Former Under Armour All-Americans, Baseball Factory Alumni Named to Top 100 Prospects by Baseball America
Baseball America recently released the 25th edition of their Top 100 Prospects heading into the 2014 Major League Baseball Season. Baseball Factory is proud to announce that 25 of these prospects are alumni of our program. Of the 25 players who made the list, 13 made the Top 50. In addition, 14 of the top prospects are former Under Armour All-Americans. Here is a closer look at a few of our alumni who were recognized this year:
Byron Buxton leads the way, ranking 1st on the Top 100 Prospect List. The 20 year-old is an outfielder in the Minnesota Twins organization and was the second overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft. Prior to the start of his professional career, Buxton starred at Appling County High School in Baxley, Georgia and participated in the 2011 Under Armour All-America Game.
Coming in at 8th on the list is third baseman Kris Bryant. Bryant also starred in the Under Armour All-America Game as a high school standout in 2008 before attending San Diego State University. The 22 year-old Las Vegas native was the second overall pick for the Chicago Cubs organization in the 2013 MLB Draft.
Following fellow Baseball Factory alumnus Francisco Lindor is Addison Russell, coming in at 14th. The 20-year-old shortstop played in the 2010 Under Armour All-America Game before he was selected as the 11th overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft. Currently a top prospect in the Oakland Athletics organization, many experts predict Russell will see MLB playing time this season.
Ranked as the 20th Top Prospect is Baltimore Orioles RHP Kevin Gausman. The 23 year-old was selected in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft. Gausman, who made his MLB debut last season, showcased his skills in the Under Armour All-America Game in 2009 prior to attending Louisiana State University.
Pirates LHP Jameson Taillon took the 22nd spot. The 21 year-old was the second overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft. Taillon, who is anticipated to make to MLB Debut this upcoming season, is also an alumnus of the Under Armour All-America Game.
Leading the Detroit Tigers current prospects is third baseman/outfielder Nick Castellanos, ranked 25th overall by Baseball America. Castellanos, who made his MLB debut in September of last year, started with Baseball Factory as an 8th grader. Throughout his amateur career our scouts knew he was something special, and he was recognized as an Under Armour All-American as a rising senior in 2009.
Rounding out the Top 50 at 48th and 49th respectively are Clint Frazier and Austin Meadows. Frazier, an outfielder with the Cleveland Indians organization, was a first round pick in the 2013 MLB Draft. Fellow Georgia native Meadows is currently an outfielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Both prospects are former Under Armour All-Americans, having faced off in the 2012 Game in Chicago, IL.
Garin Cecchini, a third baseman in the Boston Red Sox organization, is ranked 74th on the Baseball America Top 100 Prospects List. Garin was selected to play in the Under Armour All-America Game in 2009 prior to being drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 MLB Draft.
Lance McCullers Jr., a 20 year old from Tampa, Florida, comes in at 77th on the list. McCullers, a right-handed pitcher for the Houston Astros organization, was a first round pick in the 2012 MLB Draft. Another former Under Armour All-American, McCullers is expected to develop for a few more years in the minors before he makes his MLB Debut.
In addition to these nine players, Baseball Factory would like to congratulate: George Springer (#18), Francisco Lindor (#13), Eddie Butler (#24), Henry Owens (#40), Kohl Stewart (#52), Lucas Sims (#57), Kolten Wong (#58), Nick Kingham (#64), Stephen Piscotty (#70), Blake Swihart (#73), J.P. Crawford (#78), Reese McGuire (#81), Trey Ball (#89), and Dominic Smith (#92). Baseball Factory wishes all of these players the best of luck in this upcoming season!
For more information on the Under Armour All-America Game, including past participants, click here.
For a complete list of Baseball Factory Alumni, visit our alumni page.
