A very early look at some of the top playes in the 2014 draft:

Carlos Rodon LHP North Carolina St 6'2” 235: Rodon's burly frame allows for a free and easy delivery with very repeatable mechanics and excellent command of all his pitches. A prototypical power pitcher Rodon holds his fastball velocity deep into games which sits in the mid 90's and can touch 98. Rodon's slider is a plus pitch with tremendous late biting action. Rodon also throws a developing cutter and a split finger that acts as his changeup. Rodon projects to be an ace and is the early favorite for 1-1.

Jeff Hoffman RHP East Carolina 6'4” 185: Hoffman's a projectable right hander with a wiry build whose fastball sits 94-96 and has touched 98. Hoffman throws a 12-6 curveball that is a true wipeout pitch and a developing changeup that flashes above average. Hoffman has a high leg kick that is difficult to repeat which leads to spotty command. Hoffman had a dominate summer in the Cape Cod League and if he keeps it going into next season he could be in the conversation for 1-1. Hoffman projects as a top of the rotation starter.

Jacob Gatewood SS Clovis HS 6'5” 190: Gatewood is an incredibly athletic infielder who possesses tremendous raw power. Gatewood is long and loose with a free and easy swing with natural loft that generates tons of bat speed though it comes with some swing and miss. Gatewood is a smooth defender with easy actions and a very strong arm. Gatewood has slightly above average speed. Gatewood's size may force a move to 3B though his bat will play anywhere. Gatewood projects as a middle of the order hitter with superstar potential.

Alex Jackson C Rancho Bernado HS 6'2” 215: Jackson is powerfully built with excellent all around tools. Jackson generates big time bat speed and has excellent bat control that produces consistent hard contact. Jackson has above average power potential and is a very disciplined hitter with an advanced approach. Jackson is athletic enough to stay behind the plate and he possesses a very strong throwing arm but a move to the outfield is probable because his bat will develop long before his glove. Jackson projects as middle of the order hitter.

Tyler Kolek RHP Shepherd HS 6'5” 245: Kolek is a massive right hander with intimidating size and an intimidating fastball. Kolek's heavy fastball easily sits in the mid 90's and has touched 99. Kolek throws a curveball and a slider. The slider is a little more advanced showing good depth and a 2 plane break. Kolek doesn't throw a changeup yet. Kolek has a clean delivery but is still a little awkward and his command and control suffers. This should not be an issue when he gets comfortable in his body. Kolek projects as a top of the rotation starter.

Trea Turner SS North Carolina St 6'1” 175: Turner is an elite athlete with blazing game changing speed. Turner has a short quick line drive swing with excellent bat control that produces consistent hard contact. Turner is not a power hitter but but with added strength could be a doubles hitter with gap to gap power. Turner is a very good defender with soft hands, good lateral movement and footwork. Turner has an above average arm with very good carry and accuracy. Turner has been clocked at 6.4 in the 60 and has excellent base running instincts. Turner projects as a SS and top of the order hitter.

Michael Gettys RHP/OF Gainsville HS 6'2” 205: Gettys is a two-way player with 5 tool potential and a nice 3 pitch mix on the mound. Gettys has explosive bat speed with natural lift and the ability to consistently barrel up the baseball. Gettys is an excellent defender with a plus throwing arm and plus speed (6.43 in the 60). On the mound Gettys sits in the low 90's and has touched 94. Gettys has good feel for his slider which shows plus potential. Gettys changeup also has plus potential with good deception and late sinking action. Gettys future is likely as an everyday player where he projects to be a middle of the order hitter and very good centerfielder. On the mound he projects as a middle of the rotation starter or potential closer.

Touki Toussaint RHP Coral Springs HS 6'2” 190: Toussaint is a highly athletic right hander who has only been playing baseball for a few years. Toussaint has a clean fluid delivery with a tremendous amount of arm speed. Toussaint's electric fastball sits 93-95 and has touched 97. Toussaint throws a devastating hard curveball which is a true wipeout pitch. Toussaint shows a nice feel for his changeup but the pitch is still a work in progress. Toussaint is extremely raw and tends to overthrow which leads to some command issues but should be easily corrected with more reps. Toussaint projects as a top of the rotation starter and possible ace.

Tyler Beede RHP Vanderbilt 6'4” 215: Beede was a first round selection by Toronto in 2011 (21st overall) but decided to attend college. Beede has a perfect pitchers build with a smooth delivery and excellent mechanics. Beede's fastball sits in the low 90's and touches 95 with late arm side run. Beede scrapped his loopy curveball for a hard biting slider that flashes plus. Beede's changeup is an above average pitch with nice tumbling action and good deception. Beede's command comes and goes and there are questions to why he doesn't dominate more with such great stuff. Beede projects as a top of the rotation starter and possible ace.

