2012 Top 25 Recruiting Classes

By Aaron Fitt
October 20, 2011



Baseball America's recruiting class rankings are based on dozens of conversations with college coaches and pro scouts across the country this fall, as well as countless more calls during our Draft Preview preparation this spring. The rank column in the charts below indicates players who ranked among BA's Top 200 prospects (which included college players) for the 2011 draft. Draft references are for 2011 unless otherwise noted. The rankings do not consider transfers from four-year schools, except graduate transfers who are immediately eligible. Click here for a region-by-region look at some of the nation's other standout classes.

1. Vanderbilt

Recruiting Coordinator: Josh Holliday. Total Recruits: 13 (12 freshmen, 1 JC transfer).

Rk. Name, Pos B-T Ht. Wt. Drafted Previous School 35 Tyler Beede, rhp R-R 6-4 200 Blue Jays (1) Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. Chris Harvey, c R-R 6-5 225 Germantown Acad., Fort Washington, Pa. Adam Ravenelle, rhp R-R 6-4 185 Yankees (44) Lincoln-Sudbury HS, Sudbury, Mass. Philip Pfeifer, lhp L-L 6-0 200 Rangers (44) Farragut HS, Knoxville, Tenn. John Norwood, of R-R 6-3 190 Blue Jays (12) Seton Hall Prep, Orange, N.J. Nevin Wilson, lhp L-L 6-2 175 Phillies (44) Chaparral HS, Scottsdale, Ariz. Drew Verhagen, rhp R-R 6-6 215 Navarro (Texas) JC Connor Castellano, if L-R 6-0 185 Evangel Christian Acad., Shreveport, La. Vince Conde, if R-R 6-0 190 Orangewood Christian HS, Orlando Brian Miller, rhp R-R 6-5 175 Independence HS, Franklin, Tenn.

The Commodores top the recruiting rankings for the first time since 2005, when Pedro Alvarez, Ryan Flaherty and Brett Jacobson headlined a hallmark class. The crown jewel of this balanced class is Beede, an unsigned first-round pick and the nation's top recruit. Beede gives the 'Dores a true front-line ace with a fastball that already sits at 89-93 and touches 95, good feel for three quality secondary pitches, advanced command and loads of poise. Vandy got a second blue-chipper when Harvey enrolled a year early. He has plus righthanded power potential and a strong arm, and he could replace departed Curt Casali behind the plate immediately. The ultra-projectable Ravenelle has a heavy low-90s fastball that touches 94, and his secondary stuff should improve as he refines his delivery. Pfeifer has less upside but more polish, with a solid-average fastball and plus 12-to-6 curve from the left side. The quick-armed Wilson (who reminds the 'Dores of 2011 bullpen stalwart Corey Williams) and the 6-foot-6 Jared Miller give Vandy two more talented lefties with sharp breaking balls. Norwood has plus speed and a promising righthanded bat. Castellano and Conde have a knack for making hard contact and advanced approaches at the plate. They and speed merchant Will Cooper provide additional athleticism and versatility. Deceptive sidewinder Miller and physical first baseman Zander Weil round out this extremely deep class.

2. Texas

Recruiting Coordinator: Tommy Harmon. Total Recruits: 15 (13 freshmen, 2 JC transfers).

Rk. Name, Pos B-T Ht. Wt. Drafted Previous School 104 Dillon Peters, lhp L-L 5-11 190 Indians (20) Cathedral HS, Indianapolis 132 John Curtiss, rhp R-R 6-4 200 Rockies (30) Carroll HS, Southlake, Texas 189 Ricky Jacquez, rhp/ss R-R 5-9 160 Cubs (39) Franklin HS, El Paso Parker French, rhp L-R 6-2 195 Dripping Springs (Texas) HS *C.J. Hinojosa, ss B-R 5-10 170 Klein Collins HS, Spring, Texas Toller Boardman, lhp L-L 6-3 205 Bellaire (Texas) HS Justin Peters, rhp R-R 6-4 190 Weatherford (Texas) JC Brooks Marlow, 2b L-R 5-9 175 Giddings (Texas) HS Landon Steinhagen, 1b/of R-R 6-1 205 Howard (Texas) JC Collin Shaw, of L-L 6-0 195 Westlake HS, Austin *Plans to enroll early this winter

Despite getting stunned on signing deadline day when top recruit Josh Bell signed for a $5 million bonus and third baseman Matt Dean signed for $737,500 as a 13th-rounder, Texas landed an elite recruiting class, highlighted by the nation's premier group of incoming arms. Peters and Jacquez have electric stuff but lack prototypical professional size, helping them arrive on campus. The tenacious Peters works at 90-94 and has advanced feel for his changeup, though he'll need to add power to his breaking ball. Jacquez can run his fastball up to 97 and flashes a hammer curve, but he needs to learn not to overthrow and to keep his emotions in check. Curtiss, the third Top 200 talent in this class, has a bigger frame, a 90-95 mph fastball with sink and a promising hard slurve at 80-81, though his changeup is a work in progress. He has shown better command than the Longhorns expected this fall. French went undrafted thanks to an ironclad commitment, but he has front-line stuff as well: an 89-93 sinker and an advanced changeup. He has feel to spin a breaking ball but must improve the pitch. Boardman is a strike-throwing lefty with an 86-89 fastball, excellent changeup and solid breaking ball. The physical Peters works in the same range with his heater and mixes in a 77-80 slurve with good depth. Hinojosa might have been a premium draft pick in 2012 if he hadn't decided to enroll at Texas this coming winter. With superb baseball instincts, smooth infield actions, and a knack for making hard contact from both sides of the plate, Hinojosa gives the Longhorns a marquee replacement for departed shortstop Brandon Loy. Marlow is a scrappy, high-energy player with surprising strength in his lefthanded swing, and Steinhagen gives this class a physical righthanded bat.

3. Southern Mississippi

Recruiting Coordinator: Chad Caillet. Total Recruits: 15 (12 freshmen, 3 JC transfers).

Rk. Name, Pos B-T Ht. Wt. Drafted Previous School 82 Connor Barron, ss L-R 6-3 175 Marlins (3) Sumrall (Miss.) HS Mason Robbins, of/lhp L-L 6-2 195 Mets (20) George County HS, Lucedale, Miss. Bradley Roney, 3b/rhp R-R 6-2 190 Orioles (18) Wetumpka (Ala.) HS Taylor Nunez, rhp R-R 6-4 175 Pirates (19) Salmen HS, Slidell, La. Cameron Giannini, rhp R-R 6-3 215 Tigers '09 (49) San Jacinto (Texas) JC Breck Kline, ss R-R 5-11 180 Northshore HS, Slidell, La. Luke Lowery, lhp L-L 5-11 165 Sumrall (Miss.) HS Cody Livingston, lhp L-L 6-3 188 Northwest Rankin HS, Brandon, Miss. Andrew Pierce, rhp R-R 6-4 160 Jones (Miss.) JC

Southern Miss reeled in the best class in school history, a balanced group with both star power and depth. Barron, who turned down a seven-figure bonus offer as a third-round pick, might be the best all-around player to set foot on a college campus this year. He boasts above-average speed, a strong arm and good athleticism at shortstop, a fluid lefthanded swing and emerging power potential. Robbins generated top-five-rounds draft buzz but slipped due to signability. He has intriguing power potential in his smooth lefthanded swing and an 87-90 mph fastball off the mound, making him one of the top incoming two-way talents in college baseball. Roney, another two-way player, has plus raw power from the right side, good defensive actions and a strong arm at third base. Nunez has a loose arm and a projectable frame, suggesting he will add velocity to his 87-90 fastball, and he has a very good feel to spin a breaking ball. The strike-throwing Pierce has good arm-side run on his 88-90 fastball, and Giannini can run his heavy sinker up to 94, giving the Golden Eagles two more quality righties. This class also features a pair of promising southpaws in the wily, ultra-competitive Lowery and the projectable Livingston, who has good life on his fringe-average fastball and changeup. Kline is the wild card; he has good athleticism and the plus-plus arm strength to handle short, but his mechanics need work in the field and at the plate.

