The 2014 First-Year
Player Draft has officially concluded, with no major surprises. The first three
picks were pitchers, two high school students, and a college kid. Let’s go
through each team and how I rank their picks, starting with the Astros, who had
the first pick for the third year in a row.
Houston Astros – A-
The Astros were going
to get something good in their first pick no matter what, and they chose Brady
Aiken. Overall, he’s the best choice. They also got two of the better college
hitters available in Derek Fisher and A.J. Reed, which helped them a lot.
Overall, they grabbed a mix of both young pitchers and talented hitters.
I give an A- just
because of how many high school players they added. It makes sense in the long
run, but that being said, Aiken might have to come up a year or two later than
if they chose a college player.
Miami Marlins – B-
The Marlins were in a
tight spot- they need hitting, but could not resist the fire throwing Tyler
Kolek for their first selection, who people have called the next Nolan Ryan.
There next picks were hitters – a catcher and two middle infielders.
Like Houston, Miami
stacked their picks with high school players, drafting their first college
player in the third round. Once again, it might take a while for them to
develop and get to the Major Leagues, if they get to them at all. They could
have gotten better people in their selections after Kolek, but they did get
positions that they could use later on.
Chicago White Sox – A
The White Sox got a
steal in Carlos Rodon, who is my personal favorite in the draft and could have
easily gone number 1 if he didn’t have a few minor stints last season. Think
Rodon as the next David Price. Other than that, they kept selecting pitching,
something that they really needed, and a lot of college stuff too. Great draft
for Chicago, one of the best they’ve ever had.
Chicago Cubs – C+
Theo Epstein said that
the Cubs would take “the best player available” even though they desperately
need pitching. To be honest, they were stuck after the Sox selected Rodon. But
they picked Kyle Schwarber from Indiana over Nick Gordon, Alex Jackson, and
Michael Conforto? It’s a bold pick, especially since Schwarber has only power
and a decent arm. However, out of everything that the Cubs need position wise,
picking a catcher is not a bad choice.
After Schwarber, the
Cubs loaded with pitching prospects, mostly college players. But then, they got
ANOTHER catcher in the third round! Once again, the Cubs were in a tight spot,
so this grade isn’t entirely their fault, but that second catcher hurts them.
Minnesota Twins – B
While Nick Gordon was
their first pick, a shortstop going fifth overall, their second round pick,
Nick Burdi, might be a more interesting one. The Twins desperately need
pitching, so Burdi might be more important. You can’t go wrong with picking the
talented Gordon though, who has terrific athleticism.
Seattle Mariners – B
Overall pretty good.
Alex Jackson, their first pick as a catcher, is considered as one of the best high-school
hitting prospects in the class. They lost their second round pick, but did grab
Gareth Morgan from Toronto in the Competitive Balance Round B. Losing that
second round pick hurst though.
Colorado Rockies – B+
Their first round pick,
Kyle Freeland, has a wicked slider. He isn’t perfect, but he can get guys out
with ground balls, something that you need to have in Colorado. After that,
they got Forrest Wall, a second baseman, then another pitcher. They had a lot
of picks in this draft, and used them well. They are starting to build a very good
rotation in their farm system.
Toronto Blue Jays – A
They arguably got a
steal in Jeff Hoffman, who was going to be guaranteed a number four pick before
he got Tommy John surgery. If he bounces back from that, he might be the best
pitcher in this draft. They also got Max Pentecost for the 11th pick
overall. Two picks that early? Great move overall.
New York Mets – B+
They got a steal in
picking Michael Conforto at number 10, but after that they made poor decisions.
Instead of grabbing any pitchers they chose high school infielders, which was
not their best decision. Conforto, however, was the first outfielder selected,
and by far the best one.
Milwaukee Brewers – A-
Their first selection
in lefty Kodi Medeiros was a bit of a stretch, but there’s no denying that he
has great stuff. After that, they were able to snag a few guys that fell
further than expected. One was Jacob Gatewood, who holds the best raw power in
the draft. The Brewers picked a lot of boom or bust selections, but it’s more
likely to boom.
