Keeping an eye on the Mets 2014 draft. Will be keeping an eye out for more to add to each player. College players link to The Baseball Cube when possible, High School players to Max Preps when possible.
Thursday, June 5 – Started at 7 pm
Round 1
Michael Conforto, LF - Oregon State - Signed
School bio page
Amazin' Avenue
Baseball America
Conforto ranks as the best present hitter in the 2014 draft….Conforto has present strength and above-average bat speed. He has controlled his aggressiveness as a junior, taming a swing that got too big over the summer with Team USA. … He has plus raw power and should project to hit 20-25 [homeruns]annually. He also has improved his fringy outfield defense, which is seen as adequate for left field, with average arm strength that doesn’t always play. Conforto has shown playmaking ability with the glove, however, with show-stopper plays in the College World Series last year and key outfield assists in games against rival Oregon.
Conforto ranks as the best present hitter in the 2014 draft….Conforto has present strength and above-average bat speed. He has controlled his aggressiveness as a junior, taming a swing that got too big over the summer with Team USA. … He has plus raw power and should project to hit 20-25 [homeruns]annually. He also has improved his fringy outfield defense, which is seen as adequate for left field, with average arm strength that doesn’t always play. Conforto has shown playmaking ability with the glove, however, with show-stopper plays in the College World Series last year and key outfield assists in games against rival Oregon.
Round 2
Lost when Curtis Granderson was signed.
Friday – Started at 1 pm
Round 3
Milton Ramos, SS - American Heritage HS (Florida) - Signed ($750K) - Assigned to GCL
Baseball America
Ramos, who was born in Colombia and moved to the U.S. when he was 6, fits the mold of a glove-first international shortstop. In a class that’s weak up the middle, Ramos is far and away the best defensive shortstop in the class. He has special hands and is a magician with his glove. He has first-step quickness and lateral range to both sides, and his physical attributes play up due to strong instincts and baseball intelligence. His arm is a 55 on the 20-80 scouting scale and plays up because of his quick transfer and release. He has a loose arm and throws accurately from many different angles. His swing lacks strength at a lean, lanky 5-foot-11, 158 pounds. He has bat speed and contact ability in his aggressive up-the-middle approach, though he projects as a below-average hitter who could improve if he gets stronger. The Florida International commit has plus speed that plays out of the box and on the bases. Ramos has drawn comparisons to Alcides Escobar for his body and skill set. Scouts do have questions about Ramos’ maturity.
Round 4
Baseball America
Garcia,
an El Paso native, doesn’t have a classic profile but does have good timing as
the best bat in the Lone Star State this year. He has a stocky 5-foot-11,
225-pound frame, and while some call him deceptively athletic, most agree that
he’ll have to move off third base either to left field or even first base. His
arm and defense are fringy. His bat may make either move work, however. He’s
strong and quiet in the batter’s box with little pre-swing movement. His swing
is short, strong and powerful, and he has shown at least plus power and plus
hitting ability. Garcia is a consistently below-average runner who runs better
when he smells a hit. His bat and eye-catching numbers (.460, 14 home runs)
were getting him crosschecked, with a chance to go out in the first five rounds.
Round 5
Baseball America
Prevost played basketball and baseball in high school, when he was tall and gangly and stood out more on the court. He took time to grow into his body and made just 12 appearances in his first two seasons at Seton Hall, but now he’s positioned as one of the top seniors for the 2014 draft. He was 11-2, 1.76 this spring and won Big East Conference pitcher of the year honors. The 6-foot-8, 220-pounder turned down the Athletics as a nondrafted free agent last summer and has continued to improve, touching 94 mph with his fastball and sitting 89-93 with his sinker most of the season. The pitch has sink as well as boring action in to righthanded hitters, and he complements it with a hard slider and an average changeup. Prevost was a fifth- to sixth-round talent who could go out higher as a money-saving senior.
