2014 MLB draft prospects rankings: nos. 25-21
We continue our list of the 2014 MLB draft prospects. We’re inside the top 25 now, so there’s a good chance all of these guys listed within this post will have their name called during the first round of the draft.
Three prep stars and a pair of collegiate players fill out today’s post.
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For the pair of college players, one had his season shortened due to surgery. The other also missed some time due to surgery, but that down time has not adversely affected his stock. He returned and even made up for the lost time.
Of the three prepsters, one is the son of a scout. Another is a pitcher with a pro build, a bright future, and an arm any organization would want in its fold. Our other high schooler is quite simply a dynamic athlete. He’s a three-sport star and has received numerous offers to play more than one sport at some of the country’s most respected football and baseball programs.
And there’s a great video you will watch over and over. You’ll know it when you see it.
So, here’s the next five in our 2014 MLB draft prospects rankings.
25. Derek Hill, Elk Grove HS (CA), OF, 6’ 2”, 190 lbs.
Hill can flat-out run. His 60-yard time on Perfect Game is an amazing and swift 6.44. That puts him on the 99th percentile, so there aren’t many that are faster. That speed is prevalent if you’ve ever seen videos of him patrolling center field.
Notice the distance Hill covered to get to that ball. He was positioned on the left field side of second base and went into the gap in right-center for the diving catch. Simply astounding the ground he can cover. There’s a couple more fantastic catches you can see on YouTube.
But Hill offers a good arm as well. According to Perfect Game, he recorded a 92 mph throw from the outfield.
And Hill’s bat is solid, amybe even a little better. He does have more of a line drive swing, but when he makes contact, the ball will carry. Yes, he does project to have some pop which will play well for a center fielder.
And with that speed, he will certainly create chaos when he gets on base.
Hill’s father is a member of the scouting department for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hill has committed to Oregon.
Jun 9, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers outfielder Derek Fisher (23) hits the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the second inning during the Charlottesville super regional of the 2013 NCAA baseball tournament at Davenport Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
24. Derek Fisher, Virginia, OF, 6’ 3”, 210 lbs.
In the 2011 draft, the Texas Rangers selected Fisher in the 6th round. He was tabbed as the best high school bat, but fell to the Rangers. Rumor has it the Rangers made him a substantial offer, but Fisher declined and took his talents to Charlottesville, VA. Are those in the Cavaliers baseball program glad he did.
Fisher missed about a month of this season due to surgery on his right wrist, limiting him to 32 games. That’s the bad news.
The good news is that Fisher displayed some power upon his return in late April. He only hit three home runs this season, but two of those occurred after his return. Still, this season could be dubbed Fisher’s “worst” season since joining Virginia’s program even though he did have moderate success.
Ah, but Fisher has never posted a batting average below .280 or a OBP below .340. His bat still projects well at the big league level. He has improved his contact and curtailed his strikeouts. Both of those aspects can play. The key to Fisher’s bat is consistency, and he appears to have it.
He’s pegged as a corner outfielder due to limited range and arm strength.
And to whet your appetite, here’s Fisher squaring off against a name we’ll be hearing later, Carlos Rodon.
23. Monte Harrison, Lee’s Summit West HS (MO), OF, 6’ 2”, 195 lbs.
Many times we read that an athlete is referred to as a freak, as in a freak of nature. Harrison fits that bill, and there should be no argument.
There are a couple of questions though.
First, which sport will Harrison opt to play on a full-time basis? He has committed to attend the University of Nebraska to play both football and baseball. Helps that his baseball coach is another two-sport Cornhusker star in Darin Erstad.
Second, will Harrison go to Nebraska or will he decide to head to the pros?
Harrison possesses enough talent and athleticism to have the words “five-tool player” attached to him; hence, my “freak” moniker. He has the speed (60-yard time of 6.62), and owns one high school’s best outfield arms (93 OF velocity). The defense is a no-brainer as Harrison can handle any outfield position. Center should be his ultimate destination.
He projects to plus contact and no less than above average power. Those two should amp up their progress once Harrison commits to baseball. I know. That remains to be seen if he will. Harrison will be an intriguing project whichever sports he decides to provide his full attention.
And there’s this rumbling that Harrison could even be a pitcher. Imagine that 93 OF velocity translated to the mound.
You might now be thinking of a third question. Could Harrison playboth baseball and football at the pro level? It’s entirely possible he may decide to try, but that would be difficult these days with the way teams organize workouts in and out of the season.
22. Erick Fedde, UNLV, RHP, 6’ 4”, 180 lbs.
Earlier this month, Fedde required Tommy John surgery. That’s the only reason I have him here. Despite that, Fedde posted some nice numbers this season. He was 8-2 with a 1.76 ERA and .209 BAA.
This first, when healthy…
Fedde’s fastball sits in the low 90’s and it has reached 95. He adds a low 80’s slider which can be a solid #2 offering. It can be inconsistent, but it has certain appeal. He doesn’t utilize his changeup that often, but some work could turn it into an average offering.
While Fedde recovers from the TJS, I’m guessing that putting on some weight and muscle will be part of the recovery, if you want to call it that. With this extra muscle, Fedde should discover a little extra oomph on his pitches.
Wen Fedde tires, his delivery tends to drop down from its usual ¾ slot. That could be corrected with the recovery time as well. But the overall delivery is rather easy to watch, and there’s no wasted effort.
It’s not irrational to think a team will take a chance at him in the first round, possibly within the compensation or competitive balance area.
A healthy Fedde cracks my top 15, no question. And you know you still have something to offer when the Detroit Tigers are considering you.
21. Sean Reid-Foley, Sandalwood HS (FL), 6’ 3”, 210 lbs.
Reid-Foley has all the makings of a mid-rotation guy. There’s some projectability here which could have him go in the top 20. If he does, that shouldn’t be a surprise.
He offers a low 80’s-low 90’s fastball which has solid command. He can easily change the eye level of opposing batters due to his command. But Reid-Foley also owns a two-seamer that can hit the high 80’s. He’s not afraid to throw it to right-handed hitters, so confidence isn’t something that should be of concern. There is a changeup, but that’s more of a “I have one” pitch.
So none of these velocities blow you away, do they? One reason Reid-Foley finds himself just bordering on my top 20 is the improvement in his slider. He can be inconsistent with its spin, but the tilt on this pitch does raise some eyebrows.
No issues with this delivery. It’s consistent and easily repeatable. Reid-Foley exhibits good arm speed and has the arm strength to match.
Reid-Foley has committed to Florida State.