Scouting Reports: No. 101-200

Background and tools info on more draft prospects

101 BRANDON MILLER, C, Woodward Academy, Tyrone, Ga.
Though he played his summer ball in the East Cobb program and attended some major national showcases last year, Miller entered the season a lesser-known name in Georgia. Not invited to the Aflac Classic, he ranked behind fellow high school catching prospect Taylor Hightower in the Peach State coming into the season. Following a strong senior season when he hit double-digit home runs, however, Miller has vaulted himself up draft boards and is considered one of the top high school catching prospects in the Southeast. A Georgia Tech signee, Miller has present strength as well as projectability. His ability at the plate is what separates him from other catchers and has scouts excited. For a catcher, he has average power and a chance to hit for a solid average. He is an aggressive hitter but makes consistent contact and hits to all fields. Miller has a strong arm, an athletic body and moves well behind the plate, and even though his receiving skills and footwork need refinement, scouts say he'll be able to make adjustments and improve. He's also an above-average runner for a catcher, regularly posting sub-7-second 60-yard times. Profiling as an offensive catcher with athleticism and plus makeup, Miller's upside at a premium position might send him even higher on draft day.

102 DAVID ADAMS, 2B, Virginia
Ranked as the No. 67 prospect in the 2005 draft by BA, Adams lasted until the 21st round, when the Tigers took him, because of a strong commitment to Virginia. He followed through on the commitment with the expectation that he would be the successor to Ryan Zimmerman at third base, though he has spent most of his time at second instead. After productive freshman and sophomore seasons at Virginia and in the Cape Cod League, Adams seemed to be on his way to possible first-round consideration. But he has had a disappointing junior year, batting .281—more than 100 points lower than his sophomore season. A gap-to-gap hitter with occasional power, Adams profiles as a second baseman at the pro level as well. He's an experienced hitter with an advanced approach and has a good track record of hitting with wood, though he has an unorthodox swing and scouts are unsure if it will play at the next level. In the field, Adams is fairly athletic and has the potential to be average defensively. He's also regarded as a good all-around baseball player with advanced instincts.

103 JAVIER RODRIGUEZ, OF, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, Gurabo, P.R.
Considered one of the better prospects in Puerto Rico heading into the Excellence Tournament that annually draws scouts to see the island's best talent each May, Rodriguez elevated his status after his strong showing there. He is the best pure hitter from Puerto Rico and has good bat speed. With a lean, athletic body, Rodriguez should have the ability to add muscle to his long frame. He shows above-average raw power to the pull side, though there is some length to his swing. Rodriguez is an average to above-average runner, clocking in at 6.7 seconds in the 60-yard dash. Reviews of his fielding are mixed, though his arm is above-average for both the length and carry he gets on the ball and for its accuracy.

104 JEREMY HAMILTON, 1B, Wright State
Hamilton is one of the best pure hitters in the 2008 draft. The Horizon League player of the year, he ended the regular season batting .413/.516/.738 with more walks (36) than strikeouts (25). He excels at driving balls to the opposite-field gap in left-center. Though he hit .209 as a reserve with Team USA last summer, there's little worry about his ability to hit with wood bats. The concern is whether he'll hit for the power teams want in a first baseman, as he's not very big (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) and doesn't pull many pitches. Hamilton is more in the Mark Grace mold, including the Gold Glove potential. His hands are soft and he may be the best defensive first baseman in the draft. Hamilton lacks the speed and athleticism to play the outfield at the pro level, though that was his primary position with the U.S. national team.

105 ETHAN HOLLINGSWORTH, RHP, Western Michigan
Hollingsworth has a chance to go as high as the second round, which would make him the highest pick in Western Michigan's history. The Broncos have produced five third-rounders, including big leaguer John Vander Wal. Hollingsworth doesn't intimidate anyone with his size (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) or his stuff, but he really knows how to pitch. His fastball sits at 89-92 mph, and while he's unlikely to add more velocity in the future, he maintains what he has and commands his heater to both sides of the plate. His swing-and-miss slider is his best pitch, and he also mixes in an average 12-to-6 curveball and a decent changeup. Hollingsworth throws strikes, works down in the zone and keeps hitters off balance by mixing his pitches and locations. He's likely as good as he's going to get, but he knows how to pitch and should move quickly in pro ball.

106 CHASE DAVIDSON,1B, Milton (Ga.) HS
Another alum of the East Cobb program, Davidson is a lefthanded-hitting first baseman with a high offensive ceiling. At 6-feet-5, 216 pounds, he has drawn comparisons to Jim Thome with his approach, plus bat speed and leverage in his swing. While Davidson is known for his impressive displays of power in batting practice, he is still somewhat streaky at the plate during games. He has a tendency to pull off balls, swinging and missing more often than desired. When he stays on the ball, however, Davidson has shown the ability to be a doubles and home run machine. In the field, he's regarded by most teams as a first baseman, but could probably play a corner outfield slot as well. Davidson is a below-average runner but is athletic for his size. While he was a standout defensive football player in high school, he'll have to work to become an average defensive player on the baseball diamond and will always be an offense-first player. With a commitment to Georgia, signability could become an issue on draft day.


A senior at Navy, Harris has been one of the top pitchers in the Patriot League for the past two years and entered this season as the league's top draft prospect. He has been a two-way standout for the Midshipmen, but he is strictly a pitcher for pro consideration. Blessed with an ideal pitcher's frame, Harris is athletic and consistently pitches in the low 90s. He has plus command of three pitches—fastball, slider and changeup—and all three have potential to be major league average. He sustained a minor shoulder separation in a pre-season intrasquad scrimmage after hitting a home run, tripping over first base and landing awkwardly on his right arm. He didn't make his first start until the end of March, but quickly regained form when he returned to action. Of more concern to teams is his military commitment, which is five years unless the Navy changes its mind. Some Navy athletes have served just two years active duty, but even that would drive Harris down draft boards. Naval officials were still considering options for Harris, who hoped to have an arrangement worked out by draft day. He would be a lock for the first five rounds on talent, but his service commitment makes him a huge question mark.

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Hoping To Make History

108 RICKY OROPESA, 1B/RHP, Etiwanda (Calif.) HS
Oropesa is a two-way talent who is part of a strong Southern California recruiting class. He dazzled scouts at Major League Baseball's summer showcase at the Urban Youth Academy in Compton last June, blasting several home runs with wood bats, including several off the batter's eye in center field. He also took a turn on the mound, firing a four-seam fastball that registered from 91-93 mph and peaking at 95. Since establishing himself as a possible first-rounder, though, Oropesa has not been as impressive, and his draft stock has taken a dip. He struggled at the Area Code Games and the Aflac Classic, showing an inability to connect with quality pitching. During the spring prep season, he has posted eye-popping numbers against inferior pitching, but he struggled against Notre Dame-bound lefthander Dustin Ispas of Los Osos High. As a hitter, Oropesa has well-above-average raw power, but his hitting mechanics don't let him get to his power against quality pitching. He fits best as a first baseman despite his above-average arm, as he lacks the hands for third base or the speed and range for the outfield corners. As a pitcher, he loses velocity as a game wears on, and his secondary stuff is short. He should be an excellent two-way player in college, but his raw power makes him most attractive as a hitter as a pro.

109 CUTTER DYKSTRA, OF, Westlake HS, Westlake Village, Calif.
Cutter Dykstra
Dykstra is a righthanded version of his dad, former major leaguer Len Dykstra, who starred with the Mets and Phillies in the 1980s and 90s. The younger Dykstra is a terrific athlete, finishing first in the SPARQ testing at the 2007 Area Code games in Long Beach and running the 60 in 6.58 seconds. An offense-first prospect, he uses his speed aggressively. He has a balanced stance at the plate and can hammer pitches middle in. He has outstanding power for a player his size, and his excellent bat speed produces both line-drive and loft power.  While his frame is strong, well developed and athletic, Dykstra has little physical projection. Of greater concern with Dykstra is defense, as he's moved from shortstop to center field. He's not a natural fit at either spot with an adequate arm.  The UCLA signee had late helium and could go in the first three rounds.


Josh Romanski
Despite a smallish 6-foot, 185-pound frame, Romanski has doubled as a two-way player for three seasons for the Toreros. A fine all-around athlete, he ranks among the best-fielding pitchers in the nation, and while he's a good college hitter, his future is on the mound. His fastball sits in the 88-89 mph range with some armside run. He shows an outstanding feel for his secondary pitches, which include a slow curveball, a changeup and a hard slider. Romanski's best pitch is his hard breaking ball, thrown in on a righthanded hitter's hands. Mechanically he is sound, but he will need to make adjustments. His arm action is short on both the back and front end, with a rushed, off-balanced finish. The total package reminds some of Rays lefthander J.P. Howell, though Howell's stuff was considered a bit more firm. As a pro, Romanski fits as either a back of the rotation starter or middle reliever. He offers a nice repertoire of pitches and decent command. He'll also help himself with his glove and bat.

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111 BEN McMAHAN, C, Bishop Moore HS, Orlando
The state of Florida has two prep catchers who stand out as impact draft prospects in Adrian Nieto (No. 73 in BA's predraft rankings) and McMahan. While Nieto is considered the better bat, McMahan is the superior receiver. McMahan made a push up draft boards last fall at the World Wood Bat championships when he led his team to a second-place finish. A Florida 4-A state champion in high school, McMahan knows how to win and is a natural leader on the field. He is athletic behind the plate and has a solid, durable frame. Known as a quiet receiver, he has a strong arm and improving catch and throw mechanics. Projected as a defense-first catcher, McMahan may also provide surprising offense. He has occasional power and above-average speed for a catcher with a chance to be an average hitter. If he's not selected early, signability may cause him to slip a long way because he's committed to Florida and is a strong student.

112 KEVIN EICHHORN, RHP, Aptos (Calif.) HS

Eichhorn's father Mark spent parts of 11 seasons in the big leagues as a reliever, using a submarine delivery to pitch nearly 300 innings in 1986-87 for the Blue Jays. His son probably won't be a second-round pick, as Mark was back in 1979, but it might take second-round money to keep Kevin from his Santa Clara commitment. Mark helped coach Kevin's team to the 2002 Little League World Series. While the elder Eichhorn was 6-foot-3, 210 pounds during his playing days, the son now checks in at 6-feet, 170 pounds and would benefit from a late growth spurt, which some scouts expect. However, he's athletic and switch-hits, and would probably play shortstop and pitch at Santa Clara. If he's drafted high, it's expected to be for his work on the mound, as he has touched 94 mph with his fastball and shows excellent fastball command. Eichhorn spins a breaking ball as well, a curveball that lacks the power to be a true plus pitch now. His body has some scouts doubting he's ready for pro ball, with a fastball that sits 88-90 mph more often than it touches 94. But his arm works well, and with his athleticism and bloodlines, he's the best prep prospect in Northern California.

