We are LIVE LIVE LIVE from the NatsGM Studios to celebrate, analyze, and inebriate our way through the 2014 MLB Draft. Teams will make 74 picks in total tonight, and the Washington Nationals possess two of them, picks #18 and #57.
I will be Live Blogging every pick this evening, so please join me with your comments, questions, jokes, and obscure pop culture references either in the Comment’s Section, on Twitter @NatsGMdotcom or on Facebook at NatsGM.
My early predictions for the Nationals picks tonight are UNLV’s RHP Erick Fedde at #18 and University of Maryland’s RHP Jake Stinnett at #57 (wishful thinking). Who do you project them taking?
6:50pm – Just opened a Flying Dog Dream Machine IPL… Very promising, I would place a “55” on it.
6:56pm – Near 100% chance Mrs. Zimmer will be ordering a new couch and pillows by noon tomorrow after Harold Reynolds crushes the status quo on her living room furniture.
7:04pm – Nice tie Jonathan Mayo… Yikes!
#1 Houston Astros Select Brady Aiken LHP California HS
Gutsy pick by the Astros, as Rodon has superstar potential, but Aiken is an advanced high school pitcher with a chance for 4 better than average (or better) pitches.
#2 Miami Marlins Select Tyler Kolek RHP Texas HS
WOW! And the first mild surprise comes at selection #2, as many suspected Kolek was slipping in recent days. But Kolek has a massive fastball and the Marlins are known to scout that area of the country well and extensively.
The Cubs have to be excited to now have a chance at either Rodon or Nola at #4.
#3 Chicago White Sox Select Carlos Rodon LHP North Carolina State
The projected #1 pick entering this year, Rodon scuffled a bit with his fastball command this season and leaned heavily on his slider. However, Rodon has a chance to explode in professional baseball and should reach the major leagues sometime in 2015. Excellent pick by the suddenly surging White Sox farm system.
#4 Chicago Cubs Select Kyle Schwarber C/1B/OF Indiana University
Predicted the Cubs would try to cut a below-slot deal with a local product this morning, but I expected it to be Evansville LHP Kyle Freeland, not Indiana hitter Kyle Schwarber. I like Schwarber a lot, and think his compact, quick left-handed swing will play in the major leagues, but he is either a 1B or LF in the pros, two positions the Cubs seems to have PLENTY of in their organization. Schwarber feels like a bit of a reach here at #4.
#5 Minnesota Twins Select Nick Gordon SS Florida HS
Boom! I nailed this pick in both of my mocks, and he makes perfect sense, as the Twins desperately need help up-the-middle. He’s a different type of player than his brother Dee, but he is a pure shortstop and he’s a solid value here at #5.
#6 Seattle Mariners Select Alex Jackson C/OF California HS
3 for 6 and 2 in a row from my morning mock draft, as this draft fell perfectly for the Mariners. Jackson, perhaps the only elite hitting prospect in the draft, fills a dire organizational need for the Mariners. He should be shifted to the outfield and his bat fast-tracked to the majors.
7:45pm – Interesting the Mariners announced Jackson as only an outfielder… Also, what word did Bud Selig replace “Sixth” with when announcing the pick. Sounded like a Ozzy Osborne trying to say he feels “Sick“.
#7 Philadelphia Phillies Select Aaron Nola RHP Louisiana State
Terrific pick, as Nola has the highest floor in this draft class and should move extremely quickly through the minor leagues. He does not have the monster ceiling one might expect from a #7 overall pick, but he has 3-quality pitches, outstanding control, and should sit in the Phillies rotation for many years. Nice work by Ruben Amaro Jr. and his staff.
#8 Colorado Rockies Select Kyle Freeland LHP Evansville
Questions exist if he is healthy, as some teams did not like his medicals, but Freeland has a monster fastball/slider combination and projects to be an outstanding compliment to Jon Gray and Eddie Butler in Colorado. Risky pick from a health perspective, but could pay dividends in the relatively near future.
#9 Toronto Blue Jays Select Jeff Hoffman RHP East Carolina
The Blue Jays just made a pick filled with testicular fortitude, drafted an injured pitcher off Tommy John surgery inside the top-10 picks. If he was healthy, he was the odds on favorite to be selected 1-1, so this is a massive gamble of risk verses reward. I REALLY like this pick.
