2014 MLB Draft Prospect Rankings: Nos. 50-46
The 2014 MLB Draft will be held June 5-7 and will be carried on the MLB Network. As has been done in years past, a stream on the website will surely be available as well. This could well be the last time you see Bud Selig overseeing the process.
Take that as you wish…
Putting together a rankings list of any type for any reason presents a major challenge. With these players facing so many different levels of competition, even using video and written word about showcases and summer leagues might not tell the entire picture. In essence, it comes down to a judgment call and/or opinion. I realize those are not always popular. Now, to the meat and potatoes.
One aspect of this year’s draft that has created some buzz is the availability of right-handed pitchers at the high school level. Actually, pitching overall has been the talk of this draft. Some mock drafts have as many as eight pitchers going within the first ten selections. That number could have been nine had it not been for the unfortunate case of Matt Hoffman. I’ll cover that, as well as a couple more injured notables, as I go through my rankings.
Yesterday, you got my list on ten players that fell just outside my top 50 rankings. Today, we’ll start to delve into the top 50 of the list. Let’s start by looking at those draft prospects I have ranked from 50 to 46. Whenever possible, I will supply the most recent video that was found.
Here’s the first five of my top 50 2014 MLB draft prospects.
50. Mac Marshall, Parkview HS (GA), LHP, 6’2″, 185 lbs.
Marshall has a smooth wind-up before providing an explosive delivery. I believe he hides the ball well. If you’re looking for a comparison, Marshall’s delivery has been likened to that of Steve Avery.
Here’s a look at Marshall’s delivery.
Now, here’s Avery. Head to the 0:50 mark to see it.
Marshall’s fastball stays in the low 90’s, and he adds a changeup (which is his best pitch) in the high 70’s. Perfect Game has Marshall’s changeup rated as the third best among high school pitchers. He will also throw a curveball that can either be in the high 70’s or a slower curve that will reside in the mid 70’s.
The control of the change and breaking pitches is present. Developing control over his fastball might actually be the key as his change is his definite out pitch. I think both are present in the video.
At 6’ 2”, 185 pounds, size might be a slight concern. I stress, slight. Adding a few pounds and a little muscle to his frame should not deter his talent. You might see an uptick in velocity should that happen. That uptick has the potential for Marshall being deemed as high as a mid-rotation guy.
Marshall has committed to LSU, but if I was a fan of the Tigers, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
49. Jakson Reetz, Norris HS (NE), Catcher, 6’1″, 195 lbs.
No need to wonder if Reetz will stay at catcher. If a team felt a move would be best, he can certainly make a position switch as he does possess some athleticism. He’s also a member of the school’s basketball team. But I think catcher is where Reetz should stay.
One reason I think catcher may be better suited for Reetz is because the defense is improving. His POP time averages slightly above 2.0 (2.03), which is right on the edge, but he has recorded a 1.73. This facet of his game should continue to develop and improve.
The bat works well. Reetz is more of a line drive/gap hitter. Here’s a couple of videos. You will notice a slight difference between the first video to the second.
Notice the longer stride in the second? It’s not that much longer, but I detected such. Seems the lower body is working a little more with that longer stride, too. Might be a means to generate slightly more power which would be an obvious benefit to Reetz.
And a benefit to the team that tabs him.
The Nebraska commit has generated some buzz in his home state. Highly touted high school players from Nebraska aren’t something we see everyday. Reetz is the exception and should go within the first couple of rounds.
48. Cameron Varga, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (OH), RHP, 6’3″, 205 lbs.
Varga considered heading to the University of Florida (his older brother is a member of the Gators baseball program) as possibly a position player. A twist of events occurred when the family moved from Florida to Ohio. With that move, Varga de-committed and opened the recruiting process again. This time, pitching took front and center. Varga has since committed to North Carolina, but Chapel Hill might not be his ultimate destination.
Varga missed time last fall due to biceps tendonitis. That may have been a by-product of needing surgery in order to remove a cyst. The off-time might have been exactly what he needed as Varga has excelled this season. He recently set a high school record by fanning 23 consecutive batters.
A low 90’s fastball that has touched 95 and his plus curve with power are catching the attention of many scouts. Recently, twenty scouts were on hand to see Varga pitch. One such attendee was one organization’s scouting director. In that outing, Varga struck out all 15 batters he faced.
It’s not just me that likes Varga. Nathan Rode of Prep Baseball Report writes that Varga’s “fastball-curveball combination makes Varga a premium prospect…”
Rode adds that Varga has hurled 39 innings this season. In those 39 innings, Varga has struck out 94 batters. And Varga’s ERA is sitting at a pristine 0.00.
Wait. 94 strikeouts in 39 innings?!?! That SO/9 is an astonishing 21.7!
47. Luke Weaver, Florida State, RHP, 6’2″, 170 lbs.
After the Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the 19th round of the 2011 draft, Weaver opted to keep his commitment and attend Florida State. The move has drastically paid off as Weaver now stands to go within the first two rounds in this year’s draft.
Sporting a fastball that stays in the 92-93 area, Weaver also throws a changeup that’s about 10 mph slower. I’ve always liked that split between the fastball and change. The question will be developing another pitch (think slider here) to add to the arsenal. Should that third pitch come along, Weaver does have
Some have compared his delivery to that of Bret Saberhagen. Here’s a look at Weaver…
And now Saberhagen…
These are obviously taken from different angles, but you have to agree there are some striking similarities. If Weaver can duplicate Saberhagen’s MLB success, all will work out well for Weaver.
In his last regular season outing against Duke, Weaver hurled seven innings, allowing no runs on only five hits. He only walked one and threw 91 pitches. Pretty economical. MLB teams would love to see that.
For the season, Weaver was 8-3 with an ERA of 2.45 and a WHIP of 0.999 (77 hits and 18 walks in 95.1 IP). He also struck out 75 opposing batters.
46. Ti’Quan Forbes, Columbia HS (MS), Shortstop, 6’4″, 175 lbs.
Although Forbes plays shortstop on his high school team, there is some sentiment that he could be moved to third base. A few sites and publications believe that’s his destination. The left field option could certainly come into play as well.
A thought here is that Forbes should add a little heft to his 6’ 4”, 175 pound frame. With that extra weight, the pop should become greater. The concern would be if the extra pounds would cause his defense to slip.
So here’s a look at Forbes in the field, taking some batting practice swings, game at-bats, and finally, a slow motion look at his swing.
As far as his fielding, it is on the slick side. When pressed, he does show a quick transfer and release. He owns a strong arm and good range. My only wish was that the balls he fielded as a shortstop were hit a little sharper like the ones when he was at third.
Forbes has a slightly open stance and utilizes a leg lift as a swing mechanism. There is a fair amount of drop as he begins his swing, but there is nice bat speed as well. There’s almost a whipping action to the swing. With that, the ball has a nice jump off of his bat.
Forbes has committed to Ole Miss, but I doubt he attends there. There is much to love with plenty of upside here.