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Eichhorn Impresses Against Older Competition

113 RYAN WESTMORELAND, OF, Portsmouth (R.I.) HS
Last summer, Westmoreland was intriguing as a thin, rangy, fast-twitch athlete who moonlighted as an all-state soccer player and standout basketball player. He added 15 pounds of muscle over the winter and increased his strength at the plate, his foot speed and even his velocity off the mound, where he used an 86-90 mph fastball and decent curveball to strike out 19 of the 21 batters he faced in a seven-inning perfect game this spring. That arm strength translates well to center field, where his well-above-average speed allows him to cover a lot of ground. As an athletic high school outfielder from Rhode Island, Westmoreland draws inevitable comparisons to fellow Ocean Stater Rocco Baldelli, and he has that kind of upside. He has quick hands and good hand-eye coordination, allowing him to put the barrel on the ball consistently, but he's still learning to incorporate his lower half into his swing and hit the ball with more authority. The scuttlebutt in the Northeast was that it would take at least a seven-figure signing bonus to buy him out of a commitment to Vanderbilt, but the Red Sox have expressed interest in the local boy, sending several prominent front-office executives in to see him.

114 PETEY PARAMORE, C, Arizona State
Paramore was highly regarded coming out of high school but turned down the Mets, who drafted him in the 22nd round in 2005. He became an almost instant starter at Arizona State, where he spent most of his first two seasons sharing time with Kiel Roling as the catcher. Paramore shouldered more of the load in 2008 and earns praise from scouts for his ability to lead a pitching staff, as a quiet receiver and for blocking balls in the dirt. He has good hands but could improve his footwork on his throws. Paramore's arm once rated as above-average, but he's more fringe-average this spring, leaving scouts wondering about his arm's health. Offensively, he has a patient approach with a discerning eye, putting him in frequent hitter's counts, and he should draw his share of walks as a pro. He has some strength but lacks the bat speed to hit for more than fringe-average power. He struggled with wood last summer, going 7-for-63 (.111) for Team USA. Some scouts see many of Jason Varitek's traits in Paramore, though not Varitek's offensive upside. His polish and defensive ability could still get him drafted in the first three rounds.

115 T.J. STEELE, OF, Arizona

Frederickson was climbing draft charts late as he put together a pair of his strongest starts of the year to finish the season. Several scouts were on hand as he battled San Diego's Brian Matusz in his penultimate start, and Frederickson struck out 11 in seven shutout innings of his last outing, against Dallas Baptist. Some scouts say Frederickson, at an imposing 6-foot-6, 238 pounds, has better stuff than Dons lefty Aaron Poreda, the White Sox's 2007 first-round pick. They both have lower arm slots, and while Frederickson doesn't reach the high 90s as Poreda can, he does have a plus fastball, touching 95 and at times sitting in the 91-93 range. His slider gives him a weapon Poreda never had; it's a power pitch, a hybrid slurve that has some depth and is thrown in the low 80s. When it's on, he makes lefthanded hitters look bat. Command is never going to be Frederickson's forte, and he flirts with having "the thing" at times; he was awful (6.99 ERA) in his first two seasons at Virginia Tech before finding the plate more under the tutelage of San Francisco pitching coach Greg Moore, though his delivery still has flaws. Scouts view him as a reliever, but perhaps more than just a lefty setup man. He could go as high as the second round.

Christian is one of the few shortstops in the draft with both offensive and defensive skills, and his all-around game could boost him as high as the second round. He has a loose swing, plenty of bat speed and some power potential to tap into once he adds some weight to his 6-foot-3, 170-pound frame. He uses the whole field and shows an aptitude for drawing walks. Once he gets on base, he's a slightly above-average runner who can provide an occasional steal. Unlike many of the better-hitting shortstops available, Christian won't have to switch positions. He has good actions at shortstop, along with plenty of range and arm strength. He missed three weeks with a stiff back, attributed to Michigan's long flights to Florida, Arizona and North Carolina on early-season road trips. Christian since has recovered and his back isn't a long-term concern.

118 SCOTT GREEN, RHP, Kentucky

Scott Green
Green missed all of 2006 after Tommy John surgery and worked just 18 innings as a redshirt sophomore in 2007, but he positioned himself as a top prospect for 2008 with his performance in the Cape Cod League. The Red Sox, who drafted him in the 15th round, offered him $800,000 at the end of the summer, but Green turned them down in hopes of pitching his way into the first round this spring. That didn't happen because he was so inconsistent that he lost his spot in Kentucky's rotation. While his stuff was expected to take a step forward, Green looked stiff and sat mostly at 87-88 mph as a starter. The sink and armside run on his fastball were more impressive than his velocity. Once he moved to the bullpen, he reached the mid-90s at times, but he did so with a higher arm slot and more effort in his delivery. Green has flashed a good slider at times, but for the most part it has just been a decent pitch. While he has thrown strikes and missed bats, his command has been erratic and made him hittable at times. He still figures to go on the first day of the draft based on his size (6-foot-8, 240 pounds) and the potential he showed on the Cape, but his bonus won't be as high as it could have been last summer.

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119 CHRIS DOMINGUEZ, 3B, Louisville
Chris Dominguez
Few position players can match Dominguez's size, power and arm strength. He's 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, and when he connects, he can drive baseballs as far as anyone in college baseball. The Big East Conference co-offensive player of the year, he led the league with 18 homers entering the postseason. However, his propensity to swing and miss and his lackluster performance with wood bats create questions about how consistent he'll be in pro ball. He tends to destroy mediocre pitchers but struggle against quality opponents, chasing pitches out of the zone and falling behind in the count. Dominguez hit just .216 with three homers in 29 games in the Cape Cod League last summer, striking out 38 times in 97 at-bats. He also led NCAA Division I with 88 strikeouts in 2007, though he has made better contact this spring. Dominguez flashed a mid-90s fastball as a reliever a year ago, though he has a strong desire to remain an everyday player and hasn't pitched this spring. His arm is an asset at third base and he also has decent hands, but he doesn't cover a lot of ground. He has improved defensively this year after making 18 errors in 2007. He played some outfield on the Cape but didn't look good there, leaving first base as his only alternative if he can't stick at the hot corner. Dominguez broke his forearm in a collision with a baserunner in 2006, so he's only a redshirt sophomore. Because teams fear their extra leverage, draft-eligible sophomores often get drafted lower than their ability would warrant, so Dominguez could slide. On talent, he's a second- to fourth-rounder.

120 CODY ADAMS, RHP, Southern Illinois
Adams hasn't been as good or as consistent as he was in 2007, when he won 11 games as a sophomore, but he has showed arm strength every time out, which will get him drafted somewhere from the third to fifth round. He operates in the low 90s, tops out at 96 and will show some 93s and 94s in the late innings. He throws strikes easily, but he hasn't been more dominant because his mechanics have been off. Six-foot-2 and 180 pounds, he overstrides and pitches uphill, flattening out his pitches and leaving them up in the strike zone. His slider hasn't been very effective, leaving his changeup as his most reliable No. 2 option. Whoever signs him will try to get him to stay on top of his pitches and stride more directly to the plate. He may move to the bullpen, where he could show even more velocity.

121 VANCE WORLEY,RHP, Long Beach State
At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Worley has a big body and big arm that attracted attention last summer in the Cape Cod League. He wasn't able to carry that success over this spring for the Dirtbags, but teams that saw him good last summer have seen flashes of that this spring. Worley's four-seam fastball sits in the 91-92 mph range, peaking at 93-94. He has struggled at times with his 87-88 mph two-seamer, which gets hammered when left up in the zone. Both fastballs show armside movement, and he will cut the four-seamer at times. Worley mixes in a changeup and curveball. Both need development, and he will drop his arm slot and slow down his arm when delivering the change. Command is the primary concern with Worley, not in terms of walks but in quality of pitches and efficiency, as he frequently finds himself in deep counts. With refinement of his secondary offerings, he could develop into a mid-rotation starter in pro ball, but his power arm makes a conversion to the bullpen a solid option.

122 TAYLOR COLE, RHP, CC of Southern Nevada
Cole has shown big stuff in a small body the last two years, first as a high school senior at Las Vegas' Bishop Gorman High, then this year as a freshman at CC of Southern Nevada. He's emerged as CCSN's top prospect after outfielder Devin Shepherd bombed and ace righty Colby Shreve needed Tommy John surgery. Some scouts aren't sold on Cole, who probably isn't as big as his listed 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, but he has several factors in his favor. His fastball sat 90-91 mph early and he got better as the season went along, touching 96 and sitting 92-94 at times. Blessed with a quick arm, the athletic Cole does it easy and repeats his delivery, pumping his fastball into the bottom of the strike zone. He long tosses and has natural arm strength to boot. His slider can be an average pitch, and he's still learning how to add and subtract velocity from his stuff. Still, most scouts peg Cole as a reliever as a pro. His fastball can flatten out, and he's more Jesse Crain than Roy Oswalt. His draft stock fell last year when his bonus demands went up, and despite his big-time arm he seemed to be falling again this spring, into the third- to fifth-round range.

123 RYAN O'SULLIVAN, RHP, Valhalla HS, El Cajon, Calif.
O'Sullivan's older brother Sean was a third-round pick of the Angels in 2005 (signing as a draft-and-follow the following spring), and while Ryan lacks his older brother's big, physical body, his frame is solid and gives him some projection. O'Sullivan's build, stuff and approach are similar to Ian Kennedy's. He locates his 88-92 mph four-seam fastball well with some armside life. His breaking ball is not the monster curve his brother attacks hitters with, but it has improved substantially since his junior year. More of a finesse than a power pitcher, O'Sullivan also shows an excellent feel for his sinker and changeup. He profiles as a third or fourth starter, with four average to plus pitches, as well as command and pitching savvy. He plays shortstop when he's not pitching, but he does not project as a pro hitter. He has enough athletic ability and bat, though, to handle two-way duties if he winds up in college at San Diego State.

