Draft Reports: Prospects 401-450

2014 Perfect Game MLB Draft preview content


Top 500 Prospect Reports:

1-50 | 51-100 | 101-150
151-200 | 201-250 | 251-300
301-350 | 351-400 | 451-500


401. Ben Smith, lhp Coastal Carolina University (JR)
L-L, 6-3/195, Wichita Falls, Texas
Previously Drafted: Never

Smith’s Tommy John surgery complicates his draft status, as he could have been a top two round talent had he been fully healthy this spring. Smith became a well known commodity last spring, enjoying an outstanding sophomore season. He followed that success with a strong campaign in the Cape Cod League, compiling a 2.82 ERA in seven starts. He also struck out 35 batters in 28 2/3 innings pitched. The 6-foot-3 southpaw has reached as high as 92-93 mph in the past but worked mostly between 88-91 mph for Cotuit. He throws out of an easy, repeatable delivery, and it’s easy to project that he could eventually settle in the low-90s as he still has room to get significantly stronger. Armed with two quality secondary pitches, Smith locates an 11-to-5 curveball at 75-78 and relies heavily on his above average 79-82 mph changeup.


402. Conor Harber, rhp/of, JC of Western Nevada (SO)
R-R, 6-2/200, Astoria, Ore.
Previously Drafted: Orioles ’13 (38) – College Commitment: Oregon

Harber set numerous school records as a freshman outfielder while hitting .411 with 29 extra-base hits, and impressed scouts with his raw speed (6.6 in the 60) and power potential, along with his feel for the game and sound defensive skills in center field. The interest in the athletic Harber for this year’s draft is almost exclusively as a pitching prospect, as he began pitching with more regularity towards the end of his freshman year, flashing a sinking 91-93 mph sinking fastball and the makings of a quality breaking ball, and took off in that role this spring, posting an 8-1, 2.06 record while walking 24 and striking out 79 in 66 innings. He improved the velocity on his fastball to 92-95 while generating greater arm-side run, added sharpness to his curve and incorporated a changeup as a third pitch.


403. Caleb Eldridge, 1b, Deer Creek HS
L-L, 6-3/210, Edmond, Okla.
College Commitment: Oklahoma State

Eldridge is a big and strong lefthanded hitting first baseman with a power oriented swing that shows very good bat speed. He’s had a very strong swing and went through a stretch in late April and early May when scouts were coming around in bunches when he hit nine home runs in 13 games. He is signed with Oklahoma State and seems to be the prototypical Cowboys middle-of-the-order slugger.


404. Shane Benes, ss, Westminster Christian HS
R-R, 6-3/200, St. Louis, Mo.
Commitment: Missouri

The son of 14-year Major League veteran and former No. 1 overall pick Andy Benes, Shane Benes was on Perfect Game’s short list of high school players before the season began who could really see their draft stock rise. He is a strong and versatile athlete with 6.7 speed in the 60-yard dash and plus arm strength from the mound and at shortstop. Benes also has shown plus raw power and just a bit of improvement in his swing consistency and contact ratios could have propelled him into the top three rounds. His season never started, though, as Benes tore his ACL in a basketball game in mid-February and underwent season ending surgery. He projects as a very high 2017 draft pick should he attend Missouri for three years.


405. Braden Webb, rhp, Owasso HS
R-R, 6-4/195, Owasso, Okla.
Commitment: South Carolina

Webb has been considered the top 2014 high school pitcher in Oklahoma for some time but struggled with reoccurring arm issues beginning last spring before finally undergoing Tommy John surgery this spring. At his best he has a very live fastball that gets up to 93 mph, with his best pitch being a sharp mid-70s curveball with big depth and 11-to-5 shape.


406. Logan Sowers, of, McCutcheon HS
R-R, 6-4/200, Lafayette, Ind.
College Commitment: Indiana

Sowers and his well-built 6-foot-4 frame have come on very strong this spring at McCutcheon High School. Despite his size, Sowers shows the ability to run (6.85 60-yard at East Coast Pro) which will play well at either corner outfield position. The Indiana commit is able to create nice leverage in his swing and drive the ball with deep home run power. His approach at the plate is simple and shows solid control of the barrel, with the ability to go with the pitch and drive it to any part of the park.


407. Isaac Anderson, rhp/of, JC of Southern Idaho (SO)
R-R, 6-1/185, Boise, Idaho
Previously Drafted: Royals ’13 (34) – College Commitment: Wichita State

Anderson was exclusively a position player in high school and earned all-conference honors as a freshman outfielder at the College of Southern Idaho in 2013. Prior to college, Anderson had last pitched when he was 14 and worked in only 22 innings a year ago, but enjoyed unexpected success by posting a 0.82 ERA, while flashing a fastball in the low-90s and demonstrating sound mechanics, along with a surprisingly good feel for pitching. His focus turned to the mound this spring as a sophomore, and he made significant strides while being utilized as a starter. Though he went only 4-5, 3.90 with 28 walks and 49 strikeouts in 60 innings, working against wood bats, and still has a lot to learn about pitching, Anderson made a strong impression on scouts with his athleticism on the mound, a fastball that sat at 88-92 mph, often topped at 93-94 and got good run on his two-seamer, and his ability to spin a breaking ball.


408. Brad Bass, rhp, Lincoln-Way Central HS
R-R, 6-6/215, New Lenox, Ill.
College Commitment: Notre Dame

Bass is an extra-large righthander with a high ceiling when he grows into his coordination and refines his mechanics. He pitches in the 88-92 mph range now with very good downhill angle from a high three-quarters arm slot. His low-80s slider is his best overall pitch and he gets good depth on the pitch along with frequently commanding it better than his fastball. Bass is signed with Notre Dame.


409. Alex Destino, lhp, North Buncombe HS
L-L, 6-3/210, Weaverville, N.C.
College Commitment: South Carolina

A solid all-around athlete, that athleticism and projection Destino possesses are what make him so interesting to scouts. Destino had strong showings late last summer and then in the fall in Jupiter, showing an 89-92 mph fastball and with an easy arm action. He shows good feel for his changeup, and his 78-81 mph breaking ball has tightened significantly since early last summer. The stuff has not been quite as crisp this spring with his velocity more in the 87-90 range, but his frame and easy arm make him an intriguing commodity nonetheless.


410. Jared West, lhp, University of Houston (SO)
L-L, 6-6, 200, Shreveport, La.
Previously Drafted: Pirates ’12 (39)

West is an age eligible sophomore and the younger brother of 2005 Marlins first round pick and former Major Leaguer Sean West. He’s been a fairly high profile prospect in his own right dating back to high school and has consistently tantalized scouts with his ceiling but also has bouts of inconsistency. At his best West will top out at 92 mph with lots of life and angle on his fastball and show lots of potential with his slider. At other times he’ll pitch in the mid-80s with flatter stuff and wavering command.