Some of the top players eligible for the Major League Baseball draft (with position, school, height, weight and college class):
BRADY AIKEN
LHP, Cathedral Catholic HS (California), 6-foot-3, 210 pounds.
Polished three-pitch hurler could be first player selected in draft by Astros — and first high school lefty taken in top five picks since Adam Loewen went fourth overall to Baltimore in 2002. Only two high school lefties have gone No. 1: Brien Taylor (1991, Yankees) and David Clyde (1973, Rangers). UCLA recruit has terrific control with fastball that hits 96-97 mph, knee-buckling curve and tough change-up that sits in low- to mid-80s. Struck out 10 in gold medal-winning performance vs. Japan in 18-and-under World Cup last year.
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TYLER BEEDE
RHP, Vanderbilt, 6-4, 215, junior.
After setting school mark with 14 victories as sophomore, hard-throwing righty is 8-7 with 3.20 ERA and 106 Ks and 43 BBs in 98-plus IP while leading Commodores to super regionals of NCAA tournament. Was 21st overall pick in 2011, and likely will become just 18th player to be selected in opening round of two drafts. Fastball sits in mid-90s and is complemented by effective curveball and change-up, giving him three potential plus-pitches. Delivery can occasionally get out of sync, but can be dominant when he’s on — as he was while fanning career-high 14 vs. Xavier last weekend. Off field, he has produced several rap songs under his stage name: Young Beedah.
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MICHAEL CONFORTO
OF, Oregon State, 6-2, 215, junior.
Two-time Pac-12 player of year and Golden Spikes finalist is perhaps most complete college bat among potential first-rounders. Left-handed hitter led conference in several offensive categories, including batting average, while leading Beavers to NCAA tournament. Had just seven HRs after 24 combined in first two seasons, but scouts like power potential. Has become more selective, drawing 55 walks. Regarded as solid but not spectacular defensive outfielder, but has knack for making big plays in field. Mother Tracie was gold medalist in solo and duet synchronized swimming in 1984 Olympics and won silver in 1988.
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BRANDON FINNEGAN
LHP, TCU, 5-11, 185, junior.
Hard-throwing lefty has smallish stature and frame, but generates lots of velocity with fastball, which routinely sits in mid-90s and can get into upper-90s at times. Some shoulder concerns earlier in season. Repertoire could make him solid starter or even closer in pros. Followed up sophomore year in which he was hurt by lack of run support while going 0-8 with 3.18 ERA, by helping lead Horned Frogs to NCAA’s super regionals with 8-3 mark with 2.07 ERA and team-leading 122 Ks.
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KYLE FREELAND
LHP, Evansville, 6-4, 185, junior.
Missouri Valley Conference pitcher of year had eye-popping season going 10-2 with 1.90 ERA and 128 Ks and just 13 BBs in breakout season for Purple Aces. Had elbow surgery as HS freshman and was just 8-13 during first two years at Evansville, but had impressive performance in Cape Cod League last summer. Fastball sits in low- to mid-90s and has hard slider that can make hitters look silly at times. Low arm angle and some kinks in delivery, but should remain starter rather than reliever. Was 35th-rounder by Phillies out of high school in 2011.
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NICK GORDON
SS, Olympia H.S. (Florida), 6-2, 170.
Son of former big league pitcher Tom “Flash” Gordon and brother of Dodgers SS Dee Gordon could be top-five pick and even first position player drafted. Outstanding defensive player with smooth mechanics, terrific range, quick hands and strong arm. Has speed on bases, and left-hand bat sprays line drives all over field with some good power. Florida State recruit has also been impressive as pitcher with fastball in low- to mid-90s, but pro future likely is as five-tool shortstop.
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JEFF HOFFMAN
RHP, East Carolina, 6-4, 185, junior.
Was off to solid start — 3-3, 2.94 — with some dominant performances before injuring elbow and needing Tommy John surgery. Despite missing half the season, Hoffman still expected to be taken in first round. While not in mix for No. 1 pick, as he was early this season, repertoire is impressive enough for team to select him and give him time to heal. Throws fastball in mid- to upper-90s and has knee-buckling curve. Was ranked as No. 1 prospect in Cape Cod League last summer.