124 TAYLOR JUNGMANN, RHP, Georgetown (Texas) HS
After leading Rogers to the Texas state 2-A championship in 2007, Jungmann transferred to Georgetown and has pitched his new school into the 5-A regional semifinals. Jungmann is an athletic 6-foot-5, 180-pounder who also was an all-district basketball forward at Rogers. There's a lot of projection left in his frame, and scouts expect his current 88-92 mph fastball to touch 95 mph in the future. While he has a loose arm, his mechanics will need ironing out before he can develop much in the way of secondary pitches or command. Jungmann isn't likely to get picked before the third round and may not be signable outside of the first, so he could wind up attending college at Texas.

125 JUSTIN PARKER, SS, Wright State
Justin Parker
Justin's young brother Jarrod had the most electric arm in the 2007 draft and went ninth overall to the Diamondbacks. Justin has emerged from Jarrod's shadow to become one of the better college middle infielders in this year's draft. He flew under the radar because he skipped summer ball after having shoulder surgery after last season, but no longer. Some clubs prefer him to teammate Jeremy Hamilton, who's chasing the NCAA Division I batting title. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder has more raw power than Hamilton and plays a more difficult position, though that might not be shortstop in pro ball. Parker's arm strength has returned, but his range and hands would fit better at second or third base. He's an average runner whose instincts help his speed play up on the bases. Parker could go between the third and fifth rounds.

126 TREY HALEY, RHP, Central Heights HS, Nacogdoches, Tex.
Earlier in the spring, Haley had a chance to be the first pitcher drafted out of Texas. He generated buzz by touching 95 mph with projection remaining in his 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame. He couldn't sustain that velocity when crosscheckers and scouting directors came in to see him, usually pitching at 91-92 mph in the first inning before sitting at 88-89 mph. He tends to overthrow, putting a lot of effort and a head jerk into his delivery when he does. He flashes a promising curveball and a changeup, but he's not consistent. He struggles to repeat his mechanics, which affects his control and command. Like many of the most promising high school pitchers in Texas this spring, Haley will be difficult to sign. It may take first-round money to lure him away from Rice, and the difference between his present and his future is too great for clubs to make that kind of investment.

127 JOHNNY GIOVATELLA, 2B, New Orleans
At 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds, Giovatella is the smallest player on our Top 200 Prospects list, but his bat isn't short. He has hit .348 or better with more walks than strikeouts in each of his three seasons at New Orleans, including an outstanding 48-18 BB-K ratio in the regular season this year. Using a short, compact swing, he waits patiently for pitches he can drive to either of the gaps. He also hit a respectable .255 with wood bats in the Cape Cod League last summer. As an offensive second baseman, he draws comparisons to the likes of Dustin Pedroia (without the same defense), Dan Uggla (without the same power) and Mike Fontenot (with more strength). Giovatella is a solid-average runner who can steal a few bases. He also has arm strength, though he's just an adequate defender at second base. He receives praise for his passion and toughness.

128 SCOTT BARNES, LHP, St. John's
Barnes has had an inconsistent spring, but he pitched better down the stretch after making mechanical adjustments. He was out of sync early in the season with his delivery, causing his arm to drag and limiting his extension, and he threw across his body to compensate. He worked in the mid-80s with his fastball and struggled to command his secondary stuff. But his alignment and tempo have improved in the second half, and his fastball has climbed into the 90-92 mph range with good sink. His delivery still has a head jerk, but scouts think his quirkiness adds to his deception. He shows an average slider with good tilt and good feel for a changeup, and he uses a slow curveball as a show pitch. Barnes stands out most for his competitiveness and his aggressiveness, but opinion on him is widely mixed. He could be drafted anywhere from the third to the 10th round.

129 BOBBY LANIGAN, RHP, Adelphi (N.Y.)
Plenty of scouts in the Northeast prefer Lanigan to Scott Barnes, even though Lanigan is a Division II righthander from a wood-bat conference and Barnes is a Big East lefty. That's a testament to Lanigan's prototypical 6-foot-5 pitcher's frame and quality fastball/slider repertoire, which helped him go 4-4, 1.94 with 87 strikeouts and 16 walks in 79 innings this spring. He's not a great athlete, but he's physical and durable with has a loose arm and an easy delivery. At his best, Lanigan holds the low-90s velocity on his solid-average fastball and touches 93, but a dead arm down the stretch caused him to drop into the 87-89 range. During the course of a game, Lanigan will show plenty of above-average sliders in the 82-86 range, but he'll also leave below-average sliders up in the zone; the pitch grades out as average overall but projects as plus. His changeup has good arm speed, but he seldom used it in college. Lanigan should be drafted in the top five rounds and projects as potential back-of-the-rotation starter.

130 BRENT WARREN, OF, Xavier HS, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Brett Warren
Warren feared his baseball career was over when a routine physical during his junior year revealed that he had a congenital heart defect. But he was cleared to return to the diamond after surgery and re-established himself as a quality prospect for the 2008 draft. Extremely projectable at 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, Warren is reminiscent of former Iowa prep standout Ryan Sweeney—and he's more athletic than Sweeney was. Though he still has room to add a lot of strength, the ball jumps off Warren's bat at times. He's an intelligent hitter with a sweet lefthanded swing that catches up to good fastballs. He's an above-average runner and center fielder, and while his arm isn't back to where it was before his heart surgery, it should be average in time. Pro clubs are focusing on Warren as an outfielder, but he could contribute as a two-way player if he attends Oregon State.

131 DANNY ORTIZ, OF, Harrison HS, Cayey, P.R.

Like fellow Puerto Rican Javier Rodriguez, Ortiz is a sweet-swinging outfielder who boosted his stock as much as anyone at the Excellence Tournament in May. Though he doesn't have the classic size of a corner outfielder, Ortiz has pure hitter with a projectable bat and a good approach at the plate. With quick hands and power to all fields, Ortiz has good hitting mechanics and his bat stays in the hitting zone for a long time. He recorded a 6.7-second time in the 60, but Ortiz will likely play left field ultimately in pro ball. He projects to go in the top five rounds, and a team who saw him play well in May could take him as high as the third round.

132 ADAM SMITH, SS, Klein (Texas) HS
Smith has flown under the radar because he didn't hit the showcase circuit last summer, but as the draft approached, his tools were getting more difficult to ignore. He's a lean, athletic 6-foot-4, 195-pounder with a plus-plus arm, above-average speed and offensive potential. His bat isn't as advanced as the other aspects of his game, but there's no reason he shouldn't develop at the plate. He should grow into considerable power as he adds more strength. A quarterback for Klein's football team, Smith has good actions at shortstop despite being tall for the position, and he also shows fine instincts. Given his size, he could wind up at third base down the road. While he's committed to Texas A&M—where his father Barry, who's also the baseball coach at Klein, played for four seasons—Smith may be signable if he goes in the first five rounds.

Jefferies was one of the nation's toughest hitters to strike out and helped drive the Aggies toward a possible regional bid in their first season of eligibility since moving up from Division II. Jefferies' offensive approach will need tweaking as he gets stronger, because now he's interested mostly in making contact rather than driving the ball. He's a solid athlete and an average runner. Defensively, Jefferies impresses scouts with his solid-average catch-and-throw ability. He has good feet and is a quiet receiver, with a fringe-average but accurate arm. While Jefferies doesn't have any true above-average tools, he also lacks any glaring weaknesses, and for a catcher that makes him a good bet to be drafted in the first five rounds.


Brandon Crawford
Crawford sparkled as one of the best players in the nation during his freshman and sophomore seasons. His march toward the top half of the draft has not gone well, however, starting last summer, when he hit just .189 in the Cape Cod League. His junior year has been disappointing, as has that of preseason No. 1 UCLA, which was flirting with .500. Crawford has used several different stances at bat, searching for a solution. While he has average raw power, Crawford doesn't make enough contact to get to it and had struck out in 27 percent of his at-bats. His problems at the plate have him profiling as a utility player, and some scouts have criticized his energy level. His best tools are his speed, defense and plus arm. He shows advanced playmaking ability at short and is particularly adept at charging slow hoppers and making the throw on the run.

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Crawford Named 2006 Freshman All-American

135 ROLANDO GOMEZ, SS, Flanagan HS, Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Gomez draws comparisons to his relative and long time major leaguer Tony Fernandez, though Fernandez is five inches taller. At 5-feet-9, 160 pounds, Gomez is an undersized middle infielder with flare and above-average defensive ability. In the field, his actions are smooth and he has the ability to make difficult plays look routine. While the knock on Gomez is his fringe-average arm strength, he has soft hands and uses good footwork to get himself in the proper position to make plays. Staying at shortstop would make him more valuable, but some scouts think he'll eventually move to second base, in which case he will need to hit more. At the plate, Gomez has a quick lefthanded swing, spraying balls into the gaps. He shows occasional power, but capitalizing on his above-average speed with small ball better suits his skills. He was a regular on the showcase circuit last summer, and has gained a reputation as a grinder. He's committed to play for Miami if he doesn't sign.

136 PETER HISSEY, OF, Unionville (Pa.) HS
Peter Hissey
Hissey's brother and father played college baseball, so he had no trouble dropping basketball even though he could have played shooting guard for a mid-major college hoops program. An above-average runner with good instincts, Hissey has added about 20 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot frame in the past year, and though his power is below-average currently, he projects as average or slightly better. He's an aggressive hitter who has a good feel for the strike zone, stays on breaking balls well and hits hard line drive to all fields. He's a promising defender in center field but needs to improve his routes. One scout projected him as a right fielder down the line and compared him to Paul O'Neill for his game as well as his hard-nosed approach. Hissey is an excellent student, and a club will likely have to take him in the top three rounds to buy him out of a commitment to Virginia.

137 L.J. HOES, OF, St. John's HS, Washington D.C.

Hoes first popped on the scouting radar in the summer of 2006, when he made USA Baseball's youth national team. The following summer he competed for the junior national team and has become known as an athlete on the baseball field. None of his tools are legitimate pluses, but all of them are at least slightly above-average. Scouts know Hoes fits somewhere on the diamond, but they aren't sure where. He has good speed but not quite enough to profile as a center fielder. He's a better than average hitter with power, but doesn't show the pop necessary to play a corner outfield position. He shows more power to the opposite field now and often hits the ball on the ground to the left, his pull side. Hoes has the athleticism and the plus arm to play almost any position, and it wouldn't be far-fetched to see him try the infield. With questions about his profile and a commitment to North Carolina, Hoes could be a tough sign.