4. North Carolina State

Recruiting Coordinator: Chris Hart. Total Recruits: 14 (11 freshmen, 3 JC transfers).

Rk. Name, Pos B-T Ht. Wt. Drafted Previous School 61 Brett Austin, c B-R 6-1 190 Padres (1s) Providence HS, Charlotte 198 Carlos Rodon, lhp/1b L-L 6-3 220 Brewers (16) Holly Springs (N.C.) HS Trea Turner, ss/3b R-R 6-2 170 Pirates (20) Park Vista HS, Lake Worth, Fla. Logan Jernigan, rhp R-R 6-3 195 South Johnston HS, Four Oaks, N.C. Dillon Frye, rhp R-R 6-3 195 Lee County HS, Sanford, N.C. Logan Ratledge, 2b/3b R-R 5-10 175 Ardrey Kell HS, Charlotte Jake Fincher, ss/of R-R 6-2 170 Providence HS, Charlotte Ryan Wilkins, rhp R-R 6-2 200 Palomar (Calif.) JC Bryan Adametz, of R-R 5-10 175 Palm Beach (Fla.) State JC Travis Orwig, lhp L-L 6-2 190 Ponderosa HS, Parker, Colo.

N.C. State's class features brilliant star power in Austin (the highest-drafted hitter to enter college baseball this year) and Rodon (who has a chance to be a Friday ace early in his career). The switch-hitting Austin has a disciplined approach, power and fluidity from both sides of the plate, making him the best freshman bat in the country. He is a better athlete than he might seem, and he'll have time to grow into a capable defensive catcher playing behind the improved Danny Canela. Rodon's low-90s fastball bumped 95-96 in front of bushels of scouts this fall, and he complements it with a power slider in the mid-80s, a promising curveball and a changeup. The fast-twitch, ultra-athletic Turner brings plus-plus speed and superb defensive skills on the left side of the infield, and his developing bat is quick. Jernigan is a bit of a wild card; at his best, he has flashed low-90s heat, a good curveball and a solid change, but his velocity was down and his command was erratic during a bad senior spring. Frye has good feel for pitching and competitiveness, and his stuff took a step forward this summer, as he ran his fastball into the low 90s and showed a solid slider. Ratledge, Fincher and Adametz are scrappers who bring energy and athleticism. Wilkins has a head-snap in his delivery but attacks hitters with an 86-91 mph fastball, a good splitter and a decent slider.

5. Mississippi

Recruiting Coordinator: Carl Lafferty. Total Recruits: 16 (12 freshmen, 4 JC transfers).

Rk. Name, Pos B-T Ht. Wt. Drafted Previous School 107 Senquez Golson, of R-R 5-10 175 Red Sox (8) Pascagoula (Miss.) HS 137 Hawtin Buchanan, rhp L-R 6-8 240 Nationals (19) Biloxi (Miss.) HS Jake Overbey, ss R-R 6-2 185 Phillies (10) University School, Jackson, Tenn. Josh Laxer, rhp R-R 6-1 210 Nationals (20) Madison (Miss.) Central HS Sikes Orvis, 1b L-R 6-2 210 Red Sox (19) Freedom HS, Orlando Dylan Chavez, lhp L-L 6-3 185 Twins (33) American River (Calif.) JC Austin Knight, c R-R 6-0 200 Phillies (43) Sumrall (Miss.) HS Will Jamison, of L-L 6-2 175 Indians (42) Evangelical Christian HS, Cordova, Tenn. Chris Ellis, rhp L-R 6-5 200 Dodgers (50) Spain Park HS, Birmingham, Ala. Andrew Mistone, 3b R-R 6-1 200 Rio Hondo (Calif.) CC

The Rebels have shifted their recruiting strategy from a more conservative approach to an aggressive pursuit of front-line talents, and they reaped the fruit of that approach with this class, shepherding a pair of Top 200 talents through the draft. Golson turned down a seven-figure offer from the Red Sox to play cornerback for the Ole Miss football team and outfield for the baseball team. He has a game-changing speed/power blend, an average arm in center field, and enough baseball savvy to potentially make an impact as a freshman. Buchanan's rock-solid commitment caused his draft stock to drop, but he's a blue-chip prospect with uncommon athleticism for his massive size, a 90-94 mph fastball that bumps 95-96 and developing secondary stuff. He draws comparisons to Cody Satterwhite and Jeff Niemann from scouts. Laxer has less size but similar arm strength, with an 89-94 mph fastball and a hammer curve at times. Overbey has solid tools across the board, sure hands and excellent instincts at shortstop, giving this class a fourth front-line recruit. Knight offers decent righthanded power potential and good blocking and receiving skills behind the plate, while Orvis provides pop from the left side. Jamison is a speedster in the mold of former Rebel star Jordan Henry. Chavez and Ellis have quality fastball-slider repertoires, giving this class good pitching depth.

6. South Carolina

Recruiting Coordinator: Chad Holbrook. Total Recruits: 21 (16 freshmen, 5 JC transfers).

Rk. Name, Pos B-T Ht. Wt. Drafted Previous School Joey Pankake, ss R-R 6-1 195 Rangers (42) Easley (S.C.) HS Tanner English, of R-R 5-10 175 Rays (13) St. James HS, Murrells Inlet, S.C. Evan Beal, rhp R-R 6-2 190 Royals (8) South County HS, Lorton, Va. Grayson Greiner, c R-R 6-5 215 Blythewood (S.C.) HS T.J. Costen, 2b/ss/of R-R 6-0 185 Rangers (22) First Colonial HS, Virginia Beach, Va. Joel Seddon, rhp R-R 6-0 175 Blue Jays (20) St. Clair (Minn.) HS Jordan Montgomery, lhp L-L 6-3 180 Sumter (S.C.) HS L.B. Dantzler, 3b L-R 5-10 195 State College of Florida Connor Bright, if R-R 5-11 170 Wando HS, Mount Pleasant, S.C. Shon Carson, of R-R 5-9 205 Reds (44) Lake City (S.C.) HS

The Gamecocks loaded up on speed and dynamic up-the-middle athletes, and their class also features a nice group of lean, projectable pitchers. The sturdily built Pankake has a premium arm at shortstop—he can touch 93-95 off the mound, though he is primarily a position player—and could blossom into a standout defender if he can become more consistent. He has good strength in his line-drive stroke. The electric English has top-of-the-scale speed (he has been clocked at 6.3 seconds in the 60-yard dash) and an above-average outfield arm, and he could make the Gamecocks go if he can tone down his approach a bit and become more of a table-setter. Costen (who reminds Holbrook of former Gamecock CWS hero Whit Merrifield) and Carson (a running back for the South Carolina football team) also bring superb speed. Greiner might be the most important recruit in this class, as he'll be expected to handle the load behind the plate from day one. Scouts aren't sold on his throwing because of a hitch in his motion, but he has arm strength and good hands, and he provides righthanded power potential at the plate. Dantzler has the lefthanded hitting ability to find a spot in the middle of the order this year. He and fellow juco transfers Tanner Lovick and Chase Vergason will compete for playing time in South Carolina's remade infield. On the mound, Beal and Seddon both have long, loose arms that hint at more velocity to come. Seddon has a bit more present velo (reaching 90-92) and a good breaking ball, but Beal's low-80s power curve is tantalizing, and his changeup is more advanced. Montgomery is a polished, competitive strike-thrower in the Michael Roth mold, with a Roth-like mid-80s fastball and a changeup that is better than his breaking ball, also like Roth.

7. Oregon State

Recruiting Coordinator: Marty Lees. Total Recruits: 12 (10 freshmen, 2 JC transfers).

