Top 10 Major League Baseball Draft high school prospects

A strong group of pitchers highlights this year's high school draft class, with five expected to be among the top 10 high school players selected in the 2014 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.

However, the top two players, based on a compilation of mock drafts, are position players from California - catcher Alex Jackson of Rancho Bernardo (San Diego) and shortstop Jacob Gatewood of Clovis. Both earn their spot at the top with their potential as power hitters at the next level.

Here's a look at the top 10 high school baseball prospects for the 2014 MLB Draft.


1. Alex Jackson, Rancho Bernardo (San Diego)
Probably the most consistent prospect on the list, Jackson has routinely been among the top three high school players in every mock draft. He could be the top position player chosen in the draft, although there's no guarantee that he will remain at catcher. Jackson's raw power includes 36 home runs at the high school level over three seasons.

2. Jacob Gatewood, Clovis (Calif.)
Slowed by an injury for most of last year, Gatewood has been outstanding during the summer showcases. Scouts like his size (6-foot-5, 190 pounds) and his arm. His pop at the plate also makes him a high draft pick, possibly among the first 10 picks in the first round. He starts at shortstop, but some reports having him moving to third base at the next level.

3. Tyler Kolek, Shepherd (Texas)
A break on his non-throwing hand limited Kolek's playing time last year and as a result he wasn't even listed in the first mock draft released in June. However, since June, when he threw around 100 mph in a showcase event, Kolek has consistently been one of the top three high school players listed. Kolek is a big kid at 6-5, 250 pounds. Some scouts see Kolek capable of adding a few mph to his fastball if he gets in better condition. He will likely be the top high school pitcher chosen and probably won't last past the fifth pick in the draft.

4. Touki Toussaint, Coral Springs Christian (Coral Springs, Fla.)
Toussaint might have been the hottest prospect right after last year's draft, as one mock draft in June listed him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft. Mock drafts produced in the last few months have Toussaint slipping some, but that may be due more to the emergence of Kolek and Gatewood than any deficiency on Toussaint's part. Toussaint's best assets are his athletic ability, a 98 mph fastball and a hard-breaking curveball. Expect Toussaint to go somewhere in the top 12.

5. Braxton Davidson, Roberson (Asheville, N.C.)
Davidson has consistently been listed as one of the top five players in every mock draft. An infielder in high school, he could move to the outfield at the next level. Davidson doesn't have great power, but scouts expect him to be a consistent hitter at the next level. He could go somewhere in the top 15.

6. Michael Gettys, Gainesville (Ga.)
Gettys has been a steady riser and has even been listed as high as the No. 4 pick overall in one mock draft. He is seen as the high schooler with the most tools in the draft, as he possesses a great arm, great speed and outstanding ability at the plate. He could be the first true outfielder chosen.

7. Grant Holmes, Conway (S.C.)
Holmes is seen as a pitcher with three potential big league pitches, including a fastball that approaches 96 mph, a heavy-dropping curveball and an above average changeup. Holmes is seen as one of the more polished high school pitchers in the draft. Look for him to go late in the first round.

8. Brady Aiken, Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)
At 6-4, 210 pounds, Aiken has the type of frame scouts like. Even better, he's consistently around the strike zone. While he doesn't have an overpowering fastball (91 mph), scouts expect it to improve. He proved himself to be a big-time pitcher with this performance at the Team USA 18U World Cup gold medal game. Look for him to go in the bottom third of the first round.

9. Nick Gordon, Olympia (Orlando, Fla.)
While his father Tom Gordon was a pitcher in the Major Leagues, Nick will likely be an everyday player thanks to his speed, fielding and hitting ability. The top middle infielder in the draft, according to some scouts, Gordon's arm is strong enough to hit 94 mph on the radar gun.

10. Luis Ortiz, Sanger (Calif.)
When it comes to postseason awards, Ortiz did not win many last spring, earning honorable mention all-area by the Fresno Bee. However he made his presence felt during the summer. The 6-3, 210-pound pitcher was the tournament MVP for Team USA 18U at the World Cup and helped the United States win the gold medal. He also pitched well in the Breakthrough Series, pitching two no-hit innings with four strikeouts. The scouts like his fastball, that reaches 93-95 mph, and his slider, which is in the 80-83 range. Look for Ortiz to go late in the first round.