#10 New York Mets Select Michael Conforto OF Oregon State
Although the Cubs would argue, Conforto is perhaps the most polished, advanced collegiate bat in this draft class. He will be a pure left fielder with only a fringy arm and speed, but he can flat out hit, which is the most important tool for a position player. He should move quickly and has a high floor but only a reasonable ceiling. Solid, but not wonderful pick here by the Mets.
8:11pm – Some team is going to get a steal with Sean Newcomb…
#11 Toronto Blue Jays Select Max Pentecost Catcher Kennesaw State
Interesting pick, as Toronto has been seeking a long-term solution at catcher for what seems like more than a decade. The best pure catching prospect in this draft, Pentecost tore up the Cape League last summer, and should move quickly through the minor leagues. I might have preferred them to take Touki Toussaint, but this is a solid choice for the Blue Jays.
#12 Milwaukee Brewers Select Kodi Medeiros LHP Hawaii HS
This feels a little rich for this Hawaii-native left-handed pitcher who is only about 6-0 180lbs, but he has the filthiest slider you will see from a high school pitcher. There are others I like a bit more than Medeiros, but he has a chance to be a good one in a few years.
#13 San Diego Padres Select Trea Turner SS North Carolina State
The college roommate of Carlos Rodon, Turner is a no-doubt defensive shortstop, with excellent speed, a good arm, and solid agility. Scouts (and non-scouts like myself) question if he will hit against major league velocity and breaking stuff, but he is a quality value here at #13.
#14 San Francisco Giants Select Tyler Beede RHP Vanderbilt
I am happy for Beede, who is a personal favorite of mine and is going to an organization that specializes in developing pitching. An inconsistent pitcher during his college career, Beede will flash monster stuff when he is on. Heavy risk verses reward with this pick, but it could pay monster rewards for the Giants if they can help Beede allow his talent to blossom.
#15 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Select Sean Newcomb LHP University of Hartford
Immediate candidate for steal of the draft, Newcomb is one of my favorite prospects in this draft. Armed with the easiest 93mph fastball you will ever see, along with a promising slider and changeup, Newcomb stands a strong chance of developing into a mid-rotation starting pitcher. Terrific pick and already the #1 prospect in the Angels farm system.
#16 Arizona Diamondbacks Select Touki Toussaint RHP Florida HS
A raw pitcher, even for a high school player who has spent considerable time on the travel baseball circuit, Toussaint is a large kid with a chance to develop 3 above-average pitches including a mid-90s fastball. There’s risk here, but this is a solid value at #16.
#17 Kansas City Royals Select Brandon Finnegan LHP Texas Christian
Another pick I nailed in my first Mock Draft, Finnegan has top-10 talent but slides here to #17 due to his smallish stature and shoulder issues last month. He could be a monster closer in short order, or the Royals could develop him as a starter. Excellent pick by the Royals here in the middle of Round 1.
#18 WASHINGTON NATIONALS Select Erick Fedde RHP UNLV
I have predicted this selection for more than a month now, as Fedde was a sure-fire top-10 pick before undergoing Tommy John surgery. A monster pitcher with the upside of a quality #3 starter, the Nationals got a steal in Fedde here at #18. Sure there is the obvious health risk, but this could prove to be the steal of the draft in a few years.
8:57pm – Give me Maryland RHP Jake Stinnett at #57 and you will have a happy NatsGM this evening.
#19 Cincinnati Reds Select Nick Howard RHP University of Virginia
Solely a closer (and a hitter) at UVA, Howard should shift to the starting rotation as a professional. Armed with a massive frame and a terrific fastball, Howard has real upside as a pitcher once he ditches hitting and focused on the mound. I probably like this pick more than I should considering the names still on the board, but good pick by the Reds.
#20 Tampa Bay Rays Select Casey Gillespie 1B Wichita State
A pure first baseman, Gillespie will need to hit A TON to fill the profile as a first division starter. One of the better college bats this year, I think he was overdrafted slightly here at #20 with other quality names still on the board.
#21 Cleveland Indians Select Bradley Zimmer CF San Francisco
One of my favorites in this draft class, Zimmer is a steal here at #21. A potentially elite defensive outfielder with a chance to be an above-average hitter, Zimmer is a raw prospect with a chance to blossom with some refinement.
#22 Los Angeles Dodgers Select Grant Holmes RHP South Carolina HS
Physically advanced for a high school pitcher with a thick frame, Holmes represents excellent value outside the top-20 picks because of his powerful fastball and polished repertoire. Holmes could have easily gone 10 picks higher, so the Dodgers did well to select him here at #22.
