Recruiting Rankings: Top 25 Classes

Aaron Fitt ranks the best college classes

By Aaron Fitt
October 20, 2009


Baseball America's recruiting class rankings do not consider transfers from four-year schools, except when players are leaving programs that have been eliminated. The RK column indicates players who ranked among BA's Top 200 prospects (including college players) for the 2009 draft. Draft references are for 2009 unless otherwise noted.

1. FLORIDA
Recruiting Coordinator: Craig Bell. Total recruits: 11 (10 freshmen, 1 JC transfer).
RK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
81	Austin Maddox, c	R-R	6-4	225	Rays (37)	Eagle's View Acad., Jacksonville
129	Michael Heller, rhp	R-R	6-2	190	Pirates (29)	Artesia HS, Lynwood, Calif.
163	Mike Zunino, c	R-R	6-2	215	Athletics (30)	Mariner HS, Cape Coral, Fla.
198	Brian Johnson, lhp/1b	L-L	6-4	220	Dodgers (27)	Cocoa Beach (Fla.) HS
	Hudson Randall, rhp	R-R	6-4	180	Royals (46)	Dunwoody (Ga.) HS
	Nolan Fontana, ss	L-R	5-10	185		West Orance HS, Winter Haven, Fla.
	Bryson Smith, 3b	R-R	6-2	190	Indians (30)	Young Harris (Ga.) JC
	Steven Rodriguez, lhp	L-L	6-3	235	Astros (48)	Gulliver Prep HS, Miami
	Kamm Washington, of	L-L	5-9	180		Park Vista HS, Lake Worth, Fla.
	Cody Dent, ss	L-R	5-11	175		Park Vista HS, Lake Worth, Fla.
An overwhelming consensus of coaches and scouts across the country pegged Florida as the nation's best class thanks to its depth of legitimate star-caliber talent. Maddox, whose raw power and arm strength both rate near 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale, leads a group of four players who ranked among the Top 200 prospects for the 2009 draft; no other class had more than two. Zunino also has plus raw power and plus arm strength but is a better athlete and a more polished receiver than Maddox. The ultra-projectable Heller can already reach 95-96 and flashes a power breaking ball, but he is still honing his command and working his way back from a torn ACL suffered this summer. Johnson is one of the nation's most polished lefthanders, with a strong three-pitch repertoire and a clean arm action. Randall flew under the radar but would have been a headliner in most other classes thanks to his bulldog mound presence, projection and feel for a quality four-pitch mix. Rodriguez has plus movement on his 88-92 mph fastball and tremendous feel for his changeup. Fontana, Dent and Washington all have chances to be above-average college players up the middle, and Smith could step into the middle of Florida's lineup immediately, though he has a grooved metal bat swing.
2. STANFORD
Recruiting coordinator: Dean Stotz. Total recruits: 13 (13 freshmen).
RK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
74	Jacob Stewart, of	R-R	6-2	195	Phillies (14)	Rocky Mountain HS, Ft. Collins, Colo.
132	Mark Appel, rhp	R-R	6-5	195	Tigers (15)	Monte Visa HS, Danville, Calif.
	Kenny Diekroeger, ss	R-R	6-2	200	Rays (2)	Menlo HS, Ahterton, Calif.
	Stephen Piscotty, 3b/rhp	R-R	6-3	185	Dodgers (45)	Amador Valley HS, Pleasonton, Calif.
	Chris Jenkins, rhp	R-R	6-7	220		Westfield (N.J.) HS
	Justin Ringo, 1b/of	L-L	6-1	195		Stagg HS, Palos Hills, Ill.
	Garrett Hughes, lhp/1b	L-L	6-8	250		La Costa Canyon HS, Carlsbad, Calif.
	Dean McArdle, rhp	R-R	5-10	170		Sioux City (Iowa) HS
Stanford's class is rich with players who have the potential to be major league stars if everything breaks right; the key for the Cardinal will be developing those talents on an accelerated timetable. Stewart might be the greatest athlete ever to come from Colorado's high school ranks and has legitimate five-tool potential, but he remains raw in all phases, especially offensively. Diekroeger, the highest-drafted position player to attend a four-year college this year, is another freakish athlete but is more instinctive than Stewart and should play immediately; one coach from a competing West Coast school said, "Diekroeger was the best player in the West this year, and that includes the guys who did sign—he's that good." Piscotty and Ringo give the Cardinal a pair of physical power hitters with good feel for hitting. The pitchers in this class are big and projectable, led by Appel, who can reach 94 with a sinking fastball and has a promising power breaking ball. Jenkins has massive size and arm strength but is extremely raw, while Hughes has some feel for a mid-80s fastball and a good curve but has yet to see his velocity jump. McArdle is undersized but electric, with a 90-92 mph fastball and good feel for a sharp curve.
3. ARIZONA STATE
Recruiting coordinator: Travis Jewett. Total recruits: 20 (15 freshmen, 5 JC transfers).
RK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
106	Jake Barrett, rhp	R-R	6-4	235	Blue Jays (3)	Desert Ridge HS, Mesa, Ariz.
123	Deven Marrero, ss	R-R	6-1	174	Reds (17)	American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla.
	Andrew Aplin, of	L-L	5-11	185	Yankees (33)	Vanden HS, Fairfield, Calif.
	Tyler Bernard, if	R-R	6-0	171	Athletics (20)	Valley Center (Calif.) HS
	Xorge Carillo, c	R-R	6-1	220	Indians (29)	Central Arizona CC
	Jimmy Patterson, of/lhp	R-L	6-1	190	Red Sox (34)	Central Arizona CC
	Merrill Kelly, rhp	R-R	6-2	190	Indians (22)	Yavapai (Ariz.) CC
	Jacob Morris, of	B-R	6-3	207	Nationals (35)	Coppell (Texas) HS
	Brady Rodgers, rhp	R-R	6-2	173	Brewers (39)	Lamar Consolidated HS, Rosenberg, Texas
	Josh Moody, lhp	L-L	6-3	172	Braves (29)	Western Nevada CC
Josh Holliday helped build this class before departing for Vanderbilt. It's constructed similarly to ASU's No. 1-ranked 2008 recruiting class, which had 14 freshmen and a strong group of five junior college transfers. Carillo won't match the offensive production of last year's JC catcher, Carlos Ramirez, but he's a better defender. And while Patterson won't be an All-American lefty like Josh Spence, he will likely be a two-way contributor and an impact hitter. Kelly should assume a key role on the pitching staff thanks to his plus changeup and command of an 87-91 mph fastball. Those are solid JC transfers, but the strength of this class is the freshmen, three of whom look like sure-fire stars for the Devils. Few observers expected Barrett to win up on campus thanks to his prototypical pitcher's build and solid command of a heavy fastball that reaches 94 and a tight high-70s curve. Marrero is a premium defensive shortstop with smooth actions and a plus arm; he also figures to grow into some power, though his bat is a work in progress. Other coaches in the West rave about Aplin's line-drive, lefthanded stroke and excellent baseball instincts, and Bernard is similarly scrappy though not as offensive. The wild card is Morris, a switch-hitter with true five-tool potential but a track record of poor performance against quality competition.