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Sign Them Up

Hoes Shines in Cape Cod Classic

138 WESLEY FREEMAN, OF, All Saints Academy, Lakeland, Fla.
A full package of five raw tools, Freeman is the prototypical well-built high school prospect who scouts can dream on. At 6-feet-4, 210 pounds, he's a physical specimen blessed with strength and speed. He shows plus speed, an above-average arm and athleticism in the outfield and projects to be an average defender at worst. At the plate, Freeman's ability is still raw and he has an aggressive approach in need of refinement. Swinging with a natural uppercut, he has leverage in his swing and pure bat speed, leading to plus raw power to all fields. His swing concerns scouts, however, because he has a straight arm hitch in his load, which would affect his ability to hit quality pitching if it's not corrected. But teams won't be able to ignore his raw tools. An Aflac All-American last fall, Freeman is committed to Central Florida.

139 MICHAEL PALAZZONE, RHP, Lassiter HS, Marietta, Ga.
Palazzone is another East Cobb alum and was an Aflac All-American last fall. He has major league stuff that put him on the scouting radar in his freshman year. He's 6-foot-3, 190 pounds with room for projection, pitching at 89-92 mph now with the possibility of 91-94 in the future. The gem of Palazzone's arsenal is his curveball, a big breaker with late 11-to-5 dropping action. It's already close to major league ready and he can command it in the zone. His changeup is also advanced for a high school pitcher and could be above-average in the future. With three possible plus pitches, a durable frame and command, Palazzone projects as a starter if he can clean up his delivery. With a funky arm action, backward shoulder tilt and straight over the top release, scouts worry about inconsistency and injuries. He's still able to generate downward plane and leverage to the plate, however. Palazzone is committed to Georgia if he doesn't sign.

140 ZACH WILSON, 3B, Wilson HS, Long Beach
Long in the shadow of Wilson stars Ryan Dent and Aaron Hicks, Wilson is a legitimate prospect on his own merit. He has a prototypical, athletic 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame, and his 6.8-second speed in the 60 is rare for a third-base prospect. His primary tool is his bat. During the summer showcase season, Wilson began his swing from a dead start, with no hand movement or load. He now employs an inward leg kick, which led to dramatic improvement. Wilson's picturesque cut, which combines a short backswing with a long and level follow through, produces screaming line drives to all fields. He demonstrated his bat in a mid-April game when he drilled a 410-foot shot directly over the center-field fence at Redondo Union High. While his arm is adequate for the hot corner, Wilson will need to improve his glovework and footwork. Some organizations may be scared off by his Scott Boras Corp. representation and Arizona State commitment, but a lot of clubs are intrigued by Wilson's potential.

141 DANNY ESPINOSA, SS, Long Beach State
Espinosa is one of the most distinctive players in college baseball with his strong, mature build and slightly bowlegged "egg beater" running style. Long praised by scouts for his work ethic and hustling style of play, Espinosa gets maximum results out of average tools. One scout compared him to former Cal State Fullerton infielder Justin Turner, though with a bit more athleticism. Defensively, his range is fair and his glove work is unorthodox, but he does possess a strong arm. While he handled shortstop well for Team USA last summer, Espinosa is not a pure shortstop and may be better suited to second base or as a utility player. His intelligent and aggressive baserunning masks raw speed that is only average. A switch-hitter, Espinosa has always been stronger from his natural right side, but improved from the left this year. He takes a wicked cut at anything close, and when he squares a pitch up he can produce screaming drives to all fields. Most scouts want to see more plate discipline and patience from Espinosa, who's considered a streak hitter. His lack of overwhelming tools will keep him out of the first two rounds, but he has a lot of attributes scouts love, including the knack to make those around him better.

142 CHARLIE BLACKMON, OF, Georgia Tech
Blackmon has been drafted twice before, by the Marlins out of high school in 2004 (28th round) and then by the Red Sox in 2005 after his freshman year at Young Harris (Ga.) JC (20th round). In both cases he was taken as a lefthander, but after transferring to Georgia Tech he didn't see any time on the mound, and he redshirted in 2007. Blackmon played in the Texas Collegiate League last summer and batted .316 as an outfielder, so when he returned to Georgia Tech he got a chance as a position player and took full advantage. In his first year as a hitter, Blackmon has led the Yellow Jackets in batting and was among the team leaders in nearly every offensive category. A natural athlete, Blackmon has five tools that are quickly gaining refinement. At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, he has the prototypical pro body. He runs well and could play any of the three outfield positions but probably fits best in left. At the plate, Blackmon has a natural lefthanded swing and makes consistent contact. While his approach is still raw, he projects to hit for power and average. He's a college senior but a young hitter, so he has plenty of room for improvement. He is one of the biggest sleepers in this year's draft.

143 JORDAN SWAGERTY, RHP/C, Prestonwood Christian Academy, Plano, Texas
Swagerty was the starting catcher—ahead of projected early first-rounder Kyle Skipworth—on the US. junior national team that won a bronze medal at the Pan American Junior Championships last summer. But since his velocity increased during his junior season, pro teams have regarded him more highly as a pitcher. He's still more of a thrower than a pitcher on the mound, but he eventually could have two plus pitches with his 90-92 mph fastball and his curveball. He's not big at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, so he may profile better as a reliever. As a catcher, Swagerty is more advanced defensively than he is with his bat. He has obvious arm strength, though his throwing mechanics are long. He's a switch-hitter, but his bat speed is ordinary and he needs more strength. Swagerty's signability is uncertain. Some clubs believe he'd turn pro if he goes in the first four rounds, while others think luring him away from Arizona State will be all but impossible.

144 CECIL TANNER, RHP, Ware County HS, Waycross, Ga.
A 10-inch growth spurt and 10 mph velocity jump over the past two years put Tanner near the top of follow lists in Georgia. Now at 6-feet-6, 190 pounds, he is a projectable righthander still filling out and getting comfortable in his frame. He consistently throws in the low 90s, touching 95, but had a disappointing senior season in which he failed to pick up any wins. Consistently repeating is delivery has been a struggle for Tanner, affecting his command and secondary stuff. He has flashed feel for a breaking ball, but his curveball is currently below-average. Tanner has athletic bloodlines and his father Berry played at South Florida. He's committed to Georgia, and unless he's drafted early, signing him could be a challenge. He has plenty of arm strength but is also plenty raw, meaning three years of refinement in college could make him a much better prospect come 2011.

145 AARON KING, LHP, Surry (N.C.) CC
King has all the things scouting directors love, as a 6-foot-4 lefthander who pitches in the low to mid-90s. Possibly the best lefthander in the junior college ranks, King is a strikeout pitcher, pitching off his fastball and putting hitters away with his slider. He also throws a changeup. He's athletic on the mound and still has projection. His delivery is somewhat unconventional and causes him to be erratic at times. The question with King, at it is with most juco pitchers, is whether he will throw enough strikes. His K/BB ratio this season was close to 3/1. He will at least be given a chance as a starting pitcher in the pros. He's a freshman at Surry and relatively new on the scouting radar, and he wasn't drafted out of high school.

146 JARRET MARTIN, 1B/LHP, Centennial HS, Bakersfield, Calif.
Martin first drew attention from scouts with his eye-opening performances at the Area Code Games preliminaries and the showcase itself last summer. His strong, projectable 6-foot-3, 200-pound build is nearly perfect for a young lefthander, and his raw stuff is equally impressive. His fastball ranges from 88-91 mph and will peak at 92. His best pitch is his hard curveball, which when thrown properly has wicked late break and is effective against both lefthanded and righthanded hitters. His mechanics are a concern, however, hampering his command and making him wildly inconsistent from outing to outing. Martin's high school team has no pitching coach, and he has to travel for specialized coaching, so with hard work and more instruction he figures to overcome his technical flaws. When he is not pitching, Martin plays first base. With 13 home runs this spring, he has drawn attention as a lefthanded-hitting slugger, and Cal State Fullerton covets him as a two-way recruit.

147 BRYAN SHAW, RHP, Long Beach State
Long Beach State righted itself after a rough midseason patch, and Shaw had been key to the turnaround as the team's power closer. He's from Livermore, Calif., which seems to churn out hard throwers. It's the hometown of Randy Johnson and Giants reliever Erick Threets. While both of those hard-throwing lefties have touched 100 mph in their careers, Shaw touches 95-96 mph and sits in the 92-94 range. His slider can be a real power breaking ball when he's going well, sitting in the low to mid-80s. While he's just 6-foot-1, he does a good job of missing down and keeping the ball in the ballpark. Shaw also has excellent control for a power pitcher. His stuff might be short to be a big league closer, but he should move quickly into a setup role.

After a strong showing in the Cape Cod League last summer, when he went 4-1, 0.81, Holder was a hot commodity for scouts coming into the season. He allowed only one hit and struck out 10 in eight innings of work in the Cape championship game, earning league playoff MVP honors. A part-time starter for Georgia in 2007, Holder moved into the weekend rotation in 2008 as the Friday night starter. But he has not been overpowering this spring, offering a fairly straight fastball between 89-91 mph and below-average secondary stuff. With less than a strikeout per inning, Holder has not missed many bats and has relied on command and savvy to be successful. He has the ability to pitch to the corners and consistently pounds the zone. Holder has a projectable 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame, but his feel for pitching and track record are what separate him from teammate Stephen Dodson, who has similar stuff, and will make him more attractive on draft day.

149 PETE ANDRELCZYK, RHP, Coastal Carolina
Andrelczyk redshirted as a freshman at Coastal Carolina and has improved every year. Last season he made 23 appearances for the Chanticleers, tallying one save—which was good enough to get him drafted in the 32nd round by the Orioles as a redshirt sophomore. He returned to school, however, and moved into the full-time closer role. His velocity took another jump, and he's now considered to have a power package on the mound. Tallying better than a strikeout an inning, Andrelczyk works off a low-90s fastball that can touch 95 mph. He also has a hard slider that sits between 83-85 mph with tight rotation and late action that is especially tough on righthanded hitters. He has the best pure stuff on Coastal's team, and he profiles as a reliever in the pros as well. A late bloomer, Andrelcyzk was gaining momentum up draft boards at the end of the season.

Sobolewski is a draft-eligible true sophomore, and playing for Miami has afforded him plenty of exposure this spring. He should be one of at least seven Hurricanes drafted this June. A Freshman All-American last season, Sobolewski had a 20-game hit streak last season and reached base safely in 31 of his team's last 32 games. He struggled last summer in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .189 with no home runs in 39 games. Drafted in the 20th round out of high school by the Astros in 2006, Sobolewski is still raw at third base and at the plate. While he has an above-average arm, he has made too many errors this season, most of them throwing errors because he has a tendency to drop down and throw across the diamond from a lower arm slot. He does have the actions and hands to be an above-average fielder if he refines his technique. At the plate, Sobolewski is strong, as he often hits cleanup for the Hurricanes, but most of his power is pull-side. As a sophomore, Sobolewski may be a tough sign, and one more year of college may be enough to make him a top prospect for next year's draft.

