Mike Soroka

There hasn't been a player out of Alberta selected in the top 100 picks since the Red Sox picked Chris Reitsma 34th overall in 1996, and while Soroka probably won't go that high, he should end up off the board in the first few rounds in June. Armed with three pitches, Soroka attacks hitters with a low 90s fastball that he can spot down and to both sides of the plate. His best pitch is his above-average curveball, which projects as a plus pitch. In a spring start against the Toronto Blue Jays, Soroka's breaking ball froze righthanded hitters, including star catcher Russell Martin. The pitch is as tight as any breaking ball in this class, and breaks very late as it drops into the bottom of the strike zone with 12-to-6 or 11-to-5 shape. Soroka also has feel for a changeup, which scouts see as a potential average pitch. There's some concern about the across-body finish to his arm action, but he has no history of arm trouble and has a physical, 6-foot-5 body. Soroka projects as a middle of the rotation starter, though he is a strong student and may be tough to sign away from his commitment to California.