2014 MLB draft prospects rankings: nos. 10-6

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We’re at the top 10 in our 2014 MLB draft prospects rankings. The collegiate game nabs four of the five spots in this go around. Three promising hurlers and a potentially special bat make up those four. The lone prep representative owns as polished an arm as you could imagine.

10. Kyle Freeland, Evansville, LHP, 6′ 3″, 170 lbs.

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Freeland in 2011. It was the 35^th round, so as you would expect, Freeland headed to Evansville. It wasn’t pretty for his first couple of seasons, but after his sophomore year, Freeland headed to the Cape Cod League and a metamorphosis began.

2014 has been pretty darn good to the Purple Aces ace.

Freeland was recently named to the final 18 on the Pitcher of the Year watch list and a member Louisville Slugger All-American Team. For this season, Freeland posted a record of 10-2 with a 1.90 ERA and 0.927 WHIP. He struck out 128 batters while walking only 13 (9.85 SO/BB, 11.6 SO/9) in 99.2 innings. Opposing hitters struggled to hit .214 off Freeland.

And he didn’t allow a single home run.

The fastball sits comfortably in the low 90’s with a top end of 95. While that appears to be the norm these days, Freeland’s has some downward movement. His mid 80’s slider will bear in on the hands of right-handed hitters. He throws a slower version, around 80, but it doesn’t have the effectiveness as the other. The changeup is high quality and might be the best he owns.

The stride toward home isn’t particularly long. I felt like the release had a bit of a whip to it. If he got too long with the stride, he could lose the command he’s worked so hard to attain. That’s been the main difference between his first two years and this past season.

9. Jeff Hoffman, East Carolina, RHP, 6′ 4″, 195 lbs.

Hoffman has dominated in some outings this past season, but there were those that were unimpressive as well. some dominant outings, and he was in the mix to go No. 1 overall to the Astros. Hoffman missed a pair of starts in late April – early May. It was later announced that Hoffman would require Tommy John surgery, thus ending his season.

To that point, Hoffman was only 3-3, but the ERA was a respectable 2.94 ERA, and he crafted a 1.084 WHIP. In 67.1 innings, Hoffman struck out 72 (9.6 SO/9).

Strange thing is that Hoffman could still go in the top half of the first round. Or maybe it’s not so strange.I do have him in my top 10. If not for the TJS, he’d border on my 5. That’s how good I think Hoffman can be.

When you have a mid 90’s fastball that can threaten triple digits, it’s usually a plus pitch. Toss in curve that averages 80 with legit 12-6 action screams plus, maybe even plus-plus, offering. References to Adam Wainwright have been made regarding Hoffman’s curve. And a low 80’s changeup that was improving. It’s an average pitch at worst, but it can certainly be an above average pitch.

Hoffman has a boatload of upside and maybe the time recovering from TJS will see him put a few pounds and add some lean muscle to his frame.

This video is from a game where East Carolina defeated Rice, 3-2. Hoffman went 8 innings, allowing 7 hots and only 1 run. In fact, the Pirates took 2 of 3 from the Owls in this series. And Rice will be hosting a regional in the College World Series.

8. Grant Holmes, Conway HS (SC), RHP, 6′ 2″, 190 lbs.

As far as the physical makeup of Holmes, there’s a belief he has little to offer. That cannot be said for his arsenal.

Holmes has three pitches the should develop into plus pitches.

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His fastball hits the low 90’s, but he’s been known to push 96, 97 on occasion. This pitch won’t get much better, but it’s a plus pitch in its current state. What could be Holmes’ best pitch is his curve. With its insane spin and depth. you could easily project it to be plus-plus. And while his changeup is only an average offering now, Holmes is deceptive with his arm speed and angle when delivering it.

Again, Holmes maintains his arm speed rather well. There is a touch of inconsistency in repeating his delivery, most often coming from shortening his arm action upon delivering a pitch. If he can learn to constantly continue through his motion, he’s got everything you look for in a potential #2, at worst #3, starter.

Holmes has committed to Florida.

7. Bradley Zimmer, San Francisco, OF, 6′ 5″, 205 lbs.

Check out Zimmer’s stats from this past season…

.368/.461/.573, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 42 runs scored, 21 SB in 54 G (220 AB)

Not bad. What might surprise you is that Zimmer’s in conference (West Coast) numbers weren’t as good. They played a decent non-conference schedule in seeing a few teams that made the field of 64.

Of note is that Zimmer was plunked 16 times.

When at the plate, Zimmer shows a willingness to work the count. The swing is free and easy. Some swing and miss can come into play, and there’s some power potential. But that leads us to the proverbial “putting some muscle on his frame” business. With Zimmer, I’m not sure it adding a lot would be necessary.

Zimmer is fast. Actually very fast for a guy that goes 6′ 5″. Maybe he could play center field instead of right field. Adding too much weight and muscle could be a detriment to his speed. Depends on how the trade-off is viewed. Again, adding a little extra weight and muscle might be enough.

This video is short, but you get a good idea of the swing Zimmer has.

6. Aaron Nola, LSU, RHP, 6′ 1″, 195 lbs.

The most common note I read in regards to Nola is that some scouts believe he could be the first pitcher from this year’s draft class to make the majors. He is viewed as being “that” ready. He consistently displayes the ability to locate his pitches.

About those pitches…

Nola’s fastball won’t blow away opposing hitters, but with his command and control, he doesn’t need much more than his low 90’s offering. Flash the target, and he’ll hit it. What makes fastball appear as if it’s got more velocity is his high 70’s curve. The curve has the potential to be a hammer with its excellent spin and depth, it is a plus offering with a lot of swing and miss capability. The changeup continues to evolve. It’s an average offering in its present state, but Nola isn’t afraid to improve his stuff.

Three better than average offerings with all three projecting to borderline plus potential. He pounds the bottom of the strike zone, inducing a fair number of ground balls. These are only a couple of reasons why those scouts believe Nola isn’t far from donning a big league uniform.

Not the quietest of deliveries, but it adds deception. That could be another reason his low 90’s fastball is as effective as it is.

Tomorrow will bring the final installment of the 2014 MLB draft prospects rankings as I reveal the top five. You can probably guess those five players.

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