151 DAVID DUNCAN, LHP, Georgia Tech
A highly touted recruit in 2005, Duncan was the top prep prospect in Ohio in his senior season and was drafted in the 14th round by the Twins, but he turned down pro ball to go to Georgia Tech. After starting 30 games in his first two college seasons, Duncan was eligible again as a sophomore and was selected by the Nationals in the 23rd round last year. He again elected not to sign and returned to Georgia Tech as its Friday night starter this season. Lefthanded and 6-feet-8, Duncan is an imposing figure on the mound, throws four pitches for strikes and still has projection as a starter. He complements his 88-92 mph fastball with a curveball, changeup and split-finger. The split is Duncan's out pitch and with its late sinking action, has the potential to be a plus pitch in the pros. While he does have decent strikeout numbers, Duncan is more of a groundball pitcher who thrives on the plane created from his height and his ability to pitch down in the zone.

152 ANTHONY CAPRA, LHP, Wichita State
In his first season as a full-time starter, the only thing that has been able to slow Capra down was an emergency appendectomy. After missing the first two series of the year, he rolled through the regular season with a 9-0, 2.52 record in 11 starts and led the Missouri Valley Conference record with a .201 opponent average. His 6-foot-1, 210-pound build brings to mind Mickey Lolich, but Capra's arsenal is more impressive than his body. His 88-92 mph fastball has late life down in the zone and his plus changeup is a swing-and-miss pitch. He throws a hard curveball that has its moments but lacks consistency, and his low-three-quarters slot may be more conducive to throwing a slider. Capra stuff plays up, too, because he commands all of his pitches and he's lefthanded. He touched 94 mph when he worked out of the bullpen in the past. Capra lacks projection and will have to watch his body, but he's a polished lefty who could go as high as the third round.


Kyle Russell
Russell topped NCAA Division I with a school-record 28 homers in 2007, yet that wasn't enough to answer questions about his bat. His poor history with wood bats and his seven-figure asking price dropped him to the Cardinals in the fourth round. When the two sides couldn't come to an agreement, he returned for an up-and-down junior season. Russell hit one homer in March and 12 in April, and scouts still aren't sure his swing and approach will work with wood. He offers power to all fields, though he has been more pull-conscious this spring. He's a decent athlete with a right-field arm, but it's his bat that will have to carry him to the majors. Russell could get drafted in the same area he did a year ago, though it's unlikely anyone will match St. Louis' reported willingness to give him an $800,000 bonus.

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Scouts Question Texas Duo

154 D.J. MITCHELL, RHP, Clemson
Recruited as an outfielder, Mitchell didn't pitch at all his freshman year at Clemson. A career .241 hitter in college, he split time between hitting and pitching last season and found more success on the mound, tallying a 5-0, 3.27 record in 15 appearances. Following his sophomore season, he led the Cape Cod League with 58 strikeouts, including one 15-strikeout performance, and had a 1.47 ERA in eight starts. He has been Clemson's Friday night starter this spring, providing stability on a young staff. Athletic on the mound, Mitchell has long, wiry arms and legs. His fastball comes in between 89-91 mph, but with above-average movement. He creates natural sink and tail from his loose three-quarters arm slot. He complements his fastball with a sweeping slider and changeup. Mitchell is 6-feet, 170 pounds and has room to add more weight. Due to his size, durability is a question mark, but his live body and limited pitching experience intrigue scouts. He'll likely end up in the bullpen at the professional level.

155 J.P. RAMIREZ, OF, Canyon HS, New Braunfels, Texas
Ramirez is arguably the best hitter among Texas' draft prospects this year—high school or college. He performed well all along the showcase circuit and batter .395 for the U.S. junior national team last summer. Employing a smooth lefthanded stroke, he smokes line drives from gap to gap. However, Ramirez' true value and his signability remain subjects of debate. He may be a tweener by pro standards. He's not big (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) and lacks the raw power that clubs want in a corner outfielder, while his fringy speed will prevent him form playing center field. His arm likely will relegate him to left field. Two different scouts compared him to David Dellucci. As much as Ramirez' hitting ability and his makeup draw praise, teams are unlikely to meet his top-two-rounds asking price to prevent him from attending Tulane.

Drafted in the 44th round of the 2005 draft by the Nationals, Hensley chose college and over the past three years has made a solid case to be considered the best pitcher in Elon's baseball history. The career strikeout and wins leader for the Phoenix, Hensley also has a chance to be the highest-drafted Elon player since the school moved up to Division I in 2000 (Lefthander Brad Pinkerton was a fifth-round selection of the Angels in the 2001 draft). He attacks hitters with a four-pitch mix, including a low-90s fastball, fringe-average changeup and curveball, and average slider. At his best, Hensley throws from a high three-quarters arm slot, and has both late life and tight spin on his fastball and secondary pitches. At times he's inconsistent, dropping his arm angle and causing his pitches to flatten out. Hensley also has experience pitching the Cape Cod League, going 4-2, 3.52 for the Bourne Braves last summer.

157 JARROD McKINNEY, OF/SS, Hughes Springs (Texas) HS
The best high school athlete in Texas' draft crop this year, McKinney offers speed, arm strength and raw power. He's a 6-foot, 205-pounder capable of running a 6.5-second 60-yard dash, and his throws from the outfield have been clocked as high as 94 mph. He played running back, linebacker, kicker and punter for the Hughes Springs football team. While McKinney is strong, balls don't jump off his bat and he lacks polish as a hitter. He also hasn't faced strong competition at the Texas state 3-A level, so he'll need some time to develop at the plate. He's too stiff to remain at shortstop and right field will likely be his position, which would put more pressure on his bat. McKinney has caught in the past and a pro team may want to try him behind the plate. An Arkansas recruit, he wants third-round money to sign but may get picked in the fifth- to eighth-round range.

158 QUINTON MILLER, RHP, Shawnee HS, Medford, N.J.
A shoulder impingement in his junior year made Miller tough for scouts to see last summer and fall, and his velocity has been up and down this spring. His injury history, slight build (he's generously listed at 6-foot-3) and a delivery that has some effort raise questions about his long-term durability, but at his best he's a top-three-rounds talent. Depending on what day you see him, Miller can show an average or better fastball in the low 90s that reaches 93-94, or he can work in the 86-90 range. The pitch is straight, though, and his arm slot is inconsistent. He flashes a plus hard slider and an average change. He is aggressive and has a good feel for pitching, though he still needs to refine his command. Unless a team makes a run at him in the first three rounds, Miller figures to wind up at North Carolina, where he should be a high-impact pitcher immediately.

159 BRETT JACOBSEN, RHP, Vanderbilt
Jacobsen was the Arizona high school player of the year as a senior and rated by BA as the No. 93 prospect for the 2005 draft. Because of a dip in velocity and a strong commitment to Vanderbilt, however, he slipped to the Diamondbacks in the 11th round. He honored his commitment to the Commodores and made just six appearances—two starts—as a freshman. He split time between starting and relieving as a sophomore, but has seen more time in the pen this season, making only four starts and serving as Vandy's closer. Jacobsen has been a tough guy for scouts to figure out. As a starter he pitches between 88-91 mph, but as a reliever his velocity jumps to the mid-90s. He also throws a slurvy breaking ball and changeup, both with potential to be average. The inability to consistently throw strikes has been Jacobsen's downfall, keeping him out of a starting role, and that's the reason most scouts think he'll be a reliever in the pros as well. Jacobsen is 6-foot-6, 205 pounds and pitches from a three-quarters arm slot. He has effort in his delivery, but can pitch downhill with a steep plane when he's on. He's a high risk, high reward prospect.

160 HAROLD MARTINEZ, SS, Braddock HS, Miami
Harold Martinez
Committed to Miami and a preseason All-American this year, Martinez has competed for Team USA's Junior  and Youth national teams and was an Aflac All-American. This spring, he has struggled to translate his talent into production. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he has a projectable pro body that is still growing. He is likely to outgrow shortstop but should become an above-average defender at third base. An average runner, he is athletic and moves well, with good actions in the field and a solid arm. In batting practice, Martinez shows above-average raw power and good hitting mechanics, but in games, his struggles begin. He has major timing issues and often reverts to a swing with no load. While he has fallen from a first-round prospect, a team will still take a chance on Martinez, and repeated at-bats in the minor leagues may be just what he needs.


Thompson built an impressive resume and the reputation as a winner in his first two seasons at Virginia. Compiling double-digit wins in both his freshman and sophomore seasons, he had won 21 of his 32 starts coming into his junior year. He also pitched for Team USA's national college squad last summer, compiling a 1.27 ERA in five starts, and started against Cuba in the gold-medal matchup at the Pan American Games. He entered the season as a projected first-round pick, but a disappointing spring caused his draft stock to plummet. Thompson never showed overwhelming stuff, but when successful he mixed his low-90s fastball, plus slider, average curveball and changeup with superior pitchability and command. Creating steep plane from his 6-foot-6 frame, he pitched down in the zone and had a .198 opponent average his sophomore year. He has struggled with his command this year, though. Due to an inability to consistently get over the rubber and pitch downhill, Thompson's fastball has been left up in the zone and his secondary pitches have been flat. A team that drafts Thompson early will do so on his track record, but if he's drafted on the basis of this year's performance, he may slip past the point of being signable.

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Cuba Downs U.S., Thompson, Claims Gold at Pan Am Games


St. Clair outpitched teammate Phil Hughes at Foothill High in Santa Ana, Calif., in 2004, after which Hughes signed with the Yankees as a first-round pick and St. Clair headed to Rice. St. Clair figured to match Hughes' draft status entering last season, but he injured his arm lifting weights. The exact nature of the injury is up in the air. It has been reported as a shoulder strain and biceps tendinitis, while some scouts maintain it was a labrum tear. St. Clair didn't require surgery, but his stuff hasn't been the same since. While with the U.S. college national team in the summer of 2006, he featured a 91-94 mph fastball and a plus curveball. Factoring in his size (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) and his makings of a changeup, and some clubs projected him as a pro starter. But for much of the last two years, he has pitched at 87-88 mph and topped out at 91 with his fastball. His curveball isn't as tight as it was previously. St. Clair has continued to succeed for the Owls, thanks to his command, deceptive high leg kick and his competitiveness. The Indians failed to sign him as a seventh-rounder in 2007, and though he has completed his eligibility and his economics degree, he still may be a tougher sign than most seniors. If he regains his previous stuff, he could be a steal.

