Pick 21
Tampa Bay Rays |
Nick
Ciuffo
C
Lexington (HS) S.C. | Ciuffo jumped into first-round consideration thanks to a strong showing on the showcase circuit last year. He's a big, physical kid at 6-1 and 205 pounds, and he's made big strides with his receiving and release. His left-handed swing hints at future power potential. Ciuffo earns high praise for his intangibles, including his leadership skills and baseball smarts. The South Carolina commit may not have the loudest tools among the draft's top catching prospects, but he has the best all-around ability. |
Pick 22
Baltimore Orioles |
Hunter
Harvey
Brandys
(HS) N.C. | The son of former major-league closer Bryan Harvey, Hunter Harvey has solid velo readings and one of the better high-school curveballs in the draft. He needs some mechanical refinements and a reliable third pitch, but the foundation -- the plus fastball and the high-ceiling breaking pitch -- is there. He's not committed to pitch in college, so he could be very signable. |
Pick 23
Texas Rangers |
Alex
Gonzalez
RHP
Oral Roberts | Gonzalez turned down the Orioles as an 11th-round pick in 2010, and this year he's gone 9-5 with a 1.83 ERA and 126/27 K/BB in 113.1 innings. He uses his 6-3, 200-pound frame to deal low-90s cutting fastballs and a mid-to-upper-80s slider that ranks as one of the best in the draft. A changeup gives him a usable third pitch. Gonzales repeats his delivery well and throws strikes, making him the perfect target for a team looking to add a high-probability college arm to their system. |
Pick 24
Oakland Athletics |
Billy
McKinney
OF
Plano West
(HS) Texas | A TCU commit with a nice 6-2, 195-pound frame, McKinney has one of the sweetest swings in the entire draft class. The lefty-swinger gets the fat part of the bat on the ball consistently thanks to quick hands and a discerning approach. His future position is unclear because his speed and arm are just OK, making left field a likely destination. McKinney has a lot of fans because he plays all-out with a ton of energy. |
Pick 25
San Francisco Giants |
Christian
Arroyo
SS
Hernando (HS)
Fla. | Arroyo probably won't remain at short in the pros, but it's possible he could wind up at catcher or third base. If it's the former, then his bat (and strong throwing arm) will play. If pushed to third, though, Arroyo may lack the raw power most organizations like to see from the position. He's not a fast runner, but he does have excellent instincts in the field and on the bases. Athletically limited somewhat, but a smart and hard-working baseball player. |
Pick 26
New York Yankees |
Eric
Jagielo
3B
Notre Dame | The 1,510th of 1,525 players drafted in 2010, Jagielo followed through on his commitment to Notre Dame and came into the week hitting .388/.500/.633 with nine home runs in 56 games. He has some of the biggest left-handed power in the draft class, and he made major strides with his plate discipline and ability to make contact this year.
His defense at the hot corner has also improved -- he didn't start playing third full-time until last year -- and he's no longer considered a lock to move to first base or an outfield corner. |
Pick 27
Cincinatti Reds |
Phillip
Ervin
OF
Samford | Ervin, who went undrafted out of high school because he tore a knee ligament playing football, is one of the top statistical performers in the draft class -- he came into the week hitting .337/.459/.597 with 11 home runs and 32 stolen bases in 55 games. He slashes line drives to all fields from the right side, and he has surprising power considering his 5-11, 190-pound frame.
An advanced and disciplined approach at the plate serve him well. Ervin runs well but he might have enough defensive skills to stick at center long-term. He has battled a nagging left ankle sprain this spring but remains one of the better college bats available. |
Pick 28
(Compensation)
St Louis Cardinals |
Rob
Kaminsky
LHP
St. Joseph
Regional (HS) N.J. | Kaminsky is listed at 6-0 and 190 pounds, which might be a little generous. The southpaw stands out for his stuff and his polish rather than his size, however. His fastball sits in the 89-91 mph range and he can dot it on the corners of both sides of the plate. A hard upper-70s curveball and low-80s changeup are both strong advanced secondary offerings. Kaminsky draws raves for his pitching know-how and polish, especially considering he's a high-schooler from a cold-weather state. He is committed to UNC. |
Pick 29
(Compensation)
Tampa Bay Rays |
Ryne
Stanek
RHP
Arkansas | Stanek turned down the Mariners as the 99th overall pick out of high school in 2010, and he came into the spring as a candidate to go first overall. Listed at 6-4 and 190 pounds, the right-hander sits anywhere from 90-98 mph with his fastball while backing it up with a vicious mid-to-upper-80s slider. His changeup has improved but remains a distant third pitch.
Stanek came into the week with a 10-2 record and a 1.39 ERA in 97.2 innings this spring, but there is some concern because he issues a few too many walks (41) and doesn't pick up as many strikeouts (79) as his stuff suggests. His fastball and slider might be the best two-pitch combination in the draft, though, and at worst he should be a lights-out reliever. |
Pick 30
(Compensation)
Texas Rangers |
Travis
Demeritte
3B
Winder-Barrow (HS) Ga. | Demeritte brings to the draft a lightning-quick bat, power from foul pole to foul pole and the raw arm strength to remain on the left side of the infield. He needs coaching, though, as Demeritte has an exploitable swing that won't hold up in the pros without some mechanical improvements. He's projectable but raw. |
Pick 31
(Compensation)
Atlanta Braves |
Jason
Hursh
RHP
Oklahoma St. | A 2012 redshirt after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Hursh this season pitched to a 2.79 ERA and struck out 86 and walked 28 in 106 1/3 innings. Over that span, he gave up just four home runs. In 2013, Hursh touched the high 90s with his four-seamer, but his secondary stuff is lacking, even by amateur standards. He profiles as a reliever at the highest level. In 2010, Hursh was a sixth-round choice by the Pirates coming out of high school. |
Pick 32
(Compensation)
New York Yankees |
Aaron
Judge
OF
Fresno St. | No player in the draft is more physically imposing than Judge. He's listed at a monstrous 6-7 and 255 pounds, but he is not just a lumbering slugger. His speed, arm and athleticism are all above-average in addition to his light-tower power, making him a legitimate power-speed prospect. Judge doesn't always tap into his power in games because he can have a hard time lifting the ball, but it's in there. Center fielders this size are unprecedented, meaning Judge will likely settle into right field down the road. |
Pick 33
(Compensation)
New York Yankees |
Ian
Clarkin
LHP
James Madison (HS) Calif. | A star on the showcase circuit last year, Clarkin is a classic prep left-hander with a low-90s fastball and a big-breaking curveball. He's listed at 6-2 and 190 pounds, so there is room to add some muscle and velocity. His changeup and command both need work, however. Clarkin is committed to San Diego and has the best two-pitch mix among high school lefties in the draft class. |