Barry Zito

LHP Barry Zito left UC Santa Barbara after his freshman year to make himself eligible for the draft as soon as possible. Two years and two schools later, he's still waiting to move on to pro ball. Zito transferred to Pierce Junior College for his sophomore year and was picked in the third round of the 1998 draft. But he rejected the Rangers' offer and returned to a four-year school. Last year's decision may have been the right one because he's expected to become one of the first 25 to 40 players drafted this year--and may go even higher. He dominated the Pacific-10 Conference, striking out 16 on three occasions. Though he lacks a big-time fastball, he has an outstanding breaking pitch and above-average change and should be a strikeout machine at any level. He has excellent command and should move quickly to the big leagues.