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Mr. Fix It

163 JORDAN COOPER, RHP, Shawnee Heights HS, Tecumseh, Kan.
The top prep prospect in Kansas, Cooper stands out most for his polish. He has good feel for his heavy 88-91 mph sinker, and he has maintained its velocity throughout the spring. He throws four pitches, including a curveball, slider and changeup and could be more effective once he settles on one breaking ball. His arm is clean and works well. Though Cooper isn't exceptionally big at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he's a very good athlete, which allows him to repeat his delivery and throw strikes. An all-city basketball guard, he also doubles as a slugging third baseman in baseball. Committed to Wichita State, Cooper could be difficult to sign in the fourth or fifth round, which is where his talent projects to land him.

164 NATE TENBRINK, 3B, Kansas State
Tenbrink is fodder for the classic tools-vs.-performance argument. Scouts who like him project him as a possible third-rounder and rave about his physical gifts. He's a 6-foot-2, 204-pounder who has a loose lefthanded swing with loft in batting practice, not to mention a plus arm and solid-average speed. He's also an intense competitor and hard worker. Yet for everything Tenbrink has going for him, he hit just .251/.372/.459 and fielded .890 at the hot corner during the regular season. It's not a case of draftitis, as he posted similar numbers as a sophomore. Rather than letting his plus power come naturally, Tenbrink overswings and chases pitches too often during games. He needs to tone down his approach and force pitchers to challenge him. He also must harness his arm, as many of his errors come on throws. Tenbrink's two-run homer provided the difference in Kansas State's Big 12 Conference tournament-opening upset of Oklahoma State, and a hot postseason could push him up draft boards.

165 TAYLOR HIGHTOWER, C, Cartersville (Ga.) HS
With catching always at a premium, Hightower's fundamentally sound catch and release skills have made him a premium prospect since his sophomore year in high school. He was the No. 46 prep prospect in the nation coming into the season but hasn't stepped forward because of questions about his bat. Behind the plate he has good hands and feet, and the actions to be an average receiver. While he has a fringe-average arm, Hightower's catch and release mechanics are quick and he consistently posts pop times under two seconds. While he has shown the ability to make contact at the plate, his approach needs refinement. He has gap-to-gap power and will pull an occasional home run but has only fringe-average power potential. At 6-feet-1, 195 pounds, Hightower's body is developed and lacks projection. If he slips in the draft, signing Hightower could be an issue because he has the skills to be the starting catcher for Ole Miss next season as a freshman.

166 LUKE BURNETT, RHP, Louisiana Tech
Burnett looked like a potential first-round pick as a reliever last summer in the Cape Cod League, when he intimidated hitters with his 6-foot-8, 260-pound frame and a fastball that sat at 96 mph. Now he has to hope that teams place a lot of faith in what he showed on the Cape, because he had a horrible 2008 season that torpedoed his draft status. Used mostly as a starter—a role in which he thrived as a sophomore—Burnett failed to win a game and didn't pitch after April 25, when he walked four batters and couldn't get out of the first inning against Hawaii. His arm speed was noticeably slower this spring, though an MRI didn't reveal any injury. He pitched mostly at 86-91 mph with a straight four-seam fastball. He bounced his splitter in the dirt and had trouble staying on top of his slider. When it's on, his splitter can be devastating. Burnett draws comparisons to Kyle Farnsworth, and he's best suited to come in and air out his fastball for an inning at a time. His delivery is stiff and hampers his command, and he doesn't have a lot of feel for pitching. The team that selects Burnett likely will follow him in summer ball to see if he can get back on track before trying to sign him.

167 KYLE WINKLER, RHP/OF, Kempner HS, Sugar Land, Texas
In terms of stuff and effectiveness, Winkler may be the best high school pitcher in the state of Texas. Yet he won't be the first one drafted and may not get selected at all, because he's just 5-foot-11 and 168 pounds and has told teams he plans to honor his Texas Christian commitment. Winkler doesn't have classic size or projection, but he can carve hitters up with a low-90s fastball and a hard curveball. He has a quick arm and throws without much effort. He has plenty of mound presence and has proven himself against top high school, national and international competition. He pitched the U.S. national team to the title at 2006 Pan American Youth Championships, leading the tournament with a 1.15 ERA. Last summer, he spun a no-hitter at a Perfect Game World Wood Bat tournament in Atlanta. His fastball can get straight at times and he'll occasionally battle his command, but he's polished for a high schooler and can iron out those flaws with experience. He reminds scouts of Brad Lincoln, another short righthander from the Houston area who developed into the fourth overall pick in the 2006 draft following three years of college. Like Lincoln, Winkler is a standout two-way player—he's a strong-armed right fielder with a solid bat—though his future is on the mound. He'd go in the first five rounds of the draft if he were signable.


169 TIM FEDEROWICZ, C, North Carolina
Undrafted out of high school, Federowicz arrived on the North Carolina campus as a freshman and quickly gained a reputation for being a clutch-hitting catcher with a great arm who knows how to win. He has been a fixture behind the plate and in the middle of the Tar Heel lineup during the three most successful seasons in the school's history. Federowicz also won a gold medal in the World University Games with Team USA in the summer of 2006. Scouts are split on Federowicz's pro potential, however. Behind the plate, his leadership skills, experience and plus throwing arm are undeniable. His receiving style, with a high elbow, concerns some scouts. But the biggest questions for Federowicz are at the plate. While he has been consistently productive for the Tar Heels, his offensive numbers have declined each year. He's strong at the plate but has below-average bat speed. His power is to the opposite-field gap, and he struggles pulling inside fastballs. He projects as a below-average hitter with below-average power, but at catcher his bat might be good enough. His track record of success alone makes him one of the top five college catchers in this year's draft class.

170 CLAYTON SHUNICK, RHP, North Carolina State
Shunick began his college career at Georgia State but transferred to N.C. State after one year. After an all-star season in the Cape Cod League in 2006, Shunick pitched mainly as a reliever in his sophomore season for the Wolfpack. As a junior, he took over the Friday night starter role and has pitched well against the ACC's best. Offering a fringe-average fastball between 89-91 mph, he gets outs with his command, deception and above-average split-finger pitch. With a slider to keep hitters off-balance, Shunick has a solid three-pitch mix and a good feel for his craft. The split-finger has late downward and lateral movement and is his out pitch, as he is able to command it and throw it in any count. Shunick pitches downhill and can locate down in the zone. At 6-foot-1, he has a slight frame and durability is a concern. His size and reliance on a split-finger pitch profile him as a middle reliever at the pro level.

171 MATT MAGILL, RHP, Royal HS, Simi Valley, Calif.
The first thing scouts noticed this spring about Magill was a nasty gash on the outside of his right elbow. Not to worry; it was the result of a minor car accident. Magill has an ideal tall, projectable frame. His fastball sits in the 88-90 mph range, but it's straight and hittable when left up in the zone. He'll need to develop sink and movement to succeed with his fastball at higher levels. He's a Cal Poly signee, and the school has had success with pitchers improving their velocity in college. Magill shows little feel for his curveball, but his slider projects as a potential plus offering and is easily his best pitch. In pregame bullpens, Magill experiments with a changeup that has both deception and late drop. Unfortunately, he uses the pitch sparingly in game action.

172 TYLER STOHR, RHP, North Florida
After attending high school in Florida, Stohr attended Army as a freshman, making seven starts. He decided to transfer back closer to home and was in North Florida's weekend rotation as a sophomore. He made just three starts this season before heading to the bullpen and has been successful as the Panthers' closer. Stohr pitches off a fastball that sits between 92-94 mph with late life. He also throws an average changeup with sinking action and a fringe-average slider. While he strikes out 1.5 batters per inning this season, Stohr has a delivery that could cause command issues. With a backward shoulder tilt, consistently getting over the rubber is a concern for Stohr. While he's been successful as a closer, he profiles more as a middle reliever at the pro level.

173 MICHAEL TONKIN, RHP, Palmdale HS, Calif.
A fixture on the showcase circuit in Southern California, Tonkin is a 6-foot-6 righthander whose raw stuff and projectable frame has attracted the attention of scouts for several years. Delivered from a low three-quarters slot, Tonkin's fastball sits at 91-92 mph, peaking at 93-94. He gets strong sinking and darting armside movement on that pitch, but his four-seamer is straight to his glove side and to the middle of the plate, making it hittable for advanced batters. Tonkin's secondary pitches show promise, but need to be sharper and more consistent. His changeup exhibits sudden drop and armside movement, and when thrown properly his curveball shows tilt and nice sweeping break, but little depth. He too often rolls or hangs it, and more often than not it's a below-average pitch. A Southern California recruit, Tonkin excites scouts with his ideal build and terrific basic stuff. He'll need to clean up his mechanics and improve his secondary offerings, and if he does he could be a middle-of-the-rotation big league starter.

174 SHANE KROKER, SS/3B, Westlake HS, Westlake Village, Calif.
Kroker is tall, loose and lanky, and his smooth, quick and fluid defensive actions mean he should be able to comfortably hold down either shortstop or third in college. A fine all-around athlete, Kroker ran a 6.84-second 60-yard dash at last summer's Area Code Games, displaying above-average speed. He has a strong arm, showing the ability to make the long throws across the diamond from either position on the left side of the infield. At bat, Kroker sets up in a funky hunched-shoulder stance. While his swing produces results at the prep level, most scouts hold serious reservations about his ability to hit advanced pitching. He intrigues scouts with shots that show bat speed, though. Initially dismissed by most scouts as a "college guy," Kroker's arm, glove and speed profile as above-average, but his bat may not be ready for pro ball. That and his strong academic background were expected to send him to Wake Forest.

175 GABE JACOBO, 1B/OF, Sacramento State
Greg Jacobo
Jacobo was a late bloomer in high school who stuck with his Sacramento State commitment even after other, higher-profile schools tried to recruit him late. He intrigues scouts with his athletic ability for a player his size and with his bat. Jacobo ranked second in the Western Athletic Conference in home runs as a sophomore with 14 and had 13 this season. He has strength in his short swing, enough bat speed to catch up to velocity and a high finish that gives him loft power. Jacobo plays first base and left field for the Hornets but played shortstop and third base in the Alaska League last summer, and scouts who have seen him believe he has a chance to play third as a pro. He has arm strength, though his accuracy is in question. He runs well enough to man an outfield corner, and he might wind up there if he can't handle third.

