Sal Romano

After back-to-back down years in the high school ranks, Lower New England offers a solid crop this year, though it's not comparable to 2008's banner class. This year's headliner is Tennessee recruit Sal Romano, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound righty from Southington (Conn.) HS, the same school that produced Carl Pavano, who scouts say Romano resembles. Romano broke his jaw in two places on a comebacker to the mound last July and had to have it wired shut for six weeks, which kept him off the mound for a significant portion of the showcase season. He came back with a solid senior year, drawing scouts' attention for his low-90s fastball and projection--he's just 17 and wears a size 16 shoe. He has an average curveball and shows feel for a changeup. Romano has a herky-jerky delivery and a crude arm action that will need refinement, but he should get taken in the top 10 rounds.