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Names to know Profiles of top prospects eligible for Tuesday's draft
A capsule look at some of the top players eligible for Tuesday's first-year player baseball draft (with position, school, height, weight, class and age):
RHP Kenny BaughRice, 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, Sr., 22 Workhorse for Owls was drafted by Oakland in fifth round last year, but returned for senior season and became just 10th Division I pitcher with at least 40 career victories (41) and 400 career innings pitched (460). Western Athletic Conference pitcher of year broke conference career record for innings pitched, surpassing Craig Swan's 457 2-3 for Arizona State from 1969-72. Threw fastball in mid-90s consistently, and has above-average curveball and deceptive changeup. Scouts impressed by excellent command of strike zone.
RHP Jeremy BondermanPasco (Wash.) H.S., 6-0, 195, 18 A high school junior who declared for the draft and was granted eligibility because he is 18 and received general equivalency diploma. Had disappointing spring because of hamstring injury, but still impressed with fastball clocked up to 96 mph and wicked curveball. Won both starts as ace of U.S. team that finished second at last summer's World Junior Championship.
3B-1B Taggert BoziedSan Francisco, 6-3, 210, Sr., 21 Was drafted in second round by Minnesota last year, but opted to return for senior season. Led the nation as sophomore with 30 home runs but dropped to 26 the past two years combined. Holds various school offensive records including homers (60), RBIs (222), runs (213) and hits (287). Worked hard at developing defensive skills at third base and has become very good fielder.
RHP Dewon BrazeltonMiddle Tennessee St., 6-6, 210, Jr., 20 Went from unknown pitcher to one of most coveted college hurlers after outstanding summer with Team USA, going 6-0 with record-ERA of 0.65. Sun Belt pitcher of the year went 13-2 with a 1.42 ERA and set school records for strikeouts in a season (154) and career (335) while leading Blue Raiders to NCAA tournament. Scouts like his body-type, superb control (just 24 walks in 127 innings) and fastball that hits mid-90s late in games. Could be top-five pick.
INF Chris BurkeTennessee, 5-11, 180, Jr., 21 SEC player of year worked on hitting mechanics before season to add power to go along with speed. Broke Todd Helton's school records for career hits, runs scored and doubles, and became school's career leader in singles and triples. Was among conference leaders in virtually every hitting category, including batting average (.439), HRs (19) and RBIs (59) entering College World Series. Moved from second base to shortstop this season, but average arm will likely make him second baseman in pros. Ideal leadoff man.
OF Roscoe CrosbyUnion (S.C.) H.S., 6-2, 185, 18 Speedster who is considered one of best outfield prospects in this year's draft crop. Also an outstanding wide receiver whose football abilities made him one of most highly touted high school players. Committed to play football at Clemson, but pro baseball might be in immediate future. Runs 60-yard dash in 6.7 seconds, has good natural defensive ability in center field and has good power (16 homers). Had to DH during spring because of elbow injury, but is expected to fully recover.
RHP Gavin FloydMount St. Joseph's (Md.) H.S., 6-5, 200, 18 Tall, lanky right-hander added bulk to lower body as senior. Extra strength showed as fastball touches mid-90s and sometimes gets up to 97 mph. Has impressive, knee-buckling curve, among the best in the draft, and excellent command. Had 103 strikeouts in 63 innings, and carries velocity late into games. Could be first high school pitcher selected.
RHP Colt GriffinMarshall (Texas) H.S., 6-4, 220, 18 Burst onto scene when he threw a 100-mph pitch in front of dozens of scouts two months ago. Was a first baseman and outfielder until this season, when he struck out 110 in 59 innings. Being compared to other Texas high school hurlers like Roger Clemens, Nolan Ryan and Kerry Wood for fastball and intimidating nature on mound. Is very raw and inconsistent with command because of lack of experience and shaky mechanics, but it might be hard for teams to overlook his arm.
OF Gabe GrossAuburn, 6-3, 205, Jr., 21 Outstanding all-around athlete who complements natural power with good speed and strong arm. Started six games as quarterback for Tigers during freshman season, but concentrated solely on baseball as sophomore and junior. His career .375 batting average, 35 homers and 218 RBIs place him among Auburn's career leaders. A right-handed thrower who bats left-handed, projects to be a 30-30 type player in the pros.
RHP Matt HarringtonSt. Paul Saints, 6-3, 185, 19 Regarded as top right-hander in last year's draft but couldn't reach agreement with Colorado, which selected him No. 7 overall. Re-entered draft pool and made a few starts for the St. Paul Saints of the independent Northern League, similar to J.D. Drew four years ago. Allowed two runs in two innings and hit low-90s in first start. As high school senior, scouts liked his ability to throw harder late in games and routinely hit mid- to upper-90s in seventh inning.
RHP Aaron HeilmanNotre Dame, 6-5, 215, Sr., 22 Lanky pitcher with deceptive three-quarters delivery and good knowledge of how to pitch. Was drafted by Minnesota with 31st pick last year, but went back to Notre Dame where he went 15-0 and led Irish to their first No. 1 ranking. Set Big East records for career victories, strikeouts and complete games and joined exclusive 40-victory, 400-innings pitched club. A reliever early in his college career, Heilman is a workhorse who has developed great stamina. Mixes fastball that hits mid-90s with above-average slider, splitter and changeup. One of most polished pitchers available.