Rk. Name, Pos B-T Ht. Wt. Drafted Previous School Jace Fry, lhp/of L-L 6-0 175 Athletics (9) Southridge HS, Beaverton, Ore. Dylan Davis, of/rhp R-R 6-0 195 Redmond (Wash.) HS Michael Conforto, if/of L-R 6-1 190 Redmond (Wash.) HS Carlos Rodriguez, lhp L-L 6-2 180 Braves (20) Iolani HS, Honolulu Jordan Dunatov, of R-R 6-5 200 Pirates (14) Horizon HS, Scottsdale, Ariz. Nate Esposito, c/if R-R 5-11 180 Athletics (46) Granite Bay (Calif.) HS Cole Brocker, rhp R-R 6-3 205 Tigers (39) Sacramento CC Michael McCall, rhp R-R 6-1 165 Gig Harbor (Wash.) HS Spencer Manjarrez, of R-R 6-1 195 Gig Harbor (Wash.) HS Riley Wilkerson, rhp R-R 6-3 175 West Linn (Ore.) HS

The Beavers win with pitching and defense, and they reeled in an intriguing blend of righthanded and lefthanded pitching, but they also bolstered the offense with a pair of impact hitters in Davis and Conforto. Davis has upside as a pitcher—he can run his fastball into the mid-90s and flashes a plus slider, though he needs to throw strikes more consistently—and as a hitter, offering serious power potential. His high school teammate Conforto stands out most for his lefthanded power and overall athleticism (he was a standout quarterback at Redmond). Fry, like Davis, has two-way ability but will make his biggest impact on the mound. He ranked as the top prospect in the West Coast League, running his fastball up to 96 at times and showing good feel for his slider and changeup. Rodriguez also got his feet wet in a summer college league—the California Collegiate League—and showed the makings of a solid three-pitch mix, though his breaking ball needs tightening and his changeup needs refinement. Loose and athletic, he projects to add velocity to his high-80s fastball. Brocker has 91-94 mph heat and a wipeout curve at times, and he likely would have been drafted between the 10th and 15th rounds if not for his firm commitment to OSU. McCall is a pitchability righthander in the Sam Gaviglio mold, while his high school teammate Manjarrez has intriguing bat speed and draws comparisons to former OSU outfielder Mike Lissman from the Beavers coaches. Esposito was a late-bloomer in high school who has shown quality catch-and-throw skills. Dunatov missed most of the spring with a back injury and is a work in progress offensively, but he is an athletic specimen with above-average speed and plenty of upside.

8. Virginia

Recruiting Coordinator: Kevin McMullan. Total Recruits: 13 (10 freshmen, 3 JC transfers).

Rk. Name, Pos B-T Ht. Wt. Drafted Previous School 66 Derek Fisher, of L-R 6-3 210 Rangers (6) Cedar Crest HS, Lebanon, Pa. Mike Papi, of/if L-R 6-3 190 Angels (30) Tunkhannock (Pa.) HS Brandon Downes, c/of R-R 6-3 180 Red Sox (43) South Plainfield (N.J.) HS Branden Cogswell, if L-R 6-2 170 Blue Jays (44) Shenendehowa HS, Clifton Park, N.Y. Joel Effertz, rhp R-R 6-3 240 White Sox (43) Madison (Wis.) Area Tech JC Chris Fern, lhp L-L 6-4 215 St. John's River (Fla.) State JC Chase Mitchell, c R-R 6-2 215 Florida State JC at Jacksonville Nate Irving, c R-R 6-0 230 Riverdale Country HS, New York Nick Howard, if/rhp R-R 6-3 215 St. John's College HS, Washington, D.C. Barrett O'Neill, rhp R-R 6-1 206 Dexter HS, Brookline, Mass.

Virginia's athletic class is built around Fisher, a high-upside player who generated first-round buzz heading into his senior year last spring. He had some issues making consistent contact during an uneven spring, but at his best he shows above-average hitting ability and above-average power, to go along with good speed, sound defense and a quality arm in the outfield. Papi is an average hitter with average power and a plus arm, and he is versatile enough to play the infield as well. Virginia must replace three departed seniors in its outfield, so Fisher and Papi could step immediately into starting roles. The Cavs also lost their top four starting pitchers, and they landed Effertz from the same junior college as former Cav Cody Winiarski to help immediately. At his best, Effertz sat at 91-92 and located his heater and his improved curveball. Fern, another juco transfer, will provide lefthanded bullpen help, while Howard and O'Neill have power arms from the right side. The broad-shouldered Howard also figures to get playing time at the four corner spots. The wiry-strong Downes has a good arm and reminds the Cavs of a young John Hicks, whom he will try to replace behind the plate. He'll compete with Mitchell and Irving, who both have solid catch-and-throw skills. Cogswell must continue to add strength, but he is a skilled, instinctive offensive player with the ability to play all over the infield.

9. Oregon

Recruiting Coordinator: Mark Wasikowski. Total Recruits: 17 (15 freshmen, 2 JC transfers).

Rk. Name, Pos B-T Ht. Wt. Drafted Previous School 124 Billy Flamion, of L-L 6-1 192 Astros (25) Central Catholic HS, Modesto, Calif. 128 Jake Reed, rhp R-R 6-2 175 White Sox (40) Helix Charter HS, La Mesa, Calif. 192 Cole Wiper, rhp R-R 6-3 180 Blue Jays (14) Newport HS, Bellevue, Wash. Spencer O'Neil, of/1b L-R 6-4 175 Yankees (33) Southridge HS, Kennewick, Wash. Scott Heineman, 2b/3b/rhp R-R 6-1 190 Crespi Carmelite HS, Encino, Calif. Thomas Thorpe, lhp L-R 6-0 165 Evergreen HS, Vancouver, Wash. *Henry Gigeous, rhp R-R 6-3 180 Jacobs HS, Algonquin, HS Thomas Walker, 3b/1b R-R 6-2 225 Long Beach (Calif.) Poly HS Jordan Spencer, if L-L 6-0 225 Beaverton (Ore.) HS *Plans to enroll early this winter

Oregon's class—former recruiting coordinator Andrew Checketts' final class before he left for the head coaching job at UC Santa Barbara—features three Top 200 prospects for the 2011 draft, tied with Texas for most in the nation. Heading into his senior spring, Flamion looked like an elite draft talent with little chance of making it to Oregon, but he had an uneven spring and summer in the West Coast League. He gives the Ducks an impact lefthanded bat with power and a plus outfield arm. O'Neil actually ranked ahead of Flamion in the WCL Top 10 Prospects list thanks to better production, a sweet lefthanded stroke and some pop of his own. He regularly draws comparisons to the unrelated Paul O'Neill. On the mound, Reed garnered top-three-rounds buzz in SoCal until raising his price tag late. Athletic, competitive and polished, Reed attacks hitters with an 89-92 mph sinker, a sweeping two-plane slider and a very good changeup. Wiper is another quality athlete—he was a high school basketball standout—with more raw arm strength than Reed, sometimes topping out at 93-94 and hinting at more to come. He has a tighter breaking ball than Reed but less feel for his changeup, though it shows good bottom at times. Gigeous, the half brother of the late Nick Adenhart, will enroll early this winter. He evokes former Oregon righty Madison Boer thanks to his big frame, athletic delivery, high-80s to low-90s fastball and tight breaking ball. Heineman improved significantly in the Cal Collegiate League this summer; he is a doubles hitter and a versatile infield defender. He and Thorpe (a competitive lefty with a 90-91 fatball and good breaking ball) are the sleepers of this class.

10. Texas Christian

Recruiting Coordinator: Tony Vitello. Total Recruits: 18 (15 freshmen, 3 JC transfers).

