2014 Cubs Pick Discussion

Let's use the existing thread to talk about the draft as a whole and this one to focus on the actual picks for the Cubs.

Edit - No offense Tim, but we're using this post to update signings and info.

2014 Bonus Pool (signed picks only): $8,382,200

2014 Bonus Pool (signed picks only) Including 5% Overage: $8,801,310

2014 Bonus Pool Spending: $8,864,000

2014 Bonus Pool +/-: $381,800 Over Budget (the first $100,000 in a bonus for players selected after round 10 doesn't count against the pool)

2014 Bonus Pool +/- Including 5% Overage: $37,310 Under Budget (the first $100,000 in a bonus for players selected after round 10 doesn't count against the pool)

Cubs Picks (signings in bold; all scouting reports are free from MLB.com):

1.4 (Pool Amount: $4,621,200) - Kyle Schwarber, C/1B/OF, Indiana - $3.125 million bonus - BA rank: 17, MLB.com: 16, Scout.com: 20

Scouting Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 65 | Run: 40 | Arm: 40 | Field: 40 | Overall: 55

 

Schwarber powered Indiana to its first College World Series appearance and first outright Big Ten Conference regular-season championship since 1932 last year, slugging a school-record 18 homers and ranking third in NCAA Division I in that category. Undrafted and relatively unknown coming out of an Ohio high school, he has since established himself as the premier power hitter in the 2014 college Draft class.

 

He offers lots of strength and bat speed from the left side of the plate, and he's not a one-dimensional hitter either. Schwarber controls the strike zone well and repeatedly barrels balls, so he should hit for a high average as well.

 

His offensive ability could make him a star as a catcher -- provided that he can stay behind the plate. While he moves well for his size, his throwing and receiving both grade as below average and could prompt a move to the outfield, where he has seen time for the Hoosiers.

2.45 (Pool Amount: $1,250,400) - Jake Stinnett, RHP, Maryland (sr) - $1 million bonus - BA rank: 67, MLB.com: 72, Scout.com: 81

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

 

College seniors have done well with the new Draft rules as teams try to find ways to strategically use their bonus pools. Stinnett has the chance to be the first senior to come off the board in 2014.

 

Originally a two-way player who played third base for the Terrapins, Stinnett started focusing on pitching only as a junior in 2013. He's really taken off this season, showing a jump in velocity up into the mid 90s with plenty of sink. His slider has greatly improved, flashing as a plus pitch. His changeup is behind the other two, but he has shown some feel for it. The focus on pitching has helped his command, and he's able to pitch to both sides of the plate.

 

There is some effort to his delivery, but not enough to make a team think he can't start. College seniors typically are value picks, but Stinnett has the chance to go in the early rounds based on his size and stuff alone.

3.78 (Pool Amount: $714,900) - Mark Zagunis, C, Virginia Tech - $615,000 bonus - BA rank: 111, MLB.com: 149, Scout.com: 112

A three-year starter at Virginia Tech and a Johnny Bench Award semifinalist, Zagunis is an athletic catcher who has performed in one of the better college conferences in the nation. The ACC standout has shown a propensity for putting the ball in play and hitting for average, albeit from a slightly unusual setup. He's shown some extra-base pop in the past, though not as much in 2014. He runs extremely well for a catcher and has shown that his athleticism plays well in the outfield. His arm is average but on target, and his other skills say he could stay behind the plate full-time. The team that believes he can continue to hit might think he has the chance to be an everyday backstop in the future, and it will draft him accordingly. At the very least, Zagunis' versatility provides a team with options if catching doesn't work out.

4.109 (Pool Amount: $480,600) - Carson Sands, LHP, North Florida Christian HS (Tallahassee, FL) - $1.1 million bonus - committed to Florida State - BA rank: 53, MLB.com rank: 53, Scout.com: 64

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

 

Along with Matthew Railey, his North Florida Christian teammate and fellow Florida State commit, Sands has seen his stock increase this spring.

 

Sands' rise has been partly attributable to the strength gains he has made over the past year. That led to a jump in his fastball velocity, and he now throws the pitch in the low 90s, regularly touching 94 mph. He also throws a solid 12-to-6 curveball and has a good feel for his changeup. He repeats his delivery well, allowing him to throw strikes with all three of his pitches.

 

Sands' strong season, size, stuff and projectability have helped push him up Draft boards as more scouts see him pitch.

5.139 (Pool Amount: $359,900) - Justin Steele, LHP, George County HS (Lucedale, MS) - committed to Southern Mississippi - $1 million bonus - BA rank: 121, MLB.com: 122, Scout.com: 154

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

 

Not since 1999, when the Braves took Matt Butler in the second round, has a Mississippi high school pitcher signed out of the first five rounds of the Draft. A lefty with a loose, quick arm, Steele should end that drought this June.