Round 6
Perfect Game (2010) - Looking for a more recent report but it may have to wait
Tyler Moore is a 2011 C/SS with a 6-2 190 lb. frame from Baton Rouge, LA who attends The Dunham School. Nice athletic build, good present strength. Very good catching actions, stays quick and compact, low flexible set, foot quickess, clean exchange, playable arm strength made better by quickness/accuracy, 1.82 best pop time. Can also play 3B, works through ball well, 7.11 runner. Left handed hitter, high hand approach, quick to the ball, stays back, can drive off speed pitches, shows raw power, good looking swing, should keep improving with the bat. Nice all round athlete. Good student, verbal to Louisiana State.
Round 7
Brad Wieck, LHP - Oklahoma City University - Signed ($100K) - Assigned to Brooklyn
School bio page
Amazin' Avenue
School bio page
Amazin' Avenue
Round 8
Dash Winningham, 1B - Trinity Catholic HS - Signed ($175K) - Assigned to GCL
Amazin' Avenue
Perfect Game
Dash Winningham is a 2014 1B/LHP with a 6-2 220 lb. frame from Ocala, FL who attends Trinity Catholic HS. Big strong thick build, looks like he's firmed up and trimmed down over the last 5-6 months. Left handed hitter, open to closed approach, swings hard and has very good raw bat speed, aggressive hitter, timing works well and barrel is consistently in the zone at the right time, looking to pull and lift the ball and has the strength/skills to do it, swung the bat very well in both games and batting practice. Limited to first base defensively but has sound footwork and soft hands. Dan Vogelbach profile. Good student, signed with Florida Gulf Coast.
Amazin' Avenue
Perfect Game
Dash Winningham is a 2014 1B/LHP with a 6-2 220 lb. frame from Ocala, FL who attends Trinity Catholic HS. Big strong thick build, looks like he's firmed up and trimmed down over the last 5-6 months. Left handed hitter, open to closed approach, swings hard and has very good raw bat speed, aggressive hitter, timing works well and barrel is consistently in the zone at the right time, looking to pull and lift the ball and has the strength/skills to do it, swung the bat very well in both games and batting practice. Limited to first base defensively but has sound footwork and soft hands. Dan Vogelbach profile. Good student, signed with Florida Gulf Coast.
Round 9
Michael Katz, OF - William and Mary - Signed ($100K) - Assigned to Brooklyn
School bio page
Amazin' Avenue
School bio page
Amazin' Avenue
Baseball
America
Katz has powered William & Mary to a successful run that included its first-ever NCAA tournament victories in baseball in 2013 and a regular-season Colonial Athletic Association title in 2014. He does it with strength and power, with a 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame that helps him drive the ball consistently. He generates his power with a strength-oriented swing and ranked among the Division I leaders in doubles (24), home runs (14) and total bases (151) while leading in RBIs (72) entering the conference tournament. While several area scouts aren’t convinced Katz will make enough contact against pro velocity to get to his power, he has polished his offensive approach and is aggressive when he gets a fastball to hit. He’s likely limited to first base as a pro by his below-average speed and arm strength.
Katz has powered William & Mary to a successful run that included its first-ever NCAA tournament victories in baseball in 2013 and a regular-season Colonial Athletic Association title in 2014. He does it with strength and power, with a 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame that helps him drive the ball consistently. He generates his power with a strength-oriented swing and ranked among the Division I leaders in doubles (24), home runs (14) and total bases (151) while leading in RBIs (72) entering the conference tournament. While several area scouts aren’t convinced Katz will make enough contact against pro velocity to get to his power, he has polished his offensive approach and is aggressive when he gets a fastball to hit. He’s likely limited to first base as a pro by his below-average speed and arm strength.