Rk. Name, Pos B-T Ht. Wt. Drafted Previous School 133 Kevin Cron, 1b R-R 6-5 250 Mariners (3) Mountain Pointe HS, Phoenix Derek Odell, ss/2b L-R 6-1 185 Red Sox (42) Canyon (Texas) HS Jerrick Suiter, rhp/c/of R-R 6-4 220 Blue Jays (35) Valparaiso (Ind.) HS Travis Evans, lhp L-L 6-1 175 Round Rock (Texas) HS Brandon Finnegan, lhp L-L 5-11 185 Rangers (45) Southwest HS, Fort Worth Braden Mattson, c R-R 6-2 185 Clark HS, San Antonio Kevin Cornielius, 2b R-R 6-1 185 Yankees (42) Weatherford (Texas) HS Michael Resnick, if R-R 6-0 205 Westside HS, Houston

Despite unexpectedly losing key juco recruits Cody Anderson and Tyler Collins to the draft, TCU landed a class comparable to its ninth-ranked 2008 haul. The headliner is Cron, a near-clone of older brother C.J., a first-team All-American for Utah and a first-round pick this June. Kevin has similar plus-plus raw power from the right side—he shattered the record for career home runs by an Arizona prep player with 59—and a similarly advanced offensive approach. Odell has a similar tool set as departed TCU shortstop Taylor Featherston, with a strong arm, good instincts, a solid bat and power potential and below-average speed. That duo should make an immediate impact, while Suiter is loaded with upside. Loose and projectable, he owns an 88-92 mph fastball and the makings of a plus curveball, though he needs to develop his changeup, refine his curve and add life to his fastball. He walked on to the TCU football team but then decided to focus on baseball; his athleticism makes him a tantalizing prospect behind the plate and in the outfield as well. Evans and Finnegan should be impact freshman southpaws with plenty of upside as well. The athletic Evans evokes former Texas A&M star Brooks Raley; he commands his 87-92 mph fastball to both sides of the plate and has a good feel for his breaking ball and changeup. Finnegan's 88-94 fastball has riding life, but he needs to do a better job pitching down in the zone and must improve his secondary stuff. Mattson is a physical athlete with excellent receiving skills, a solid arm and a quick bat, making him TCU's catcher of the future after Josh Elander leaves. Cornelius is a grinder who plays above his tools and has a shot to win the second base job in 2012. Resnick brings some more righthanded pop.

11. Southern California

Recruiting Coordinator: Gabe Alvarez. Total Recruits: 17 (14 freshmen, 2 JC transfers, 1 graduate transfer).

Rk. Name, Pos B-T Ht. Wt. Drafted Previous School 148 Dante Flores, 2b L-R 5-10 165 Padres (41) St. John Bosco HS, Bellflower, Calif. Stephen Tarpley, lhp L-L 6-1 165 Indians (8) Gilbert (Ariz.) HS Ryan Garvey, of R-R 6-1 180 Phillies (15) Palm Desert (Calif.) HS Wyatt Strahan, rhp R-R 6-3 205 D-backs (27) Villa Park (Calif.) HS Nigel Nootbaar, rhp/of B-R 6-1 180 El Segundo (Calif.) HS Garrett Stubbs, c L-R 5-11 165 Torrey Pines HS, San Diego Bobby Stahel, of R-R 6-0 165 Palos Verdes (Calif.) HS Andres Rodriguez, if R-R 5-10 170 La Mirada (Calif.) HS Kaz Halcovich, 1b/of R-R 6-3 205 Palm Desert (Calif.) HS Sean Spear, of L-R 6-0 180 Glendale (Calif.) JC

The Trojans weren't shocked to lose slugging recruit Travis Harrison to pro ball as a supplemental first-rounder, but they were stunned to lose infielder Christian Lopes as a seventh-rounder for $800,000 right at the signing deadline. Still, USC reeled in the best class in the Golden State, highlighted by the Flores/Tarpley/Garvey trio. Flores is a bit undersized but has a fluid, compact lefthanded stroke and excellent baseball savvy, earning him comparisons to Hawaii first-rounder Kolten Wong. Tarpley works in the 88-91 range and touches 93 from the left side, and he mixes in a promising hard curveball and changeup. Garvey, the son of 10-time big league all-star Steve Garvey, has above-average raw power from the right side and a chance to hit for average as he refines his approach. Nootbaar should be a two-way contributor, but he stands out most on the mound for his lively 88-91 fastball and sharp curve. Strahan's fastball ranges from 89-93 with arm-side run and sink, and he has the makings of a quality changeup. Stubbs has solid catch-and-throw skills and the versatility to play the middle infield and outfield as well. Stahel and Halcovich have promising righthanded bats, and Rodriguez has good infield instincts that help him play above modest tools. The X-factor is righthander Martin Viramontes, a graduate transfer from Loyola Marymount, where he played for USC head coach Frank Cruz early in his career. The Trojans say his velocity is back in the 89-93 range, and he could eat some valuable innings.

12. Louisville

Recruiting Coordinator: Chris Lemonis. Total Recruits: 16 (13 freshmen, 3 JC transfers).

Rk. Name, Pos B-T Ht. Wt. Drafted Previous School 134 Nick Burdi, rhp R-R 6-4 210 Twins (24) Downers Grove (Ill.) South HS Adam Schemenauer, lhp L-L 6-8 210 Royals (12) Park Hill South HS, Riverside, Mo. Mason Snyder, if R-R 6-0 180 Marquette Academy, Ottowa, Ill. Joe Ceja, rhp R-R 6-5 240 Marlins (38) Marquette Academy, Ottowa, Ill. Jared Ruxer, rhp R-R 6-3 190 Indians (29) Lawrence Central HS, Indianapolis Sutton Whiting, ss/2b B-R 5-9 180 Braves (44) Ballard HS, Louisville Zach Lucas, ss R-R 6-0 190 Butler HS, Louisville Nick Ratajczak, 2b L-R 5-10 170 Gulf Coast (Fla.) JC Matt Helms, of L-R 6-1 190 Seminole State (Okla.) JC Ryan Karl, 1b/of L-R 6-1 215 Montville (N.J.) HS

Louisville has recruited the Midwest better than anyone in recent years, landing key recruits from Iowa to Ohio, but particularly cleaning up in Illinois and Indiana. This year's deep class is highlighted by a trio of impact recruits from the Land of Lincoln—Burdi, Snyder and Ceja. Burdi's premium arm strength and unrefined mechanics earn him comparisons to former Louisville closer Tony Zych. At his best he sits in the mid-90s, touches 97 and flashes a devastating hard slider. Shoulder surgery torpedoed Snyder's draft stock last spring, but he is fully recovered now and showing a tool set that evokes former Cardinal star Ryan Wright. Similarly, Ceja did not pitch this spring due to bone chips in his elbow, but he flashed 93 mph heat and a promising hard slurve in the past, and his physical frame suggests plenty of upside. Schemenauer might have even more projection; a former basketball star, he has excellent athleticism and good life on a fastball that has peaked at 93. Ruxer also has good life on an 88-91 fastball that tops out at 93, and he has good feel for his changeup and slider. Lefty Joey Filomeno, another Illinois native, gives this class yet another power pitcher who flew under the draft radar due to an injury (stress fracture in his back). Whiting, Lucas and Ratajczak give the Louisville infield an infusion of athleticism. Whiting, the younger brother of former Cardinal speedster Boomer Whiting, and Lucas both have plus speed and solid defensive skills in the middle infield. Ratajczak, Helms and Karl stand out more for their quality lefthanded bats.

13. OKLAHOMA

Recruiting Coordinator: Tim Tadlock. Total Recruits: 24 (11 freshmen, 13 JC transfers).

RANK NAME, POS B-T Ht. Wt. DRAFTED PREVIOUS SCHOOL Jonathan Gray, rhp R-R 6-4 239 Yankees (10) Eastern Oklahoma State Hunter Lockwood, c R-R 5-10 183 Angels (17) Bell HS, Hurst, Texas Adam Choplick, lhp L-L 6-8 264 Diamondbacks (17) Ryan HS, Denton, Texas Chris Burgess, rhp R-R 6-2 210 Rays (30) Black Hawk (Ill.) JC Steven Okert, lhp L-L 6-2 219 Brewers (33) Grayson County (Texas) CC Drake Roberts, 2b R-R 5-8 144 Nationals (49) Brenham (Texas) HS Damien Magnifico, rhp R-R 6-2 187 Mets '09 (5) Howard (Texas) JC Ty Taylor, lhp/of L-L 5-10 162 Weatherford (Texas) JC Matt Oberste, if R-R 6-2 209 Connors State (Okla.) JC Garrett Carey, 3b R-R 6-1 210 McLennan (Texas) CC

Oklahoma's huge class features more impact junior-college transfers than any other class in college baseball. The headliner is the power-armed Gray, who worked at 91-94 and showed a promising hard slider last spring. Burgess' fastball ranges from 88-92, and he flashes an average slider. Okert is a power lefty with a fastball that reaches 92-93 and a good curveball. Taylor is a pitchability lefthander with command of a three-pitch mix, and Magnifico has been up to 93-94 but needs to stay healthy. The Sooners also landed some solid freshmen, led by Lockwood, a powerful righthanded hitter with arm strength but raw receiving skills and a slow release behind the plate. Choplick was a standout power forward for his high school basketball team, and his athleticism and size makes him very projectable. A Tommy John survivor, Choplick works downhill with an 89-91 mph fastball, but his secondary stuff is still developing. The undersized Roberts is a hard-nosed gamer, and Carey is a standout defender at third base. Oberste gives this class a second righthanded power bat. Also keep an eye on righty Jacob Rhame, a strike-thrower in the Michael Rocha mold.

