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None of the major draft publications have released any draft boards for 2014 so here's my list of top college guys for 2014. Keep in mind, this time last year, not only did no one know Sean Manaea, even Jonathon Crawford hadn't blown up and turned into a possible top 10 pick. These kids develop at different paces.

1. Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State – Would have been the #1 overall pick in 2012 as a freshman if he were eligible. Ditto for this year’s draft.
2. Trea Turner, SS, North Carolina State – He is converting to SS and I think he can pull it off (he played 3B as a freshman) but if he can’t handle SS, his stock would drop quite a bit. Probably has 80 speed.
3. Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt – First round pick in 2011 who struggled last season as a freshman but has come on strong this year with a rebound in velocity.
4. Austin Cousino, OF, Kentucky
5. Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina – Broke out in the Cape Cod League.
6. Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia
7. Michael Conforto, OF, Oregon State – Love his bat but he’s not as athletic as Cousino or Fisher. Will have to play corner OF.
8. Michael Cederoth, RHP, San Diego State
9. Matt Chapman, 3B, Cal State Fullerton
10. Nick Burdi, RHP, Louisville - Has hit 100 - currently closing for Louisville but should have starting potential.
11. Aaron Nola, RHP, LSU – LSU’s Friday night starter over potential 2013 first rounder Ryan Eades.
12. Kevin Cron, 1B, Texas Christian – CJ Cron’s brother.
13. Brandon Finnegan, LHP, TCU
14. Mason Robbins, OF, Southern Mississippi

Karsten Whitson, RHP, Florida – It’s possible he returns for a redshirt junior season and bounces back to where he was last fall and his freshman year.

High School:

Jacob Gatewood, SS, Clovis HS (Clovis, CA) – Perfect Game, BA and Keith Law have mentioned he’s a possible top-10 pick.
Alex Jackson, C/OF, Rancho Bernardo HS (San Diego, CA) – Perfect Game, BA and Keith Law have mentioned he’s a possible top-10 pick.
Touki Toussaint, RHP, Coral Springs Academy (Coral Springs, FL) – Topped out at 97 in a showcase event, BA *loves* him.
Nick Gordon, SS, Olympia HS (MFer Windermere, FL) – Dee Gordon’s brother. BA and PG love him but dude still only weighs 140 lbs as a HS junior.

Overall, the 2014 draft is stronger than 2012 and 2013. The college class of 2014 is easily much stronger than the past two years and if Gatewood and Jackson are as good as their hype, the HS class will definitely be stronger than this year's draft.

Just looked up a bit on Gatewood. A 6'5 shortstop? That's unique, assuming he has a shot to stick.

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Have to assume Whitson is going to stay until '14. Even if he rebounds and has a healthy season I still don't think you can take him in the first round. I Really wish there was even a slight chance at getting Rodon.

How much better of a prospect, at this point, is Rodon than, say, Manaea?

Callis answered this question today. Here are his top 5 2013 and 2014 draft prospects.

1. Carlos Rodon, lhp, North Carolina State (2014 draft)
His 92-96 mph fastball and his slider are unhittable.
2. Mark Appel, rhp, Stanford (2013 draft)
Entered 2012 as top draft prospect, did the same this year.
3. Austin Meadows, of, Grayson HS, Loganville, Ga. (2013 draft)
Grayson also has nation's top prep football prospect this year (Robert Nkemdiche).
4. Sean Manaea, lhp, Indiana State (2013 draft)
Dominated Cape League with mid-90s fastball that touched 98 mph.
5. Alex Jackson, c/of, Rancho Bernardo HS, San Diego (2014 draft)
Owns plus power and may be able to stay behind the plate.

In the Ask BA column Redfood mentioned, Callis suggested Rodon would be a top 20 prospect if he were in the minors now while Manaea would be in the top 40.



Consistency and control are the biggest issue for Manaea. His raw fastball is better than Rodon's but Rodon has a better second and third pitch and he's had success for a longer time (Manaea just blew up last summer in the Cape Cod League while Rodon was well thought of during his senior year in high school).

The Astros can go ahead and lay claim to Rodon, they may not win 40 games this year. The Twins, Marlins, and Rockies are all going to be awful as well. My guess is thats the top 4(or bottom). After that, it'll get really shaky. If we miss the playoffs, it makes since to finish in the worst 10 records, especially since I suspect we'll be after higher end FA next offseason. But I think it'll take a relatively large selloff for us to finish in that area personally. Right now, I think the Orioles, Royals, Mariners, Mets, Pirates, Brewers, and Padres will all be in the same win range as us.

I agree, I see us picking somewhere in the top 12 next year but probably not top 4. I'd probably throw the D'backs and Indians in that group of the last teams that are close to us as well.

Rodon went 7 hitless, walked 1, K'd 14.

Cubs should start tanking now.

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"I know my title is general manager, but I consider myself the director of spending for the N.Y. Yankees." — Brian Cashman.

I think we can start referring to Rodon as "future Astro Carlos Rodon."

The bullpen held up their part for a combined no-hitter for NC State.

Too true...

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"I know my title is general manager, but I consider myself the director of spending for the N.Y. Yankees." — Brian Cashman.

Jacob Lindgren, a 2011 Cubs 12th rounder who didn't sign, is blowing up for Mississippi State and looks like a first rounder next year.

Rodon so far today- 4 perfect, 10 K's.

12 K's and perfect thru 5 now. Last 2 starts for Rodon: 12IP, 0H, 1W, 26K's.

Thru 7, he's given up 3 hits, 3 walks, a run, and K'd 16. Done for the day.

It'd almost be painful to have the number 1 pick and have to "suffer" threw every single 100+pitch start hoping he doesn't blow his elbow out. Well, not painful, but stressful.

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Michael Conforto hit four home runs this weekend.

The more I read about the guys in this class, the more I'm seeing a class like 2011.

Kiley McDaniel:



TCU lefty Brandon Finnegan is trending up while TCU 1B Kevin Cron is trending down.

Yikes. Carlos Rodon gave up 8 runs to Clemson in the 4th after 3 scoreless innings.

This game is on ESPN3.

Nick Burdi: 3 IP 1 H 0 R 1 BB 7 K's

His max effort delivery is still a little scary.

Trea Turner sprained his ankle and is out 4-6 weeks.

Jacob Lindgren was hit by a line drive on his knee on Friday and will miss at least a couple of weeks.

I love Derek Fisher, but I still wonder if he goes that high. His bat does seem to be that good, though, and could carry him there.

Two UVA guys I wouldn't sleep on (the sophomore class is very good ... ) -

Brandon Downes - I believe the Red Sox drafted him late in 2011, so Theo should have some information on him. Tall, lanky kid with above average speed and a chance to stick in CF, and there's some developing power. Approach is fairly solid. He doubles as the backup catcher at times, but his future is in the OF. May have to move to the corner long run, but through his pre-prime, should have enough to be considered in CF.

Nick Howard - Perhaps UVA's most fascinating prospect in that, I really don't know if his future is best as a starter or as a 3rd baseman. He's that solid in both areas. I guess we'll see how his stuff holds through ACC season, but I wonder if doing both things hurts him a bit. I just wonder if he might push forward a lot more as a pitcher if he focused just on that. As a 3rd baseman, seems to have the range and action to stick, along with the power potential.

(to be clear, I don't really think Howard will emerge as a top 2 round type selection ... Downes, on the other hand, I think has the ability to potentially go in the top 2 rounds)