#23 Detroit Tigers Select Derek Hill OF California HS
A true centerfielder, Hill has outstanding speed and instincts and has climbed draft boards in recent weeks. He has 4 solid or better tools, with questions existing if he will develop power as he physically matures. I am surprised to see him land with Detroit, but I like this pick for the Tigers.
#24 Pittsburgh Pirates Select Cole Tucker SS Arizona HS
Tucker is the first player selected in the 2014 draft class that I have not seen on television, in-person, or on video, and have only read about online. Tucker is a toolsy high school shortstop that should likely sign for an underslot bonus, which will allowing them to divert some funds to other picks in the draft.
He is a pure shortstop, but this feels like a reach on a pure talent basis in Round 1.
#25 Oakland Athletics Select Matt Chapman 3B Cal State Fullerton
Predicted to be selected in the top-10 prior to the season, Chapman struggled for much of the season (like his teammates) did at Cal State Fullerton. Chapman has a monster arm and should be a terrific defender at third base, but this feels like a reach in the 1st Round as there are legitimate questions about his bat.
9:37pm – A.J. Reed might makes sense here for Boston, especially if they want to save a few dollars.
#26 Boston Red Sox Select Michael Chavis Infielder Georgia HS
A pure hitter, questions exist where he will eventually play defensively, but Chavis has a sweet swing and is a nice choice this late in Round 1.
9:42pm – Call me crazy, but I am liking Chavis’ bowtie.
#27 St. Louis Cardinals Select Luke Weaver RHP Florida State
A consistent Friday starter for the Seminoles, Weaver is a polished pitcher with plenty of physical projection remaining and profiles as a strong #4 starter in the big leagues. This pick feels a bit early for St. Louis, but far be it for me to question the Cardinals Scouting and Development people.
#28 Kansas City Royals Select Forest Griffin LHP Florida HS
I am a little surprised the Royals picked Griffin over fellow Florida high school pitcher Sean Reid-Foley, but Griffin is a raw, projectable lefty with a blazing fastball. He will need significant development time, but Griffin is a quality prospect to draft late in the round.
#29 Cincinnati Reds Select Alex Blandino Infielder Stanford
I know college bats tend to get snatched up quickly, but this feels rich for me on Blandino at #29. If they wanted a bat, I might have preferred Derek Fisher from UVA or high school hitter Jacob Gatewood.
10:01pm – We are going to see quite a run of high school pitchers, especially righties, in the next 30 minutes or so of the draft.
#30 Texas Rangers Select Luis Ortiz RHP California HS
A nice value here at #30, many mock drafts had Ortiz going closer to pick #20. The Rangers will need to develop Ortiz slowly, like an average high school arm, but Ortiz could be a pitching name to remember in a few years. Boom or bust pick but a worthy gamble in late Round 1.
#31 Cleveland Indians Select Justus Sheffield LHP Tennessee HS
A Vanderbilt commit, the Indians must consider the talented left-handed pitcher signable away from the Commodores. (Insert bad “Brick House” Commodores reference here).
#32 Atlanta Braves Select Braxton Davidson 1B/OF North Carolina HS
An intriguing high school bat, it feels like it has been a long time since the Braves have used their top selection on a hitter. (I could be wrong). That said, Davidson had some hype in the 20s and is considered one of the best high school bats in this crop.
#33 Boston Red Sox Select Michael Kopech RHP Texas HS
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One of the fastest rising players in recent days, there were rumors Kopech could be selected inside the first 20 picks. The Red Sox have done well in recent years developing pitching, and Kopech is a solid value here late in Round 1.
#34 St. Louis Cardinals Select Jack Flaherty RHP California HS
A graduate of the same high school as Nationals Lucas Giolito and Padres Max Fried, Flaherty was seen as the most difficult to sign prospect in this draft, as he has a strong commitment to UNC. Scouts are split on his future, as some like him on the mound and others like his bat, but most expect him to end up a power pitcher as a professional. This pick has more risk than I am used to with a Cardinals selection.
* Compensation Round A *
10:25pm – Curious if the Astros pop local product RHP JB Bukauskas at #37.