14. MISSISSIPPI STATE

Recruiting Coordinators: Butch Thompson/Lane Burroughs. Total Recruits: 13 (10 freshmen, 3 JC transfers).

RANK NAME, POS B-T Ht. Wt. DRAFTED PREVIOUS SCHOOL Brandon Woodruff, rhp/of L-R 6-4 220 Rangers (5) Wheeler (Miss.) HS Nick Flair, if R-R 6-1 182 Pirates (26) Belle Chasse (La.) HS Jacob Lindgren, lhp L-L 5-11 191 Cubs (12) St. Stanislaus HS, Bay St. Louis, Miss. Will Cox, rhp R-R 6-4 225 Amory (Miss.) HS Phillip Casey, ss L-R 6-0 165 Clements HS, Sugar Land, Texas Trevor Fitts, rhp R-R 6-2 220 Pelham (Ala.) HS Mitch Slauter, c R-R 6-1 195 Barton (Kan.) CC Tyler Fullerton, if/of R-R 5-9 160 Siegel HS, Murfreesboro, Tenn. Matthew Britton, ss L-R 5-11 176 Cullman (Ala.) HS Jonathan Holder, rhp/1b R-R 6-2 232 Gulfport (Miss.) HS

As usual, MSU's class lacks the superstars of the showcase circuit, but the Bulldogs plugged some holes in their infield and bolstered their pitching with this strong group. Mississippi State has had success recruiting and developing players like Woodruff, a raw power arm with serious upside. He flashed 94-95 mph heat and a plus curveball at his best in the spring, and he has some feel for a changeup. Flair was a late bloomer who "has a chance to be a monster," in the words of one scout, as he fills out his lean frame. The ball jumps off his bat, he has a good feel for his barrel, and he has good actions and a strong arm on the left side of the infield. Lindgren is a third front-line recruit in this class thanks to his competitiveness and feel for an 89-93 mph fastball, sharp curveball and quality changeup. Cox is similarly polished, with good command of a power sinker at 89-91, a swing-and-miss slider and a solid change. Fitts lacks big-time projection but owns a 90-91 fastball and the makings of a very good breaking ball. Casey has a strong chance to start at shortstop every day as a freshman thanks to his sound infield actions, strong arm, solid-average speed and contact bat from the left side. Fullerton and Britton are scrappers who provide defensive versatility. A pair of junior-college transfers—the strong-armed Slauter and gritty switch-hitter Nick Ammirati—will battle for playing time behind the plate.

15. FLORIDA

Recruiting Coordinator: Craig Bell. Total Recruits: 11 (11 freshmen).

RANK NAME, POS B-T Ht. Wt. DRAFTED PREVIOUS SCHOOL Casey Turgeon, if L-R 5-9 165 Mets (22) Dunedin (Fla.) HS Josh Tobias, if/of B-R 5-9 200 Nationals (31) Southeast Guilford HS, Greensboro, N.C. John Magliozzi, rhp R-R 5-10 190 Rays (35) Dexter HS, Brookline, Mass. Justin Shafer, 3b/of/rhp R-R 6-2 200 Lake Wales (Fla.) HS Brandon Sedell, c/1b R-R 6-1 230 American Heriage HS, Plantation, Fla. Ryan Harris, rhp R-R 6-2 195 Yankees (37) Jupiter (Fla.) HS Sean Trent, 3b/of R-R 6-0 200 Bishop Moore HS, Orlando Corey Stump, lhp L-L 6-5 215 Lakeland (Fla.) Christian HS Cory Reid, if/of R-R 6-2 200 Port St. Lucie (Fla.) HS Bobby Poyner, lhp L-L 6-0 205 Palm Beach (Fla.) Central HS Aaron Rhodes, rhp R-R 5-11 185 Venice (Fla.) HS

Florida's class lacks the big-name star power of its last two classes but is still loaded with potential impact players. Rather than building this class around prospects with prototypical pro bodies, the Gators reeled in a group of undersized players who still have good tools. Turgeon has surprising lefthanded pop in his 5-foot-9 frame and excellent baseball instincts that remind the Gators of current shortstop Nolan Fontana. He has the inside track at Florida's vacant second base job, while the faster Tobias does not have Turgeon's smooth infield actions and might wind up in center field. Tobias is working on switch-hitting for the first time but is more advanced from the left side and has some strength in his swing. The tenacious Magliozzi has a small frame but a big arm capable of reaching 94 mph at times, and his changeup is more advanced than his breaking ball. The other sub-6-footer in this class is righty Aaron Rhodes, the sleeper of this class thanks to a heavy 85-91 sinker and a sweeping slider that eats up righthanded hitters. On the other end of the spectrum, Stump is a tall, projectable lefty whose stuff went backward during his disappointing senior year, but he worked at 88-92 in the past and has intriguing upside if he can iron out his mechanics. Another lefty, Poyner, was derailed by a shoulder injury last spring but has advanced feel for a decent three-pitch mix. Harris gives the Florida bullpen a different look—his herky-jerky, three-quarters delivery has effort and deception, and low-to-mid-90s fastball has very heavy sink. Shafer was recruited as a pitcher—he throws strikes with a solid three-pitch mix—but has swung the bat well this fall, giving Florida added depth at the corners. Sedell and Trent are mature-bodied, bat-first players with some power, though Trent's strong arm might be his best tool. Reid, a former basketball player, runs the 60-yard dash in 6.4 seconds and has a chance to be a plus defensive outfielder, but he needs to get more aggressive at the plate.

16. PEPPERDINE

Recruiting Coordinator: Jon Strauss. Total Recruits: 12 (11 freshmen, 1 graduate transfer).

RANK NAME, POS B-T Ht. Wt. DRAFTED PREVIOUS SCHOOL 149 Aaron Brown, of/lhp L-L 6-2 215 Pirates (17) Chatsworth (Calif.) HS Austin Davidson, ss L-R 5-11 185 Red Sox (21) Oxnard (Calif.) HS Quincy Quintero, rhp/if R-R 6-2 190 Valencia (Calif.) HS Steve Casey, rhp/of R-R 6-0 210 Pinnacle HS, Phoenix Matt Gelalich, of L-R 5-11 170 Bonita HS, La Verne, Calif. *Matt Forgatch, of/if R-R 6-1 210 Denison (Ohio) University David Hubinger, c L-R 6-0 210 St. Francis HS, Mountain View, Calif. Mat Snider, if/rhp R-R 6-3 190 Los Altos (Calif.) HS Drew Hacker, if R-R 6-2 170 Oaks Christian HS, Westlake Village, Calif. James Grandpre, c R-R 6-0 175 Desert Christian HS, Lancaster, Calif. *Graduate transfer, eligible immediately

There are deeper classes than Pepperdine's, but in Brown and Davidson the Waves landed two of the top recruits in the West. "You've got one of the best hitters in the state (Davidson) and the best two-way player in the state (Brown)," an AL area scout said. Brown had a strong summer against older competition in the California Collegiate League, where he ranked as the No. 3 prospect thanks to an intriguing five-tool package, highlighted by his plus raw power from the left side. This spring, some scouts even preferred him on the mound, where he sits comfortably at 88-90, has good feel for a straight changeup and a decent curveball. Davidson has a polished offensive approach, excellent plate coverage and a compact lefthanded swing with the ability to drive the ball to all fields. He does not have standout range at shortstop but his strong arm is an asset there. Quintero and Casey give this class two more quality two-way players, which are so valuable to stretch resources at an expensive private school like Pepperdine. Quintero projects best on the mound thanks to a deceptive 88-90 mph fastball that bumps 92 and a promising curveball. Casey works in the 86-90 range and owns a good curveball of his own, and he brings some righthanded pop at the plate. Gelalich, the younger brother of UCLA outfielder Jeff Gelalich, has plus speed and a chance to develop into a nice table-setter. Forgatch, who hit .446 in D-III last year, is physical, athletic and mature, and he figures to be a key part of Pepperdine's outfield mix. Hubinger and Grandpre have solid defensive skills behind the plate; Grandpre is more athletic, but Hubinger's lefthanded bat is an asset. Snider and Hacker bring good speed and versatility.

