Overall Draft Top 33
We rank the top prospects as of early February
| By Jim Callis |
| February 6, 2009 |
Thanks to the Nationals and Yankees' inability to sign their 2008 first-round picks, the 2009 first round is already the longest in baseball history, and if the Mariners can't sign Joshua Fields, it will extend to 33 picks.
But there's no debate as to who is at the top of everyone's list heading into the 2009 college and high school seasons, as Stephen Strasburg is the clear No. 1.
1. Stephen Strasburg, rhp, San Diego State
The difference between him and the rest of this draft class is so huge, it's hard to imagine anyone closing it.
2. Grant Green, ss, Southern California
Five-tool shortstop drew comparisons to Evan Longoria, Troy Tulowitzki in the Cape Cod League last summer.
3. Alex White, rhp, North Carolina
Pick your poison: He can make you look silly with his fastball, slider or splitter.
4. Dustin Ackley, 1b, North Carolina
College baseball's best pure hitter has surprising speed, could boost his stock further with a move to center.
5. Donavan Tate, of, Cartersville (Ga.) HS
The son of former NFL running back Lars Tate is easily the best high school position player available.
6. Aaron Crow, rhp, Fort Worth Cats (Independent)
May go higher in the draft after failing to sign with the Nationals as the No. 9 overall pick in 2008.
7. Tyler Matzek, lhp, Capistrano Valley HS, Mission Viejo, Calif.
Scouts slightly prefer him to Matt Purke because he's more physical and does things a little more easily.
8. Matt Purke, lhp, Klein (Texas) HS
Has a little more power to his arsenal than Matzek, plus a track record of starring with Team USA and at showcases.
9. Kyle Gibson, rhp, Missouri
Already has been very successful with a solid fastball and a nifty slider, and he has lots of projection remaining.
10. Kendal Volz, rhp, Baylor
Didn't surrender an earned run in 14 innings as Team USA's closer last summer.
11. Andrew Oliver, lhp, Oklahoma State
Lawsuit against NCAA overshadows that he's the top college southpaw and owns one of the best curves in the draft.
12. Mike Minor, lhp, Vanderbilt
Second Commodores lefty (following David Price) to earn BA's Summer Player of the Year award in last three years.
13. Jason Stoffel, rhp, Arizona
Served as closer ahead of first-round picks Ryan Perry, Daniel Schlereth on the Wildcats' 2008 super-regional club.
14. Kentrail Davis, of, Tennessee
Draft-eligible sophomore owns the best combination of speed and power among the college hitting crop.
15. Jacob Turner, rhp, Westminster Christian Academy, St. Louis
Might be better than last year's Missouri stud high school pitcher, Tim Melville.
16. Shelby Miller, rhp, Brownwood (Texas) HS
Top pitcher at Area Code Games, tossed two no-hitters and a perfect game in three consecutive starts last spring.
17. D.J. LeMahieu, ss, Louisiana State
Draft-eligible sophomore continues to move up as more scouts believe he'll remain at shortstop, provide plenty of offense.
18. Luke Bailey, c, Troup HS, LaGrange (Ga.) HS
Offensive and defensive talent headlines a deep crop of high school catching that blows away the college group.
19. Mychal Givens, rhp/ss, Plant HS, Tampa
Originally surfaced as a shortstop, but now more teams regard him as a pitcher; he's talented but raw both ways.
20. Bobby Borchering, 3b/1b, Bishop Verot HS, Fort Myers, Fla.
Offers big-time power form both sides of the plate, will enhance his status if he proves he can stay at third base.
21. A.J. Pollock, of, Notre Dame
Cape Cod League MVP is a talented hitter with otherwise solid tools across the board and defensive versatility.
22. Brian Goodwin, of, Rocky Mount (N.C.) HS
Aflac Game MVP is a potential five-tool center fielder, though he needs some refinement at the plate.
23. Zach Wheeler, rhp, East Paulding HS, Dallas, Ga.
Projectable and has the makings of a power repertoire.
24. Mike Leake, rhp/inf, Arizona State
College baseball's best two-way player wins with average stuff to go with uncanny pitchability and competitiveness
25. Blake Smith, of/rhp, California
More physical than Leake but hasn't had the same success; he's a legitimate prospect both ways.
26. Ryan Jackson, ss, Miami
Best defensive player in the draft is a slick shortstop but won't go higher unless he answers questions about his bat.
27. Brett Jackson, of, California
If the continues to make progress, might be the most legitimate five-tool college player in the draft.
28. Tyler Skaggs, lhp, Santa Monica (Calif.) HS
Has exceptional command for a 6-foot-5 prep lefthander, and his stuff should take off once he fills out.
29. Jiovanni Mier, ss, Bonita HS, LaVerne, Calif.
Projects as a standout defensive shortstop with promising defensive potential.
30. Matt den Dekker, of, Florida
Offers power, speed and quality center-field defense; will rise if he puts rough summer (.229 with Team USA) behind him.
31. Max Stassi, c, Yuba City (Calif.) HS
Polished backstop has a professional approach at the plate, using the whole field and hitting for power.
32. Ben Tootle, rhp, Jacksonville State
Made a name for himself by showing off a 94-98 mph fastball and hard slider in the Cape Cod League last summer.
33. Tanner Scheppers, rhp, St. Paul Saints (Independent)
Would have been a top-10 pick in 2008 if he hadn't hurt his shoulder, could go that high if he proves he's healthy.