Brandon Downes

On the second weekend of the college season, Downes shot up draft boards after hitting two home runs against East Carolina ace Jeff Hoffman when Hoffman was throwing well, turning around a 96 mph fastball for one of his homers. A preseason third-team All-American, Downes looked like he had a chance to push into the first round in a thin year for college bats. That proved to be the high point of the season, however, as the athletic 6-foot-3, 200-pounder wound up injuring his right wrist. Downes didn't need surgery but lost confidence and the feel for his swing, slumping to a .220/.332/.362 season entering the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament. He also struggled to make consistent contact last summer in the Cape Cod League. Downes looks the part and has the tools to be a big league regular if he hits. He's an above-average runner under way and should stay in center field, and his above-average arm would play if he had to go to right. He has plus raw power, as he showed against Hoffman, but his down spring likely will keep him from going out higher than the third round.