Blake Treinen

Treinen's story is the most improbable among Baseball America's Top 200 Draft Prospects. He didn't play in an official game in the first three years of his college career, which began in 2007 with a stint on the junior varsity team at Baker (Kan.), an NAIA program. He attended Arkansas but didn't play baseball the next year, then had to sit out 2009 after transferring to South Dakota State. Treinen shocked scouts with his raw arm strength last spring, touching 94 mph, and has been even better in 2011. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder has sat at 92-94 mph with his fastball, maintaining that velocity late into starts, and topped out at 97. His slider also has improved, showing the potential to become a plus pitch, and he has refined his control and command as well. His changeup is usable but will require more work in pro ball. Treinen planned on signing with the Marlins as a 23rd-round pick last year, but Florida backed away after a physical led to questions about his shoulder. Treinen has never had arm problems and has much less mileage on his arm than a typical 22-year-old pitcher. He has a chance to become the highest-drafted player ever from the Dakotas, a distinction currently held by fellow South Dakota State righthander Wade Adamson, a Twins fourth-round pick in 1978.