Reid Hamblet

Todd and Tim Worrell are tiny Biola University's most famous major league alumni, and former big league pitcher John Verhoeven continues to churn out professional prospects. Biola had three players drafted in 2004 and will have at least two more this year in Hamblet and 6-foot-5 junior righthander Garret Hill. Hill (8-2, 2.04) outpitched Hamblet (6-3, 2.71) this year, but Hamblet is considered the better prospect because he has command of four pitches, including an easy 89-90 mph fastball that touches 93, and he commands his stuff to both sides of the plate. He also has an exceptional changeup. Verhoeven has reworked Hamblet's delivery, converting him from a drop-and-drive approach to a more stand-up pitcher with a longer stride. Almost 100 scouts--a rare sight at a small-college game--were on hand earlier this spring to see Hamblet hook up with Azusa Pacific righthander Jason Ray, whose fastball was clocked at 95 mph.