The 2014 MLB draft is six weeks away with the first two rounds to be held on June 5. As unpredictable as the MLB draft already is — this year seems even more so with so much talent bunched up at the top — there are at least 50 players who could easily go in the first round. Here are 10 high school players who have been impressing as of late:
Nick Gordon, SS, Olympia HS (FL)
Gordon is displaying all the tools this season that will make him a top-10 pick come June — he is one of the most exciting players in the 2014 MLB draft. Already a gifted defender at shortstop with a strong arm, instincts and great glove, he has shown increased power while maintaining his speed and advanced approach at the plate. The left-handed batter is hitting .507/.620/.870 over 27 games with nine doubles, two triples, five home runs and 17 stolen bases. He has drawn 18 walks to just three strikeouts and has been plunked five times. With his bloodlines, athleticism and baseball instincts, he has as much upside as anyone in the 2014 MLB draft. Committed to Florida State.
Michael Chavis, 3B, Sprayberry HS (GA)
At this point, Chavis has proven he can flat-out hit a baseball as hard, and as often, as anyone in this class. Through 24 games, he is hitting .571/.659/1.129 with seven doubles, 10 home runs and 17 stolen bases, showing his above-average speed (6.68/60) and athleticism. At 5’-11” and 185 pounds, he packs a huge punch and his strong arm should allow him to stick at the hot corner where the bat would play very well. He has been in first-round talks all year and has done nothing to quiet those talks. Tremendous power upside, and if he is in a home run derby, stick around. Committed to Clemson.
Tommy Doyle, RHP, Flint Hill HS (VA)
Doyle is another one of those pitchers who is all about projection. Able to hit the low-90s now, his 6’-6”, 215 pound frame suggests a lot more to come. While he works mostly off his fastball now, he shows a good feel for an upper-70s curveball and his change-up is still developing. He has a fast arm and good command of his stuff. Through 28.1 innings, he has 50 K/15 BB, allowing one run on 11 hits. Committed to Virginia.
Scott Blewett, RHP, Baker HS (NY)
Playing in the Northeast, Blewett got a late start compared to his peers. He is making up for lost time, however, by simply striking everyone out. Through his first three starts, he has 35 K/2 BB over 16 shutout innings, allowing just five hits. He jumps on hitters early, throwing a first-pitch strike to 42/55 batters he has faced. The 6’-6”, 220 pound right-hander can touch 95 mph with his fastball, and he will only get better as the weather warms up — which is scary to think. He adds a potential plus curveball with great looping action, as well as a change-up and a circle-curve (change) he has been working on. With his size, stuff, and easy delivery, he won’t make it out of the first round. Committed to St. Johns.
Clay Casey, OF, DeSoto HS (MS)
Not sure if anyone in the country is seeing the baseball better than Casey right now. Over his last six games, the 6’-3”, 205 pound right-hander has gone 15-for-19 (.790) with a double, three triples, six home runs and 18 RBI. For the year, he is now hitting .493/.568/1.080 over 25 games with six doubles, four triples, 10 home runs and six stolen bases. A very good athlete who also stars in football, Casey has tremendous power potential to go along with a strong arm in the outfield. He has a patient approach at the plate and has a lot of upside once he focuses full time on baseball. Committed to Ole Miss.
Adam Haseley, LHP/OF, The First Academy (FL)
Haseley has seen his share of scouts this year as his teammate Foster Griffin is one of the top southpaws in the 2014 MLB draft and could be a first-round pick. Haseley is a southpaw himself, and there is a lot to like about the Team USA Baseball alumni. At 6’-2” and 180 pounds, he sits 88-91 with his fastball and can touch 93. He adds a slider that shows a lot of potential and his delivery and athleticism bode well for future projection. Over 34.2 shutout innings, he has 56 K/15 BB, allowing just 14 hits. He is also a great hitter and could easily be drafted as an outfielder with above-average speed and power. Through 26 games, he is hitting .463/.586/.776 with four home runs and seven stolen bases. Committed to Virginia.
Michael Gettys, OF, Gainesville HS (GA)
Gettys is getting red-hot at the right time. Over his last 12 games, he is hitting .421/.532/1.000 with four doubles, six home runs and has stolen seven bases. He has drawn six walks to just four strikeouts as he continues to show his power potential while being more selective at the plate. He already projects to a monster in center field with his plus speed and plus/plus arm that was clocked at 100 mph from the outfield. With his continued display of patience and power, his upside is silly. For the year, he is hitting .380/.479/.798 with six doubles, nine home runs and 15 stolen bases over 26 games. Should go top-20 and I think he has top-10 potential. Committed to Georgia.
Greg Deichmann, SS/3B, Brother Martin HS (LA)
Like Chavis and Gettys, Deichmann offers huge power potential except his comes from the left side. At 6’-2” and 190 pounds, he uses his excellent bat speed to wait on his pitch and drive it deep to all fields. Through 29 games, he is hitting .408/.580/1.053 with nine doubles, two triples, 12 home runs and 29 walks. He is also an above-average runner, being clocked at 6.72 in the 60, and has stolen 15 bases this year. He has the arm and bat to stick at the hot corner. Should hear his name on day one. Committed to LSU.
Justin Twine, SS/RHP, Falls City HS (TX)
There are quick-twitch athletes, and then there is Justin Twine. He continues to be a one-man wrecking crew for Falls City. On the mound, he has 46 K/5 BB over 20.1 innings, allowing one run on seven hits. At the plate, he is hitting .537/.678/1.171 over 15 games, with six doubles, four triples, four home runs and 16 walks to five strikeouts. He has also added 18 stolen bases. Built like a running back at 5’-10” and 195 pounds, Twine is a gifted athlete who runs a 6.52/60 and is also a switch-hitter. He has shown his blazing speed this year while also showing his developing power. He has the actions to stick at shortstop but could also play well in centerfield. One of the toolsiest players in the 2014 MLB draft. Committed to TCU.
Jeremy Vasquez, 1B, Martin County HS (FL)
If you’re going to be a first baseman, there is going to be a lot of pressure put on your bat. For Vasquez, there are zero worries about that. Considered one of the best hitters in his class, the 6’-0”, 200 pound left-hander is known for his excellent bat speed and ability to rarely miss a pitch. He has shown added power this year and his approach hasn’t suffered because of it. Through 26 games, he is hitting .524/.621/.866 with 14 doubles, four home runs and 21 walks to just seven strikeouts. He shows the footwork and glove to be a plus defender at first. Committed to Florida.
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