San Diego Padres – B-
I don’t understand how
you pick a speedy shortstop in the first round when the team desperately needs
power in any way possible. But hey! They did draft Johnny Manziel in the 28th
round- could he become Johnny Baseball?
San Francisco Giants –
B-
Drafting Tyler Beede in
the first round was a really good choice, but his command is shaky. Their next
pick was Aramis Garcia, a catcher. Why do they need a catcher when they have
Buster Posey? Your guess is as good as mine.
Los Angeles Angels – B+
I really like how the
Angels selected Sean Newcomb out of Hartford because he keeps getting better
and better. His fastball has gone from a high 80’s to sitting at around 94
while topping 98. His slider has also worked to now hurt both sides of the
plate. If he can keep improving, he might be just another steal for LA.
Arizona Diamondbacks –
A+
Are you kidding me? The
D-Backs got Touki Toussaint with the 16th pick? He has one of the
best fastballs in the class! Plus they added two guys from the Competitive
Balance Round B, making four picks in the first two rounds. They might have won
this draft.
Kansas City Royals – A-
The Royals did really
well too. Adding Brandon Finnegan was another steal, as he could have gone as
high as number four. They also got a catcher who can be a good backup for
Salvador Perez, and then continued with pitching. They are really starting to
get things going in Kansas City.
Washington Nationals –
B
They worked a lot on
pitching, adding pitchers and a defensive catcher. They didn’t get anyone that
might completely stand out in the draft, but they did get some good guys that can
fill in roles in a couple of years. They added a good amount of high school
players, too.
Cincinnati Reds – B
The Reds might want to
forget this draft and focus on next year, as they will probably get a better
spot. But they did get Nick Howard, who might be one of the fastest to get to
the big leagues. He can have a good fastball and might be a good set up man in
relief.
Cleveland Indians – B+
Cleveland selected
Bradley Zimmer, the brother of Kyle Zimmer in the Royals’ farm system, and both
have tremendous potential. Bradley might take longer to improve, but he has all
around tools. Plus they got a second first round pick later with lefty Justus
Sheffield. They balanced a lot with both pitching and hitting in this draft.
Los Angeles Dodgers – B
I like the Dodgers’ use
of drafting high school players right now, even if it might have been the wrong
choice for the pick. They are really good right now, so why not try to develop
their players for the next few years?
Detroit Tigers – B
Like the Dodgers, the
Tigers don’t need too much right now. But one guy that has been secretly doing
well for them is Andrew Romine because of his terrific arm at shortstop. I
think they saw that and used that with Derek Hill, their first pick out of high
school. The outfielder is more of a defensive specialist, and the combination
of their tremendous power makes a really good team.
Pittsburgh Pirates – C
Cole Tucker does give a
shortstop for Pittsburgh in their first pick, but they could have gotten
something better. It was quite a reach, but it provided flexibility for future
rounds. However, their next pick was outfielder Connor Joe, who I have never
heard before at all.
The Pirates need
hitting, and Tucker does a fine job, but why not try to find a replacement for
their best power hitter in a few years, Pedro Alvarez. Why not select Matt
Chapman, a third baseman who has great power and is a much better defender?
Chapman was selected the pick after…
Oakland Athletics – B-
…by this team! It’s a kind
of interesting pick though, as they already have a great 3B in Josh Donaldson.
They might move him into the outfield. In the second round, however, they added
Daniel Gossett, who has all around tools in pitching. Could he be the next
Sonny Gray for Oakland?
Boston Red Sox – B
I like their pick with
Sam Travis out of Indiana in the second round. His running is terrible though
so he might replace Big Papi in a few years. Their first round pick, Michael
Kopech, has a dominating fastball that could make him be the set-up man or
closer if he gets to Boston.
St. Louis Cardinals – B+
They got two first
round picks, both pitchers. One of them is Luke Weaver, who almost had the same
tools as when Michael Wacha had when he was drafted.
Overall, I think Carlos
Rodon will be the best player in this draft, but his career won’t be entirely
in Chicago. The Astros and Marlins did not make bad picks though. I think the
Pirates and Cubs made the worst moves, while the D-Backs and Blue Jays had a
great weekend.
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