Kyle Schwarber C Indiana 6'0” 235: Schwarber is powerfully built and may possess the most raw power in the draft. A left handed hitter Scwarber has tons of bat speed and gets good extension and lift to drive the ball out of the park to all fields. Scwarber is a very good hitter with excellent plate discipline and very little swing and miss. A decent athlete with a strong arm Scwarber probably won't stay at catcher due to poor footwork and slow pop times. Schwarber is a below average runner. Scwarber projects as a corner outfielder or first baseman and middle of the order power hitter.

Derp, the White Sox will mess it up. Derp.

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Me no likey pitchers that high.

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Reality is your friend, not your enemy. -- Seacrest

Touki Toussaint RHP Coral Springs HS 6'2” 190: Toussaint is a highly athletic right hander who has only been playing baseball for a few years. [/quote]

Hoffman could be risky but Rodon is the real deal. Aaron Nola (LSU) and Karsten Whitson (Florida) are a couple other college pitchers who could make it into the top 10.

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Where is that catcher Jackson supposed to fall to Keyser? He sounds like a guy the Sox should be considering

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I would love to get the next Piazza or similar minus the roids allegedly.

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Well luckily you can wait until the 62nd round for that.

They will absolutely be considering him. Jackson is considered the top high school hitter so I can't see him falling out of the top 5 however he's likely not going to stay a catcher. He's probably going to get moved to right field.

From the little I saw of him at the Area Code games, please God, no. Maybe it was nerves & his relative inexperience, but he barely could throw a strike. From what I recall, I surely didn't see a "clean fluid" or repeated delivery either.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

You went to the Area Code Games? I read he had a rough outing there. I've seen Touki pitch 3 times and he was lights out every time. His command waivers a bit but the stuff is off the charts nasty. No one had a good swing off him.

1. Astros (2013 record: 51-111)
2. Marlins (62-100)
3. White Sox (63-99)
4. Cubs (66-96)
5. Twins (66-96)
6. Mariners (71-91)
7. Phillies (73-89)
8. Rockies (74-88)
9. Blue Jays (74-88)
10. Mets (74-88)
11. Blue Jays (for failure to sign 10th overall pick in 2013)
12. Brewers (74-88)
13. Padres (76-86)
14. Giants (76-86)
15. Angels (78-84)
16. Diamondbacks (81-81)
17. Orioles (85-77)
18. Yankees (85-77)
19. Royals (86-76)
20. Nationals (86-76)
21. Reds (90-72)
22. Rays (91-71)
23. Rangers (91-71)
24. Indians (92-70)
25. Dodgers (92-70)
26. Tigers (93-69)
27. Pirates (94-68)
28. Athletics (96-66)
29. Braves (96-66)
30. Red Sox (97-65)
31. Cardinals (97-65)

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BA released an early top 50 players for the 2014 draft:

1. Carlos Rodon, lhp, N.C. State:
2. Jeff Hoffman, rhp, East Carolina:
3. Tyler Kolek, rhp, Shepherd (Texas) HS:.
4. Trea Turner, ss, North Carolina State:.
5. Jacob Gatewood, ss/3b, Clovis (Calif.) HS:
6. Alex Jackson, c/of, Rancho Bernardo HS, San Diego:
7. Tyler Beede, rhp, Vanderbilt:.
8. Touki Toussaint, rhp, Coral Springs (Fla.) Christian HS:
9. Brady Aiken, lhp, Cathedral Catholic HS, San Diego:
10. Aaron Nola, rhp, Louisiana State:
11. Nick Gordon, ss/rhp, Olympia HS, Orlando, Fla.:.
12. Bradley Zimmer, of, San Francisco:.
13. Michael Gettys, of/rhp, Gainesville (Ga.) HS:
14. Luis Ortiz, rhp, Sanger (Calif.) HS:
15. Mac Marshall, lhp, Parkview HS, LiLburn, Ga.:
16. Derek Fisher, of, Virginia:
17. Kyle Schwarber, c/1b, Indiana:
18. Michael Conforto, of, Oregon State:
19. Sean Newcomb, lhp, Hartford:
20. Kyle Freeland, lhp, Evansville: .
21. Michael Cederoth, rhp, San Diego State:
22. Cobi Johnson, rhp, Mitchell HS, Holiday, Fla.:
23. Brandon Finnegan, lhp, Texas Christian:
24. Grant Holmes, rhp, Conway (S.C.) HS:
25. Matt Chapman, 3b/rhp, Cal State Fullerton:.
26. Erick Fedde, rhp, Nevada-Las Vegas:
27. Nick Burdi, rhp, Louisville (Downers Grove South):
28. Max Pentecost, c, Kennesaw State:.
29. Braxton Davidson, 1b/of, Roberson HS, Asheville, N.C.:
30. Kodi Medeiros, lhp, Waiakea HS, Hilo, Hawaii:
31. Sean Reid-Foley, rhp, Sandalwood HS, Jacksonville:
32. Luke Weaver, rhp, Florida State:
33. Derek Hill, of, Elk Grove (Calif.) HS:
34. Alex Verdugo, lhp/of, Sahuaro HS, Tucson, Ariz.:
35. Dylan Cease, rhp, Milton (Ga.) HS:
36. J.D. Davis, 1b/3b/rhp, Cal State Fullerton:
37. Dylan Davis, of/rhp, Oregon State:
38. Justus Sheffield, lhp, Tullahoma (Tenn.) HS:
39. Taiwuan Forbes, ss, Columbia (Miss.) HS:
40. Cameron Varga, rhp, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Loveland, Ohio:
41. Monte’ Harrison, of, Lee’s Summit West (Mo.) HS:.
42. Michael Chavis, 3b, Sprayberry HS, Marietta, Ga.:
43. Keaton McKinney, rhp, Ankeny (Iowa) HS:
44. Alex Blandino, 3b, Stanford:
45. Jack Flaherty, 3b/ss /rhp, Harvard-Westlake HS, Burbank, Calif.:
46. Joey Gatto, rhp, St. Augustine Prep, Hammonton, N.J.:
47. Lukas Schiraldi, rhp, Texas:
48. Joey Pankake, ss/3b/rhp, South Carolina:
49. Jackson Reetz, c/of/rhp, Hickman (Neb.) HS:.
50. Taylor Sparks, 3b/1b, UC Irvine:

Would love to see the Cubs get Tyler Beede

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Unless there is a consensus #3 can't-pass-up, position player, I sort of hope they draft a college pitcher.

I just don't trust the Sox to draft and develop a high school position player, no matter who it is.

The Sox have a good reputation as far as developing pitchers. Draft another ace, and worry about a bat at #40, or whatever the 2nd round pick falls at.

Well I don't know how much development a player like Trea Turner would need. He's an elite athlete with refined hit and defense tools. He may just need a little tweeking and should move thru the system pretty quickly. The question with him is do they want to draft a leadoff-type hitter with the #3 pick.

It's incredibly early to speculate but if Rodon and Hoffman are gone it's going to be real tough to pass on Tyler Kolek. He's 6'5" 250 and throws 98. Yes please.

Touki was 91-94 and had his usual hammer curveball tonight. He finished with 7 K's and 4 BB's in 2 innings. He loves pitching in Jupiter.

Perfect Game is reporting that 185 pitchers hit 90 mph or higher during the tournament in Jupiter led by Grant Holmes at 97. Their guns were hot but that is a ton of velocity. This draft is extremely deep in High School pitching. Here's the list of the top 10 pitchers in velocity:

1. Grant Holmes
2. Cre Finfrock
3. Keith Weisenberg
4. Scott Blewett
5. Touki Toussaint
6. Sean Reid-Foley
7. Zach Shannon
8. Brandon Murray
9. Branden Kelliher
10. Jake Godfrey (Providence HS)

That is insane and so hard to comprehend.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur

HGH

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definitely a future cub

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Now see there is some good trolling

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Theo will have his minions in the media sale us the next Mickey Mantle who gets drafted by the Cubs. As everybody knows,it's a crap shoot. I have no interest in these guys until I see at least one decent season in double A ball. That's when they get on my radar.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

When do these kids rest their arms if they play March through early November and then do showcases during the winter?

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Most don't get a lot of rest. Some pitchers do shut it down for the fall to rest their arms or because they're playing football. That's a little scary because some of the top pitchers in the draft didn't even go to Jupiter.

Jimmy, where you the kid that cried until you got a Red Ryder BB gun for xmas, only to shoot your eye out when you got one?

