The Major League Baseball Draft doesn’t have nearly the same coverage as the NFL or even the NBA draws. It also doesn’t feature players that can provide immediate impacts on their respective teams—as all have to climb the ranks of the minors before making it to the big leagues.
However, thanks to live television coverage, it has become an event worth watching and scrutinizing. With 40 rounds that span three days beginning on Thursday, there are numerous players that have the potential to be a breakthrough star in the coming years.
Here are six that present the most intrigue and a great deal of hype.
Brady Aiken (LHP)
The history of the No. 1 overall pick ranges from legends such as Ken Griffey Jr. and Chipper Jones to busts like Brien Taylor and Matt Bush. It’s expected that Aiken will now be in that mix. Houston holds the choice (for the third straight year), and all signs point to them taking the left-hander from Cathedral Catholic High School in California.
Brady Aiken, all of 17 years old, may go No. 1 overall: http://t.co/W3ZJMu8Ncd @MLBDraft begins Thursday at 7pm on @MLBNetwork & @MLB.com.
— MLB (@MLB) June 3, 2014
Although the Astros may have more needs on offense, they’d be best to play it safe and go with the always-welcome commodity of a southpaw that possesses a fastball in the mid 90s along with an effective changeup and curveball. If it is indeed Aiken, he will be added to a franchise that has seen some promise in recent weeks with the emergence of George Springer and Jonathan Singleton.
Possibly selected by: Houston Astros
Alex Jackson (C/OF)
While Aiken is the top arm in this pitching-heavy draft, the best hitting prospect is also out of California. Jackson hails from Rancho Bernardo High in San Diego. His chances of falling to the Padres at No. 13 are slim, with other teams ahead of them itching for his bat.
The Cubs covet a power hitter (6’2”, 200 pounds) that can be welcomed to the idea of playing most of his games at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field (especially when the wind is blowing out), but a club two spots ahead of them (with a much more cavernous park) will snatch him up. Whichever team takes him would be wise to put him in the outfield versus catching in order to further prevent injuries.
Possibly selected by: Miami Marlins
Carlos Rodon (LHP)
For sentimentality’s sake, the easy call for this Miami native would be for him to be chosen by the Marlins. Rodon, a star at N.C. State, could also easily go to Houston at No. 1. In fact, many mock drafts have him slotted at the top of the board.
But the team picking third will be lucky to see him drop down in its lap. With at 6’3”, 235-pound frame, Rodon has provided the Wolfpack with consistency and durability—able to go deep into games while still maintaining a fastball that can register 97 miles per hour and a killer slider, to boot.
Possibly selected by: Chicago White Sox
Tyler Kolek (RHP)
Just as capable of bringing the heat, Kolek—hailing from Texas’ Sheppard High School—also has the potential to land in the Windy City.
This power arm can even lock opposing batters’ knees with a nasty breaking ball, the perfect combination for a top of the rotation starter. Even his command, something that high-schoolers naturally struggle with, is top-notch relative to fellow prospects. That said, raw talent will be enough for one team in the top five to snatch him up.
Possibly selected by: Chicago Cubs
Nick Gordon (SS):
Over the spring, Gordon made a major jump up teams’ draft boards with a multitude of skills showcased at Olympia High School (Fla.). But he certainly has baseball roots—with his father being former relief pitcher Tom Gordon and his brother being current Dodger shortstop Dee Gordon.
Even though he can also pitch, Nick’s combination of a strong arm and solid footwork make him more suited for the middle infield. At the plate, he has more power than Dee—which makes up for a being a bit slower on the base paths.
Possibly selected by: Minnesota Twins
Bradley Zimmer (OF):
Unlike Gordon, the ratings vary on Zimmer. Some mock drafts have him in the top six, while others bury him near the No. 20 slot.
And for those siding with the latter, it isn’t due to a disappointing senior season. Zimmer led the San Francisco Dons offense with a .368 batting average, seven homers, 31 runs batted in and 21 stolen bases in 54 games—en route to being named to the All-West Coast Conference team for the second year in a row.
If there’s a better present hit tool in the 2014 #MLBDraft than that of Brad Zimmer, I haven’t seen it yet.
— Todd Gold (@TGold_PG) April 5, 2014
The Phillies, who pick at No. 7, should salivate at the possibility of taking a polished college hitter that can make more of an instant impact for a club with an aging offense.
Possibly selected by: Philadelphia Phillies