17. CENTRAL FLORIDA

Recruiting Coordinator: Joe Mercadante. Total Recruits: 13 (10 freshmen, 3 JC transfers).

RANK NAME, POS B-T Ht. Wt. DRAFTED PREVIOUS SCHOOL Eric Skoglund, lhp L-L 6-5 180 Pirates (16) Sarasota (Fla.) HS Garrett Nuss, rhp R-R 6-2 185 Yankees (32) Mount Dora HS, Sorrento, Fla. Tommy Williams, if R-R 6-2 175 Diamondbacks (20) Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) HS Ryan Meyer, rhp R-R 6-5 190 Orioles (32) Oviedo (Fla.) HS Nick Carrillo, c/of/rhp L-R 6-2 215 Central Arizona CC Roman Madrid, rhp R-R 6-1 190 Indians '09 (44) McLennan (Texas) CC JoMarcos Woods, of/lhp L-L 5-7 170 The First Academy, Orlando Erik Barber, of R-R 5-9 180 Lakeland (Fla.) HS Jimmy Reed, lhp L-L 6-0 165 Skagit Valley (Wash.) CC James Vasquez, 1b/of L-L 6-0 205 Martin County HS, Stuart, Fla.

Head coach Terry Rooney and his staff have brought in three straight strong recruiting classes, helping the Knights reach regionals in 2011 and setting them up for sustained success. The centerpiece of this class is Skoglund, an ultra-projectable lefty who evokes former Florida Gulf Coast first-rounder Chris Sale. Skoglund currently works in the high 80s and tops out around 91, and his slider and changeup are progressing. The power-armed Nuss has a fastball that reaches 94 and an aggressive mentality, giving him a chance to push his way into the weekend rotation as a freshman. Meyer, like Skoglund, has a lean, projectable frame and a loose arm that already can produce 92 mph heat at times. He also has the makings of a plus slider and solid feel for pitching. Williams gives this class a fourth potential impact recruit, with fluid infield actions and enough arm strength for shortstop. He has a good feel for his barrel and could grow into a middle-of-the-order hitter as he adds strength. Woods and Barber are small, high-energy players with athleticism. Woods is a pesky out and has enough arm strength also help on the mound, while Barber has surprising pop in his compact stroke and good foot speed. Vasquez has a nice lefthanded swing with a bit of pop as well. That group of high schoolers is complemented by a trio of solid juco transfers. Carrillo should fill a utility role and bring some lefthanded power to the lineup. Madrid's low-90s fastball and quality slider give him a chance to win the closer job, while Reed provides lefthanded bullpen depth.

18. ARIZONA

Recruiting Coordinator: Shaun Cole. Total Recruits: 12 (10 freshmen, 2 JC transfers).

RANK NAME, POS B-T Ht. Wt. DRAFTED PREVIOUS SCHOOL 150 Riley Moore, c B-R 6-3 190 Phillies (21) San Marcos (Calif.) HS David Schuknecht, c L-R 6-1 195 Rockies (12) Palm Desert (Calif.) HS Mathew Troupe, rhp R-R 6-1 185 Yankees (17) Chaminade Prep HS, Chatsworth, Calif. Tyler Parmenter, ss/rhp R-R 6-2 185 Rays (15) Ciobla HS, Yuma, Ariz. Trent Gilbert, ss L-R 6-1 175 Marlins (40) Torrance (Calif.) HS Lucas Long, rhp R-R 6-0 180 Academy of Holy Angels, Richfield, Minn. Collin Dewell, of/lhp L-L 6-0 180 Santa Barbara (Calif.) HS Tyler Crawford, lhp L-L 6-0 180 Sunrise Mountain HS, Peoria, Ariz.

Both head coach Andy Lopez and former recruiting coordinator Mark Wasikowski have Southern California roots, and they landed a trio of impact recruits from that part of the country to anchor this class—Wasikowski's last before leaving for a job on Oregon's staff. The lanky, wiry-strong Moore has an above-average arm, outstanding agility and advanced receiving skills behind the plate, and he could develop some power from the left side as he fills out. He has farther to go as a righthanded hitter. Schuknecht is more physical and has better power potential, and he can lace hard line drives from gap to gap when he stays on the ball. He's also a good runner with a strong arm and promising receiving skills, though he is not as polished behind the plate as Moore. Troupe is an extraordinarily polished, competitive righty with a changeup that already rates as a plus big league pitch, a consistently average curveball and good control of an 89-91 mph fastball that tickles 93. Gilbert and Dewell give this class two more solid recruits from SoCal. Gilbert's speed, range and arm are lacking at shortstop, but his sure hands and solid actions should play at second base, and he has a balanced lefthanded swing. Dewell is an athletic, high-energy player with good range in center field and a solid arm that will also play on the mound. The Wildcats' top in-state recruit, the live-bodied, quick-twitch Parmenter has a plus to plus-plus arm at shortstop, where his footwork and instincts need some refinement. He has some pop in his bat and should contribute on the mound as well. Long, who works at 87-88 and owns a decent three-quarters breaking ball, adds depth.

19. FRESNO STATE

Recruiting Coordinator: Pat Waer. Total Recruits: 12 (8 freshmen, 4 JC transfers).

RANK NAME, POS B-T Ht. Wt. DRAFTED PREVIOUS SCHOOL 185 Chris Mariscal, ss R-R 5-11 180 Orioles (41) Clovis North HS, Fresno Jordan Brink, rhp/of L-R 6-0 185 Central HS, Fresno Ryne Dean, c L-R 6-1 185 Red Mountain HS, Mesa, Ariz. Jordan Luplow, 3b/1b R-R 6-0 185 Buchanan HS, Clovis, Calif. Will Munro, rhp R-R 6-5 185 San Marcos (Calif.) HS Aaron Gillis, lhp L-L 6-3 185 San Joaquin Delta (Calif.) HC Garrett Mundell, rhp R-R 6-6 200 El Toro HS, Lake Forest, Calif. Matt Fontaine, rhp R-R 6-2 210 Ohlone (Calif.) HS Jordan Lewis, lhp L-L 6-2 190 Central Arizona JC

Fresno's class features a nice blend of junior-college transfers to plug immediate holes and cornerstone freshmen, led by Mariscal. A football quarterback in high school, Mariscal is a fine athlete with fluid infield actions, a plus arm at shortstop and plus speed. He has some bat speed and should hit for average as well. Brink has raw lefthanded power but should contribute more on the mound as a freshman thanks to a fastball that reaches 93 and a firm slider with depth. Dean is a good receiver with a slightly above-average arm and a decent lefthanded bat. Luplow showed intriguing righthanded power potential as a junior but missed his whole senior year after having his shoulder scoped; he reminds the Bulldogs of former Fresno RBI machine Alan Ahmady. Munro and Mundell offer size and projection. Munro has a knack for missing bats and a fastball that can bump 92. Mundell works in the 86-87 range but works downhill and reminds Waer of former Bulldog Doug Fister, now a postseason star for the Detroit Tigers. Gillis, a pitchability lefty who reaches 88, transfers in after spending just one year in junior-college ball and has a higher ceiling than many juco transfers. Fontaine attacks hitters with an 86-89 fastball and a solid slider, and Fresno hopes he can be something like former ace Greg Gonzalez.

20. NORTH CAROLINA

Recruiting Coordinator: Scott Jackson. Total Recruits: 17 (16 freshmen, 1 JC transfer).

