MLB Draft 2014: Ranking the 4 Potential Busts of Day 1

There are a lot of ways an MLB draft pick can go bad.

For now, it's much too soon to know with any certainty which 2014 selections will turn into busts. However, it's not too early to start looking for red flags. What follows is a ranking of four first-day selections who could potentially end up as blunders. 

The players who crack this list fall into two groups. These prospects were either drafted too soon or are dealing with serious injuries. Now, let's take a look at the rankings. 

4. Erick Fedde, RHP, Washington Nationals

Drafted By: Washington Nationals with the No. 18 pick

School: UNLV (Nevada)

Age: 21

Why He Could Potentially Be a Bust

Erick Fedde had a busy week. 

The former standout for UNLV underwent Tommy John surgery on Tuesday, according to James Wagner of The Washington Post. Now, Fedde is the No. 18 selection in the 2014 draft. The right-hander was the Mountain West pitcher of the year this season and likely would have landed in the top 10 picks of the draft if not for his recent elbow injury. 

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo explained to Wagner that he felt like the "risk" was "worth" it. Still, it's a bold move to use such a high pick on a pitcher who won't return to the mound for another 12 months. 

3. Kodi Medeiros, LHP, Milwaukee Brewers

Drafted By: Milwaukee Brewers with the No. 12 pick

School: Waiakea High School (Hawaii)  

Age: 18

Why He Could Potentially Be a Bust

The Milwaukee Brewers gambled with the No. 12 selection. 

The club drafted left-handed Kodi Medeiros, who is a high-risk, high-reward pick. During his senior season at Waiakea High School in Hawaii, Medeiros was electric as he racked up 83 punchouts in 43.1 innings, per Andrew Gruman of Fox Sports Wisconsin. 

However, there's also been plenty of discussion over his future role. There's a chance that the top pick could be destined for the bullpen due to the fact that he throws from a low arm slot. 

2. Cole Tucker, SS, Pittsburgh Pirates

Drafted By: Pittsburgh Pirates with the No. 24 pick

School: Mountain Pointe High School (Arizona)

Age: 17

Why He Could Potentially Be a Bust

The selection of Cole Tucker has the look of an overdraft. 

According to Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the switch-hitting shortstop, who the Pittsburgh Pirates picked up with the No. 24 pick, was ranked No. 84 by Baseball America. A fundamental problem for Tucker is that he might not have a strong enough bat should he end up moving from the shortstop position. 

Like the player who ranks ahead of him on this list, Tucker appears to be a prospect who was drafted much too soon. As Kiley McDaniel of Scout.com tweets, there might have been a financial motivation behind that decision. 

1. Blake Anderson, C, Miami Marlins

Drafted By: Miami Marlins with the No. 36 pick

School: West Lauderdale High School (Mississippi)

Age: 18

Why He Could Potentially Be a Bust

The Miami Marlins pulled a surprise move by snagging high school catcher Blake Anderson with the No. 36 pick.

According to J.J. Cooper of Baseball America, Anderson was a polarizing prospect, and some teams viewed him as a seventh- to 10th-round selection. The biggest question facing Anderson is just how much he will hit as a professional. 

One explanation on Miami's reach, as suggested by Bleacher Report's Adam Wells, is that the club drafted Anderson in order to save money to sign right-hander Tyler Kolek, the No. 2 overall pick.

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