Round 10
Kelly Secrest, LHP - UNC Wilmingham - Signed ($10K) - Assigned to Brooklyn
School bio page
Amazin' Avenue
School bio page
Amazin' Avenue
Saturday – Started at 1 pm
Round 11
Connor Buchmann, RHP - University of Oklahoma - Signed
School bio page
Amazin' Avenue
Round 12
Round 13
Eric Manoah, RHP - South Dade Senior HS (Florida) - Signed ($300K)
Amazin' Avenue
Baseball
America
Manoah
was the ace of a South Dade team that won the program’s first Florida state
title. He was used heavily down the stretch, throwing 24 innings in the
playoffs, including the final four outs of the state title game a day after
throwing more than 115 pitches in a complete-game effort. Manoah, who threw
89-92 mph in the fall, pitched primarily at 87-90 this spring, touching 92 with
downhill plane and armside run. Although he has a quick arm and the ball jumps
out of his hand, he used a slower delivery this year. His curveball flashed
plus potential in the fall but played at fringe-average this spring. His
changeup usage lags behind his curveball but flashes average potential. He is a
natural strike-thrower who has the potential for at least average control.
Manoah has a strong pitcher’s body at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds with long arms, a
short torso and developed lower half. A team buying him out of his Florida
International commitment is hoping his velocity and plus curveball return to
match his advanced pitchability.
Round 14
Darryl Knight, C - Embry-Riddle - Signed
School bio page
Amazin' Avenue
Round 15
Gabriel Llanes, RHP - Downey HS (California) - Signed
Amazin' Avenue
Baseball
America
A Fresno State commit, Downey has mostly flown under the radar, but some scouts are intrigued by his projectable 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame and athleticism. He has shown 89-91 mph velocity with sink this spring and has a chance to throw harder as he matures. He has the makings of a promising slider with some power and depth, but it is very inconsistent at this stage. Llanes is just raw; his delivery has improved since the fall but still has a ways to go. And he’ll need to develop a third pitch to stick as a starter. Llanes is likely to wind up at Fresno State, where he could blossom into a quality prospect in three years.
A Fresno State commit, Downey has mostly flown under the radar, but some scouts are intrigued by his projectable 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame and athleticism. He has shown 89-91 mph velocity with sink this spring and has a chance to throw harder as he matures. He has the makings of a promising slider with some power and depth, but it is very inconsistent at this stage. Llanes is just raw; his delivery has improved since the fall but still has a ways to go. And he’ll need to develop a third pitch to stick as a starter. Llanes is likely to wind up at Fresno State, where he could blossom into a quality prospect in three years.
Round 16
Joel Huertas, LHP - Colegio Carmen Sol - Signed
Amazin' Avenue
Baseball
America
Huertas is arguably the top lefthander in a Puerto Rican crop short on pitchers. He has a fastball that sits 86-89 mph and touches 91 with gloveside run from a loose arm action. He offers a large frame at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds with broad shoulders, a strong lower half and room for projection. Although his offspeed stuff is inconsistent, he shows enough feel for spin to project at least an average breaking ball and has some feel for a changeup. Huertas struggled with his command at the Excellence Games in May, often missing up and armside, but he is generally around the plate. He has no college commitment.
Huertas is arguably the top lefthander in a Puerto Rican crop short on pitchers. He has a fastball that sits 86-89 mph and touches 91 with gloveside run from a loose arm action. He offers a large frame at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds with broad shoulders, a strong lower half and room for projection. Although his offspeed stuff is inconsistent, he shows enough feel for spin to project at least an average breaking ball and has some feel for a changeup. Huertas struggled with his command at the Excellence Games in May, often missing up and armside, but he is generally around the plate. He has no college commitment.
