CA: Yasmani Grandal, University of Miami (Fla.)
1B: Hunter Morris, Auburn University
2B: Russell Wilson, North Carolina State University
3B: Robert Segedin, Tulane University
SS: Derek Dietrich, Georgia Tech
OF: Tyler Holt, Florida State University
OF: LeVon Washington, Chipola JC (Fla.)
OF: Bryce Brentz, Middle Tennessee State University
DH: Todd Cunningham, Jacksonville State University
UT: Brett Eibner, University of Arkansas

SP: Anthony Ranaudo, Louisiana State University
SP: Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast University
SP: Drew Pomeranz, University of Mississippi
SP: Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech
RP: Kevin Jacob, Georgia Tech
UT: Brett Eibner, University of Arkansas

Storylines

Matt Harvey: Helium or Lead?

Entering his freshman year at UNC, Matt Harvey was projected to be one of the top pitchers in this 2010 draft class. While his stuff has flashed elite over the past two season, he has been plagued with inconsistencies -- particularly throughout the 2009 season. His mechanics varied from start-to-start and he struggled to find his release point across his pitches and from inning-to-inning. Reports from fall practice had him looking stronger, and a recent report from spring practice had one evaluator claiming it was the best he’s seen Harvey since arriving in Chapel Hill.

At his best, Harvey comes with low- to mid-90s velocity with his fastball. He compliments his heater with a potential plus slider and a rumored-to-be-greatly-improved change. If Harvey can tap into that arsenal on a regular basis, he could see his stock fly up into the 1st Round, and perhaps the first half therein. If he shows the same level of Jekyll/Hyde Syndrome as in '09, he could drop out of first day consideration altogether. Not only will Harvey be looking to solidify his draft value, but UNC will be looking to him to solidify a rotation that lost two weekend starters in the first four rounds of the 2009 draft -- Alex White, RHP (Cleveland Indians Organization) and Adam Warren, RHP (New York Yankees Organization).

The Ramblin' Wreck's Dynamic Duo

Georgia Tech’s Deck McGuire (RHP) and Kevin Jacob (RHP) make up one of the most fearsome starter/closer combos in all of college baseball. Both are potential 1st Round talents, with McGuire staking a legitimate claim to top collegiate starter in the draft. The righty has everything you look for in a 1st Round pitcher -- a durable frame and build (6-6/220), clean and repeatable mechanics, a lively fastball with solid plus velocity and sink, and a complete repertoire of three secondary pitches, each of which he throws with confidence. His curve, slider and change all flash above-average to plus potential and, when on, he can come at hitters with any pitch in any count. He’ll bring his stuff against a quality collection of ACC opponents and could easily be the first college arm off the board in June with a strong performance.

Jacob matches McGuire’s size, plus some (6-6/230), and relies primarily on overpowering hitters with a fastball/slider combo out of a wide-open windmill motion. Reports from the summer had his fastball consistently mid- to upper-90s and his slider in the the mid-80s, creeping to the upper-80s. Opponents in the Alaska League couldn’t figure him out, as “dominant” doesn’t do justice to the righty’s line of 26.2 IP, 45 SO, 4 BB, 9 H, 1 ER and .103 BAA. He’ll slot in as Tech’s closer in 2010 and is probably the best bet right now for a relief arm to go in the first thirty-two picks. His ultimate slotting will depend on his ability to show consistency in quality stuff across appearances.

Elite Outfielders

Three of the top four college outfielders on the preseason PnR Top 300 come out of the Southeast region -- LeVon Washington (Chipola JC), Bryce Brentz (Middle Tennessee St. University) and Tyler Holt (FSU). Each brings a unique combination of tools to the table, but all three share a common thread in that they can HIT. Holt possesses the best pure hit tool right now, Brentz the best combination of hit and power, and Washington the highest ceiling hit tool when all is said and done.

Holt has a short stroke and advanced command of the strikezone, profiling as a lead-off hitter with good on-base skills. He projects to little homerun power as a pro, but could be supremely valuable living gap-to-gap and utilizing his above-average speed and ultra-aggressive approach. His fiery nature on the field rubs some the wrong way, but he’s a gamer that won’t leave teams wanting for personality and effort, and could grow into an excellent leader.

Brentz shows a solid hit and power tool right now, and could project to above-average to plus in each area as a pro. He’s quick to the ball with a very compact swing and excellent extension. His pull power is impressive, and he’s capable of driving the ball the other way, as well. Scouts will run into the same trouble this year as they did last year in that Brentz’s in-conference competition isn’t great, which makes it difficult to compare his production to the production coming from hitters in stronger conferences. He showed well with wood this past summer with Team USA, which helps his cause, and will garner many scouting hours between now and draft day.

LeVon Washington will spend the year at Chipola JC on the panhandle in Florida, giving him the opportunity to reenter the draft a year after declining to sign with Tampa out of high school (there is no junior/21-year rule for junior college players). Washington’s strengths are his speed (multiple sub-6.3 60-yard times last year) and a hit tool that could project to plus-plus when you incorporate the extra hits his speed could yield. The big question surrounding Washington is his arm, which currently isn’t center field caliber.  Since undergoing labrum surgery last year Washington has been building-up arm strength, but still isn’t anywhere near pro quality at this point. His arm will be monitored closely, as will the continued development of his strikezone command and the overall quality of his baserunning skill (jumps, reads and selective aggressiveness). He was seen as a true tool shed last year, which could make this year more difficult. Another year under the microscope and people start looking for things to pick at -- ask Bryce Harper.

Elite Starters

Four of the top five college starters also come out of the Southeast Region, including Drew Pomeranz (LHP, Ole Miss), Anthony Ranaudo (RHP, LSU), Chris Sale (LHP, Florida Gulf Coast University), and the aforementioned Deck McGuire (RHP, Georgia Tech). All four will be jockeying for position on draft boards with each weekend start, and we may not get any true sense of who’s on top of the majority of those boards until tournament season starts in May. Look for in-depth scouting reports on each as the season progresses.