RANK NAME, POS B-T Ht. Wt. DRAFTED PREVIOUS SCHOOL 166 Cody Stubbs, 1b/of L-R 6-4 215 Nationals (14) Walters State (Tenn.) CC Benton Moss, rhp R-R 6-2 180 Rocky Mount (N.C.) HS Chris McCue, rhp R-R 6-0 155 Yankees (35) Ardrey Kell HS, Charlotte Josh Ake, ss R-R 5-11 175 Mets (29) Hunterdon Central HS, Flemington, N.J. Zac LaNeve, ss R-R 6-1 180 Marlines (44) Pine-Richland HS, Gibsonia, Pa. Adam Griffin, rhp/of R-R 6-1 180 Indians (44) Forsyth Country Day HS, Lewisville, N.C. Mason McCullough, rhp R-R 6-4 240 Crest HS, Shelby, N.C. Peter Hendel, lhp L-L 6-2 190 Cuthbertson HS, Waxhaw, N.C. Shell McCain, if R-R 5-9 175 Trinity Prep, Charlotte Mike Zolk, of/if L-R 5-9 180 Neumann-Goretti HS, Philadelphia

Jackson says this is the Tar Heels' best class since their watershed 2007 haul, which included Dustin Ackley, Alex White, Kyle Seager and Brian Moran, among others. Like that class, this group greatly improves North Carolina's depth all over the diamond, and while Moss looks like the only sure-fire star, several other recruits could blossom into impact players at UNC. Stubbs was the centerpiece of Tennessee's 14th-ranked 2009 class, but he struggled as a freshman and transferred to Walters State, where he re-established himself as powerful lefthanded slugger with an advanced approach at the plate. The academic-minded Moss won UNC's prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship and had no interest in the draft, but he could have been a high pick if he had been signable. He offers projection, feel for pitching, off-the-charts makeup and a quality repertoire: an 88-92 mph fastball, sharp mid-70s curveball and solid changeup. The athletic McCue lacks physicality but has a quick arm capable of producing a 90-94 mph fastball, a changeup with good sink and a sharp curve. Griffin has a max-effort delivery but a strong arm, with a fastball that reaches 93 and a promising changeup. He should contribute out of the bullpen and in the outfield, as the ball jumps off his bat. McCullough is a wild card, a hulking righty with a heavy 90-93 mph fastball and the makings of a power breaking ball, but he had some disciplinary issues in high school and he needs to mature on and off the mound. Hendel lacks overpowering stuff but pounds the zone with three pitches, highlighted by an excellent changeup. Ake and LaNeve are rangy defenders who will battle Tommy Coyle for the starting shortstop job; Ake has surprising pop in his whippy swing, but LaNeve needs to add strength. McCain and Zolk are the latest in a long line of energetic, undersized baseball rats at UNC, and both are versatile enough to play all over the diamond. Don't be shocked if one of them wins the everyday second base job as a freshman if Coyle winds up at short.

21. GEORGIA

Recruiting Coordinator: Jason Eller. Total Recruits: 16 (11 freshmen, 1 JC transfer).

RANK NAME, POS B-T Ht. Wt. DRAFTED PREVIOUS SCHOOL Hunter Cole, of R-R 6-3 200 Nationals (49) Dorman HS, Roebuck, S.C. Jarrett Brown, lhp L-L 6-2 180 Red Sox (23) Salem HS, Conyers, Ga. David Sosebee, rhp R-R 6-1 200 Red Sox (48) White County HS, Cleveland, Ga. Pete Nagel, rhp R-R 6-1 180 Metter (Ga.) HS Heath Holder, of/rhp R-R 6-4 200 Rockies (50) Loganville (Ga.) HS Luke Crumley, rhp R-R 6-5 190 White County HS, Cleveland, Ga. Nelson Ward, 2b L-R 5-11 170 Lassiter HS, Marietta, Ga. John Taylor, rhp R-R 5-11 195 Franklin County HS, Carnesville, Ga. Justin Bryan, of B-R 6-5 220 Franklin County HS, Carnesville, Ga.

Georgia lost five big-name signees to the draft plus fourth-rounder Tyler Palmer to a serious arm laceration in an off-field incident (though he might still enroll in January, depending on how his recovery progresses). Still, Georgia's class is loaded with quality college recruits, many of whom lack polish but offer significant upside. The crown jewel is the multi-talented Cole, whose best tool is his big-time righthanded power potential. He might have been drafted in the top three to five rounds if not for his rock-solid commitment to UGa. Brown, a three-sport star in high school, has the supreme athleticism and loose arm to add velocity to his 85-91 mph fastball, and if his breaking ball improves he could blossom into a star. Sosebee is the most polished of the arms in this class, with the ability to spot his 86-90 mph fastball to all quadrants of the zone and good feel for his breaking ball and changeup. The competitive Nagel works downhill with an 87-90 fastball, a power curve and a promising change. Crumley and Taylor have the biggest arms in this group, as each has reached 93 mph, but both need to refine their mechanics and control. The lanky Holder has massive raw power from the right side but needs a swing overhaul; he also works at 87-88 and bumps the low 90s off the mound, though his high-effort delivery isn't pretty. Ward is a strong defensive second baseman who makes consistent contact from the left side and plays with his hair on fire. Bryan's game lacks fluidity and refinement, but he is a switch-hitter with intriguing raw power and a strong outfield arm, giving him a high ceiling.

22. ARKANSAS

Recruiting Coordinator: Todd Butler. Total Recruits: 14 (11 freshmen, 3 JC transfers).

RANK NAME, POS B-T Ht. Wt. DRAFTED PREVIOUS SCHOOL Mark Reyes, lhp L-L 6-1 185 Orioles (29) Jessieville (Ark.) HS Brian Anderson, ss/of R-R 6-3 185 Twins (20) Deer Creek HS, Edmond, Okla. Greg Milhorn, rhp R-R 6-2 180 Tigers (29) Arkansas HS, Texarkana, Ark. Conor Costello, of/rhp R-R 6-3 185 Reds (16) Santa Fe HS, Edmond, Okla. Derrick Bleeker, 1b/of/rhp R-R 6-5 225 Nationals (37) Howard (Texas) JC Joe Serrano, 2b/of R-R 6-3 185 Reds (12) Salpointe HS, Tucson, Ariz. Chris Oliver, rhp R-R 6-3 170 Orioles (27) Shiloh Christian HS, Springdale, Ark. Tyler Spoon, 3b/of R-R 5-11 175 Van Buren (Ark.) HS Jean Ramirez, c R-R 6-0 205 Boswell HS, Forth Worth David Masters, 3b/2b/ss R-R 6-2 185 Timberland HS, Wentzville, Mo.

The Razorbacks lost three marquee recruits on signing deadline day for a combined $5.05 million, but they still landed seven drafted players in a class highlighted by power arms and athletic position players. Reyes has outstanding feel for pitching and a knack for missing bats with a deceptive 88-91 mph fastball, an outstanding changeup and a quality breaking ball. Milhorn has been the most electric freshman arm this fall, showing an 88-93 mph fastball, a power slider at 80-84 and a promising 80-82 changeup, though he's far from a finished product. Oliver sits at 88-91 mph now, but he is Butler's pick to blow up and throw harder during his collegiate career, and he has a pair of solid secondary offerings in his changeup and slider. Bleeker started his career at Arkansas but saw limited playing time as a freshman and transferred to juco ball, then wound up back at Arkansas this fall. His arm doesn't work easy but has plenty of strength—he flashed 97 mph heat in the past but works mostly in the 90-93 range. He also brings tantalizing righthanded power potential. Costello also has two-way ability but will focus on hitting and adding strength for the time being. He's a good athlete with a smooth swing and a quick arm. Anderson, the top prep position player in Okahoma this spring, is even more advanced offensively than the Hogs expected and could grow into righthanded power as he fills out his prototypical 6-foot-3 frame. He has good infield actions and a plus arm on the left side of the infield, giving him a chance to be a special defender as his footwork develops. Serrano and Spoon have promising righthanded bats but positional questions; both figure to end up in the outfield. Ramirez has some power potential but lacks polish, while fellow catcher John Reeves is more advanced but offers less upside.

23. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT

Recruiting Coordinator: Bryant Ward. Total Recruits: 13 (9 freshmen, 4 JC transfers).