4. TEXAS CHRISTIAN
Recruiting coordinator: Todd Whitting. Total recruits: 14 (9 freshmen, 5 JC transfers).
RK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
10	Matt Purke, lhp	L-L	6-4	180	Rangers (1)	Klein HS, Spring, Texas
	Josh Elander, c	R-R	6-0	205	Nationals (37)	Round Rock (Texas) HS
	Kyle Von Tungeln, of	L-L	6-0	190		Kempner HS, Sugarland, Texas
	Jerome Pena, if/of	B-R	6-0	190	Mets (40)	Western Nevada JC
	Scott Tabrett, if	L-R	6-1	200		Clarendon (Texas) JC
	Jared Fancher, of	R-R	5-10	175		Katy (Texas) HS
	Joe Weik, 1b	R-R	6-2	220		Weatherford (Texas) JC
TCU followed up its ninth-ranked 2008 class by landing the nation's top recruit in Purke, a first-round pick who turned down more than $2 million from the Rangers. With a 92-95 mph fastball, a hard slider that ranked among the best in the 2009 draft and excellent makeup, Purke is the kind of recruit that can take a program to the next level. But he's not the only gem in this class; Elander has "crazy, crazy tools," according to one scout, including plus power potential, a plus arm and even solid-average speed. He's still raw offensively and behind the plate, but he'll learn the ropes behind senior backstop Bryan Holaday and spend the rest of his time in the outfield. Von Tungeln, a speedy center fielder in the Jacoby Ellsbury mold, gives TCU a third high-impact recruit. The Frogs supplemented that core with solid juco transfers, led by the switch-hitting Pena, who figures to take over for Ben Carruthers at second base. Tabrett and Weik have both been banged up in fall ball but give TCU a pair of physical hitters with power potential. Fancher also has some pop in his compact frame and will be a key piece of the lineup down the road.
5. CAL STATE FULLERTON
Recruiting coordinator: Sergio Brown. Total recruits: 16 (12 freshmen, 4 JC transfers).
RK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
103	Dylan Floro, rhp	R-R	6-3	190	Rays (20)	Buhach Colony HS, Atwater, Calif.
	Geno Escalante, c	R-R	5-11	205	Brewers (28)	Rodriguez HS, Fairfield, Calif.
	Anthony Hutting, of	L-L	6-0	185	Rangers (38)	Tesoro HS, Rancho San Margarita, Calif.
	Ivory Thomas, of	R-R	5-10	180	Astros (42)	Downey (Calif.) HS
	David Hurlbut, lhp	L-L	6-4	210	Twins (35)	Diablo Valley (Calif.) JC
	Richard Pedroza, ss/2b	B-R	5-7	140		Northview HS, Covina, Calif.
	David Kiriakos, ss	R-R	6-0	165		Pacific HS, San Bernarndino, Calif.
	Raymond Hernandez, rhp	R-R	6-0	190		Consumnes River (Calif.) CC
	Casey Watkins, of/rhp	R-R	6-1	170		West Ranch HS, Saugus, Calif.
The Titans relied on a pair of polished freshman arms in the weekend rotation during their 2009 Omaha campaign, and Floro has the look of an impact freshman just like Noe Ramirez and Tyler Pill were, though his path to a job in the rotation will be more difficult. He has excellent feel for an electric three-pitch mix, including a sinking 89-93 mph fastball, a power two-plane slider and a changeup. Escalante is a quick-twitch athlete with plenty of raw power, some speed and a strong arm, but he's still working on his receiving behind the plate. Hutting, a cousin of big leaguers Aaron Rowand and James Shields, is one of the best pure hitters on the West Coast; his fluid lefthanded swing, excellent baseball savvy and size are similar to Arizona State newcomer Andrew Aplin. Thomas is a stick of dynamite with lightning-quick hands, power potential and speed, and he could develop into a premier center fielder in time. Pedroza, the younger brother of former Fullerton star Sergio and ex-UC Riverside standout Jaime, brings exceptional baseball instincts, defensive ability and energy. Kiriakos, a plus runner with a quick line-drive stroke and smooth infield actions, has more upside. Hurlbut gives CSF a much-needed quality lefty, with a lively 87-90 mph fastball and a hard curve.
6. TEXAS
Recruiting coordinator: Tommy Harmon. Total recruits: 8 (7 freshmen, 1 JC transfer).
RK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
120	Cohl Walla, of	R-R	6-3	165	Nationals (43)	Lake Travis HS, Austin, Texas
152	Hoby Milner, lhp	L-L	6-2	165	Nationals (44)	Paschal HS, Fort Worth, Texas
	Josh Urban, rhp	R-R	6-2	200	Pirates (19)	Dripping Springs (Texas) HS
	Jonathan Walsh, c/1b/of	B-R	6-3	220	Giants (18)	Coppell (Texas) HS
	Keifer Nuncio, rhp	R-R	6-1	180	Pirates (39)	Katy (Texas) HS
	Nick DeSantiago, c	L-R	6-0	205	Nationals (33)	Hays HS, Kyle, Texas
	Jordan Weymouth, ss/2b	L-R	5-11	170		Chaparral HS, Scottsdale, Ariz.
	Paul Montalbano, lhp	L-L	6-0	175		Weatherford (Texas) JC
The Longhorns didn't bring in the deepest group, but few other classes can match their top five recruits for upside. Walla is skinny as a rail but projects for plus power as he fills out; he already has plus speed, a strong arm and good instincts in center field, though he'll play on a corner as a freshman in deference to incumbent Connor Rowe. The switch-hitting Walsh has power from both sides of the plate and is a more advanced hitter than Walla. He's also a good receiver with a strong arm, though he battled the yips as a high school senior. He's athletic enough to play a corner, and the 'Horns will find a way to get his bat in the lineup immediately. The young arms will have to battle for innings on a deep Texas staff, but Milner and Urban have serious projection. Milner is the most polished of the group, with good command of a quality three-pitch mix, and he figures to add velocity to his 88-91 fastball as he fills out his very skinny frame. Urban has flashed 93-94 mph heat and a good changeup, but his breaking ball lags behind. Nuncio is a strike-thrower with a similar repertoire to Milner, though not as much upside. DeSantiago gives Texas another physical catcher with power potential, and changeup artist Montalbano will assume the lefty specialist role that was largely vacant in the Longhorns' bullpen a year ago.
7. NORTH CAROLINA
Recruiting coordinator: Scott Jackson. Total recruits: 15 (3 freshmen, 2 JC transfers).