 

Steele baffled scouts at the East Coast Professional Showcase last summer, when he ran his fastball into the low 90s but later dipped to the mid-80s. He has done a better job of holding his velocity this spring, working at 88-92 mph and reaching back for 94-95 on occasion. He's better when he throws with less effort in his delivery and gets more quality life on his heater.

 

Steele's curveball used to stick out more for its shape than its velocity, but he has boosted it from the upper 60s to the low 70s as a senior. His changeup has some movement, but the Southern Mississippi recruit tips it off by slowing his arm speed and doesn't trust it much. Though he's athletic, his lack of size and true command could have him destined for the bullpen.

6.169 (Pool Amount: $269,500) - Dylan Cease, RHP, Milton HS (Milton, GA) - committed to Vanderbilt - $1.5 million bonus - BA rank: 77, MLB.com: 76, Scout.com: 80

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

 

Cease is one of the hardest throwing high school pitchers in the 2014 Draft class, but he was dealt a significant setback this spring. He suffered an elbow injury that has kept him off the mound since March, leaving his future uncertain.

 

When healthy, Cease throws his fastball from 91-95 mph, topping out at 97 mph. He doesn't have a physical frame, instead generating his velocity with athleticism and arm speed. There is some effort to his delivery, and the rest of his game may remain inconsistent until he refines it.

 

His mid-70s curveball will range from a below-average to an above-average pitch, and his changeup shows flashes of becoming an effective offering, but he'll need to throw it more often.

 

Cease, who plays with his twin brother at Milton High, is committed to Vanderbilt.

7.199 (Pool Amount: $201,900) - James Norwood, RHP, St. Louis - $175,000 bonus - BA rank: 79, MLB.com: 119, Scout.com: 102

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45

 

A year after going winless and battling an elbow strain, Norwood is poised to become the highest June Draft pick out of Saint Louis in history. He figures to go in the first three to five rounds after displaying one of the best fastballs among college starters in this year's class.

 

Norwood's fastball has been clocked up to 98 mph, and he usually operates at 91-95 with some sinking and tailing action. He doesn't miss as many bats as that velocity indicates he should, because he lacks a quality secondary pitch to keep hitters from focusing on his fastball. He probably would be better off working on one breaking ball rather than throwing both a curveball and a hard cutter/slider, and his changeup is still a work in progress.

 

Though he has a strong build, Norwood features enough effort in his delivery to raise questions about his long-term durability as a starter. He'll remain in the rotation for now, but his ability to refine his secondary offerings will determine his ultimate role.

8.229 (Pool Amount: $191,800) - Tommy Thorpe, LHP, Oregon - $135,000 bonus - Scout.com: on the list of 292-546th best prospects (only the top 291 are ranked)

9.259 (Pool Amount: $151,000) - James Farris, RHP, Arizona (sr) - $3,000 bonus - BA rank: 357

6'2" 220lbs DOB: 04/04/92Farris has been a member of Arizona’s starting rotation for the last three years. As a sophomore, he started the clinching game of Wildcats’ 2012 College World Series championship. Farris doesn’t have overwhelming stuff, but knows how to use it and commands all of his pitches well. His fastball sits in the upper-80s and he can manipulate it to add or subtract velocity or movement depending on the situation. His changeup is his best pitch and he also throws a curveball, though it’s a below-average offering. Farris was selected in the 15th round last year by the Astros, but elected to return to Arizona for his senior year. He could be a solid option this year for a team looking to save money in its Draft budget.

10.289 (Pool Amount: $141,000) - Ryan Williams, RHP, East Carolina (sr) - $1,000 bonus

11.319: Jordan Brink, RHP, Fresno State - $100,000 bonus - BA rank: 164, MLB.com: 102, Scout.com: 105

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 60 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45

 

There have been some interesting pitching prospects in recent Drafts who came late to full-time pitching, including first-rounders Braden Shipley in 2013 and Kyle Zimmer in 2012. While Brink isn't quite that high-profile, he has the chance to do well now that he's focused only on the mound.

 

An outfielder for his first two years at Fresno State, Brink split time between playing that position and pitching as a sophomore then turned to pitching full-time in 2014. He's athletic, if a bit undersized, with the makings of two plus pitches in his fastball and spike curveball, which looks like a hard slider at times. He's working on developing his changeup.

 

The jury is still out on whether Brink can start long-term -- sometimes a bias against undersized right-handers -- or he'll end up in the bullpen. Either way, his arm looks like it has a shot to pitch at the highest level.

