Corey Black

Black has some surface similarities to 2004 No. 1 overall pick Matt Bush, starting with his 5-foot-11, 170-pound frame. He's slighter than Bush, who like Black first attracted attention at Mission Bay High in San Diego as a two-way player. Black wound up missing much of his junior season with Tommy John surgery and went to San Diego State, getting more time as a pitcher than a hitter. He pitched 121 innings in two seasons and went 4-5, 3.56 with 78 strikeouts and 42 walks in 73 innings as a sophomore, but he was taken off the Aztecs roster in the fall. He wound up showcasing himself at the Arizona Fall Classic and transferred to NAIA Faulkner so he would be eligible to pitch in 2012. Black has a quick arm and can run his fastball up to 94-96 mph at times, and he should sit there in a future bullpen role. Both his slider and changeup have their moments; his changeup developed into a reliable second pitch, with his breaking ball remaining inconsistent. Black's fastball should get him in the first five rounds despite his medical history and size.