RK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
65	Brian Goodwin, of	L-L	6-1	190	White Sox (17)	Rocky Mount (N.C.) HS
	Chris Munnelly, rhp	R-R	6-2	170		Forsyth Country Day HS, Winston-Salem, N.C.
	Cody Stiles, rhp	R-R	6-2	180	Yankees (39)	Taravella HS, Coral Springs, Fla.
	Dillon Hazlett, if	R-R	6-1	180		Allen County (Kan.) CC
	Michael Morin, rhp	R-R	6-4	180	Royals (40)	Shawnee Mission South HS, Overland Park, Kan.
	R.C. Orlan, lhp	L-L	6-0	175	Dodgers (44)	Deep Run HS, Glen Allen, Va.
	Jesse Wierzbicki, c/1b	R-R	6-2	190		Walters State (Tenn.) CC
	Chaz Frank, of	L-L	5-10	160		Central Davidson HS, Lexington, N.C.
	Brett Knief, of	R-R	6-1	185		Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J.
	Tommy Coyle, 2b/3b	L-R	5-9	170		Germantown Acad., Fort Washington, Pa.
The Tar Heels failed to land their biggest prizes when first-rounders Jacob Turner and Donavan Tate signed right before the deadline, but Goodwin still gives them a cornerstone recruit. Widely regarded as a supplemental first-round talent who fell in the draft because of signability, Goodwin has average or better tools across the board and gives UNC a much-needed upgrade in athleticism, though he's still working on not lifting out of his swing. Munnelly will help immediately on the mound—he has mound presence beyond his years to go with excellent command of a polished three-pitch mix and good deception. Morin, the top prospect in the MINK League this summer, pounds the zone with an 88-91 mph fastball, a plus changeup and an average curveball. Stiles has more current arm strength than either of them, with a 90-94 mph fastball and a promising slider, but he has some mechanical things to iron out. Orlan can also reach the low 90s and has a sharp breaking ball that eats up lefthanded hitters. Hazlett was the top position player prospect in Kansas this spring thanks to his plus speed, solid infield actions, strong arm and bat speed. The Tar Heels seldom sign junior college players, but Hazlett and physical catcher Wierzbicki should help them plug holes right away. Coyle, an undersized gamer, will battle for the second base job. Frank has been UNC's best hitter in the fall and reminds the Heels of former All-American Tim Fedroff.
8. MISSISSIPPI STATE
Recruiting coordinator: Butch Thompson. Total recruits: 20 (13 freshmen, 7 JC transfers).
RK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
	Luke Bole, lhp	L-L	6-3	190		Hartselle (Ala.) HS
	C.C. Watson, lhp/of	L-L	6-0	190	Rangers (29)	Cleburne County HS, Heflin, Ala.
	Ben Bracewell, rhp/ss	R-R	6-0	180		Briarwood Christian HS, Birmingham
	Chad Girodo, lhp	L-L	6-1	180		Harselle (Ala.) HS
	Jaron Shepherd, of	L-R	6-2	180	Reds (44)	Navarro (Texas) JC
	Wes Thigpen, c	R-R	6-0	195		Meridian (Miss.) CC
	Jonathan Ogden, ss	R-R	5-10	175		Blinn (Texas) CC
	Jared Miller, rhp	R-R	6-3	215		Sumrall (Miss.) HS
	Trey Johnson, of/lhp	L-L	5-11	195		Blinn (Texas) CC
	Nick Vickerson, ss	R-R	6-0	195		Shelton State (Ala.) CC
All four members of Mississippi State's coaching staff have experience as Division I recruiting coordinators, and all four played significant roles in putting together the nation's deepest collection of quality freshman arms, headlined by athletic southpaws Bole and Watson. Bole has a smooth, easy delivery, a two-seam fastball up to 91 mph and a swing-and-miss knuckle curve. Watson has less projection but more current arm strength, with a fastball that has touched 94 and a power curve that is more advanced than Bole's. Another lefty, Girodo, is more polished than either of them with command of three pitches, though he works in the mid-80s. Bulldogs head coach John Cohen compares Bracwell to LSU closer Matty Ott for his plus slider in the 81-82 range and his competitiveness. Miller has the biggest arm on the staff, with a 92-94 mph fastball that he struggles to command. Righties Kendall Graveman, Chris Stratton and Michael Dixon are the sleepers in this class—all have plus arm strength, good size and promising breaking balls. The Bulldogs supplemented their young arms with juco position players like Thigpen, Ogden and Johnson, all of whom figure to play immediately and bring energy to the lineup. Thigpen and Ogden are standout defenders, and Johnson has a compact swing and knack for making hard contact. The X-factor is the multi-tooled but raw Shepherd, the son of ex-big leaguer Ron Shepherd.
9. VIRGINIA
Recruiting coordinator: Kevin McMullan. Total recruits: 12 (10 freshmen, 2 JC transfers).
RK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
	Reed Gragnani, 2b	B-R	5-11	180	Red Sox (27)	Mills Godwin HS, Richmond
	Branden Kline, rhp	R-R	6-3	190	Red Sox (6)	Johnson HS, Frederick, Md.
	Stephen Bruno, ss/2b	R-R	5-9	165	Yankees (26)	Gloucester Catholic HS, Gloucester City, N.J.
	Ryan Briggs, rhp	R-R	6-1	195		Creighton Prep, Omaha
	Chris Taylor, ss/3b	R-R	6-0	170		Cox HS, Virginia Beach, Va.
	Kenny Swab, c/1b/of	R-R	6-1	195	Reds (48)	Young Harris (Ga.) JC
	Cody Winiarski, rhp	R-R	6-4	200	Phillies '07 (48)	Madison (Wis.) Area Tech JC
	Robert Amaro, 1b/3b	R-R	6-3	205	Phillies (40)	William Penn Charter HS, Bensalem, Pa.
	Ryan Levine, c/1b	B-R	6-0	215		St. Joseph Regional HS, Hackensack, N.J.
Virginia's balanced class contains a blend of savvy, athletic infielders and projectable righthanders. Gragnani and Bruno will be hard-pressed for playing time in Virginia's veteran infield as freshmen, but they'll make for an elite middle infield as sophomores. Gragnani, the No. 6 prospect in the Cal Ripken League as a rising high school senior in 2008 and the No. 2 draft prospect Virginia this spring, is a hitting machine from both sides of the plate with a polished all-around game. Undersized but strong, Bruno stands out for his fluid actions and solid arm at shortstop. The versatile Taylor has been the surprise of the fall, outperforming both Bruno and Gragnani. He can play all over the infield and projects to add some pop to his line-drive stroke as he matures. Swab is even more versatile, capable of playing a corner infield spot, anywhere in the outfield or behind the plate thanks to his solid-average arm strength and good hands. On the mound, Kline and Briggs are loose and lean, and both have shown 88-92 mph fastballs and feel for breaking balls. Winiarski has similar velocity and a power slider and could replace Andrew Carraway in the rotation, unless Kline beats him out.
