2014 MLB Draft: Top 10 high school middle infielders

Olympia's Nick Gordon will likely be the first middle infielder selected in next month's MLB draft.

Photo by Joseph Ott

The high school class of 2014 is not deep in middle infielders, with only a couple expected to go in the first round. However the top middle infielder prospect has the bloodlines and the talent to go very high when the MLB Draft gets underway on June 5.

Nick Gordon is the son of Tom Gordon, a longtime major league pitcher whose son Dee Gordon is already in the Major Leagues. Nick Gordon brings the best of both worlds when it comes to shortstops — he has great athletic ability and a good arm to defend the position, but he is also one of the top hitting shortstops in the draft.

See other sons of major league players excelling in high school

Gordon tops our list of 10 middle infielders who will likely get the most consideration during the three-day draft process. Only Gordon and Clovis's Jacob Gatewood, however, are expected to go in the first round.


10. Luke Dykstra, Westlake (Westlake Village, Calif.) The son of former major league outfielder Lenny Dykstra has been a fixture at shortstop the past four seasons at Westlake. He's played 99 games and batted .403 in his career, including a career-best .452 as a senior. He added 13 doubles and 18 runs scored this year.



What the scouts think: Dykstra has shown the defensive ability to stay at shortstop at the next level. Will likely need to develop into a more consistent hitter.

Where he will get drafted: Dykstra's improved hitting this year could land him a spot in the top 10 rounds.{PAGEBREAK}9. Shane Benes, Westminster Christian (St. Louis)



The son of former major league pitcher Andy Benes, Shane has missed the entire season due to a knee injury he sustained playing basketball at school in early February. The 6-3, 200-pound Benes showed plenty of ability as a junior when he batted .417 with 11 home runs in leading Westminster to a state championship.

What the scouts think: Scouts see Benes as having the ability to field the position and hit for both average and power. However there is speculation he will go the college route due to injury.

Where he will get drafted: Depending on how teams view Benes' injury, he should be selected in the top 10 rounds.{PAGEBREAK}8. Cole Tucker, Mountain Pointe (Phoenix) Tucker had an outstanding season for Mountain Pointe, batting .404 with 30 runs scored, 30 RBIs, eight doubles, four triples and five home runs.

What the scouts think: At 6-4, Tucker is another tall middle infielder who might move to another spot in the infield. Considered a solid fielder, Tucker can also switch hit and has shown some power.

Where he will get drafted: Look for Tucker to go somewhere between rounds 7-10.{PAGEBREAK}7. Josh Morgan, Orange Lutheran (Calif.) Morgan has consistently hit around .300 in his last three years on the varsity. He batted .316 as a sophomore, .326 as a junior and .303 as a senior. He added 18 runs scored this year along with seven doubles and a home run.

What the scouts think: Another player who will be highly valued for his glove. He has improved his hitting after struggling during the summer.

Where he will get drafted: Morgan didn't have a huge year at the plate. If teams are looking for more of a defensive ballplayer, Morgan could be drafted around the fifth round.{PAGEBREAK}6. Milton Ramos, American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)



American Heritage had a down year (14-8), by their own standards, but Ramos had an outstanding season. He batted .424 with 19 runs and 21 RBIs. His four home runs led the team.

What the scouts think: Ramos is considered one of the top defensive picks at shortstop. He showed improved power this year, which will help his case.

Where he will get drafted: Look for Ramos to be selected late on the second day of the draft or early on the third day.{PAGEBREAK}5. Forrest Wall, Orangewood Christian (Maitland, Fla.) Wall has been a four-year standout for Orangewood Christian. As a senior he batted .500 with 31 runs, nine doubles and 16 RBIs. Last year he batted .514 with 27 RBIs, 11 doubles and four home runs.

What the scouts think: Likely the top second base candidate in the draft, Wall is a solid hitter, a good runner and he can hit for power.

Where he will get drafted: Wall has continued to rise on the prospects watch lists so he could go somewhere in the top five rounds.{PAGEBREAK}4. Dylan Cease, Milton (Ga.) Also a pitching prospect, Cease threw just three outings before suffering soreness in his arm. He managed to play 21 games in the field, however, and batted .359 with 23 RBIs, three doubles and two home runs.

What the scouts think: Cease is seen as a possible right-handed pitcher due to a mid-90s fastball and a strong changeup. He suffered an arm injury this year, however, and rarely pitched. Scouts are not necessarily as high on his abilities as a middle infielder.

Where he will get drafted: If Cease's injury isn't serious and he can still pitch, he could go in the second round. If he is relegated to an infielder, look for him to drop to possibly the fourth or fifth round.{PAGEBREAK}3. Ti'Quan Forbes, Columbia (Miss.)



Forbes helped Columbia post a 26-7 record as he batted .427 (47 for 110) with 49 runs, 32 RBIs, 12 doubles and three home runs.

What the scouts think:  Forbes is described as having a good glove with soft hands. As a hitter, his swing will need some work, but he is seen as an above average power hitter at the next level.

Where he will get drafted: Forbes has been right on the fringe of being a first round draft pick in a number of mock drafts. Don't expect him to last past the second day.{PAGEBREAK}2. Jacob Gatewood, Clovis (Calif.) Gatewood has come up big in key situations all season long for the Cougars and it's one reason why Clovis is ranked among the top teams in the country. He's batting .389 with 28 RBIs, 23 runs, nine doubles and five home runs.

What the scouts think: At 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, Gatewood is huge for a shortstop, which leads to speculation that he might move out of the position to third base down the road. He has a very good arm, but maybe not the speed necessary to play the position. He definitely has the power, which is why a move to third base makes sense.

Where he will get drafted: Gatewood's power and athletic ability make him a valuable prospect. He should go somewhere in the top 20 selections.{PAGEBREAK}1. Nick Gordon, Olympia (Orlando, Fla.) Gordon had Olympia in contention for a Florida 8A state championship for most of the year. He batted .494 in 27 games with 28 runs scored, 27 RBIs, 10 doubles, two triples and five home runs.

What the scouts think: Not all draftable high school shortstops stay at shortstop once they reach professional baseball, but that probably won't be the case with Gordon. He has a strong arm (he has thrown 94 mph fastballs) and he is a good athlete. Not a power hitter, Gordon can be expected to use his speed to collect doubles on a regular basis. He's considered possibly the best middle infield prospect in the draft, high school or college.

Where he will get drafted: Easily the top shortstop prospect in the draft, Gordon won't last past the 10th overall pick.