Round 17
David Roseboom, LHP - University of South Carolina Upstate - Signed
School bio page
Old Perfect Game stuff at bottom
Amazin' Avenue
Round 18
Raphael Ramirez, CF - Pace Academy - Signed
Amazin' Avenue
Baseball
America
Ramirez
was one of the breakout stars of the Area Code Games last summer as a
lefthanded hitter who is at least a plus runner. His speed can play better than
that out of the box with quick acceleration and works in center field, where he
has plus range to the gaps and an average, accurate arm. He has a quick
line-drive stroke and uses the whole field, and he makes use of his speed as a
slashing hitter. Ramirez has tinkered with his stance and stride, and his bat
is geared more for fastballs than offspeed stuff at present. He has strength
through his hands and wrists, but his build and line-drive stroke will likely
limit him to below-average power. He has a toned, athletic build at 5-foot-10,
167 pounds, and his small build means some scouts want to see him play more in
college before the everyday rigors of the minors. But some think the North
Carolina State commit has the potential to jump right into pro ball and be
carried by tools and instincts.
Round 19
Bryce Beeler, RHP - Memphis - Signed
Amazin' Avenue
Round 20
James Duff, RHP - Stonehill - Signed
School bio page
Amazin' Avenue
Round 21
Luke Bonfield, OF - The Pendleton School HS (Florida)
Baseball
America
Bonfield, the son of two former college athletes, moved from New Jersey to play at IMG Academy as a senior. As a righthanded-hitting corner outfielder without plus power or speed, his long-term profile could be an issue, but some scouts think he’ll hit enough to overcome that. He was one of the top hitters on the showcase circuit last summer and consistently made hard contact up the middle and to the gaps, especially during a strong showing at East Coast Pro. Bonfield is not a conventional hitter, with a high leg kick and a deep load, and if his timing is off he can tie himself up, but he has tremendous strength through his forearms and wrists. His line-drive swing limits his over-the-fence power, but he drives the ball well to the gaps. He is an average runner, and his arm approaches average after having elbow trouble last year, making left field his most likely destination. The 6-foot-2, 181-pound Bonfield has a toned, athletic build with room to get stronger. Some teams believe enough in his bat to value him in the top five rounds, while others believe he’ll be better off heading to Arkansas.
Bonfield, the son of two former college athletes, moved from New Jersey to play at IMG Academy as a senior. As a righthanded-hitting corner outfielder without plus power or speed, his long-term profile could be an issue, but some scouts think he’ll hit enough to overcome that. He was one of the top hitters on the showcase circuit last summer and consistently made hard contact up the middle and to the gaps, especially during a strong showing at East Coast Pro. Bonfield is not a conventional hitter, with a high leg kick and a deep load, and if his timing is off he can tie himself up, but he has tremendous strength through his forearms and wrists. His line-drive swing limits his over-the-fence power, but he drives the ball well to the gaps. He is an average runner, and his arm approaches average after having elbow trouble last year, making left field his most likely destination. The 6-foot-2, 181-pound Bonfield has a toned, athletic build with room to get stronger. Some teams believe enough in his bat to value him in the top five rounds, while others believe he’ll be better off heading to Arkansas.
Round 22
William Fulmer, 2B - U Montevallo - Signed
School bio page
Round 23
Richard Moesker, RHP - Trinity Christian College
Stats
Ratings/Video
Round 24
School bio page
Brewers Fan Forum
Round 25
Nicco Blank, RHP - Central Arizona College - Signed
School bio page
Round 26
Tommy Pincin, C - Upland HS (California)
Baseball
America
Pincin,
a San Diego State commit, stands out for his physical 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame
and offensive upside more than for his defense behind the plate. His
righthanded swing works, prompting some scouts to project he’ll grow into 55
power potential, with a chance to be a 45 hitter. His defense has a long way to
go, however. He has solid-average or better arm strength, but he’ll need to
refine his receiving, blocking and footwork. For now, he profiles as a backup
catcher down the road, a righthanded power bat off the bench.