10. CENTRAL FLORIDA
Recruiting coordinator: Cliff Godwin. Total recruits: 21 (11 freshmen, 10 JC transfers).
RK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
	Ronnie Richardson, of/2b	B-R	5-8	175	Twins (11)	Lake Region HS, Eagle Lake, Fla.
	Alex Besaw, rhp	R-R	6-2	220	Rays (32)	Skagit Valley (Wash.) CC
	Darnell Sweeney, ss	B-R	6-0	160	Marlins (41)	American Senior HS, Hialeah, Fla.
	Owen Dew, rhp	R-R	6-2	175	Angels (33)	Seminole (Fla.) CC
	Jonathan Griffin, 1b	R-R	6-7	230	Red Sox (45)	Manatee (Fla.) CC
	Nick Cicio, lhp	L-L	5-10	155		CC of Baltimore County-Catonsville
	Derek Luciano, 2b/3b	L-R	6-2	190		Manatee (Fla.) CC
	J.M. Blake, rhp	R-R	6-0	205	Giants (32)	Lake Sumter (Fla.) CC
	Kevin Vasquez, of/if	R-R	6-0	200		Pensacola (Fla.) JC
UCF head coach Terry Rooney compares this big class to his No. 2-ranked 2007 haul at Louisiana State, a group that carried the Tigers back to Omaha in 2008 and the national title in '09. Like that bunch, this one is built around premium athletes up the middle and a strong contingent of junior college transfers, though it lacks a cornerstone arm in the Anthony Ranaudo category. Rooney hopes Besaw will be this group's equivalent to ex-Tiger Ryan Verdugo, a physical JC transfer who can help anchor the weekend rotation; his 88-93 mph fastball, power slider and decent change will play in Conference USA. Dew, a lanky sinker/slider pitcher with some arm strength, could also step into the rotation. Blake's 90-94 fastball and power slider could make him a good fit in the closer role. Those three arms will upgrade the staff, but the key to this class is the Richardson/Sweeney duo—both are switch-hitters with plus athleticism. Richardson has game-changing speed and a plus arm to go along with good baseball instincts, and he packs some power potential into his compact frame as well. The rangy Sweeney is also a great runner and has a chance to be a premium defensive shortstop, but his bat has a ways to go. The long-levered Griffin adds huge power, but he figures to rack up strikeouts as well—think of him as UCF's version of former D-I home run champ Matt Clark, who was in LSU's '07 class.
11. NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Recruiting coordinator: Tom Holliday. Total recruits: 15 (11 freshmen, 4 JC transfers).
RK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
68	Dane Williams, rhp	L-R	6-6	215	White Sox (15)	Archbishop McCarthy HS, Fort Lauderdale
	Danny Canela, 3b/c	B-R	6-0	210	Tigers (37)	Florida Christian Acad., Miami
	Felix Roque, rhp	R-R	6-4	215		Florida Christian Acad., Miami
	Rey Cotilla, rhp	R-R	6-4	195	Brewers (48)	Miami Dade CC
	Tarran Senay, of	L-R	6-1	205	Tigers (38)	South Park (Pa.) HS
	Mike Clark, lhp	L-L	6-2	195	Red Sox (32)	American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla.
	Anthony Tzamtzis, rhp/if	R-R	6-1	195	Astros (43)	LaSalle HS, Miami
	Matt Bergquist, ss	R-R	6-0	180		Eagle's View Acad, Jacksonville
The Wolfpack did not land an impact recruit from in state, instead focusing on mining baseball-rich Florida, with terrific results. The crown jewel of the class could wind up being Williams, who flashed mid-90s heat and a power slider this spring before having summer Tommy John surgery that will sideline him for all of 2010. The projectable Roque throws a plus fastball with late sinking action from a low three-quarters slot. Cotilla had fully recovered from high school Tommy John surgery by this spring, when he ran his fastball up to 95-96 in a closer role, though staying healthy has been an issue for him. Many programs missed on Canela because he was hurt as a junior; several Sunshine State coaches expressed regret that he got away. He's a gifted natural hitter with power potential and the ability to be a strong defender at third base or behind the plate. Clark and Tzamtzis both have athleticism and arm strength, and Bergquist is a steady defender whose bat lags behind. In a class featuring several players with injury histories, Senay is another that would not have made it to school if he had been completely healthy; he was the best power hitter in the Northeast, but he broke his wrist playing football last fall, affecting his senior season.
12. MISSISSIPPI
Recruiting coordinator: Rob Reinstetle. Total recruits: 15 (8 freshmen, 7 JC transfers).
RK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
168	Miles Hamblin, c	L-R	6-3	215		Howard (Texas) JC
	Trent Rothlin, rhp	R-R	6-3	195	Mariners '07 (35)	Walters State (Tenn.) CC
	Matt Crouse, lhp	L-L	6-5	190		Young Harris (Ga.) JC
	Evan Frazar, ss/3b	R-R	6-2	185		St. Pius X HS, Houston
	Tanner Mathis, of	L-L	6-0	180		Barbe HS, Lake Charles, La.
	Jordan Cooper, lhp	L-L	6-1	185		Farragut HS, Knoxville
	Alex Yarbrough, ss	B-R	6-1	175		Allen (Texas) HS
	Eric Callendar, rhp	R-R	6-3	195		Meridian (Miss.) CC
	Zach Lowery, of	R-R	6-3	210		Kennesaw Mountain HS, Kennesaw, Ga.
	Brooks Oursler, rhp/of	R-R	6-7	215		Franklin Road Acad., Nashville
Ole Miss brought in the best group of junior college transfers in the country and buttressed it with solid, under-the-radar freshmen. The headliner in this class is Hamblin, who was the best college position player prospect in Texas as the best player on Howard JC's 63-1 squad in the spring. Hamblin hits for power to all fields and features a strong, accurate arm and solid receiving skills behind the plate. Rothlin was a key member of Clemson's 2007 recruiting class before transferring to Walters State; he ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the Coastal Plain League this summer thanks to a sinking 88-92 mph fastball and a swing-and-miss 77-80 slider. Crouse, the No. 4 prospect in the Clark Griffith League, could join Rothlin and Drew Pomeranz in the weekend rotation thanks to his good command of an 87-91 fastball and quality changeup. Frazar's physical, athletic frame and skill set evokes former Ole Miss All-American Zack Cozart, though he is not as good defensively. He and the switch-hitting Yarbrough look like Mississippi's middle infield of the future. Mathis, a scrappy leadoff man in the Jordan Henry mold but with a better bat, has been a tour de force in the fall and should push for playing time as a freshman. Cooper is a strike-thrower with good movement on an 86-90 fastball, while Lowery has big-time raw power but has a ways to go with the bat.
