Top Pitching Talent Available in 2014 MLB Draft

Every now and again, we get some freelance work from writers. It has been awhile, but always if you want to write about something, email me snotap12@gmail.com. This is Sam Larston on the upcoming MLB Draft.   

The spring and summer is dominated by draft talk surrounding sports, but most of that seems focused on the NFL and NBA. Baseball has a draft each June as well, but the differences are it takes place during the season, and the players are usually a few years away from playing in the majors. Diehard fans know that this is the best and cheapest way to become contenders again, especially for small market teams.

There are a few projected top of the rotation guys in this loaded draft class, and those who play daily fantasy baseball could see them making an impact in just two or three seasons. Here is a look at three of the best.

Carlos Rodon

Finding high ceiling left-handed pitching in the draft is gold, so it comes as no surprise that many see him as the number one overall pick. Not only does he have a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, but he has some of the best offspeed stuff in the college ranks as well. A college pitcher usually is closer to the majors, therefore Houston could decide to take him first to help turn around their staff as quickly as possible.

Brady Aiken

The Californian high schooler has been dominant up to his point in his career, but of course he is going to need more seasoning before being ready for the majors. He is a guy with nice size (6’4”, 200 pounds) whom could add some additional bulk to throw even harder in a few years. Most high school pitchers do not have the advanced stuff he does as far as secondary pitches are concerned, but Aiken already locates a curveball and changeup well.

Tyler Kolek

Those who like speed will like what Kolek brings to the table. The Texas high schooler is a guy who can already throw triple-digits, and his 6’6” frame shows that he probably won’t be breaking down any time soon. He needs to develop other pitches before he is ready for the majors, but he might have the highest ceiling out of them all. Some still think he is in play for the number one overall pick, but a safer projection is top five without question. He could be an ace in daily fantasy baseball in just a few years with a better changeup and a hard slider.

-Sam Larston