Mat Latos

After big bonus demands and makeup questions drove Latos down draft boards a year ago as a high school senior, he's in the position of being one of Florida's most electric amateur pitchers two years running. The Padres drafted the tall, thin Latos in the 11th round last year and resumed negotiations with him after his junior college season ended in mid-May. They reportedly had offered him a bonus near $1 million, only to have Latos' adviser ask for as much as $3 million, so they were not expected to sign him. Telling were the comments of a scout based in Florida who said, "I hope they sign him so we don't have to deal with it." His stuff--mid-90s fastball, hard, sharp breaking ball, solid-average changeup--profiles in the middle of a rotation or perhaps in a set-up role in the big leagues. His command is at least average, though he struggles at times to spot his breaking ball. His arm action is long and he lacks deception. His fastball lacks life when it's up in the zone. Latos is a premium talent, but if he's adamant about receiving top-of-the-draft money, he might take a tumble again this year.