Round 27
Alex Palsha, RHP - Sacramento State University - Signed
Round 28
Keaton McKinney, RHP - Akeny Centennial HS (Iowa)
Baseball
America
McKinney,
a two-way player as a first baseman and righthander for Team USA, drove in the game-winning
run in the 18U World Cup title game against Japan. Despite his aptitude with
the bat, his pro future lies on the mound as a big, physical righthander with
strike-throwing ability and an out-pitch changeup. McKinney has an extra-large
frame and strong, physical build at 6-foot-4, 223 pounds. He has a whip-like
arm action and the ball jumps out of his hand with some deception. McKinney,
pitching in the Iowa Perfect Game League this spring, has touched 94 mph with
his velocity ranging from 87-93, sitting around 89-92. His fastball plays up
with downhill plane and plus life, and heavy arm-side run. McKinney was taught
his changeup by fellow Iowan Jeremy Hellickson and the pitch is one of the best
in the high school ranks. He has tremendous feel for the changeup, which grades
at least plus, and he gets heavy usage out of it. His curveball has flashed
average but consistently plays below that. The pitch can morph into a slider at
the higher end of its velocity range. The Arkansas commit is a strike-thrower
who has the potential for at least average control. He does have an elbow lift
in the back that scouts are not fond of. The whole package adds up to a starter
skill set and he has a chance to go in the top three to four rounds.
Round 29
Matt Blackham, RHP - Middle Tennessee State U - Signed
Round 30
Tucker Tharp, OF - University of Kansas - Signed - Assigned to Brooklyn
Round 31
Kurtis Horne, LHP - Edward Milne SS (Sooke, BC, Canada) - Signed
Ratings
Canadian Baseball Network
Baseball America (BA, Free)
Six-foot-4, 185-pound lefthander Kurtis Horne, a member of Team Canada with a long, lean and projectable build, pitched in Florida during the team’s spring schedule earlier this year, showing a mid-80s fastball that touched 87 and feel for a changeup.
Round 32
Chris Glover, RHP - Rockwall HS
Perfect
Game
Chris
Glover is a 2014 RHP/ with a 6-4 225 lb. frame from Rockwall, TX who attends
Rockwall. Extra large frame with good present strength. Has a quick tempo on
the mound with an extended release point, and good arm speed. Throws downhill,
is explosive to the plate with good balance in his delivery and the ball jumps
out of his hand. Has arm side run on his fastball, attacks hitters with it,
throws a splitter at 78mph which he maintains his arm speed on and drops off
the table, he uses it as his out pitch. Has a plan and executes it well. Has an
aggressive swing at the plate, doesn’t get cheated and has tons of power in his
bat. Is an intriguing pitcher to follow on the mound.
Round 33
Brady Puckett, RHP - Riverdale HS (Tennessee)
The Scouting News
What is Brady Puckett' (2014 - Riverdale High School) upside? Suffice it to say, he is 6'9", 225 pounds and still growing into his body!
What is Brady Puckett' (2014 - Riverdale High School) upside? Suffice it to say, he is 6'9", 225 pounds and still growing into his body!
Round 34
Jordan Hand, C - Shadow Ridge HS (Las Vegas)
Perfect Game (2011)
Jordan Hand is a 2014 C/1B with a 6-2 182 lb. frame from Las Vegas, NV who attends Arbor View HS. Well proportioned athletic build, strong for age, really projects. Right handed hitter, quick hands, swings hard, generates present bat speed, looks to drive the ball hard, ball jumps off the barrel, definite power potential, will over swing at times and pull off, very projectable hitting tools. Solid catching actions for a 2014, good arm strength, feet and lower half work well, 2 piece release that slows pop times, 2.05 best in drills, accurate throws. Runs very well for a catcher, 7.15, could play corner positions. Follow closely, bat may play high! Good student.
Jordan Hand is a 2014 C/1B with a 6-2 182 lb. frame from Las Vegas, NV who attends Arbor View HS. Well proportioned athletic build, strong for age, really projects. Right handed hitter, quick hands, swings hard, generates present bat speed, looks to drive the ball hard, ball jumps off the barrel, definite power potential, will over swing at times and pull off, very projectable hitting tools. Solid catching actions for a 2014, good arm strength, feet and lower half work well, 2 piece release that slows pop times, 2.05 best in drills, accurate throws. Runs very well for a catcher, 7.15, could play corner positions. Follow closely, bat may play high! Good student.