13. VANDERBILT
Recruiting coordinator: Josh Holliday. Total recruits: 11 (10 freshmen, 1 JC transfer).
RANK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
	Sam Selman, lhp	R-L	6-3	170	Angels (14)	St. Andrews Episcopal HS, Austin, Texas
	Connor Harrell, of	R-R	6-3	200		Kinkaid HS, Houston
	Anthony Gomez, ss	R-R	5-11	185		Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J.
	Nathan Dorris, lhp	L-L	6-3	188	Braves (45)	Marion (Ill.) HS
	Curt Powell, if/of	R-R	5-10	165		Farragust HS, Knoxville, Tenn.
	Mike Yastrzemski, of	L-L	5-10	168	Red Sox (36)	St. John's Prep, Danvers, Mass.
	Bryan Johns, ss	R-R	5-8	166		Howard (Texas) JC
	Regan Flaherty, of/1b/lhp	L-L	6-2	185	Mariners (28)	Deering HS, Portland, Maine
	Keenan Kollinsky, lhp	L-L	6-1	210		Christian Acad. of Knoxville, Tenn.
With a veteran-laden roster returning, the Commodores could afford to invest in some high-upside projects. This class lacks immediate difference makers but is teeming with upside. Speaking of high ceilings, one scout compared Selman to Brian Matusz, while another predicted he will be a top-five overall pick after three years at Vandy. Selman has already run his fastball up to 95 mph and showed a promising 12-to-6 curve and feel for a change. Dorris gives this class a second projectable southpaw with good size and a clean arm action, though he currently pitches at 86-88 with sink. Harrell is a strong, physical outfielder with five-tool potential if his bat develops. Yastrzemski, the grandson of Hall of Famer Carl, has a flat, smooth lefthanded swing but must add strength. Gomez has smooth middle-infield actions and sure hands, but he doesn't run particularly well and his bat is a question mark. Powell is a hard-nosed throwback type with speed and arm strength who can play all over the diamond, and the sparkplug Johns adds infield depth. Flaherty is the X-factor in the class; the younger brother of former Vandy star Ryan Flaherty, Regan could blossom into a fine power hitter with 15 pounds of muscle and some polish. He also has some feel for pitching, though his stuff is below-average.
14. TENNESSEE
Recruiting coordinator: Bradley LeCroy. Total recruits: 13 (8 freshmen, 4 JC transfers, 1 four-year transfer).
RANK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
	Matt Duffy, 3b	R-R	6-3	210		Vermont
	Cody Stubbs, 1b	L-R	6-4	225	Red Sox (29)	Tuscola HS, Waynesville, N.C.
	Drew Steckenrider, of	B-R	6-5	205		Greater Atlanta Christian HS, Lawrenceville, Ga.
	Khayyan Norfork, 2b/ss	R-R	5-10	170		Jackson State (Tenn.) CC
	Jon Reed, rhp	R-R	6-2	200	Reds (21)	Tulsa (Okla.) Memorial HS
	Alan Walden, rhp	R-R	6-2	155	Braves (43)	Red Bank HS, Chattanooga, Tenn.
	Nicholas Blount, rhp	R-R	6-6	210		South Gwinnett HS, Loganville, Ga.
	Michael Theodore, rhp	R-R	6-2	200		Detroit Country Day, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
	Andy Hillis, rhp	R-R	6-7	210	Cardinals (49)	Brentwood (Tenn.) HS
	Chris Fritts, of	R-R	5-8	175		Cypress Ridge HS, Houston
Tennessee's class is among the nation's most unique because of Duffy, who hit .388 with 13 homers for Vermont last year before the Catamounts folded their program. He'll shift from shortstop to third base for the Vols, and his soft hands, strong arm and power bat will make him a good fit at the hot corner. This class also contains a cornerstone power bat across the diamond in Stubbs, a gifted, physical hitter with legitimate power to all fields who turned down $900,000 to attend Tennessee, according to head coach Todd Raleigh. The switch-hitting Steckenrider has tools that stack up with just about any recruit in the nation, including plus raw power, plus arm strength and average speed, but many evaluators were turned off by his low energy level and inability to translate his talent into results against quality competition. Norfork, however, brings plenty of energy and plus speed, and he figures to step right into Tennessee's second base job. Walden was slowed by a stress fracture in his elbow this spring but has recovered to show 94 mph heat and a quality 83 mph slider this fall; he might push for a weekend rotation job as a freshman, as could Blount, who commands a low-90s fastball and a changeup. The other top arms in this class are all intriguing but have a ways to go before they're ready to contribute. Reed showed good polish and a fastball up to 93 this spring before having Tommy John surgery that will sideline him for all of 2010. Theodore has touched 92 and shown a good changeup but must improve his breaking ball. Hillis has reached 94 but must add strength to his lanky frame and improve his command.
15. KENTUCKY
Recruiting coordinator: Brad Bohannon. Total recruits: 11 (7 freshmen, 4 JC transfers).
RANK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
	Taylor Rogers, lhp	L-L	6-3	170	Orioles (37)	Chatfield HS, Littleton, Colo.
	Jordan Cooper, rhp	B-R	6-3	205	Pirates (17)	Shelbyville (Tenn.) Central HS
	Luke Maile, c	R-R	6-3	200	Red Sox (43)	Covington Catholic HS, Crestview Hills, Ky.
	Lance Ray, of/1b	L-R	6-1	195		Western Nevada CC
	Sam Kidd, rhp/of	B-R	6-2	170	Phillies (39)	Ohio County HS, Hartford, Ky.
	Brian Adams, of	R-R	6-4	210	Reds (45)	South Forsyth HS, Gainesville, Ga.
	Joe Devine, rhp	R-R	6-2	180		Wabash Valley (Ill.) JC
	Jon Carlson, lhp	L-L	6-4	200		Rolling Meadows (Ill.) HS
	Taylor Black, ss	R-R	6-1	180		Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) JC
A pair of power arms forms the foundation of Kentucky's class, which will nicely buttress the Wildcats' fourth-ranked 2008 class. Rogers was quite a find; he exploded onto the prospect scene this summer while leading the Midland Redskins to the Connie Mack World Series, showing an 89-92 mph fastball and a plus 78-80 curve. He's loose and projectable but polished enough to pitch on weekends as a freshman. Cooper has similar arm strength but less feel for pitching with a fastball that reaches 94 and a good hard slurve. Maile is a big, physical catcher with bat speed and arm strength but raw receiving skills. Kidd needs to add strength but has a promising three-pitch repertoire. Adams, a receiver on Kentucky's football team, is a plus-plus runner and a premium athlete who is not as raw offensively as the Wildcats expected. In addition to Rogers, Ray figures to make the biggest splash in 2010; he's a pure lefthanded hitter who uses all fields and has good power to the pull side. Devine and Carlson add quality pitching depth for the future; Devine works in the 88-92 range and has some feel for his secondary stuff, while Carlson reaches 91 and has a good changeup but is still developing his curveball.