RHP Kris HonelProvidence Catholic (Ill.) H.S., 6-5, 190, 18 One of top high school pitchers in draft throws devastating knuckle-curve that freezes hitters at 79 mph. Then, he comes at hitters with fastball that hits low- to mid-90s. Smooth, fluid mechanics also impress scouts. Missed a month with strained ligament in wrist, but rebounded nicely to maintain status as probable first-round pick.
RHP Alan HorneMarianna (Fla.) H.S., 6-3, 170, 18 Added velocity to fastball as a senior, and routinely hits mid-90's with pitch that has lots of movement. Has deceptive delivery that throws off hitters, and mixes in impressive curveball. Had 143 strikeouts in 75 innings, and 0.47 ERA in 11 games. A relatively polished high school pitcher who scouts consider a safe pick.
RHP Mike JonesThunderbird (Ariz.) H.S., 6-4, 190, 18 Somewhat of a question mark because of dip in velocity since last summer. Tremendous athlete who has excellent mechanics and smooth arm motion, suffered from arm stiffness during season. Also has had some difficulty developing solid second pitch to complement fastball, which had hit mid- to upper-90s last season. Extra work at pro level could help improve development.
RHP Josh KarpUCLA, 6-5, 195, Jr., 21 After outstanding performance for Team USA last summer, struggled with nagging groin pull and command. Went 5-2 with 3.26 ERA in 80 innings after being considered one of top pro prospects coming into season. Teams aren't scared off, however, because of his size and repertoire. Throws fastball that hits mid-90s, good curve and solid changeup. Scouts think he has potential to become dominant pro pitcher.
1B Casey KotchmanSeminole (Fla.) H.S., 6-2, 195, 18 A smooth-hitting left-hander and one of best pure high school hitters in recent years. Son of Angels minor league manager and scout Tom Kotchman was sidelined with back injury last season, but rebounded to show ability to hit to all fields with great power. Hit just five homers during season, but saw few good pitches as anchor of lineup and scouts project him as a pro power hitter. Also has excellent defensive ability at first base.
OF Todd LindenLouisiana St., 6-2, 218, Jr., 20 A transfer from Washington who was Cape Cod League's top prospect last summer. Had good offensive season with .312, 20 homers and 76 RBIs, but even more was expected. Has power from both sides of plate, but needs to tone down free-swinging tendencies. A good all-around athlete, but has average arm so will likely be left fielder at pro level.
C Joe MauerCretin-Derham Hall (Minn.), 6-4, 205, 18 A tremendous athlete who played baseball, basketball and football in high school, and has scholarship to play quarterback at Florida State. Has stated desire to play baseball, and could join Danny Goodwin (Chicago White Sox, 1971) and David Clyde (Texas, 1973) as only players to be chosen by hometown teams as No. 1 overall pick if Minnesota takes him. Obviously has strong arm behind plate and is considered a good decision-maker; can handle a pitching staff well. Has great power and can hit to all fields.
RHP Mark PriorSouthern California, 6-5, 220, Jr., 21 Considered by some to be greatest college pitcher ever. Strikeout artist with extraordinary command of three major league-quality pitches was Pac-10 pitcher of year and could be first player selected in draft. Has been dominant force throughout season, going 14-1 with 1.50 ERA and school- and Pac-10 single-season record 189 strikeouts in 131 2-3 innings. Has fastball that reaches mid- to high-90s, excellent breaking ball and solid curve. Has great mechanics and walked just 17 this season. Was drafted by Yankees with 43rd pick in 1998, went to Vanderbilt and transferred to USC after freshman season. Some speculate that stuff is so good, he could go straight to majors.
RHP Kirk SaarloosCal State-Fullerton, 6-0, 180, Sr., 21 Became one of country's best college pitchers after going undrafted as a junior. Has won 15 straight decisions (15-2) and has 2.24 ERA in leading team to College World Series. Had run of 14 consecutive complete games earlier in season, and threw third no-hitter in Titans history. A workhorse who is fourth on NCAA's career appearances list with 126. Spent most of college career as a closer, and starred for Team USA last summer before moving into Titans rotation this season. Doesn't have great velocity on fastball - just 86-89 mph - but has good control, and above-average slider and changeup.
RHP Chris SmithCumberland (Tenn.), 6-1, 190, Jr., 21 Helped lead Florida State to College World Series last season as an outfielder, hitting .375 with 14 homers and 66 RBIs. Wanted to hone pitching skills, but coach Mike Martin preferred Smith remain position player. Had to settle on transferring to NAIA school when Martin would not grant release. Became one of top left-handers with fastball that hits mid-90s, and is developing good curve and changeup. But he again showed his natural ability as a hitter (.414, 17, 67), giving teams option to draft Smith as an outfielder or pitcher.
3B Mark TeixeiraGeorgia Tech, 6-3, 225, Jr., 21 Broken right ankle sidelined him for 10 weeks and prevented him from putting up big numbers, but most teams have seen enough of him to classify him as one of best college switch-hitters ever. Has smooth, compact swing from both sides of plate, and showed off hitting talents for Team USA last summer. Could be first college position player drafted, and perhaps No. 1 overall. Agent is Scott Boras, so some teams might shy away because of signability problems. A good overall athlete who is considered a good defensive third baseman. Has talent to hit his way to majors quickly.
RHP John VanBenschotenKent St., 6-5, 200, Jr., 21
Went from relatively unknown player who wasn't drafted out of high school to top two-way college player. Added muscle and gained bat speed to lead nation with school- and Mid-America Conference-record 31 home runs. Also set school and conference records in hits (99), RBIs (84), walks (55) and total bases (221). Conference player of the year also has good speed on bases and arm strength. Led conference with eight saves, but projects as outfielder in pros.
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