Preseason Projected First Round
An early look at the Top 32 players for the 2010 draft
There still are a lot of games to be played before June's draft, but here's a preseason look at the Top 32. These rankings are based solely on talent, with no attempt to gauge signability or match players with specific major league teams.
1. Bryce Harper, c, CC of Southern Nevada
He has jaw-dropping power and more buildup than any draft prospect ever, though his price tag could be daunting.
2. Anthony Ranaudo, rhp, Louisiana State
The winner of last year's College World Series finale has size, stuff, feel and a track record of success.
3. Jameson Taillon, rhp, The Woodlands (Texas) HS
Showed power stuff while striking out the side at the Aflac and Under Armour all-star games last summer.
4. A.J. Cole, rhp, Oviedo (Fla.) HS
The most projectable of the elite pitchers in this draft, he already has a low-90s fastball and promising secondary pitches.
5. Deck McGuire, rhp, Georgia Tech
Very similar to Ranaudo in terms of size, stuff and command, he has gone 19-3 in two college seasons.
6. Drew Pomeranz, lhp, Mississippi
Used his 90-95 mph fastball and wipeout curveball to lead Team USA's college team with 48 strikeouts in 26 innings.
7. Karsten Whitson, rhp, Chipley (Fla.) HS
He combines athleticism, a lively 92-94 mph fastball and a sharp 78-81 mph slider.
8. Chris Sale, lhp, Florida Gulf Coast
The No. 1 prospect in the Cape Cod League last summer throws 90-93 mph and has one of the draft's best changeups.
9. Dylan Covey, rhp, Maranatha HS, Pasadena, Calif.
Private-school star can overpower hitters with his 91-93 mph fastball and hard breaking ball.
10. Christian Colon, ss, Cal State Fullerton
The best pure hitter in the college draft class gets the most out of his average speed and defensive tools.
11. Manny Machado, ss, Brito HS, Miami
He's more physically gifted than Colon and outslugged Harper (.600 to .588) with the Team USA juniors last fall.
12. Zack Cox, 3b, Arkansas
The draft's best sophomore-eligible, he hit just .266 with metal bats as a freshman but .344 with wood on the Cape.
13. Alex Wimmers, rhp, Ohio State
Showed the most polished arsenal on the Cape while pitching the Bourne Braves to their first-ever title.
14. Josh Sale, of, Bishop Blanchet HS, Seattle
The top high school hitting prospect in this class, he's generates lefty power with strength and bat speed.
15. Bryce Brentz, of, Middle Tennessee State
Led NCAA Division I in hitting (.465), homers (28), total bases (215) and slugging (.930) as a sophomore.
16. Rick Hague, ss, Rice
He moved to third base with Team USA in deference to Colon, and tied for the team lead in hitting at .371.
17. Brandon Workman, rhp, Texas
The Longhorns have so much pitching that Workman wasn't a regular in their weekend rotation last year.
18. Jedd Gyorko, ss, West Virginia
He won't be a pro shortstop, but he was the best pure hitter on the Cape and drew comparisons to Kevin Youkilis.
19. LeVon Washington, of, Chipola (Fla.) JC
An unsigned Rays first-round pick a year ago, he's a Carl Crawford type who's recovering slowly from a torn labrum.
20. Brett Eibner, rhp/of, Arkansas
A legitimate two-way prospect, he exudes power on the mound and at the plate but is raw in all phases of the game.
21. Kevin Gausman, rhp, Grandview HS, Aurora, Colo.
Projectable sinker specialist headlines Louisiana State's top-ranked recruiting class for 2011.
22. Nick Castellanos, 3b, Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla.
Put on a show at the Under Armour game by doubling four times and playing quality defense at Wrigley Field.
23. Yordy Cabrera, ss, Lakeland (Fla.) HS
Dominican native has a lot of tools but may outgrow shortstop and turns 20 in September.
24. Stefan Sabol, c/of, Aliso Niquel HS, Aliso Viejo, Calif.
An extremely athletic catcher, he has all-around hitting ability to go with solid arm strength and speed.
25. Todd Cunningham, of, Jacksonville State
Has won two summer batting titles, pacing the Texas Collegiate League (.310) in 2008 and the Cape (.378) in 2009.
26. Kyle Blair, rhp, San Diego
He may have the best slider in the draft, though he relies on it too much at times at the expense of his fastball command.
27. Jarrett Parker, of, Virginia
Athletic center fielder drove Cavaliers to their first-ever College World Series appearance in 2009.
28. Jesse Hahn, rhp, Virginia Tech
Though he has won just four games in two seasons, he works at 95-96 mph, hits 98 and has some projection remaining.
29. Chad Bettis, rhp, Texas Tech
Using a quick arm to overcome his modest size, Bettis has a mid-90s fastball and flashes a plus slider.
30. Michael Choice, of, Texas-Arlington
The first Maverick ever to play for Team USA, he had the best raw power on the squad last summer.
31. Stetson Allie, rhp/3b, St. Edward HS, Cleveland
He's a physical beast who can light up a radar gun or crush a tape-measure shot, but his lack of control hurts his stock.
32. Austin Wilson, of, Harvard-Westlake HS, Los Angeles
A 6-foot-4, 200-pound specimen, he might have the best body in the draft but could be tough to sign away from Stanford.
