(Left to right) Kyle Tucker, Justin Hooper and Kyler Murray all expect to hear their names called early in the 2015 MLB Draft.
Photos by MaxPreps Photographers
The 2014 Major League Baseball First Year Player Selection Draft came to a close on Saturday, but it's not too early to take a look at the top prospects for next year's draft.
The first round of the 2014 draft featured a strong left-handed pitching candidate in
Brady Aiken of
Cathedral Catholic (San Diego), the son of a former major leaguer in
Nick Gordon of
Olympia (Orlando, Fla.) and a flame-throwing right-hander from Texas with the last name of Kolek.
The 2015 draft could look very similar.
Daz Cameron of Eagles Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, Ga.) is the son former major league outfielder Mike Cameron. He was ranked as the
No. 1 junior in the nation by MaxPreps at the beginning of the 2014 season.
Then there is Stephen Kolek of Shepherd (Texas), who is the younger brother of
Tyler Kolek. Tyler went to the Miami Marlins with the No. 2 overall pick. While Stephen does not have quite the arm of his older brother, he is nonetheless a player to keep an eye on for 2015.
Finally there is Justin Hooper of De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), a tall left-hander who could be the first lefty chosen.
Here's a closer look at 10 players who could go in the first round of next year's draft.
10 High School Players to Watch for the 2015 MLB Draft
Dazmon Cameron, Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, Ga.), OFLed his team to the state championship game for the second year in a row. Batted .390 with seven doubles and six home runs on the season.
Stephen Kolek, Shepherd (Texas), RHPDid not have a strong season in the win column as he went just 1-5; however, he struck out 46 batters in just 31 innings, including 14 in one game. Could fill out a little more like his older brother as he is just 6-foot-2 and 165 pounds.
Justin Hooper, De La Salle
Photo by Ralph Thompson
Tall and rangy at 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, Hooper went 6-3 and had the win in De La Salle's section championship win over San Ramon Valley. Struck out 58 batters in 44.2 innings pitched with a 2.04 ERA.
Kyle Molnar, Aliso Niguel
Photo by Alyson Boyer Rode
Had a strong year at the plate and on the mound for Aliso Niguel, which reached the Southern Section Division II championship game. Posted a 10-2 record with 81 strikeouts and a 1.81 ERA in 81 innings pitched. His best outing was an 8-inning no-hitter with 10 strikeouts in a 1-0 win over Los Alamitos. Also batted .320 with seven doubles and three home runs.
Kyle Tucker, Plant
Photo by Del Mecum
One of the top power hitters in the Class of 2015, Tucker hit nine out of the park this year and has 20 in his career. The 6-foot-4 outfielder batted .415 with 35 RBIs, seven doubles and three triples.
Kyler Murray, Allen
Photo by Neil Fonville
The top high school quarterback in the country, Murray doesn't appear on many baseball recruiting reports. That's because he's spent most of his summers practicing for football season. However Allen coach Paul Coe says that three different MLB scouts have said Murray is a first or second round draft pick next year. He batted .432 with 21 stolen bases and eight home runs.
Brendan Rodgers, Lake Mary (Fla.), SSFlorida could be home to the top high school shortstop for the second straight year (Gordon was the top high school shortstop drafted this year), as Rodgers batted .397 with eight home runs.
Nicholas Shumpert, Highlands Ranch
Photo by Paul DiSalvo
Another son of a former major league player (
Terry Shumpert), Nicholas was one of the top players in Colorado this year with a .410 batting average and three home runs.
Ryan Johnson, College Station (Texas), OFLed College Station to the 3A state championship in Texas while batting .379 with 50 RBIs, seven doubles, five triples and six home runs.
Jahmai Jones, Wesleyan (Norcross, Ga.), OFCould play shortstop or outfield, but his speed and arm strength make him an outfield candidate. Batted .467 with 10 home runs.
