Callis, Mayo take first crack at top 10 2014 Draft picks
Our First-Year Player Draft experts, Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo, take their first crack at projecting how the top 10 selections in 2014 will unfold:
1. Astros
Callis: Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State -- Best college lefty since David Price (2007). Biggest front-runner for No. 1 overall pick since Bryce Harper ('10).
Mayo: Rodon -- About as no-brainer as it can be at this point. It'd be more of a surprise if he didn't go No. 1.
2. Marlins
Callis: Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina -- Could challenge Rodon for top selection. Has similar fastball and better changeup and command.
Mayo: Alex Jackson, C/OF, Rancho Bernardo HS, San Diego -- The top high school player in the class, and Miami hasn't shied away from taking exciting young bats (see Yelich, Christian).
3. White Sox
Callis: Tyler Kolek, RHP, Shepherd (Texas) HS -- White Sox love high-ceiling players, and Kolek has a huge one with a fastball that already reaches 99 mph.
Mayo: Hoffman -- The White Sox like their athletes, but they also like big, strong starting pitching. After Rodon, Hoffman is the best in the class.
4. Cubs
Callis: Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt -- Cubs almost certainly will take a pitcher after spending last two top-six choices on bats, though Beede must refine his command.
Mayo: Trea Turner, SS, North Carolina State -- How about a future left side of the infield featuring Kris Bryant, the No. 2 pick in the 2013 Draft, and Turner, a leadoff type with 80 speed?
5. Twins
Callis: Jackson -- With Joe Mauer moving to first base, Jackson would be a nice fit; Minnesota also could use his power.
Mayo: Beede -- A former first-round pick back in 2011, look for Beede to answer questions about his command this spring and be among the top college arms taken in June.
6. Mariners
Callis: Turner -- Seattle has young middle infielders, but Turner's speed/bat/defense combo will be too much to ignore.
Mayo: Jacob Gatewood, SS, Clovis (Calif.) HS -- The power is more than legit, but there are some questions about the hit tool ... not enough to keep him out of Top 10 consideration.
7. Phillies
Callis: Gatewood -- Philadelphia isn't afraid to gamble on upside; could opt for Gatewood's massive power or Michael Gettys' all-around package.
Mayo: Michael Gettys, OF, Gainesville (Ga.) HS -- The Phils have taken a high schooler with their first pick in each of the last six Drafts. They seem to like toolsy position players and Gettys fits that description perfectly.
8. Rockies
Callis: Gettys -- Has the best collection of tools in this Draft class; could go higher if he answers questions about his bat.
Mayo: Aaron Nola, RHP, LSU -- After nabbing Jonathan Gray at No. 3 in 2013, adding Nola could give them a very nice 1-2 punch that could get to Coors Field in a hurry.
9. Blue Jays
Callis: Touki Toussaint, RHP, Coral Springs (Fla.) Christian Academy -- After failing to sign Phil Bickford in 2013, Toronto lands another high school righty with devastating stuff.
Mayo: Kolek -- It might be too easy to give the Blue Jays the top high-ceiling high school arm available, but they don't shy away from rolling the dice in that fashion.
10. Mets
Callis: Brady Aiken, LHP, Central Catholic HS (San Diego) -- New York's last three first-rounders have been hitters, so the ultra-polished Aiken would make a lot of sense.
Mayo: Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia -- After going the high school position player route in the first round for the last three Drafts, maybe the Mets go for a more advanced player. If not a pitcher, then a bat like Fisher, relying on the fact that UVA bats tend to perform better in the pro game.