RANK NAME, POS B-T Ht. Wt. DRAFTED PREVIOUS SCHOOL Kyle Raubinger, 3b L-R 6-2 200 Orioles (28) Arroyo Grande (Calif.) HS *Trevor Megill, rhp R-R 6-7 225 Marina HS, Huntington Beach, Calif. Sean Buckle, lhp/of L-L 5-11 175 Mets (49) Wilson HS, Long Beach Colin Welmon, rhp/if L-R 6-3 175 Foothill HS, Santa Ana, Calif. Cullen Mahoney, 2b L-R 6-1 190 South Mountain (Ariz.) CC Scott Harkin, ss R-R 6-3 205 Diablo Valley (Ariz.) CC Brandon Horth, lhp/of L-L 5-10 165 Woodbridge HS, Irvine, Calif. David Edwards, ss B-R 6-1 180 Foothill HS, Santa Ana, Calif. Chris Barnett, c R-R 5-11 175 El Modena HS, Orange, Calif. Mitchell Esser, of L-L 5-11 175 Madison HS, San Diego Joey Boney, ss/2b R-R 5-9 150 Cypress (Calif.) JC *Plans to enroll early this winter

Like its West Coast Conference brethren, LMU will never be able to stockpile depth because of its price tag, so head coach Jason Gill's vision is to build his roster around three quality starting pitchers and a bunch of complementary pieces. Megill, Welmon and Buckle have a chance to form a special trio for the next three years. Megill, who will enroll early this winter, stood out at the Area Code Games this summer. He already works at 89-94 mph and has room to add more velocity as he fills out, and he complements it with a sharp 78-80 curveball and a quality changeup. Buckle was primarily a lefthanded-hitting center fielder until his senior year of high school, but he took to pitching as a senior before breaking his neck diving for a Frisbee on the beach shortly before the draft (he got lucky and avoided serious long-term injury). With a fastball that tops out at 94 and a hammer breaking ball, the electric Buckle reminds Gill of former UCLA star Rob Rasmussen. Welmon was a late bloomer who started throwing 90-93 mph heat, a promising but inconsistent power breaking ball at 80-81 mph and a more advanced changeup down the stretch of his senior year. Raubinger, a physical lefthanded hitter with juice in his bat, is one of the top incoming hitters in Southern California, according to scouts. He could hit in the middle of LMU's lineup early on, as could Mahoney, another sweet-swinging lefty with good strength. The athletic Harkin brings solid offensive potential from the right side, and the switch-hitting Edwards is versatile enough to play all over the diamond. Horth should be a valuable two-way player in time, though he'll make more of an impact on the mound early on, giving the Lions some lefthanded bullpen depth. Esser is a physical, aggressive outfielder with good speed.

24. ALABAMA

Recruiting Coordinator: Dax Norris. Total Recruits: 10 (7 freshmen, 3 JC transfers).

RANK NAME, POS B-T Ht. Wt. DRAFTED PREVIOUS SCHOOL 171 Ian Gardeck, rhp R-R 6-2 225 White Sox (8) Angelina (Texas) JC Kenny Roberts, 2b R-R 5-9 190 Meridian (Miss.) JC Taylor Guilbeau, lhp L-L 6-4 190 Yankees (38) Zachary (La.) HS Justin Kamplain, lhp L-L 6-0 180 Cardinals (22) Walker HS, Jasper, Ala. A.J. Cole, 3b R-R 6-2 210 Huntsville (Ala.) HS Cameron Carlisle, of L-R 6-2 215 Central Alabama JC Jake Hubbard, rhp R-R 6-2 210 Oak Mountain HS, Birmingham Jonathan Keller, lhp L-L 6-1 200 Thompson HS, Alabaster, Ala. Ben Moore, c R-R 6-1 200 Cullman (Ala.) HS Spencer Turnbull, rhp/1b R-R 6-3 215 Madison (Ala.) Central HS

The Crimson Tide brought in a core of three impact junior-college transfers surrounded by a group of athletic freshman arms and a couple of promising young bats. Gardeck started his collegiate career at Dayton and then transferred to Angelina, where he emerged as one of the biggest arms for the 2011 draft. He consistently pitches at 94-96 and flirts with triple digits, and he flashes a plus-plus power slider in the mid-to-high-80s. He could be one of the nation's best closer if he harnesses his mechanics and command. Roberts should step into the starting second base job and provide a spark near the top of the lineup thanks to his advanced contact skills and excellent baseball savvy. Carlisle brings lefthanded power and a professional approach at the plate, giving him a chance to hit in the middle of the lineup. Cole is a key building block who could step into the everyday third base job as a freshman. He's a good athlete with solid-average or slightly better speed, intriguing raw power and the tools to be a standout defender at the hot corner. The other freshman position player in this class, Moore, could also push for a starting job early on after impressing the coaching staff with his leadership and receiving in the fall. He also has a promising righthanded bat. The skinny, projectable Guilbeau has the swagger of a guy who throws 97, but he attacks hitters with an 86-88 mph fastball with sick movement thanks to his low three-quarters slot and crossfire delivery. He also spots his slider and changeup effectively. Kamplain has similar makeup, deception and ability to throw three quality pitches for strikes, including a fastball that bumps 91. Hubbard, Keller and Turnbull all look like difference-makers out of the pen. Hubbard generates excellent with on an 88-90 mph fastball from a three-quarters slot. Keller and Turnbull can work in the 90-93 range, and Turnbull also brings righthanded power potential at the plate, earning him comparisons to former Tide star Jake Smith from the coaches.

25. SAN DIEGO STATE

Recruiting Coordinator: Eric Valenzuela. Total Recruits: 23 (18 freshmen, 5 JC transfers).

RANK NAME, POS B-T Ht. Wt. DRAFTED PREVIOUS SCHOOL 169 Michael Cederoth, rhp R-R 6-6 220 Diamondbacks (41) Steele Canyon HS, Spring Valley, Calif. Tyrone Wiggins, if/of R-R 5-10 175 El Capitan HS, Lakeside, Calif. Steven Pallares, if/rhp R-R 6-2 175 Santiago HS, Corona, Calif. Travis Pitcher, rhp R-R 6-3 200 Athletics (50) Cypress (Calif.) JC Jake Romanski, c R-R 5-11 180 Chaffey (Calif.) JC Ryan Doran, rhp R-R 6-1 175 Orange Coast (Calif.) JC Ryan Muno, if R-R 6-0 200 Mission Viejo (Calif.) HS Brandon Thomas, lhp L-L 6-0 200 Pete Knight HS, Palmdale, Calif. Spencer Thornton, of L-L 5-11 175 Los Osos HS, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Matt Munoz, ss/2b L-R 5-10 170 San Dimas (Calif.) HS

Seventh-rounder Trevor Gretzky, ninth-rounder Rashard Harlin and 33rd-rounder Bryce Mosier all looked like decent bets to show up at school, but all three signed, preventing this from being an elite class. Still, it's a very deep haul anchored by a potential front-line ace in Cederoth, who pitched at 94-96 mph and flashed an average curveball and a devastating power slider at his best last spring. He'll benefit from the chance to mature on and off the field at San Diego State. One scout called Wiggins, a former high school football star, a "tremendous athlete with power, instincts, and he can run." He also has a better feel for hitting than might be expected of a multi-sport athlete. Pallares is very skinny and projectable as both a hitter and pitcher, and he's instinctive. He's a solid-average runner who should hit for average and could grow into some power, and he figures to add velocity to his 87-90 mph fastball. Muno is more physical than cousins Danny (a former Fresno State star) and Kevin (ex-San Diego catalyst), and he has a sound all-around tool set. The hard-nosed Munoz brings energy and plays above his tools, and Thornton brings plus speed to the outfield. Thomas has the makings of a quality four-pitch mix with his 88-90 fastball, hard slider, curveball and changeup. A group of juco transfers help plug holes in the short term. Pitcher, who reminds Valenzuela of former USD star righty A.J. Griffin, throws strikes with an 87-90 fastball and a pair of solid secondary pitches. Romanski, the younger brother of former Torero All-American Josh, has good catch-and-throw skills and had a strong summer with the bat in the Prospect League. Doran lacks standout stuff but throws strikes and competes, and he could step into a rotation job.