16. OKLAHOMA
Recruiting coordinator: Tim Tadlock. Total recruits: 19 (9 freshmen, 10 JC transfers).
RANK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
	Chad Kettler, ss	B-R	6-1	190	Dodgers (24)	Coppell (Texas) HS
	Drew Verhagen, rhp	R-R	6-6	215		Rockwall-Heath (Texas) HS
	Jordan John, lhp	L-L	6-3	185		Calallen HS, Corpus Christi, Texas
	Bobby Shore, rhp	R-R	6-0	190	Orioles (40)	Palomar (Calif.) JC
	Danny Black, if	L-R	6-2	175	Yankees (42)	Feather River (Calif.) CC
	Ryan Gibson, lhp	L-L	6-4	215	Marlins (48)	Yukon (Okla.) HS
	Zach Neal, rhp	R-R	6-2	205		Howard (Texas) JC
	Drew Harrison, 1b	R-R	6-4	255		Waxahachie (Texas) HS
	Anthony Collazo, lhp	L-L	5-10	205		Howard (Texas) JC
	Brandon Bargas, lhp	L-L	5-8	165		Owasso (Okla.) HS
Oklahoma's deep class features a strong blend of freshmen and junior college transfers to help fill holes left by the departures of a number of mainstays. The class is headlined by Kettler, a sure-fire future star at shortstop with a strong arm and outstanding instincts. He's also a switch-hitter with pop from both sides of the plate. Verhagen did not pitch this spring while recovering from June 2007 Tommy John surgery, but with that injury behind him he should return to throwing an 88-93 mph fastball, a quality 12-to-6 curve and a promising changeup. John is a fierce competitor and consummate winner with a solid three-pitch mix. Neal's calling card is his impeccable control—he walked just nine in 90 innings for Howard JC this spring. He and Shore each pound the zone with three-pitch repertoires highlighted by 87-90 sinkers. Collazo, Neal's teammate at Howard, is a funky lefty whose mid-80s fastball plays up because of his deception. Bargas is in that same mold and complements his heater with an excellent breaking ball. Gibson gives this class yet another quality lefty; he has excellent command of an 88-90 fastball and a good change. Black adds speed and versatility, while Harrison provides plus raw power potential.
17. MIAMI
Recruiting coordinator: J.D. Arteaga. Total recruits: 14 (12 freshmen, 2 JC transfers).
RANK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
122	Stephen Perez, ss	B-R	5-11	170	Reds (18)	Gulliver Prep HS, Miami
	Jerad Grundy, lhp	L-L	6-0	190	Rangers (46)	Johnsburg (Ill.) HS
	Zeke DeVoss, of	B-R	5-9	170	Red Sox (38)	Astronaut HS, Titusville, Fla.
	Steven Ewing, lhp	L-L	6-1	220	Indians (37)	University HS, Orlando
	Eric Whaley, rhp	R-R	6-3	185	Cubs (40)	Cardinal Gibbons HS, Fort Lauderdale
	E.J. Encinosa, rhp	R-R	6-4	225	Twins (23)	Coral Park HS, Miami
	Frankie Ratcliff,if	B-R	5-8	170		Key West (Fla.) HS
	Michael Broad, if	R-R	5-11	185		Nova HS, Davie, Fla.
Miami's class is built around Perez, a blue-chip recruit at a premium position. The switch-hitting Perez has feel for hitting and pop from both sides of the plate, and his plus arm and instincts will play well at short, where he figures to play from Day One. Grundy throws four pitches for strikes at times, highlighted by an 87-92 mph fastball with good run and a hard slider. DeVoss, another switch-hitter, runs the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds but has a ways to go with the bat, though he'll compete for playing time early in his career. Ewing, a soft-bodied lefty with an 86-90 fastball and a good curve, and Whaley, a power-armed righty with a lively 87-90 fastball and a quality changeup, will be in the mound mix as freshmen. The big, physical Encinosa might have the highest ceiling in this group of arms and has already reached 94 mph and flashed a power 12-to-6 curveball. Ratcliff, a third switch-hitter, has some pop from the left side and is a plus runner. He's also a good defender who always plays the game at full speed. Broad also has good speed and a disciplined offensive approach.
18. MICHIGAN
Recruiting coordinator: Matt Husted. Total recruits: 11 (11 freshmen).
RANK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
130	Derek Dennis, ss	R-R	6-3	190	Rays (10)	Forest Hills Central HS, Grand Rapids, Mich.
	Patrick Biondi, of	L-R	5-9	150	Tigers (35)	Divine Child HS, Dearborn, Mich.
	Kyle Clark, rhp	R-R	6-6	190		Portage (Mich.) Central HS
	Ben Ballantine, rhp	R-R	6-8	210		Napa (Calif.) HS
	Cam Luther, 1b/dh	R-R	6-4	220		St. Joseph (Mich.) HS
	Logan McAnallen, lhp	L-L	6-3	195		DeWitt (Mich.) HS
	Zach Johnson, c	R-R	6-3	200		Grandville (Mich.) HS
	Ben Paskus, 2b	R-R	5-9	165		East Lansing (Mich.) HS
The Wolverines believe this class compares favorably with their watershed 2005 haul, which included stalwarts Zach Putnam, Jason Christian and Adam Abraham. Dennis is a true marquee recruit, an athlete of Christian's caliber with a smooth, inside-out swing that evokes fellow ex-Michigan prepster D.J. LeMahieu. He projects for average or better tools across the board. He'll have a running mate with plus-plus speed in Biondi, who could step into Michigan's leadoff spot on Opening Day. He also has excellent defensive skills and a strong arm in center field, and he plays the game with boundless energy. Luther adds plus raw power to the mix, and Johnson brings athleticism and arm strength behind the plate. Michigan relies on its ability to develop raw, projectable arms, and the towering trio of Clark, Ballantine and McAnallen has plenty of upside. Clark is the most polished of the three; he commands an upper-80s fastball and has good feel for his slider. Ballantine currently works in the 87-90 range with deception, and McAnallen sits around 85-87 and owns a promising change. All three figure to throw harder after three years with Michigan pitching coach Bob Keller.
19. UCLA
Recruiting coordinator: Rick Vanderhook. Total recruits: 12 (11 freshmen, 1 JC transfer).
RANK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
135	Scott Griggs, rhp	R-R	6-2	185	Mariners (34)	Sam Ramon Valley HS, Danville, Calif.
	Cody Keefer, of	L-R	6-2	205	Tigers (33)	Davis (Calif.) Senior HS
	Jeff Gelalich, of	L-R	6-1	180	Phillies (41)	Bonita HS, LaVerne, Calif.
