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Other pitchers: Vanderbilt's RHP and former first round pick Tyler Beede threw 5 innings of 1 hit ball. He struck out 7, had 1 walk, and hit a batter. After walking the first batter of the game and hitting another that inning Beede settled down. Beede has the stuff to be a top 5 pick but has always struggled with command issues. Here is what one scout had to say: "The command is the key," an AL West scout said. "There's no doubt in anyone's mind that he has the stuff to start, he's got two to three plus pitches. It was a rough first inning, but he attacked hitters the rest of the day, and hopefully that's what we see the rest of the year." TCU's LHP Brandon Finnegan had a monster game against Jacksonville. The 5-11 lefty threw 7 innings of shutout ball and struck out 13 batters (8 of the first 9 he saw). While he only allowed 3 hits he did walk 3. Scouts said he sat around 92-93 with his fastball but dialed it up to 96 a couple times. Here is what his couch had to say: “That’s as well as he’s pitched in a TCU uniform, I think,” Schlossnagle said. “He had some moments last year—he took a no-hitter into the eighth and ninth against Oklahoma. But he was just in complete command. He threw almost 80 percent strikes with his fastball, 74 or 75 percent first-pitch strikes. He was just pounding the bottom of the strike zone, one after the other after the other.” “The key for Finnegan, he’s an emotional guy, he’s got a big arm, and he really relishes being a power pitcher and a Friday night guy,” Schlossnagle said. “His challenge, like most guys like that, he’s got to be in control of his emotions so he can be in control of his body, and therefore he can control his pitches. He did that at a really high level. A lot of that comes with maturity, and he’s really matured a lot in three years. I’m hoping that he took another step. We’ll see if he can put consistent outings like that together.” For more Finnegan quotes and information on his start read BA's Aaron Fitt's three strikes article: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/three-strikes-week-one-4/ LSU's RHP Aaron Nola had an uncharacteristic first start. Nola's calling card has been great command but he hit 3 batters in the game. In his 6 innings of work he gave up 4 hits and struck out 6. (One of the scout quotes were reported by MLB Draft Insider and ESPN'S Chris Crawford).

East Carolina's RHP Jeff Hoffman threw 6 and 2/3 innings against James Madison on Friday. He gave up four runs (3 earned), struck out 6, walked two, and allowed only 4 hits. Here are two scouts takes on his performance: "I liked the way he settled down [after the home run]," an American League scout said. "But the stuff was really good all game. I had him 93-96 with a couple of 97's, and the curveball was a plus offering, as was the change at times. His command suffered a bit in the last couple of innings, but overall, there was more positives than negatives, which is always nice to see in the first start." Another scout had this to say: “You can’t walk away from this outing and not be impressed,” an American League scout said. “He is special. His changeup was a lot better today and he showed the ability to spot up his fastball where he wanted it.” Clint Longnecker did a full game report on Hoffman's outing here: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/game-report-ecu-rhp-jeff-hoffman/ (One of the scout quotes were reported by MLB Draft Insider and ESPN'S Chris Crawford).

NC State duo: LHP Carlos Rodon threw 6 innings this weekend against North Carolina State. He gave up 4 hits, allowed three runs (only 1 earned), struck out 6, walked 1 but hit three batters. Here is what one scout had to say: "[Rodon] was just a little bit off," an NL Central scout said. "He wasn't missing his spots with his fastball by more than a few inches, but clearly he didn't have his A-plus stuff. Normally when he's ahead in counts you're done for; he'll either throw the fastball by you or get the fastball by you, but that wasn't really the case today. "I'm not concerned because he wasn't at his best to start last year, and we saw how good he was to finish the year. If he was throwing like this in April, sure, but I'm not panicking over mid-February." NC State's other star, SS Treat Turner, went 3-4 with a stolen base. He not only showed off his plus-plus speed on the base path, one of his three hits was a bunt single, he made several great plays in the field. The same scout above had to say this about Turner: "I think Turner's the best middle infielder in the class," said the same scout who watched Rodon. "And it was really nice to see him look healthy today. Plus-plus speed and above-average defense at a position like shortstop is always nice, and statistically he's been among the better hitters in college baseball the last two seasons." Clint Longerneck over at BaseballAmerica has a great article about Turner here: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/game-report-north-carolina-state-ss-trea-turner/ (All scout quotes were reported by MLB Draft Insider and ESPN'S Chris Crawford).

With the start of the college baseball season this past weekend it is time to get an official 2014 MLB draft thread. Here is what you need to know about the upcoming draft. The draft will be held in New Jersey on June 5th through June 7th. The draft will be broadcasted on the MLB Network. The first round, comp round A, competitive balance round A, and the second round will be on the 5th. The 3rd through 10th rounds will be on the 6th followed by the next 30 rounds on the 7th. The Twins will have the 5th overall pick in the upcoming draft. Their second round pick is currently the 45th overall pick but with 5 players left with pick compensation attached to them things could change. If the Twins were to sign a free agent with pick compensation attached to them they would forfeit their second round pick. This draft is considered to be stronger and deeper than the past two drafts with its strength being HS pitchers. Currently NC State's LHP Carlos Rodon is considered the overwhelming favorite to go #1. Feel free to share and discuss anything draft related here. With the 5th overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft the Minnesota Twins select.........

