Baseball America Releases Updated 2014 Draft Top 50

Jun 8, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack pitcher Carlos Rodon delivers a pitch against the Rice Owls during the Raleigh super regional of the 2013 NCAA baseball tournament at Doak Field. North Carolina State defeated Rice 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no surprise that Carlos Rodon is atop Baseball America’s 2014 draft board. What’s impressive is how highly the publication regards the rest of the draft class.

In its updated 2014 Draft Top 50, BA states this crop of talent could be the best since 2011. Like with Gerrit Cole that year, this class is headlined by a dominant college starting pitcher.

Rodon struck out 184 batters over 132 1/3 innings and had a 2.99 ERA for N.C. State. The 20-year-old left-hander stands 6-foot-3 and 234 pounds. The Houston Astros have the No. 1 overall pick again, and are in the position to form a potentially dominant 1-2 punch with Mark Appel and Rodon, if they in fact decide to go that route.

While Rodon is the big name, BA notes this year’s class could end up being remembered for the impressive depth of high school pitching it produces. Here are the top 10, for the rest of the list and brief scouting reports, click the link above.

  1. Carlos Rodon, LHP, N.C. State
  2. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina
  3. Tyler Kolek, RHP, Shepherd HS (TX)
  4. Trea Turner, SS, N.C. State
  5. Jacob Gatewood, SS/3B, Clovis HS (Calif.)
  6. Alex Jackson, C/OF, Rancho Bernardo HS (Calif.)
  7. Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt
  8. Touki Toussaint, RHP, Coral Springs Christian HS (Fla.)
  9. Brady Aiken, LHP, Cathedral Catholic HS (Calif.)
  10. Aaron Nola, RHP, LSU

And here is the 2014 MLB Draft order:

  1. Houston Astros
  2. Miami Marlins
  3. Chicago White Sox
  4. Chicago Cubs
  5. Minnesota Twins
  6. Seattle Mariners
  7. Philadelphia Phillies
  8. Colorado Rockies
  9. Toronto Blue Jays
  10. New York Mets
  11. Toronto Blue Jays (for failing to sign 2013 first rounder)
  12. Milwaukee Brewers
  13. San Diego Padres
  14. San Francisco Giants
  15. Los Angeles Angels
  16. Arizona Diamondbacks
  17. Baltimore Orioles
  18. New York Yankees
  19. Kansas City Royals
  20. Washington Nationals
  21. Cincinnati Reds
  22. Tampa Bay Rays
  23. Texas Rangers
  24. Cleveland Indians
  25. Los Angeles Dodgers
  26. Detroit Tigers
  27. Pittsburgh Pirates
  28. Oakland Athletics
  29. Atlanta Braves
  30. Boston Red Sox
  31. St. Louis Cardinals