2014 Perfect Game MLB Draft preview content
Top 500 Prospect Reports:
1-50 | 51-100 | 101-150
151-200 | 201-250 | 251-300
301-350 | 351-400 | 451-500
401.
Ben Smith,
lhp Coastal Carolina University (JR)
L-L,
6-3/195, Wichita Falls, Texas
Previously
Drafted: Never
Smith’s
Tommy John surgery complicates his draft status, as he could have
been a top two round talent had he been fully healthy this spring.
Smith became a well known commodity last spring, enjoying an
outstanding sophomore season. He followed that success with a strong
campaign in the Cape Cod League, compiling a 2.82 ERA in seven
starts. He also struck out 35 batters in 28 2/3 innings pitched. The
6-foot-3 southpaw has reached as high as 92-93 mph in the past but
worked mostly between 88-91 mph for Cotuit. He throws out of an easy,
repeatable delivery, and it’s easy to project that he could
eventually settle in the low-90s as he still has room to get
significantly stronger. Armed with two quality secondary pitches,
Smith locates an 11-to-5 curveball at 75-78 and relies heavily on his
above average 79-82 mph changeup.
402.
Conor Harber,
rhp/of, JC of Western Nevada (SO)
R-R,
6-2/200, Astoria, Ore.
Previously
Drafted: Orioles ’13 (38) – College Commitment: Oregon
Harber
set numerous school records as a freshman outfielder while hitting
.411 with 29 extra-base hits, and impressed scouts with his raw speed
(6.6 in the 60) and power potential, along with his feel for the game
and sound defensive skills in center field. The interest in the
athletic Harber for this year’s draft is almost exclusively as a
pitching prospect, as he began pitching with more regularity towards
the end of his freshman year, flashing a sinking 91-93 mph sinking
fastball and the makings of a quality breaking ball, and took off in
that role this spring, posting an 8-1, 2.06 record while walking 24
and striking out 79 in 66 innings. He improved the velocity on his
fastball to 92-95 while generating greater arm-side run, added
sharpness to his curve and incorporated a changeup as a third pitch.
403.
Caleb Eldridge,
1b, Deer Creek HS
L-L,
6-3/210, Edmond, Okla.
College
Commitment: Oklahoma State
Eldridge
is a big and strong lefthanded hitting first baseman with a power
oriented swing that shows very good bat speed. He’s had a very
strong swing and went through a stretch in late April and early May
when scouts were coming around in bunches when he hit nine home runs
in 13 games. He is signed with Oklahoma State and seems to be the
prototypical Cowboys middle-of-the-order slugger.
404.
Shane Benes,
ss, Westminster Christian HS
R-R,
6-3/200, St. Louis, Mo.
Commitment:
Missouri
The
son of 14-year Major League veteran and former No. 1 overall pick
Andy Benes, Shane Benes was on Perfect Game’s short list of high
school players before the season began who could really see their
draft stock rise. He is a strong and versatile athlete with 6.7 speed
in the 60-yard dash and plus arm strength from the mound and at
shortstop. Benes also has shown plus raw power and just a bit of
improvement in his swing consistency and contact ratios could have
propelled him into the top three rounds. His season never started,
though, as Benes tore his ACL in a basketball game in mid-February
and underwent season ending surgery. He projects as a very high 2017
draft pick should he attend Missouri for three years.
405.
Braden Webb,
rhp, Owasso HS
R-R,
6-4/195, Owasso, Okla.
Commitment:
South Carolina
Webb
has been considered the top 2014 high school pitcher in Oklahoma for
some time but struggled with reoccurring arm issues beginning last
spring before finally undergoing Tommy John surgery this spring. At
his best he has a very live fastball that gets up to 93 mph, with his
best pitch being a sharp mid-70s curveball with big depth and 11-to-5
shape.
406.
Logan Sowers,
of, McCutcheon HS
R-R,
6-4/200, Lafayette, Ind.
College
Commitment: Indiana
Sowers
and his well-built 6-foot-4 frame have come on very strong this
spring at McCutcheon High School. Despite his size, Sowers shows the
ability to run (6.85 60-yard at East Coast Pro) which will play well
at either corner outfield position. The Indiana commit is able to
create nice leverage in his swing and drive the ball with deep home
run power. His approach at the plate is simple and shows solid
control of the barrel, with the ability to go with the pitch and
drive it to any part of the park.
407.
Isaac Anderson,
rhp/of, JC of Southern Idaho (SO)
R-R,
6-1/185, Boise, Idaho
Previously
Drafted: Royals ’13 (34) – College Commitment: Wichita State
Anderson
was exclusively a position player in high school and earned
all-conference honors as a freshman outfielder at the College of
Southern Idaho in 2013. Prior to college, Anderson had last pitched
when he was 14 and worked in only 22 innings a year ago, but enjoyed
unexpected success by posting a 0.82 ERA, while flashing a fastball
in the low-90s and demonstrating sound mechanics, along with a
surprisingly good feel for pitching. His focus turned to the mound
this spring as a sophomore, and he made significant strides while
being utilized as a starter. Though he went only 4-5, 3.90 with 28
walks and 49 strikeouts in 60 innings, working against wood bats, and
still has a lot to learn about pitching, Anderson made a strong
impression on scouts with his athleticism on the mound, a fastball
that sat at 88-92 mph, often topped at 93-94 and got good run on his
two-seamer, and his ability to spin a breaking ball.
408.
Brad Bass,
rhp, Lincoln-Way Central HS
R-R,
6-6/215, New Lenox, Ill.
College
Commitment: Notre Dame
Bass
is an extra-large righthander with a high ceiling when he grows into
his coordination and refines his mechanics. He pitches in the 88-92
mph range now with very good downhill angle from a high
three-quarters arm slot. His low-80s slider is his best overall pitch
and he gets good depth on the pitch along with frequently commanding
it better than his fastball. Bass is signed with Notre Dame.
409.
Alex Destino,
lhp, North Buncombe HS
L-L,
6-3/210, Weaverville, N.C.
College
Commitment: South Carolina
A
solid all-around athlete, that athleticism and projection Destino
possesses are what make him so interesting to scouts. Destino had
strong showings late last summer and then in the fall in Jupiter,
showing an 89-92 mph fastball and with an easy arm action. He shows
good feel for his changeup, and his 78-81 mph breaking ball has
tightened significantly since early last summer. The stuff has not
been quite as crisp this spring with his velocity more in the 87-90
range, but his frame and easy arm make him an intriguing commodity
nonetheless.
410.
Jared West,
lhp, University of Houston (SO)
L-L,
6-6, 200, Shreveport, La.
Previously
Drafted: Pirates ’12 (39)
West
is an age eligible sophomore and the younger brother of 2005 Marlins
first round pick and former Major Leaguer Sean West. He’s been a
fairly high profile prospect in his own right dating back to high
school and has consistently tantalized scouts with his ceiling but
also has bouts of inconsistency. At his best West will top out at 92
mph with lots of life and angle on his fastball and show lots of
potential with his slider. At other times he’ll pitch in the
mid-80s with flatter stuff and wavering command.
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