The whole time he was pitching I was dying to yell this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5RtlpXsl8k

BA came out with their top 100 High School players. Jake Godfrey (Providence) is #41 and Evan Skoug (Libertyville) is #48. I have no idea why Jaren Kendell is #34. Below is the top 50 along with their College commitment:

1. Tyler Kolek RHP R/R Shepherd (Texas) HS Texas Christian
2. Alex Jackson C/OF Rancho Bernardo, Escondido, Calif. Oregon
3. Jacob Gatewood SS/3B Clovis (Calif.) HS Southern California
4. Brady Aiken LHP Cathedral Catholic, San Diego UCLA
5. Touki Toussaint RHP Coral Springs (Florida) Academy Vanderbilt
6. Luis Ortiz RHP Sanger (Calif.) HS Fresno State
7. Kodi Medeiros LHP Waiakea HS, Hilo, Hawaii Pepperdine
8. Cobi Johnson RHP Mitchell HS, Holiday, Fla. Florida State
9. Nick Gordon SS/RHP Olympia HS, Orlando, Fla. Florida State
10. Braxton Davidson 1B/OF Roberson HS, Asheville, N.C. North Carolina
11. Sean Reid-Foley RHP Sandalwood HS, Jacksonville Florida State
12. Alex Verdugo LHP/OF Sahuaro, Tucson, Ariz. Arizona State
13. Grant Holmes RHP Conway (S.C.) HS Florida
14. Scott Blewett RHP Baker HS, Baldwinsville, N.Y. St. Johns
15. Michael Gettys OF/RHP Gainesville (Ga.) HS Georgia
16. Mac Marshall LHP Parkview HS, Lilburn, Ga. Louisiana State
17. Michael Chavis 3B/2B Sprayberry HS, Marietta, Ga. Clemson
18. Derek Hill OF Elk Grove (Calif.) High Oregon
19. Forrest Wall 2B Orangewood Christian HS, Winter Park, Fla. North Carolina
20. Justus Sheffield LHP Tullahoma (Tenn.) HS Vanderbilt
21. Spencer Adams RHP White County, Cleveland, Ga. Georgia
22. Monte Harrison OF Lee’s Summit West (Mo.) Nebraska
23. Ti’Quan Forbes SS/3B Columbia (Miss.) HS Mississippi
24. Marcus Wilson OF Junipero Serra HS, Los Angeles Arizona State
25. Milton Ramos SS American Heritage, Hialeah Gardens, Fla. Florida Atlantic
26. Cameron Varga RHP Cincinatti Hills Academy, Loveland, Ohio North Carolina
27. Josh Morgan SS Orange County Lutheran, Corona, Calif. UCLA
28. Dylan Cease RHP Milton (Ga.) HS Vanderbilt
29. Joseph Gatto RHP St. Augustine Prep, Hammonton, N.J. North Carolina
30. Sean Bouchard 3B Cathedral Catholic, San Diego UCLA
31. Keaton McKinney RHP Ankeny (Iowa) HS Arkansas
32. Keith Weisenberg RHP Osceola HS, Seminole, Fla. Stanford
33. Jakson Reetz C/OF Norris HS, Hickman, Neb. Nebraska
34. Jeren Kendall OF Holmen (Wisc.) HS Vanderbilt
35. Michael Kopech RHP Mount Pleasant (Texas) HS Arizona
36. Adam Haseley LHP/OF The First Academy, Orlando Virginia
37. Shane Benes 3B/RHP Westminster Academy, Town and Country, Mo. Missouri
38. JJ Schwarz C Palm Beach (Fla.) Gardens Florida
39. Scott Hurst OF Bishop Amat, La Puente., Calif. Cal State Fullerton
40. Clay Casey OF Desoto Central, Southhaven, Miss. Mississippi
41. Jake Godfrey RHP Providence Catholic, New Lenox, Ill. Notre Dame
42. Matthew Railey OF North Florida Christian, Tallahassee, Fla. Florida State
43. Justin Smith OF Bartram Trail, St. Johns, Fla. Miami
44. Blake Bivens RHP George Washington, Sutherlin, Va. Liberty
45. Gareth Morgan OF North Toronto (Ont.) Collegiate Uncommitted
46. Trenton Kemp OF Buchanan HS, Clovis, Calif. Fresno State
47. Evan Skoug C Libertyvile (Ill.) HS Texas Christian
48. Alex Faedo RHP Alonso HS, Tampa Florida
49. Jack Flaherty 3B/RHP Harvard-Westlake, Burbank, Calif. North Carolina
50. Trace Loehr 2B Putnam HS, Milwaukie, Ore. Oregon State