2014 MLB draft prospects rankings: nos. 20-16
Cracking the top 20 of our 2014 MLB draft prospects are two powerful collegiate bats, a lively prep arm, a fantastic all-around prep bat, and one drawing some lofty comparisons.
20. Michael Chavis, Sprayberry HS (GA), 3B, 5′ 11″, 180 lbs.
Any team would love to have a talent like Chavis within its fold. Perfect Game ranks Chavis as the top prep hitter and has him fourth in power. One reason that might be the case is because Chavis took home the top prize at the Perfect Game All-American Home Run Derby. Two words here: raw power.
While at the plate, Chavis displays sensational bat speed along with a solid approach. Hitting for average won’t be a concern either.
And do you want speed? Chavis has plenty as his 60-yard time is 6.68. This compares to that time of Monte Harrison who posted a 6.62.
No worries about his defense. His arm is plenty for manning third base as his throws have topped out at 93 mph. Chavis flashes quick reactions and shows nice footwork while in the field. He’s been working on his speed and agility. Both will come in handy at third base.
Chavis is intriguing. He has all the tools at his disposal. If he should opt for the college route, he does have a commitment to Clemson.
19. Kyle Schwarber, Indiana, C/OF, 6′ 240 lbs.
Schwarber (pictured above) has received a label of owning a premier power bat, maybe the best power bat in the entire draft. Even though he cracked 18 home runs this season, don’t let that alone persuade you that he’s all power. He can hit for average as his 2014 BA of .366 can attest.
When Schwarber is in the batter’s box, he can control the zone and makes consistent contact. He’s not afraid to take a walk (42 in 235 AB). He doesn’t strike out that much for owing such power (37). The combination of his power and hitting is why Perfect Game lists him as having college’s top power and its #2 collegiate hitter.
When considering Schwarber, the question will be if he can stay behind the plate. His arm strength needs to develop as well as his receiving ability. He does have room to develop these defensive tools, but should an organization want, Schwarber can play in the outfield or first base.
18. Jacob Gatewood, Clovis HS (CA), SS, 6′ 5″, 180 lbs.
From an offensive angle, much of what I stated about Schwarber can apply to Gatewood. He possesses power to all fields with plus-plus potential. His bat speed is among the best in this class, prep or college. There have been comparisons to Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Troy Tulowitzki. Pretty hefty comps.
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But the bat has seemingly lost a bit over the past few months. Could the pressure of being a highly touted prospect be in play? Possibly. Some of the recent mock drafts I’ve been reading have Gatewood a little more down the order as when I first started to read a few.
Gatewood wants to play shortstop, another potential reason for the slippage with the bat. He may be concentrating on that too much, but the concerns are legit. Those concerns are mostly in relation to his size, not that 180 pounds is big. As Gatewood matures and fills out his lanky frame, the foot speed will most likely decrease and along with it, so will his range.
The arm is strong enough to play third or even a move to the outfield. That bat should certainly play regardless of position.
And if an organization should choose, Gatewood has pitched. He’s hurled a no-no. In that game, he also scored the game’s only run. But I can’t see that happening.
17. Michael Conforto, Oregon State, OF, 6′ 2″, 215 lbs.
Conforto is blessed that athleticism runs in his family. His father was a linebacker at Penn State and his moth won a pair of Gold Medal for the USA as a synchronized swimmer. How’s that for some family pressure?
All Conforto has done during his time in Corvallis is win the 2013 PAC-12 Freshman of the Year and the conference’s 2013 Player of the Year. Now add 2014 PAC-12 Player of the Year to his mantle. This year was another statistical success: .364/.518/.578, 7 HR, 55 RBI, 50 runs scored, 50 walks, and 35 strikeouts.
There is a little “swing and miss” in his game, but power can usually offset that. So can a willingness to be patient or aggressive, He can adjust on her fly. He might not carry his average from his days as a Beaver to the pros, but it shouldn’t be a major concern.
Don’t be surprised if an organization decides to try him at first base.
One comparison I’ve read is Travis Snider. Which ever team selects Conforto hopes they get a little better production from him.
16. Touki Toussaint, Coral Springs Christian Academy, RHP, 6′ 2″, 195 lbs.
Want an electric arm? Toussaint is your guy, hands down. There’s good reason, too. Toussaint has been playing baseball for only about six or seven years, so his talent is raw. But you can’t deny a kid that has the ability to toss 97 and average 93-95.
But Toussaint isn’t all his fastball. His curve, a mid 70’s offering, has plenty of downward break. Maybe too much. It still can be a plus pitch for him. Maybe not the case with his changeup which is in the mid 80’s. Talk of throwing it too hard, possibly to duplicate arm speed, has him throwing the pitch too hard. This shouldn’t be a concern as Toussaint only uses it sparingly.
The mechanics may need to be cleaned up a little. So will getting him to repeat his delivery. Both can cause his control to be erratic.
Toussaint may sound like a project, but when you’re athletic and own possibly the highest upside arm in the entire draft class, the time could be well spent. And Toussaint has room to grow, both physically and in knowing the ins and outs of the game.