Round 35
Jonathon Teaney, RHP - Quartz Hill HS (California)
Baseball America
Teaney has a quick arm and plenty of athleticism, but his smallish 6-foot-1 lacks physicality, making many scouts content to let him follow through on his commitment to San Diego. His deceptive, funky delivery and high slot give him some deception, making his 88-91 fastball play up a bit, but scouts aren’t in love with his mechanical, one-piece arm action. He has good feel for a 76-79 breaking ball with solid depth, and he flashes a promising low-80s changeup as well.
Baseball America
Teaney has a quick arm and plenty of athleticism, but his smallish 6-foot-1 lacks physicality, making many scouts content to let him follow through on his commitment to San Diego. His deceptive, funky delivery and high slot give him some deception, making his 88-91 fastball play up a bit, but scouts aren’t in love with his mechanical, one-piece arm action. He has good feel for a 76-79 breaking ball with solid depth, and he flashes a promising low-80s changeup as well.
Round 36
Garrett King, RHP - Orange Lutheran HS (California)
Round 37
Tristan Gray, SS - Elkins HS (Texas)
Perfect
Game
Texas
Scout Team Yankees shortstop Tristan Gray (Missouri City, Texas) was impressive
with the bat, crushing a ball hard up the middle off of an arm-side pitcher who
was locating very effectively. His hands work very well with a loose swing, and
while he’s still skinny, he has begun to add strength to his frame and as he
continues to do so he should develop more power.
Texahoma Region Best Tools
Texahoma Region Best Tools
Best Hitter For Average: Tristan
Gray, Sr., 2B, Fort Bend Elkins (Texas)
This is one of the most heavily contested categories of any regional best tools sections in years. Many Texas based scouts love Gray’s bat to ball skills, and his high contact rate makes him the choice in spite of numerous other candidates who could have very well also taken the title. Power hitting 2015 outfielder Ryan Johnson elicited votes from scouts, as did Oklahoma catcher Bryce Carter and outfielder Jon Littell, along with several other names that came up in conversation regarding the best high school hitter in the region.
This is one of the most heavily contested categories of any regional best tools sections in years. Many Texas based scouts love Gray’s bat to ball skills, and his high contact rate makes him the choice in spite of numerous other candidates who could have very well also taken the title. Power hitting 2015 outfielder Ryan Johnson elicited votes from scouts, as did Oklahoma catcher Bryce Carter and outfielder Jon Littell, along with several other names that came up in conversation regarding the best high school hitter in the region.
Round 38
Kyle Dunster, RHP - Greenwich HS (Connecticut)
Round 39
Arnaldo Berrios, CF, Carlos Beltran Academy - Signed
Perfect Game
Arnaldo Berrios is a 2014 OF with a 5-10 167 lb. frame from Barranquitas, PR who attends Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy. Compact athletic build, good present strength especially in the lower half. 6.90 runner, good range in centerfield, charges the ball hard, good exchange and release, nice arm strength with accurate on line carry, shows his athleticism defensively. Switch hitter, very aggressive game at bats, showed very good bat speed in games after a tentative batting practice, busy hand load, gets to his front side early, has the strength to get the ball up the gaps. Good student.
Round 40
Dale Burdick, SS, Summit HS (Tennessee) - Signed
Perfect Game
Dale Burdick is a 2014 MIF/3B with a 6-0 175 lb. frame from Spring Hill, TN who attends Summit HS. Medium athletic build, strong lower half. 6.79 runner, moves well defensively, good balanced footwork, nice around the bag, quick compact arm action with good exchange and release, charges the ball well, played well in games. Right handed hitter, early load, gets to front side well, has strength in his bat and can drive the gaps, very good game at bats, battles pitchers and fights off tough two-strike pitches, stays balanced and covers the plate well, polished overall player who will perform at a high level. Good student, verbal commitment to Mississippi State.
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