2012 draft is actually looking pretty good. Half of the first round picks look like sure fire mlb players and multiple of them seem like perennial all stars. While the draft isn't deep, it definitely had talent.

I had a top three of Buxton, Correa, and Gausman who I would have been fine with the Twins picking. I honestly didn't care which as long as it was one of them. I'm not a supporter of drafting for need.

Who cares about Ortiz? This article is about Sano who is going to be awesome. I'm already planning to get his jersey the second he hits the bigs.

I just can't see Meyer breaking camp with the Twins. Too many things going against him. Full rotation, starting his clock to early, inning limits, and so on.

Definitely go get this kid. He is young and reports sound pretty good. I prefer him to Drew by a lot. I haven't seen any experts throw out possible contract size but I'm sure we will start to hear rumors after his show case.

As a person who follows the draft very closely I can tell you most kids coming out of HS are considered throwers over pitchers. Heck, some college guys are the same. Add in the fact Stewart focused mostly on football growing up and already has two plus pitches and two average pitches.....how many big leaguers have 4 average or above average pitches, much less, 18 year olds? There is alot to get excited about here. As I say this I have been leading the Stewart bandwagon since seeing him in person last year.

Just like when following the draft I feel you should look at top 100 lists in tiers. Most lists have Buxton in tier 1 by him self, Taveras and Bogaerts in tier 2, and the next 10-12 prospect in tier 3. Sano has been as high as #4 and as low as #14 but still in the same tier of specs. Just the writer's personal opinion.

Not only BA but Law's ESPN draft covering partner Christopher Crawford said the same thing. I find it odd that Law suggested it would take that long.

Not only BA but Law's ESPN draft covering partner Christopher Crawford said the same thing. I find it odd that Law suggested it would take that long.

As of right now with comp round A and competitive balance round A we are sitting at 45. There are five players with pick compensation still attached to them so we could drop down a few spots still. This is supposed to be a very deep draft so no matter if we pick 45 or worst case 50 there should still be a solid prospect there. This draft is very deep in promising HS arms. Top 5 picks are pretty easy to narrow it down to who the Twins will draft but till the week before the draft it is impossible to guess who they are looking at in the second round.

I was happy with the deals when it happened and I'm happy with them now. People complain about how unaggressive Ryan is but then he is aggressive and people complain he was too aggressive.... Can't have it both ways. Even if he over payed, which has yet to be determined, who cares? If he did it isn't by much and we still have plenty of money available.

Bryant was ranked the 6th best college player by BA during last years early draft report so I'm not sure you can say he snuck in. Kyle Schwarber could rise into the top 5 if he can prove he can stay behind the plate. Most profile him as a future 1B and not a catcher though. At the point Turner and Fisher to me look like the only college hitters that could go in the top 5. Max Pentecost could sneak in if a team really wanted a catcher.

Most scouts project him as a SS over pitcher. Gordon is definitely one of the most interesting prospects in the draft. If he can prove he can hit with even average power for a SS he could find his way into the top 5. While most the elite names will still be at the top of draft boards come draft day there are definitely a lot more guys compared to last year that I can see sneaking into the conversation at #5. I just love how deep in arms and SS this class looks to be.

Matt Garrioch's list is definitely worth looking over. He never goes with the general consensus on guys which is nice. His individual write ups on players are some of the best ones around (and are 100% free).

With HS and college baseball getting ready to start up it is time to get excited about the draft. Just looking at the names this year compared to last year makes it clear how talented this draft is. Definitely a more talented draft.

I always enjoy looking at prospect lists, be it Twins or top 100, so thanks everyone for sharing. One thing I have noticed on all these lists in my opinion is how low Ryan Eades is. I feel a lot of people are down grading him for 15 bad innings of professional ball after a very long college year. He was spent before he even got there.

Santana was 6' but he was left handed and had a 70+ grade change up. Neither of those things Berrios has.

I could care less what level he is. I will take an 18 year old 6'2 lefty who already sits in the low 90s any day of the week. Those don't grow on trees.

I'm definitely on the Thorpe bandwagon. If he wasn't from Australia he would be entering into this years draft because of his age. Callis mentioned awhile ago if he was in this years draft he would be a first round grade talent which is high praise. I know most people will be watching AA/AAA this year to follow our hitters but I'm honestly most excited to watch the pitchers in low A. I can't remember the last time I was this excited about a group of young arms.

I was always a huge fan of Span but it takes value to get value. Starters with front of the rotation potential don't grow on trees. Even if Meyer flames out I would be fine with the trade. At least we tried.

Prospects that have been drafted between 40-50, area we will be drafting in, in the past 4 years who have made it to top 100 lists: 2012: Lance McCullers Jr, Pierce Johnson, Eddie Butler, Jesse Winker 2011: Jackie Bradley Jr, Michael Fulmer, Trevor Storey, Kyle Crick 2010: Tiajuan Walker, Nick Castellanos, Mike Olt, Tyrrell Jenkins 2009: Tyler Skaggs, Christopher Owings, Tanner Scheppers I have no problem giving up a 2nd round pick for the right player but acting like it isn't worth much is ridiculous.