An early look at the Top 32 players for the 2010 draft
E-mail
PrintThere still are a lot of games to be played before June's draft, but here's a preseason look at the Top 32. These rankings are based solely on talent, with no attempt to gauge signability or match players with specific major league teams.
1. Bryce Harper, c, CC of Southern Nevada
He has jaw-dropping power and more buildup than any draft prospect ever, though his price tag could be daunting.
2. Anthony Ranaudo, rhp, Louisiana State
The winner of last year's College World Series finale has size, stuff, feel and a track record of success.
3. Jameson Taillon, rhp, The Woodlands (Texas) HS
Showed power stuff while striking out the side at the Aflac and Under Armour all-star games last summer.
4. A.J. Cole, rhp, Oviedo (Fla.) HS
The most projectable of the elite pitchers in this draft, he already has a low-90s fastball and promising secondary pitches.
5. Deck McGuire, rhp, Georgia Tech
Very similar to Ranaudo in terms of size, stuff and command, he has gone 19-3 in two college seasons.
6. Drew Pomeranz, lhp, Mississippi
Used his 90-95 mph fastball and wipeout curveball to lead Team USA's college team with 48 strikeouts in 26 innings.
7. Karsten Whitson, rhp, Chipley (Fla.) HS
He combines athleticism, a lively 92-94 mph fastball and a sharp 78-81 mph slider.
8. Chris Sale, lhp, Florida Gulf Coast
The No. 1 prospect in the Cape Cod League last summer throws 90-93 mph and has one of the draft's best changeups.
9. Dylan Covey, rhp, Maranatha HS, Pasadena, Calif.
Private-school star can overpower hitters with his 91-93 mph fastball and hard breaking ball.
10. Christian Colon, ss, Cal State Fullerton
The best pure hitter in the college draft class gets the most out of his average speed and defensive tools.
11. Manny Machado, ss, Brito HS, Miami
He's more physically gifted than Colon and outslugged Harper (.600 to .588) with the Team USA juniors last fall.
12. Zack Cox, 3b, Arkansas
The draft's best sophomore-eligible, he hit just .266 with metal bats as a freshman but .344 with wood on the Cape.
13. Alex Wimmers, rhp, Ohio State
Showed the most polished arsenal on the Cape while pitching the Bourne Braves to their first-ever title.
14. Josh Sale, of, Bishop Blanchet HS, Seattle
The top high school hitting prospect in this class, he's generates lefty power with strength and bat speed.
15. Bryce Brentz, of, Middle Tennessee State
Led NCAA Division I in hitting (.465), homers (28), total bases (215) and slugging (.930) as a sophomore.
16. Rick Hague, ss, Rice
He moved to third base with Team USA in deference to Colon, and tied for the team lead in hitting at .371.
17. Brandon Workman, rhp, Texas
The Longhorns have so much pitching that Workman wasn't a regular in their weekend rotation last year.
18. Jedd Gyorko, ss, West Virginia
He won't be a pro shortstop, but he was the best pure hitter on the Cape and drew comparisons to Kevin Youkilis.
19. LeVon Washington, of, Chipola (Fla.) JC
An unsigned Rays first-round pick a year ago, he's a Carl Crawford type who's recovering slowly from a torn labrum.
20. Brett Eibner, rhp/of, Arkansas
A legitimate two-way prospect, he exudes power on the mound and at the plate but is raw in all phases of the game.
21. Kevin Gausman, rhp, Grandview HS, Aurora, Colo.
Projectable sinker specialist headlines Louisiana State's top-ranked recruiting class for 2011.
22. Nick Castellanos, 3b, Archbishop McCarthy HS, Southwest Ranches, Fla.
Put on a show at the Under Armour game by doubling four times and playing quality defense at Wrigley Field.
23. Yordy Cabrera, ss, Lakeland (Fla.) HS
Dominican native has a lot of tools but may outgrow shortstop and turns 20 in September.
24. Stefan Sabol, c/of, Aliso Niquel HS, Aliso Viejo, Calif.
An extremely athletic catcher, he has all-around hitting ability to go with solid arm strength and speed.
25. Todd Cunningham, of, Jacksonville State
Has won two summer batting titles, pacing the Texas Collegiate League (.310) in 2008 and the Cape (.378) in 2009.
26. Kyle Blair, rhp, San Diego
He may have the best slider in the draft, though he relies on it too much at times at the expense of his fastball command.
27. Jarrett Parker, of, Virginia
Athletic center fielder drove Cavaliers to their first-ever College World Series appearance in 2009.
28. Jesse Hahn, rhp, Virginia Tech
Though he has won just four games in two seasons, he works at 95-96 mph, hits 98 and has some projection remaining.
29. Chad Bettis, rhp, Texas Tech
Using a quick arm to overcome his modest size, Bettis has a mid-90s fastball and flashes a plus slider.
30. Michael Choice, of, Texas-Arlington
The first Maverick ever to play for Team USA, he had the best raw power on the squad last summer.
31. Stetson Allie, rhp/3b, St. Edward HS, Cleveland
He's a physical beast who can light up a radar gun or crush a tape-measure shot, but his lack of control hurts his stock.
32. Austin Wilson, of, Harvard-Westlake HS, Los Angeles
A 6-foot-4, 200-pound specimen, he might have the best body in the draft but could be tough to sign away from Stanford.
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