12.349: Tanner Griggs, RHP, Angelina College (TX) - committed to Texas A&M - Corpus Christi - BA rank: 425, Scout.com: on the list of 292-546th best prospects (only the top 291 are ranked)

13.379: Kevonte Mitchell, 3B, Kennett HS (Kennett, MO) - $200,000 bonus - committed to Southeast Missouri

14.409: Chesny Young, 2B, Mercer - Scout.com: on the list of 292-546th best prospects (only the top 291 are ranked)

15.439: Jeremy Null, RHP, Western Carolina - BA rank: 441, Scout.com: on the list of 292-546th best prospects (only the top 291 are ranked)

16.469: Jason Vosler, SS, Northeastern

17.499: John Michael Knighton, RHP, Central Alabama CC - committed to Troy

18.529: Austyn Willis, RHP, Barstow HS (Barstow, CA) - committed to UC Santa Barbara

19.559: Brad Markey, RHP, Virginia Tech (senior)

20.589: John Tomasovich, SS, Charleston Southern (senior)

21.619: Charles White, OF, Maryland

22.649: Joey Martarano, 3B, Boise State (freshman) - BA rank in 2013: 149

23.679: Isiah Gilliam, 1B/OF, Parkview HS (Lilburn, GA) (HS jr) - committed to Chipola CC - BA rank: 132, MLB.com: 114

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

 

Just a few months ago, Gilliam was classified as a junior and a member of the 2015 Draft class. But because he began high school in 2010 and his eligibility is set to expire, he was able to move up his graduation to 2014 and become eligible for this year's Draft. The change left scouts scrambling to see him late this spring.

 

Gilliam is a switch-hitter and uses his quick, compact swing to generate good bat speed. He produces solid power and drives balls well from both sides of the plate.

 

Gilliam plays mostly first base now, but he is athletic enough to play in an outfield corner, despite his below-average speed.

24.709: Daniel Spingola, OF, Georgia Tech

25.739: Tyler Pearson, C, Texas State - (senior)

26.769: Zach Hedges, RHP, Azusa Pacific

27.799: Calvin Graves, OF, Franklin Pierce (senior)

28.829: Jacob Niggemeyer, RHP, Olentangy Liberty HS (Powell, OH) - committed to Ohio State

29.859: Gianni Zayas, RHP, Seminole State CC

30.889: Michael Cantu, C, Foy H Moody HS (Corpus Christi, TX) - committed to Texas - BA rank: 161, MLB.com: 139

Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 20 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

 

The position-player crop in Texas is exceptionally thin in 2014, from the colleges down through the high schools. The Lone State State may not have a hitter taken in the top three rounds for the first time since 1981. The best candidate is Cantu, who offers intriguing power potential and raw arm strength.

 

Cantu can put on a batting-practice show that rivals anyone's in this year's high school class, though his long all-or-nothing swing leads to swings and misses in game action. He has a strong arm, but he often records fringy pop times because his footwork and transfer are slow.

 

Scouts love Cantu's makeup and leadership skills, which were also on display when he quarterbacked the Moody football team, coached by his father Mike. While he has two captivating tools, there are enough questions about his bat and his agility that he may not get drafted high enough to lure him away from a commitment to Texas.

31.919: Brad Deppermann, RHP, East Lake HS (Tarpon Springs, FL) - committed to North Florida - BA rank: 192

32.949: Andrew Ely, 2B, Washington

33.979: Brad Bass, RHP, Lincoln-Way Central HS (New Lenox, IL) - committed to Notre Dame - MLB.com rank: 165

Scouts were excited about Bass' projectability and gave him a chance to pitch his way into the top three rounds this spring. He hasn't lived up to those hopes, however, as he played basketball during the winter and wasn't in peak baseball shape when the spring began.

 

It's still easy to dream on Bass, but whether he'll go high enough in the Draft to be lured away from a Notre Dame scholarship remains to be seen. He's lean and athletic, with plenty of room to add strength in the future. He'll show a 91-mph fastball early in games, though his velocity tapers off to the mid-80s in later innings.

 

Bass' slider has the potential to become an out pitch. It has some bite and reaches the low 80s at times, and he commands it well. His changeup needs a lot of work, and some scouts aren't enamored of his delivery.

34.1009: Steven Kane, RHP, Cypress CC - committed to Tennessee

35.1039: Jordan Minch, LHP, Purdue (sophomore) - $110,000 bonus

36.1069: DJ Peters, OF, Glendora HS (Glendora, CA) - Cal State Fullerton commit - BA rank: 112

37.1099: Riley Adams, C, Canyon Crest Academy (San Diego, CA) - San Diego commit - BA rank: 154

38.1129: Daniel Wasinger, C, Eastlake HS (El Paso, TX)

39.1159: David Petrino, C, Central Arizona JC - committed to Oklahoma State

40.1189: Diamond Johnson, OF, Hillsborough HS (Tampa, FL) - committed to St. Petersburg College