, could be a top selection in next year’s draft.<\/p>\n
4) AARON NOLA , RHP, LOUISIANA STATE<\/p>\n
The only two-time Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year (2013 and 2014) in league history, the right-handed Nola led the SEC this season in strikeouts (127), innings pitched (109) and opponent batting average (.173), and he is No. 3 in the nation in strikeouts. Nola is 10-1 on the year with a 1.49 ERA, and he has moved to No. 3 on the LSU career strikeouts list with 338 …Nola isn’t physical or overpowering, but he has exquisite command of his three-pitch arsenal … Consistently throws in the low 90s from a low three-quarter arm slot which produces sink … Also has an above average change-up that he uses to keep hitters off balance … Among the 2014 pitching crop, Nola is the best bet to reach his ceiling and likely will be the first starter to appear in the big leagues … Was a 22nd round draft choice of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011.<\/p>\n
5) ALEX JACKSON, C\/OF, RANCHO BERNARDO HS (CALIFORNIA)<\/p>\n
Scouts became aware of Jackson in 2012 when he led California prep players with 17 home runs as a sophomore … Since then he has only solidified his standing as the top right-handed power bat in this draft … Can hit the ball to all fields and possesses insane bat speed … If he can tighten up his swing, which gets long at times, he could develop into a .300 hitter at the next level … In addition to his power Jackson has a terrific arm … He needs work behind the plate and is considered a project at best … Because of his bat the most likely scenario is that a team will turn him into a right fielder in order to fast track him to the majors … Not considered a great base runner … Rancho Bernardo High School hasn’t had a first-round pick since Philadelphia Phillies lefty Cole Hamels in 2002 … Has committed to Oregon.<\/p>\n
6) KYLE FREELAND, LHP, EVANSVILLE<\/p>\n
After two unproductive years at Evansville, scouts started to become aware of Freeland last summer while playing in the Cape Cod League … The left-hander led college baseball’s top summer league in strikeouts (48) and K- to-BB ratio (48-to-4), as hitters had trouble dealing with his fastball and slider … He has done nothing to hurt his value this spring, as he led the Purple Aces to a regular season MVC title and went 10-2 with a 1.90 ERA. He also struck out 128 batters compared to just 13 walks in his 99 2\/3 innings this season … Very deceptive delivery that makes his fastball appear faster than it is. Although it does sit between 90-93 mph, but can top out at 96 … That delivery, however, is a big reason why some scouts think he won’t make it as a starter … Also throws a slider in the high 80s that can also turn into a mid-80s cutter … Needs to develop changeup a bit more … A 35th round draft choice of the Philadelphia Phillies back in 2011.<\/p>\n
7) NICK GORDON, SS, OLYMPIA HS (FLORIDA)<\/p>\n
The latest in a line of Gordons that includes his father, former major league reliever Tom, and brother, Dee, who is an infielder in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization … Was impressive on the mound last summer, throwing a fastball in the low 90s, but prefers to play everyday and played shortstop mostly this spring … Given the lack of middle-of-the-diamond prospects in this draft Gordon could be a top-10 pick … Like his brother, Gordon is an asset on bases with plus-speed … However, also like his brother he need to game more strength as he progresses … Is committed to Florida State.<\/p>\n
8) TREA TURNER, SS, NORTH CAROLINA STATE<\/p>\n
Hit scout’s radars due to his blazing speed and has shown the tools and contact ability to be a leadoff hitter in the major leagues … Right-hander does have a tendency to try and swing for the fences, something that could hinder him at the higher levels … Began college career at third base before shifting to shortstop. Has the range to stay there but did have nine errors through 54 games this season … Hit .321 in that span with eight homers, 36 RBI and 26 steals in 30 tries … Brooks Wallace Award finalist and All-ACC first team in 2013, when he led team with .368 average, 66 runs scored, 84 hits and 30 steals despite missing 11 games with an ankle injury … Led the nation with 57 stolen bases as a freshman in 2012, including a stretch of 29 straight steals without being caught … Was selected in the 20th round of the 2011 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.<\/p>\n
9) SEAN NEWCOMB, LHP, HARTFORD<\/p>\n
Fits the mold of desire as a hard-throwing left-handed, but a limited showcase makes him a bit of a high-risk, high-reward selection … Fastball sits in the low 90s, but projects to add some more speed … Has a smooth delivery and doesn’t fight himself on the mound … Figures to be a three- pitch hurler, adding a curveball and changeup to his heater … Not coveted out of high school, struggled big time with command as a freshman before suffering a season-ending forearm injury after nine appearances … Still struggled with walks, but fanned 92 batters in 72 innings as a sophomore before surpassing that with 106 through 14 starts and 93 1\/3 innings this year … Added an 8-2 record and 1.25 ERA to the high strikeout total during junior season, one that came after his summer stint at the Cape Cod League was cut short due to mononucleosis.<\/p>\n
10) MICHAEL CONFORTO, OF, OREGON STATE<\/p>\n
Regarded as one of the top outfield college prospects in the draft due to his power potential and solid eye at the plate … Large build and athletic background make him destined for routine 20-homer seasons, but also has shown the willingness to get on base other ways … Left-handed slugger was hitting .369 with seven homers and 55 RBI through 51 games this season, drawing 46 walks with 32 strikeouts …. Followed up a solid sophomore season in which he hit .328 with 11 homers and 47 RBI in 65 games. His home run total tied for the Pac-12 lead and he was selected as the conference’s Player of the Year while also getting named to the College World Series All-Tournament Team … Is some question regarding his defense, but he did show off solid arm strength with two outfield assists at home plate during the 2013 College World Series.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Here are some players to watch as likely top 10 picks in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, which gets underway June 5. 1) BRADY AIKEN, LHP, CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC HS (CALIFORNIA) Aiken could become the first high school lefty to go in top-five since 2002 … Has been on scouts’ […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mlb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stub.com\/hq\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19275","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stub.com\/hq\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stub.com\/hq\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stub.com\/hq\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stub.com\/hq\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19275"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.stub.com\/hq\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19275\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19277,"href":"https:\/\/www.stub.com\/hq\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19275\/revisions\/19277"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stub.com\/hq\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stub.com\/hq\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stub.com\/hq\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}