Draft Reports: Prospects 451-500

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 | 401-450


451. Brock Burke, lhp, Evergreen HS
L-L, 6-4/180, Evergreen, Colo.
College Commitment: Oregon

Burke enjoyed an impresive season, posting a 5-1, 1.05 record with 79 strikeouts in 40 innings for Evergreen High, before his season ended in the opening round of the Colorado 4-A playoffs. Brock’s season began with a flourish as he spun a 15-strikeout, six-inning, no-hitter, but the signature outing of his senior year came April 28, when he tossed a 4-0, one-hit shutout with 20 strikeouts. His improvement this season was noteworthy as he threw only in the low-80s as recently as two years ago, was up to 87-89 mph at last summer’s Area Code Games and often was clocked up to 91-92 this spring as he continues to grow into his lean 6-foot-4 frame. There should be more in the tank as he won’t be 18 until August, but Brock's game continues to be a work in progress, especially the quality and command of his secondary stuff.


452. Jesse McCord, rhp, Spanish Fort HS
R-R, 6-1/175, Spanish Fort Estates, Ala.
College Commitment: Mississippi State

Although McCord shows solid stuff presently, should he go to school to develop and refine his overall game he could come out in three years from Mississippi State higher in the draft. The Spanish Fort High School product shows a fast, loose arm on the mound and showed a similar offering and arm action at the East Coast Pro as New Jersey native Joshua Pennington. He works his fastball in the upper-80s to lower-90s, and with solid extension out front is able to create nice sinking action on the pitch. His changeup is his best present off-speed pitch, showing late splitting action, and he also flashes a curveball with hard, slurvy action.


453. Nathan Thornhill, rhp, University of Texas
R-R, 6-1/185, Cedar Park, Texas
Previously Drafted: Astros ’13 (24)

Thornhill has been a four-year standout for the Longhorns swinging between relief and starting roles. He’s started 11 games this year and relieved in five others while going 6-2, 1.62, with two saves in 77 total innings. Thornhill would work occasionally in the low-90s early in his college career but is more an upper-80s command pitcher now who spots the ball extremely well and works in a solid slider and changeup combination.


454. Sean Godfrey, of, Ball State (SR)
R-R, 6-2/185, New Albany, Ill.
Previously Drafted: Never

Godfrey has burst onto the scene as one of the more intriguing college seniors in the class with a strong showing this spring. He’s a plus runner who has speed that plays in game action both in center field and on the basepaths. He runs a 6.59 60-yard dash and has an athletic, 6-foot-2 frame. His outstanding defense has stood out, as has his increased power. He hit nine home runs and hit .333 in 237 at-bats this spring.


455. Ross Kivett, 2b/of, Kansas State (SR)
R-R, 6-1/190, Cincinnati, Ohio
Previously Drafted: Indians ’13 (10)

Kivett chose to return to Kansas State after being picked in the 10th round by the Indians as a junior and has virtually duplicated his 2013 performance, hitting .330-4-31 with 33 walks while stealing 19 bases in 20 attempts. He hit .360-3-39 with 26 steals last year as Kansas State fell one inning short of making the College World Series. Kivett is a solid player across the board, with a leadoff hitter’s mentality and skills, enough speed to be disruptive on the bases and the ability to play both second base and center field on defense. He could move up a couple of rounds this draft with the increased emphasis on drafting seniors in rounds 6-10.


456. Blake Drake, of, Concordia (Ore.) University (JR)
R-R, 6-1/170, Ramona, Calif.
Previously Drafted: Never

Drake hails from a small Christian college in Oregon, but put himself on the map by playing a pivotal role last summer in leading the Corvallis Knights to a West Coast League championship. He showcased a well-rounded skill-set on both sides of the ball, and stood out for his high-energy approach. He was an offensive catalyst with his combination of fast-twitch actions, raw speed and base-running acumen, small-ball skills and ability to put balls into play consistently with a steady, line-drive approach. He also stood out defensively in center field with his exemplary ball-tracking ability and solid-average arm strength. Drake’s upside in pro ball may be somewhat limited because of his small, wiry frame and lack of raw power, and it’s evident that he’ll have to hit to make his mark. He had a solid junior season with a .320 average and team-highs in doubles (14), homers (4) and stolen bases (21).


457. Alex McRae, rhp, Jacksonville University (JR)
R-R, 6-4/200, New Berlin, Wis.
Previously Drafted: Never

McRae stepped into the starting rotation the first week of his freshman season, and the Wisconsin native has developed into a polished college product despite posting a 5-7, 6.06 record in 87 innings this spring. His fastball works in the low-90s and still has some projection in it due to McRae’s lean and lanky build. His slider has improved tremendously during his three years and is now a potential swing-and-miss pitch. McRae also throws a curveball and a changeup.


458. Tanner Houck, rhp, Collinsville HS
R-R, 6-5/210, Collinsville, Ill.
College Commitment: Missouri

Houck has a long-limbed pitcher’s build that is very loose and projectable. He has some mechanical issues, including a cross-body delivery that has him landing on his heal and falling off balance, but his arm stroke is clean and fast. Houck has topped out at 92-93 mph in short bursts this year and pitches in the 88-91 mph range when extended. He throws a mid-70s curveball that shows good bite and depth at times along with a low-80s changeup.


459. Dusty Isaacs, rhp, Georgia Tech
R-R, 6-1/205, Lebanon, Ohio
Previously Drafted: Pirates '10 (50)

Isaacs decided to return to Georgia Tech for his senior season and has been a valuable piece to the Yellow Jackets bullpen this spring. Splitting time with Sam Clay as the team's closer, Isaacs holds a 1.81 ERA with eight saves, second in both categories on the team, each behind Clay. Isaacs' fastball works in the 92-93 mph range and shows a feel for a slider as his secondary offering. His arm action is clean and easy and occasionally generates arm-side run on his fastball. He maintains his arm speed on his changeup that shows sinking action and gives him three pitches to use out of the bullpen at the next level.


460. Jake Jarvis, rhp/2b, Klein Collins HS
R-R, 6-0/180, Spring, Texas
Commitment: Texas A&M

Jarvis has been a dominant player on the Houston high school scene ever since his freshman year and has excelled both as a pitcher and a position player. In fact, it is difficult to tell even at this point which is his best position. He tops out in the low-90s off the mound with a hard breaking ball he throws for strikes, but he also has a crisp righthanded swing with good power to the gaps. Texas A&M has had plenty of success with players with Jarvis’ profile in recent years and will surely use him on both sides of the ball should he make it to campus.