#35 Colorado Rockies Select Forest Wall 2B Florida HS
I knew I overvalued him blowing him up to #17 in today’s mock draft, but Wall might have the best pure hit tool on the high school side, and should be a quality defender at second base. He would have been a reach in Round 1, but here in the Comp Round, he feels like a quality pick for the burgeoning Rockies farm system.
#36 Miami Marlins Select Blake Anderson Catcher Mississippi HS
A quality defensive catcher, Anderson has a large frame to stay behind the plate, and questions with his profile make him feel like a reach at #36. He’s a good prospect, but would fit better later in Round 2, than here.
#37 Houston Astros Select Derek Fisher OF University of Virginia
Terrific pick by the Astros, to scoop up a polished college bat who should hit for more power as he matures. A personal favorite, the Astros scored a coup here at #37.
#38 Cleveland Indians Select Mike Papi OF University of Virginia
Back to back UVA outfielders, Papi is a solid hitter and is another solid addition to the Indians farm system.
#39 Pittsburgh Pirates Select Connor Joe Outfielder San Diego
And the run of college bats continues, as Connor Joe is overdrafted here in the Comp Round. A solid hitter, there are rumors he could be shifted to catcher as a pro. Not my favorite pick, though I prefer him to Bryan Morris, the player traded for this selection last week.
#40 Kansas City Royals Select Chase Vallot Catcher Louisiana HS
Athletic catchers with a chance to hit are always selected earlier than expected during the draft, but this feels a bit early for Vallot.
#41 Milwaukee Brewers Select Jacob Gatewood SS California HS
Terrific pick, as Gatewood was probably on their short list at #12. Huge risk with this pick, but Gatewood would have been a top-5 pick this time last year. Outstanding value at #41.
* 2nd Round *
#42 Houston Astros Select A.J. Reed 1B University of Kentucky
The odds-on favorite to win the Golden Spikes award as the top collegiate player, Reed has immense power and his supporters believe his hit tool will improve once he focuses exclusively on hitting. Another solid pick by Houston.
#43 Miami Marlins Select Justin Twins SS Texas HS
I know his name and reputation as a quality athlete who should stay in the middle of the diamond as a professional, I really do not know enough about him to comment.
Time to pour a new beer.
#44 Chicago White Sox Select Spencer Adams RHP Georgia HS
One of the better high school right-handed pitchers in this class, Adams is a solid match with their 1st round pick, Carlos Rodon, to help infuse more talent into their farm system.
#45 Chicago Cubs Select Jake Stinnett RHP University of Maryland
A personal favorite of mine, Stinnett is a terrific pick by the Cubs here in Round 2, and should be a relatively easy pick to sign as a college senior. Great pick! Bummer, I was hoping he would reach Washington in Round 2.
#46 Minnesota Twins Select Nick Burdi RHP University of Louisville
If not for Aaron Nola, Burdi is likely the fastest player from this class to the majors. Armed with a power fastball and slider, Burdi could get big league hitters out right now, and is a solid choice at #46.
#47 Philadelphia Phillies Select Matt Imhof LHP Cal Poly
Two solid choices, and college pitchers no less, from the Phillies on Day 1 of the draft. Imhof does not have a tremendous ceiling, but he has good polish and is a quality pick for Philly here at 47.
#48 Colorado Rockies Select Ryan Castellani RHP Arizona HS
Oozing with athleticism, Colorado selects one of the many promising high school arms here in Round 2. Expect this run to continue for much of the rest of the evening.
#49 Toronto Blue Jays Select Sean Reid-Foley RHP Florida HS
A projectable high school pitcher, I expected Reid-Foley to have been selected 20 picks higher, making him the best value pick thus far on Day 1.
#50 Milwaukee Brewers Select Monte Harrison OF Missouri HS
One of the tooliest athletes in this class, Harrison is a multi-sport athlete who shows considerable promise on the diamond. Questions exist if he will hit, but if the Brewers can sign him, they have maybe their #3 prospect in their farm system in Harrison.
#51 San Diego Padres Select Michael Gettys OF Georgia HS
Terrific, amazing athlete with questions about his future ability to hit. If he can refine his swing, this is a steal, but there is plenty of boom-and-bust involved in Gettys future. Intriguing athlete to add to the Padres system though.
#52 San Francisco Giants Select Aramis Garcia Catcher Florida International
Probably the 2nd best collegiate catcher behind Max Pentecost, Garcia showed well in the Cape League last summer and followed it up with a strong college season. I thought he might slip to the 3rd round, but I like this pick for San Francisco.