Biannuci has been a solid college outfielder and consistent middle-of-the-order contributor for the past three seasons at Auburn. He hit eight home runs as a freshman and 14 as a sophomore, and was selected in the 23rd round of last year's draft by the Angels as a draft-eligible sophomore. He returned to Auburn and hit 13 more homers this season, though his stock did not jump appreciably. At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Bianucci is a strong, muscle-bound athlete. An average runner and thrower, he should be adequate defensively in the outfield. He's a free-swinger at the plate, taking vicious cuts with an all-or-nothing mentality. His raw strength makes him a home run threat to all fields, but he also swings and misses often. Biannuci's athleticism and home run capability will get him drafted, but he'll have to improve his approach to have success as a pro.

177 WES MUSICK, LHP, Houston
It's indicative of the talent in Texas this year that the top college starting pitching prospect has a fringe-average fastball and a medical history that includes Tommy John and knee surgeries. It's also indicative of Musick's pitchability and resolve that he has achieved that status. He developed a tender elbow shortly after arriving at Houston in the fall of 2005, but an MRI came up negative. He blew out the ACL in his knee while playing touch football in the outfield, and a subsequent examination of his elbow revealed a torn ligament there as well. Musick has been the Cougars' best pitcher since returning to the mound in 2007. His fastball parks at 86-90 mph and peaks at 91, but it features nice run and he can locate it to both sides of the plate. His best pitch is a plus changeup, and he has a solid curveball. He's not projectable at 6 feet and 185 pounds, but he's a lefthander who throws strikes and piles up innings. Though he has extra leverage as a redshirt sophomore, he's not considered an especially difficult sign.

178 GRAHAM JOHNSON, LHP, Westlake HS, Westlake Village, Calif.
Johnson, who did not participate in any of the prominent summer or fall showcases, first came to the attention of local scouts in fall scout ball games. He's 6-foot-7 and was just emerging after starting this season in the bullpen at Westlake High. He got exposure when scouts came to see teammates Cutter Dykstra and Shane Kroker. At his best, the Fresno State recruit delivers a lively 91-93 mph fastball from a low three-quarters slot. He adds a hard curveball and a changeup, though both need work. Johnson's primary obstacle is his severe lack of control and command, which causes him to get behind hitters and run up high pitch counts. Part of that is inexperience, another part is growing into his large frame. However, in this spring season Johnson has become a big favorite of local scouts, who are fascinated by his intimidating frame and electric raw stuff.

179 TY MORRISON, OF, Tigard (Ore.) HS
Morrison was in Virginia last spring and played on a Virginia-based travel team last summer, then was in Hawaii in the fall. However, his parents moved to Oregon in the spring, and he surpassed Tigard High teammate Ryan Gorton as the state's top prep prospect. A member of the University of Oregon's first baseball recruiting class for its reborn program, he probably doesn't have enough bat to make a quick impact in pro ball, but a patient team could get one of the draft's better athletes. Long and lean, almost frail, Morrison is a fast-twitch athlete who is a 65 runner on the 20-to-80 scale. Morrison's best present tool is his speed, and he's a raw though potentially above-average defender in center field. He's a long strider who can cover a lot of ground and has enough arm strength for center field. Offensively, Morrison is behind, unable to bring his authoritative batting-practice hacks into games. However, he has raw power, though it might take a couple of thousand minor league at-bats for it to come out.

180 BRIAN HUMPHRIES, OF, Granite Hills HS, El Cajon, Calif.
Humphries has an ideal tall, athletic and projectable frame, and has already filled out noticeably since the beginning of the 2007 showcase season. A lefthanded hitter and righthander thrower, Humphries has solid but unspectacular tools. His 6.8-second time in the 60 is slightly above-average speed. His best tosses from the outfield grade out around average, but he has been inconsistent with his throws in showcase events. Humphries will show glimpses of excellent hitting ability, but for scouts the glimpses are infrequent. He had a poor showing in the February Major League Baseball showcase event in Compton. To his credit, though, Humphries had several outstanding efforts in both BP and games in fall wood-bat scout league contests. Questions about Humphries' bat and his solid but not overwhelming tools figure to keep him out of the first three rounds. If he ends up at Pepperdine, it's easy to imagine Humphries developing into one of the nation's top players over the next three years.

181 EDGAR OLMOS, LHP, Birmingham HS, Van Nuys, Calif.
Tall and stringy with a basketball player's build at 6-foot-5, Olmos delivers his 87-89 mph fastball toward home plate with a sidearm, buggy-whip motion. His projectable frame and loose arm action suggest Olmos will significantly increase his velocity as he fills out, and he has already touched the low 90s several times. An Arizona recruit, Olmos exhibits a fine feel for his secondary pitches. His slow curve shows sweeping movement with a hint of wiffle-ball action. He also offers a changeup that has a bit of screwball rotation. Mechanically, Olmos does an excellent job of keeping his front side closed and showing the piping on his right pant leg to the hitter as long as possible. However, in his delivery he wraps his arm and needs to get fuller extension on his finish. Also, his arm slot varies from fastball to curve, and he tips his breaking ball by "screwing in a light bulb" as he grips the ball in his glove. All of these problems should be easily correctable.

182 KYLE PETTER, LHP, West Torrance (Calif.) HS
Petter's build and stuff are reminiscent of Rob Rasmussen, selected by the Dodgers in the 2007 draft and currently pitching at UCLA. High strung and energetic, Petter is an aggressive pitcher who challenges hitters with an 87-89 mph fastball that reaches 92 in relief outings. Roughly 90 percent of his pitches are fastballs, but he will mix in the occasional curve and change. Both need to be improved and developed. Petters frantic pace and unrefined mechanics cause his command to suffer, but he displays a terrific ability to battle his way out of jams. As a starter he runs up high pitch counts as well as high strikeout totals. However, his personality may be better suited to short relief work. In a recent closer stint he blew away all three hitters, and showed velocity and command he rarely displays as a starter. Petter has committed to Cal State Fullerton, another impressive improvement after he had been academically ineligible as a sophomore.

Scott Gorgen
Gorgen, whose twin brother Matt is California's closer, was a second-team All-Freshman choice and had an even better season as a sophomore, helping pitch UC Irvine to the College World Series. His numbers are better again in 2008; opponents were hitting just .159 against him as he responded to a lighter workload. Gorgen's fastball generally scrapes 90 but sits more comfortably in the 86-88 range with excellent command. His circle changeup is a plus pitch he locates at will, and it has late tumble, making it resemble a split-finger fastball. Gorgen's breaking ball and body are both short but he competes, is athletic and has shown durability, having surpassed 320 innings already in college. On the down side, he has little projection left. The track record should still prompt a team to bite in the first five rounds.

184 CHRIS JOYCE, LHP, Dos Pueblos HS, Goleta, Calif.
Initially dismissed as a college player during the 2007 showcase seasons, Joyce drew attention from scouts with his impressive start in the spring of 2008. His progress had been slowed by a recent muscle strain in his back, but before that his fastball sat in the 92 mph range. When he returned, Joyce was rusty and performed poorly in a start in front of about 30 scouts. His fastball touched 90 but sat at 88, and his mechanics and command were less than his best. Joyce's repertoire includes a hard slider, a curveball and a firm changeup. While at his best Joyce has "now" stuff, his 6-foot, 200-pound frame is mature and contains little projection. If he bounces back from his injury and shows the stuff, command and mechanics he displayed early in the season, he could climb back into early draft consideration. Otherwise, he should contribute quickly at UC Santa Barbara.

185 DUSTY COLEMAN, SS, Wichita State
Coleman offers more all-around potential than most shortstops in the 2008 draft. He's a versatile 6-foot-2, 185-pound athlete who also starred as a quarterback and point guard in high school and has taken the mound on occasion for Wichita State. He has good strength and power potential for a shortstop, and he drew a lot of attention when he homered twice in three games at Long Beach State's unforgiving Blair Field early in the season. Coleman homered just four times in his next 50 games, however, as teams were more reluctant to challenge him. He'll need to cut down on his swing, do a better job of recognizing breaking pitches and tighten his strike zone to do damage on a more consistent basis. He's a solid-average runner with good instincts on the bases. Defensively, Coleman has smooth actions and a strong arm. He has been clocked as high as 92 mph and flashed an intriguing slider in his infrequent outings on the mound. Coleman's talent warrants a fourth- to sixth-round selection, but his extra leverage as a draft-eligible sophomore could scare teams off. If he returned to Wichita State and improved offensively, he could factor into the first three rounds of the 2009 draft.

Ryan Lavarnway
Lavarnway led Division I in batting at .467 as a sophomore (adding 14 homers), and he led the Ivy League with 13 homers as a junior despite missing the final eight games of the conference season with a broken wrist. He was an outfielder at Woodland Hills (Calif.) High before converting to catcher at Yale, and he remains raw defensively. He has arm strength and decent hands, but he struggles moving laterally and blocking balls and has a slow release. He's athletic enough and has a good enough bat to move to a corner outfield spot if necessary. An aggressive hitter with an advanced approach, Lavarnway covers the whole plate and seldom has a low-quality at-bat. He has above-average raw power and solid-average game power. His health and his remaining year of eligibility at Yale cloud his draft status, but he should be a summer follow in the Cape Cod League.

187 KYLE HUDSON, OF, Illinois
Hudson was better known for his exploits as a wide receiver in his first two years at Illinois, leading the football team in receptions as a freshman and again as a sophomore. Relegated to a supporting role on the gridiron last fall, he has taken out his frustrations on opposing pitchers this spring. He ended the regular season among the NCAA Division I leaders in batting (.411), on-base percentage (.511), runs (60) and steals (39). He also set Big 10 Conference records for runs (40) and steals (25) in league games, and tied a school mark when he swiped his 40th base in the opening round of the league tournament. Hudson is a 5-foot-11, 165-pound burner whose games revolves around his top-of-the-line speed. He has run the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds and uses his quickness well on the bases and in center field. He's an outstanding athlete who once won the Illinois state high school high jump title with a mark of 6-foot-10 and earned 15 letters in four sports. Hudson offers little power, but he understands his limitations and concentrates on getting on base. He uses a slap approach at the plate and is a good bunter. His arm is well-below-average, though he compensates by getting to balls quickly. A team that loves speed and values athletes at a premium position could take Hudson as early as the third round.