	Beau Amaral, of	L-L	5-10	175	Diamondbacks (45)	Huntington Beach (Calif.) HS
	Dean Espy, 3b	R-R	6-1	195	Rockies (41)	South Mountain (Ariz.) CC
	Cody Regis, if	L-R	6-2	205		Glendora (Calif.) HS
	Trevor Brown, c	R-R	6-2	170		Hart HS, Valencia, Calif.
On the heels of last year's pitching-loaded haul, UCLA focused on upgrading its offense and athleticism with this class. The key to this group is the trio of outfielders, the best collection of incoming outfielders in the nation. Keefer, Gelalich and Amaral are all average or better runners with good lefthanded strokes, athleticism and baseball instincts. Keefer is the best hitter of the trio, with a flat swing that produces hard line drives to both gaps and projects for some power down the road. Bruins coach John Savage says Keefer is in the Nate McLouth mold, while Gelalich is a leaner athlete in the J.D. Drew mold. Amaral, the son of former UCLA star and big leaguer Rich Amaral, has a chance to be a strong defensive center fielder and table-setter atop the lineup. Regis provides yet another quality lefthanded bat, and Espy, who figures to take over at third base, reminds Savage of his former USC recruit, Jason Lane, though with less power. Brown is a good athlete with excellent catch-and-throw skills, but he must add strength. The wild card in this class is Griggs, a premium arm who has shown a mid-90s fastball and a promising hard breaking ball in the past. But Griggs is a project with plenty of work to do on his delivery and his feel for pitching.
20. CLEMSON
Recruiting coordinator: Tom Riginos. Total recruits: 10 (10 freshmen).
RANK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
	Richie Shaffer, 3b/rhp	R-R	6-3	195	Dodgers (25)	Providence HS, Charlotte
	Scott Firth, rhp	R-R	6-1	170	Orioles (36)	Stevenson HS, Lincolnshire, Ill.
	Dominic Leone, rhp	R-R	6-1	170		Norwich (Conn.) Free Acad.
	Mike Kent, rhp	R-R	6-0	190		West Springfield (Va.) HS
	Jonathan Meyer, rhp	R-R	6-2	175		Cathedral Catholic HS, San Diego
	Spencer Kieboom, c	R-R	6-1	195		Walton HS, Marietta, Ga.
	Kevin Kyle, lhp	L-L	6-3	180		Holy Innocents HS, Atlanta
	J.T. Wauford, rhp	R-R	6-0	180		Stewart School, Chesterfield, Va.
Shaffer is the pillar of Clemson's class, which also gives the Tigers some pitching depth, though their top three arms are undersized. Shaffer likely would have gone in the first two rounds of the draft in June if his production hadn't been hampered by a broken hamate bone. Even so, he showed off his huge arm strength on the mound by running his fastball up to 94 mph. His future, though, is at third base, where he has strong defensive skills in addition to his plus raw power; he ranks as one of the nation's top incoming hitters. Firth is a fierce competitor who complements his heavy 88-93 fastball with a solid slider. Leone, another cold-weather kid who figures to blossom at Clemson, also has a quick arm and has run his fastball up to 93 in the past. Kent can reach 91 but lives off his 12-to-6 curveball and 78-80 slider, both of which can be out pitches. Meyer and Wauford look like potential bullpen stalwarts thanks to the movement on their fastballs, and Kyle could develop into a front-line guy in two years if he can add strength. Kieboom stands out most for his solid catch-and-throw skills.
21. RICE
Recruiting coordinator: Mike Taylor. Total recruits: 13 (11 freshmen, 2 JC transfers).
RANK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
	Michael Ratterree, if/of	R-R	6-1	195	Nationals (45)	Memorial HS, Houston
	J.T. Chargois, rhp/ss/2b	B-R	6-2	180		Sulphur (La.) HS
	Tyler Duffey, rhp	R-R	6-3	210		Bellaire HS, Houston
	Tony Cingrani, lhp	L-L	6-4	200		South Suburban (Ill.) JC
	Boogie Anagnostou, rhp	L-R	5-11	200		Alvin (Texas) JC
	Tyler Spurlin, rhp/of	R-R	6-3	185		The Woodlands (Texas) HS
	Chase McDowell, rhp/of	L-R	6-2	185		A&M Consolidated HS, College Station, Texas
	Kevin Hahn, lhp	L-L	6-0	200		Stratford HS, Houston
Rice's priority with this class was to bolster its pitching, but it also landed an impact hitter in Ratterree and a trio of two-way players for versatility. Ratterree is a prime athlete with an intriguing power/speed blend, and he could take over for Brock Holt at second base if he improves his infield actions. Chargois, Spurlin and McDowell should all be two-way contributors during their Rice careers. Chargois will make more of a difference on the mound initially thanks to a quality fastball-breaking ball mix but is also a switch-hitting middle infielder. Spurlin is athletic and projectable and has already touched 93 off the mound, and he also showed some power potential with the bat in high school. McDowell can reach 92 but stands out more for his smooth, effortless swing. Duffey attacks hitters with a two-seam fastball and a quick, hard curve. Cingrani's high-80s fastball plays up because he hides the ball well, and he also works with a plus changeup and a fringe-average breaking ball. He's the most polished pitcher in this group and stands a good chance to break into the weekend rotation immediately. Anagnostou's fastball can reach 94 but lacks movement. The sleeper is Hahn, an undersized lefty who can really spin a breaking ball.
22. OREGON STATE
Recruiting coordinator: Marty Lees. Total recruits: 20 (12 freshmen, 8 JC transfers).
RANK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
112	Andrew Susac, c	R-R	6-1	190	Phillies (16)	Jesuit HS, Carmichael, Calif.
	Matt Boyd, lhp/1b	L-L	6-3	225		Eastside Catholic HS, Sammamish, Wash.
	Tony Bryant, rhp	R-R	6-7	215	Twins (25)	Kennewick (Wash.) HS
	Danny Hayes, 3b/1b	L-R	6-4	190		Jesuit HS, Carmichael, Calif.
	Tyler Smith, ss/2b	R-R	6-0	175		Thousand Oaks (Calif.) HS
	Andy Quiring, ss/2b/of	R-R	5-10	165		Feather River (Calif.) JC
	Dylan Jones, lhp/of	L-L	6-2	205		Mount Hood (Ore.) CC
	Parker Berberet, c	R-R	6-4	205		Cypress (Calif.) JC
Oregon State's big class is anchored by Susac, the best defensive catcher of any class in the nation. His athleticism, excellent receiving skills and above-average arm helped him rank as the No. 1 prospect in the West Coast League this summer, though his bat lags behind somewhat. He does have power potential and could become a solid hitter if he can improve his timing. His high school teammate, Hayes, makes consistent contact with an inside-out swing and should grow into some power as he fills out his skinny frame. Smith has been a revelation in fall ball, showing excellent actions and arm strength at short, slightly above-average speed and occasional gap power. Quiring and Berberet add depth up the middle, while Jones can contribute at first base, in the outfield and on the mound, where he can touch 90 and mix in a decent curve. Boyd, another two-way player, adds more depth at first base but will make a bigger impact off the mound, where he works around 86-89 from a funky three-quarters slot and owns a good changeup. The pitcher in this class with the highest ceiling is Bryant, who was up to 94 last summer but worked in the mid-80s this spring, though he still showed a very good changeup.