#53 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Select Joe Gatto RHP New Jersey HS
Another strong high school pitcher, Gatto is a northeastern pitcher with presumably fewer miles on his pitching arm. He will need plenty of refinement in the minors, but Gatto is a solid 2nd round pick.
#54 Arizona Diamondbacks Select Cody Reed LHP Alabama HS
A talented left-handed arm, Reed has been slightly overlooked this spring due to the depth of high school pitching in the south. A Vanderbilt commit, it will be interesting to see if the Angels are able to sign him.
#55 New York Yankees Select Jacob Lindgren LHP Mississippi State
A fast moving collegiate reliever, Lindgren has a powerful fastball slider combination and could reach the majors late this season or in 2015 as a hard-throwing lefty reliever.
#56 Kansas City Royals Select Scott Blewett RHP New York HS
The top prospect from New York, Blewett is an athletic, projectable righty with a low-mileage arm from the northeast area.
#57 WASHINGTON NATIONALS Select Andrew Suarez LHP University of Miami
A quality, and projectable collegiate lefty, Suarez has a solid fastball that can touch the mid-90s, along with a solid Slider and Changeup. With some injury concerns in his past, there is risk involved, but Suarez is a solid pick here in Round 2.
#58 Cincinnati Reds Select Taylor Sparks 3B UC Irvine
Good college hitter, Nice pick.
#59 Texas Rangers Select Ti’Quan Forbes Mississippi HS
#60 Tampa Bay Rays Select Cameron Vargan Ohio HS
#61 Cleveland Indians Select Grant Hockin California HS
#62 Los Angeles Dodgers Select Alex Verdugo OF Arizona HS
As we are seeing late in Day 1, the depth and talent of the high school class, especially on the pitching side is starting to show through.
#63 Detroit Tigers Select Spencer Turnbull RHP University of Alabama
Turnbull is a very thickly built athlete, and a solid SEC starting pitcher who could shift to the bullpen as a professional.
#64 Pittsburgh Pirates Select Mitch Keller RHP Iowa HS
#65 Oakland Athletics Select Daniel Gossett RHP Clemson University
A personal favorite of mine, Gossett was a strong Friday starter for the Tigers in 2014, and while his physical measurables are not outstanding, he knows how to pitch and has a chance to be a quality back-end starter. I really like this pick.
#66 Atlanta Braves Select Garrett Fulenchek RHP Texas HS
#67 Boston Red Sox Select Sam Travis 1B Indiana University
The best senior collegiate hitter in this year’s draft, Travis could be a left fielder as a professional, but either a 1B or LF, Travis is a bat-first prospect who will need to hit his way to Boston. That said, I think he will and like him late in Round 2.
#68 St. Louis Cardinals Select Ronnie Williams RHP Florida HS
* Comp Round B *
#69 Arizona Diamondbacks Select Marcus Wilson OF California HS
#70 Arizona Diamondbacks Select Isan Diaz SS Massachusetts HS
Good prospect but thought to have a strong commitment to Vanderbilt, he will be difficult to sign away from those Commodores.
#71 St. Louis Cardinals Select Andrew Morales RHP UC Irvine
A terrific college pitcher lacking ideal size, if he was 2-3 inches taller he would have been picked in Round 1. Nevertheless, Morales is another nice pick by the Cardinals late on Day 1.
#72 Tampa Bay Rays Select Brent Honeywell RHP Walters State CC
From the same school as Craig Kimbrel (it’s true, look it up), Honeywell is one of the earliest selections ever from this excellent baseball junior college powerhouse.
#73 Pittsburgh Pirates Select Trey Supak RHP Texas HS
The Pirates have an affinity for high school pitchers and developing them, and they did a nice job getting the talented Supak here at #73.
#74 Seattle Mariners Select Gareth Morgan OF Canada HS
The top prospect from north of the border this year, Morgan has long been on the prospect landscape. A talented player with some questions surrounding his hit tool, the Mariners chose another excellent bat here in Round 2. Great pick to complete Day 1!
And with that, the first day of the 2014 MLB Draft is in the books! I will return in the morning with my analysis of the Nationals two picks, Erick Fedde and Andrew Suarez, and I will be LIVE Blogging Day 2 of the MLB Draft beginning tomorrow at 1pm.
Thank you for joining me this evening!