FGCU Baseball: MLB Draft Preview

(Courtesy of Linwood Ferguson)

The 2014 MLB Draft takes place June 5 through June 7, and multiple Florida Gulf Coast players and signees will likely hear their name called. With a relatively young team, it is unlikely that FGCU will see as many players selected as last year when six Eagles were drafted. For juniors and current FGCU commits, the question is whether to sign with the potential professional team or continue their amateur career. FGCU Eagles Nest breaks down FGCU's draft prospects, when they might be selected, and the decision they'll have to make.

Watch Live
Thursday, June 5 - 7:00 p.m. start on MLB.com (1-2 rounds)
Friday, June 6 - 1:00 p.m. start on MLB.com (3-10 rounds)
Saturday, June 7 - 1:00 p.m. start on MLB.com (11-40 rounds)

Michael Suchy | Jr. | OF | R/R | 6-4 | 230 
FGCU's top professional prospect eligible for this year's draft, Suchy landed on the 2014 Atlantic Sun First-Team after finishing season with 49 RBIs and .318 avg. The Bradenton, Fla. native possesses great power and led the Eagles in home runs this year. While his power and athleticism proved to be his greatest strengths, his swing also leads to a relatively high strikeout rate. At 6-foot-4, Suchy has impressive speed and runs the bases well; he recorded 10 steals this season.

Rankings
Baseball America: 217
Perfect Game: 164
SB Nation (Astros): 4th-7th rounds



Zack Tillery | Jr. | RHP/3B | R/R | 6-4 | 210
The junior out of Naples, Fla. is another interesting draft prospect. Tillery usually starts at third base and hit for a .314 avg last season. But his work on the mound is the most intriguing. His fastball has decent speed and his slider is absolute dominant when he gets in rhythm. Tillery worked out with the Yankees on Tuesday. As for his decision, he told the Naples Daily News "It's definitely a consideration."

Rankings
Baseball America: N/A
Perfect Game: N/A


Jack English | Jr. | RHP | R/R | 6-0 | 205
Entering this season, Baseball America ranked English as the No. 6 Atlantic Sun professional prospect. The Delray Beach, Fla. product went 4-4 with a 3.00 ERA in his junior campaign. He will draw attention with his fastball, which reaches the low-to-mid 90s. With spurts of brilliance, including his complete game shutout in the Atlantic Sun Tournament, don't be surprised if English hears his name in the late rounds.

Rankings
Baseball America: N/A
Perfect Game: N/A

Devin Smeltzer | Sr. (HS) | LHP | R/L | 6-3 | 190
Out of Bishop Eustace Prep (Vorhees, NJ), Smeltzer is ranked as the top Eagles signee prospect. With a wide delivery, his fastball gets into the lower 90s and his slider possess deceptive movement. The southpaw told the Eagles Nest he is looking to get bigger and stronger, which is something that would help his velocity at the next level. A cancer survivor and selfless person, Smeltzer sees his decision to go pro or head to FGCU as a "win, win" and is "taking it day by day."

Rankings
Baseball America: N/A
Perfect Game: 285

Dash Winningham | Sr. (HS) | 1B | L/L | 6-2 | 220
The lefty slugger out of Trinity Catholic HS possesses superb power and has worked out numerous times with the New York Mets, most recently in New York City itself. His junior year, Winningham recorded 36 RBIs en route to a .410 avg. According to Perfect Game, he "swings hard and has very good raw bat speed, aggressive hitter, timing works well and barrel is consistently in the zone at the right time." As for a decision, Winningham told the Star Banner last summer "Hopefully, I'll get drafted and get offered some good money. If that doesn't happen. I'll go to Florida Gulf Coast for three years and try to do a good job there."

Rankings
Baseball America: N/A
Perfect Game: N/A

Other Eagles Prospects
Nick Deckert | Jr. | LHP | L/L | 6-3 | 180
Cody Hoffner | Jr. | OF | R/R | 6-3 | 215
Alex Diaz | Jr. | SS | R/R | 6-2 | 190

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