23. MISSOURI
Recruiting coordinator: Tony Vitello. Total recruits: 18 (12 freshmen, 6 JC transfers).
RANK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
	Dane Opel, of	L-L	6-2	190	Nationals (41)	Edwardsville (Ill.) HS
	Blake Brown, of	R-R	6-1	185	Pirates (48)	Normal (Ill.) West HS
	Eric Anderson, rhp/of	R-R	6-4	210	Astros (28)	Mountain Vista HS, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
	Eric Garcia,ss/2b	B-R	5-11	175		Pflugerville HS, Austin
	Scott Sommerfeld, c/1b/of	R-R	6-0	190	Indians (46)	Parkway South HS, Ballwin, Mo.
	Brett Nicholas, c/1b	L-R	6-2	210		Scottsdale (Ariz.) CC
	Zach Hardoin, lhp	L-L	5-10	201		Blinn (Texas) JC
	Brannon Champagne, of	L-L	6-0	180		St. Charles (Mo.) West HS
	Jesse Santo, ss/3b	R-R	5-11	185		Northeast Oklahoma JC
Missouri reloaded with a large class anchored by live athletes Opel and Brown. Opel has the potential to hit for average and power from the left side, and his plus speed and strong arm make him a good defender anywhere in the outfield. Brown has a very similar toolset but is a righthanded hitter; both should be everyday players immediately for the Tigers. Anderson, the son of a former Missouri football player, looks like a diamond in the rough of Colorado's prep ranks. He attacks hitters with a 90-92 mph fastball and a hard slider, and it's easy to envision him throwing harder because the ball comes out of his hand effortlessly. He's also a stellar athlete who can fill in at center field and shortstop. Champagne could lead off and play center field for the Tigers, flanked by Open and Brown. Santo and Garcia are strong defenders on the infield, and Nicholas could be a middle-of-the-order hitter. Little lefties Hardoin and Jeff Scardinho fill up the strike zone with mid-to-upper-80s fastballs and solid curves.
24. OREGON
Recruiting coordinator: Andrew Checketts. Total recruits: 18 (11 freshmen, 7 JC transfers).
RANK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
142	Christian Jones, lhp	L-L	6-4	190		Monte Vista HS, Danville, Calif.
	Jack Marder, 2b	R-R	6-0	180	Diamondbacks (30)	Newbury Park (Calif.) HS
	Dylan Jones, of	L-R	6-1	180		Valencia (Calif.) HS
	Brett Hambright, c	R-R	6-0	210	Rockies (35)	Riverside (Calif.) CC
	Stephen Kaupang, 1b	R-R	6-4	220	Yankees (50)	Cypress (Calif.) CC
	J.J. Altobelli, ss/3b	R-R	6-1	190	Brewers (49)	Santa Barbara (Calif.) CC
	Andrew Mendenhall, of	R-R	6-3	190		Southridge HS, Kennewick, Wash.
	Ryan Hambright, of/rhp	L-R	6-1	185		Temescal Canyon HS, Lake Elsinore, Calif.
	Marcus Piazzisi, of	L-L	5-10	185		Santa Ana (Calif.) JC
The Ducks brought in 11 junior college transfers in their first class a year ago, allowing them to sign another large class in Year Two since the program was revived. The jewel of this group is Jones, one of the top incoming lefthanders in the nation. From a three-quarters slot, Jones generates vicious late life on an 88-91 mph fastball that he commands very well, and his biting slurve can be devastating. Oregon's best player this fall has been Marder, a baseball rat who plays well above his tools. He's an average runner with excellent instincts at second base and plus bat speed who performed well last summer in the California Collegiate League. Altobelli is a good contact hitter with some pop to the gaps who could earn the starting third base job. Kaupang, who spent his freshman year at San Diego before transferring to Cypress, gives the Ducks a sorely needed infusion of power, but he's a poor defender at first. The Hambright brothers should both play right away; Brett is a good defensive catcher with a strong arm, while Ryan shows good feel for the strike zone and also owns a strong arm from the outfield. Mendenhall and Dylan Jones add athleticism in the outfield. Jones is a plus runner with good bat control, and the Ducks say Mendenhall is a poor man's Jake Marisnick, a former Oregon recruit who signed with the Blue Jays for $1 million right before the deadline. Mendenhall has the highest ceiling in this class.
25. LOUISVILLE
Recruiting coordinator: Chris Lemonis. Total recruits: 13 (10 freshmen, 3 JC transfers).
RANK	NAME, POS	B-T	Ht.	Wt.	DRAFTED	PREVIOUS SCHOOL
	Matt Koch, rhp	R-R	6-3	190	Red Sox (37)	Washington HS, Cherokee, Iowa
	Kyle Grieshaber, ss	R-R	6-0	180		Marquette HS, St. Louis
	Brian Feekin, lhp	L-L	6-6	220	Phillies (44)	Iowa Western CC
	Andy Flett, rhp	R-R	6-7	185		Lindbergh (Mo.) HS
	Jarred Clarkson, of	R-R	6-3	180		Shelby County HS, Shelbyville, Ky.
	Cade Stallings, 3b	R-R	6-1	230		Farragut HS, Knoxville, Tenn.
	Zak Wasserman, 1b/lhp	L-L	6-6	215	Giants (21)	Lake Shore HS, St. Clair Shores, Mich.
	Drew Fitzpatrick, of	R-R	6-0	180		Cardinal Mooney HS, Youngstown, Ohio
After reeling in a pair of power arms from cold-weather locales last year in Keith Landers and Tony Zych, the Cardinals landed three more this year in Koch, Feekin and Flett. Koch, the top prep prospect in Iowa this spring, is an athletic former four-sport standout with a fastball that reaches 93 mph and a promising 82 mph slider. Feekin's quality three-pitch mix includes an 88-92 mph fastball, a good changeup and a solid curve. Flett was throwing strikes with a 91-93 fastball this fall and mixing in a sharp mid-70s curve and a change. That trio is complemented by an athletic group of position players, led by Grieshaber, a versatile infielder in the mold of Louisville sophomore Ryan Wright. The physical Stallings could step in and play third base immediately, and the projectable Clarkson is Louisville's center fielder of the future. The long-levered Wasserman has the most raw power in the class but needs to shorten his swing a bit.