188 AARON BARRETT, RHP, Wabash Valley (Ill.) CC
Barrett surprisingly went undrafted in 2007, a victim in part of the now-defunct draft-and-follow system. The Dodgers controlled his rights after taking him in the 44th round in 2006, but changed area scouts in Illinois and didn't pursue him heavily. Other teams interpreted Los Angeles' lack of interest as an indication that he'd be a tough sign, and they didn't bear down on Barrett. He won't get ignored again in 2008, though his commitment to Mississippi might still give clubs pause. Barrett is a 6-foot-4, 215-pounder who works both sides of the plate with an 88-91 mph fastball that touches 94. His slider is a quality second pitch, and he has made nice progress with a circle changeup. Barrett's arm works well and he has no major delivery issues, though he does need to refine his control and command.

189 ANTHONY FERRARA, RHP, Riverview HS, Odessa, Fla.
Blessed with an electric left arm, Ferrara has been a well-known prep prospect for the past three years. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Ferrara is lanky and projectable, with an ideal pitcher's frame. Ferrara also has a pitcher's mind and shows advanced maturity on the mound. He throws three pitches, all of which could be average or better. His fastball sits between 89-91 mph now, and his curveball and changeup are advanced as well. He shows plus command and is a competitor on the mound. Teams' main concern will be with his injury history. After having issues with his shoulder last year, Ferrara visited Dr. James Andrews but only required rest, not surgery. He did have to sit out the Aflac Classic at the end of the summer. Committed to South Florida, Ferrara would likely step right into the weekend rotation if he doesn't go pro.

190 TYLER PILL, RHP, Covina (Calif.) HS
Pill's older brother Brett is a first baseman in the Giants organization after a strong career at Cal State Fullerton. Brett got the size, standing in at 6-foot-4, 211 pounds. Younger brother Tyler is listed at 6 feet, 165 pounds, and he's committed to Cal State Fullerton and also can hit. He was recruited as a two-way player and has a short lefthanded swing, but if a pro team takes him and tries to buy him away from the Titans, it would be as a pitcher. He's athletic and repeats his delivery, and he has shown excellent now stuff, touching as high as 94 mph and sitting in the 89-91 mph range. Pill also throws a tight curveball that shows potential when thrown with some power. He is expected to be a tough sign away from Fullerton, however.

191 CLARK MURPHY, 1B, Fallbrook (Calif.) HS
A UCLA recruit, Murphy first gained widespread attention with his impressive performance at a California high school coaches' showcase in June 2007. He was the top player at that event, along with Kyle Skipworth. During the home run contest at the Aflac Classic last August, Murphy pounded tape-measure shots with wood out of Tony Gwynn Stadium at San Diego State. In the eyes of many scouts, he has regressed since his coming-out party, despite a conditioning program that has left him with a strong, athletic frame that resembles a young Ryan Klesko. He struggled in fall and winter showcases and was hindered by an injured quad muscle. Murphy tends to open up too early in his swing, spinning off the ball. He also has a habit of blocking his hands and getting them almost locked beyond the front edge of the plate. Murphy's speed is below-average, but his arm and glove should be adequate for first base.

A redshirt junior, Fitzgerald has emerged as a prospect by becoming one of the West's harder-throwing closers, but he's far from a one-pitch power closer. His fastball has touched 95 mph at times, though it straightens out at that velocity. He gets a little more cut and life on the pitch when it's thrown in the 90-93 mph range. Fitzgerald's slider and cut fastball are both decent pitches, with the cutter thrown with more power. His best secondary pitch is a changeup, which grades out as solid-average. While Fitzgerald is just a decent athlete, he throws strikes and generally repeats his delivery. The Aggies tried to make him a starter as a sophomore, but his elbow couldn't handle the strain of his velocity, and he ended up taking a medical redshirt. He has proven more hittable than a closer should be and profiles more as a set-up man as a pro, but his effectiveness against lefthanded hitters should help him move quickly.

193 DANIEL THOMAS, RHP, South Florida
As a redshirt sophomore, Thomas was the Bulls' Saturday starter in 2007 and was drafted by the Cardinals in the 44th round. He returned to school to take on the Friday night ace role this season. Even though his statistics aren't gaudy, Thomas has boosted his draft stock. Typically pitching at 90-93 mph, he continues to improve his arm strength and has been seen up to 95. He also throws a true downer curveball and has excellent feel for his above-average changeup. With clean mechanics and a high three-quarters arm slot, Thomas pitches downhill with plane but little deception. He had Tommy John surgery as a senior in high school in 2004, then felt discomfort in his arm again last season and was shut down after just 28 innings—though he did not require surgery. Thomas is a projectable 6-foot-2, 195 pounds and could add velocity to his fastball. He will get a chance to start at the pro level but could end up in the bullpen.

194 COLIN COWGILL, OF, Kentucky
Cowgill missed all of 2007 with a broken hamate bone and has done nothing but hit since returning. He batted .290 in the Cape Cod League last summer, earning all-star honors and helping Yarmouth-Dennis win the championship, after which he turned down the Athletics as a 29th-round pick. Cowgill is just 5-foot-9 and 195 pounds, but he plays bigger than his size and tools, which aren't lacking. He has a discerning eye and plenty of bat speed, allowing him to wait on and attack vulnerable pitches. He hit 16 homers in 2006 and 18 more during the regular season this year. He's a slightly below-average runner out of the batter's box and a slightly above-average runner under way, yet his instincts allow him to steal bases and track down most balls in center field. He also has a strong arm for the position. Cowgill's demographics aren't ideal—he bats righthanded and throw lefthanded, and he's 22 after losing a year to injury—but his gritty makeup and the results he gets are reminiscent of Reed Johnson.

195 MATT FITTS, RHP, Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)
As an eligible sophomore, Fitts didn't sign last year as the Astros' 15th-round pick, returning to Lewis-Clark State to help the Warriors try to win yet another NAIA national championship. He has won all 11 of his decisions and won the super-regional clincher for the Warriors. A high school teammate of UC Davis closer Justin Fitzgerald, and yet another Northern California prep product who figures to go high out of college this year, Fitts profiles as a back of the rotation starter. A Long Beach State transfer, Fitts has athleticism in his compact 6-foot-2 frame that allows him to throw quality strikes with three average pitches. His fastball is unremarkable but sits in the 91-92 mph range deep into pitch counts. He's not afraid to pitch inside, with 22 HBPs in just 14 starts. His slider is a swing-and-miss pitch at the college level and could use a bit more depth for pro ball to be a strikeout pitch. His changeup gives him a solid third offering. Fitts can be a bit home run prone and won't be an ace but should move quickly.

The Aggies start Evans on Sunday, behind fifth-year senior Eddie Gamboa and junior Brad McAtee. While those two are better college pitchers—and McAtee, at 88-92 mph, has more present stuff—Evans has more upside and was leading the team in strikeouts despite opening the year in the bullpen. He has decent velocity on his fastball, sitting in the upper-80s after touching 90-91 as a reliever. With his projectable 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame, he should sit solid average as he fills out. Evans' secondary pitches are his forte, as he has an inconsistent curveball that at times is a plus pitch. His changeup, like his fastball, has armside run and grades out as an average pitch as well. Evans commands all his pitches but was still learning pitch sequences and how to pace himself.

197 XAVIER SCRUGGS, 1B, Nevada-Las Vegas
Scouts and opposing coaches were impressed by Scruggs' improvement this season over last, reflected in his outstanding performance. Scruggs ranked among the national leaders in the triple-crown categories (.389-20-65) as well as slugging percentage (.778) and on-base percentage (.489), and he and was named the Mountain West Conference player of the year. He's strong and fairly short to the ball, and has greatly improved his plate discipline, allowing him to get into hitter's counts and sit on a particular pitch. He has good plate coverage and loft power and realizes he's strong enough that he doesn't have to pull everything to hit the ball hard. Scruggs didn't help his draft value by moving off third base and playing mostly first this season, though he's a better fit at first defensively. At 6-foot-1 he's a shade short for the position.

198 MARK WILLINSKY, RHP, Santa Clara
Willinsky emerged the summer after his freshman season. showing off one of the better arms in the Alaska League. He compared favorably to Vanderbilt's Casey Weathers, who was also in Alaska that summer, as his fastball had more life and he had a more complete repertoire of pitches. With a big frame, he seemed likely to develop into an innings-eating sinker/slider pitcher. However, Willinsky hasn't become consistent with his slider or changeup and profiles better out of the bullpen. There he can work primarily off his fastball, which sits at 93-94 mph when he's at his best with good sink. His slider remains inconsistent and is more of a groundball pitch rather than a strikeout pitch most of the time, but he has flashed a power slider. Willinsky, who took a medical redshirt last season, also throws a split-finger fastball that can be a strikeout pitch. He lacks control, not to mention command, but has power stuff and could be a closer eventually if he throws more strikes.

199 DERRICK GIBSON, SS, Seaford (Del.) HS
Gibson didn't make a national splash until last summer on the showcase circuit. He had an impressive showing at the Perfect Game National Showcase last June but really made a name for himself by finishing strong in the fall and committing to North Carolina. An athletic middle infielder who could also play center field, Gibson's evaluations are still based on projection. Playing in Delaware, he is still raw in the field and at the plate but has the athleticism and tools to make him a premium player. Now he looks like a leadoff hitter with a line-drive stroke and above-average speed. But if his thin, 6-foot-1 frame fills out, Gibson could have a chance to hit for average power. In the field, he moves well and has good hands, but his throwing motion has a hitch in it and needs refinement. While he may be too raw for a team to buy him out of his commitment to UNC, Gibson should be an immediate contributor in college and a top-level prospect in three years.

200 ANTONIO JIMENEZ, C, Disculpos de Cristo HS, Bayamon, P.R.
Jimenez still could be the first player from Puerto Rico selected in this year if a team feels confident in his medical report. Jimenez injured his throwing elbow, though it's unclear whether he will need to have Tommy John surgery. A team that liked him could take him in the third round, but teams more concerned about the health of his arm may wait longer. Jimenez stands out for his above-average defense. He shows his athleticism behind the plate with his blocking skills and his 1.8- to 1.9-second pop times. When healthy, his arm is a plus tool that helps Jimenez control the running game. Jimenez's bat is behind is defense. He has some bat speed and above-average power potential, but his swing has some length as his hitting lags behind the rest of his tools.