Max Scherzer

After pitching in the mid- to high-90s with Missouri and Team USA in 2005, Scherzer projected as the top righthander in the 2006 draft. But he came down with biceps tendinitis at midseason and sat at 91-92 mph. Several teams didn't get the medical clearance to draft Scherzer, and questions about his signability also didn't help his case. The Diamondbacks took him 11th overall, but he had not signed and agent Scott Boras steered him to the independent Fort Worth Cats this spring. Fellow Boras client Luke Hochevar took the same path en route to becoming the No. 1 overall pick in 2006, and Scherzer could do the same if he regains his 2005 form in a year short on quality college-age righthanders. In his first two outings for the Cats, Scherzer showed he was healthy and pitched from 92-98 mph from his fastball. However, his heater lacked life and his slider was a below-average pitch. His changeup and two-seam fastball are still works in progress. Scherzer throws with some effort and ultimately may be more of a closer than a frontline starter. Few specifics about his negotiations with the Diamondbacks have leaked out, though the club is believed to have offered around $3 million with Scherzer and Boras looking for roughly twice that, probably in a major league contract. If he doesn't sign by May 30, he'll re-enter the draft.