San Diego State Baseball: How are the Aztecs' 2014 MLB Draft selections doing in the Minor Leagues?

The San Diego State University baseball team had six players drafted in the 2014 MLB draft. Those players included closer Michael Cederoth, center fielder Greg Allen, catcher Brad Haynal, second baseman Tim Zier, and relievers Justin Hepner and Brandon Thomas.

Cederoth was the highest touted player of the bunch, and was selected in the third round by the Minnesota Twins. Since joining the Rookie League Elizabethton Twins, Cederoth has been converted back to a starter. In the seven games which he has started, he's gone 2-2 with a 3.90 ERA and a 8.1 K/9. Cederoth has big league stuff, with a fast ball that lives in the mid-90's and a wipeout slider, but will have to improve on the control that landed him in the Aztecs bullpen.

After being drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the sixth round, Allen was moved to right field, even though he played his whole career in center at SDSU. He was placed on the Class Low-A Mahoning Valley Scrapers where he's posted a .270/.384/.345 (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) line thus far. He's also swiped 15 bags, while only being caught four times, showcasing the athleticism that made him an All-American multiple times with the Aztecs.

The Miami Marlins picked up slugging backstop Haynal in the 18th round of the draft, but he has yet to show off some of the power that got him picked in the first place. Haynal was placed on the Class Low A Batavia Muckdogs to begin his career and belted one home run with 10 RBI's while batting .254, which was enough to get him called up to the Class A Greensboro Grasshoppers. With the Grasshoppers Haynal has put similar numbers hitting one home run with six RBI's, while batting .239, in four less games.

SDSU's all-time hits leader, Zier, was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 21^st round. Zier has spent nearly all his time with the Rookie League Gulf Coast Phillies where he has posted solid numbers thus far. Zier is batting .367 with 10 RBI and seven extra-base hits through 24 games.

A rather surprising selection, Thomas, was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 24^th round. Thomas was assigned to the Rookie Pioneer League and is 2-0 with a 4.22 ERA in eight relief appearances. Last season with SDSU Thomas had a 4.82 ERA, but has always been a power lefty arm, which are coveted in the MLB.

One player who has struggled mightily since being drafted is Hepner. After being selected in the 36^th round by the Marlins, he's posted a 16.87 ERA in two relief appearances for Rookie League Gulf Coast Marlins. Though he has only pitched 2.2 innings, Hepner will need to make some major adjustments.