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ALEX JACKSON
C-OF, Rancho Bernardo H.S. (California), 6-2, 215.
Powerful bat has him atop list of available sluggers in draft, and could make him first position player selected. What position, though, is up for debate. Right-handed slugger has terrific arm and is athletic, and solid enough skillwise to stick behind plate. He needs some work, though, and some teams might want his bat in the bigs sooner — so he could move to outfield or third base. Oregon recruit has been on scouts’ radars since leading California high schoolers with 17 HRs as sophomore.
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TYLER KOLEK
RHP, Shepherd H.S. (Texas), 6-5, 230.
Arguably hardest thrower among high school pitchers available in draft, and is candidate to go No. 1 overall — which would make him first prep righty to be selected first. Bounced back from broken left arm last year in collision while playing first base to have terrific senior season. Fastball sits in high-90s and excited scouts by touching 100-102 mph several times. Ability to maintain velocity has some comparing him to other former Texas fireballers such as David Clyde, Roger Clemens, Kerry Wood and Josh Beckett. Working on control and improving solid curve and promising slider. Committed to TCU.
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SEAN NEWCOMB
LHP, Hartford, 6-5, 240, junior.
America East pitcher of year has steadily moved up draft charts after big junior season, finishing 8-2 with 1.25 ERA and 106 Ks in 93-plus IP. Was impressive in final start of season, fanning career-high 14 vs. Binghamton in conference tournament. Fastball sits in low-90s, but can get up to 95-96 mph, to go along with terrific slider. Will surpass Jeff Bagwell — fourth-rounder in 1989 — as highest-drafted player from University of Hartford.
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AARON NOLA
RHP, Louisiana State, 6-2, 170, junior.
Two-time Southeastern Conference pitcher of year — first in SEC history — and Golden Spikes finalist might be most polished pitcher in draft and could compete with North Carolina State’s Carlos Rodon for first to reach majors. Led LSU to NCAA tournament, going 11-1 with 1.47 ERA, and 134 Ks and just 27 BBs in 116 1-3 IP. Extremely athletic pitcher whose fastball sits in mid-90s that complements solid slider and good change-up. Brother Austin, a former LSU teammate, is shortstop in Marlins organization.
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MAX PENTECOST
C, Kennesaw State, 6-2, 190, junior.
Atlantic Sun player of year is one of nation’s premier hitters, highlighted by NCAA-best 36-game hitting streak earlier this season and setting several school offensive records. Hitting .423 with nine HRs and 58 RBIs while leading Kennesaw State to first super regionals appearance. Also has good speed — 16 for 18 on SBs — and is finalist for Johnny Bench Award as nation’s top catcher. Raised profile last summer while being selected MVP of prestigious Cape Cod League.
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CARLOS RODON
LHP, North Carolina State, 6-3, 235, junior.
Widely regarded as top college pitcher available in draft and potential staff ace, who has been mentioned since last year as prime candidate to go No. 1 to Astros. Followed up incredibly dominant sophomore year — 10-3, 2.99 ERA, 184 Ks and 45 BBs in 132 1-3 IP — with solid but not spectacular junior campaign: 6-7, 2.01, 117 Ks, 31 BBs in 98 2-3 IP. Fastball sits in mid- to low-90s, but gets up to 96-97 mph, and devastating slider that sits in mid-80s. Could join David Price (2007, Tampa Bay) as only college LHPs to go No. 1 overall. Was 16th-rounder by Milwaukee in 2011.
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TOUKI TOUSSAINT
RHP, Coral Springs Christian H.S. (Florida), 6-2, 185.
A bit raw after not playing baseball until high school, but has shown enough talent and promise to be considered first-round type of arm. Fastball sits in low-90s, but can regularly get it into mid-90s, and has wicked curveball. Because of his lack of experience, he’s still learning how to consistently repeat delivery and command all pitches. But he’s considered by some to be best all-around athlete among pitchers in draft. Committed to Vanderbilt.
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TREA TURNER
SS, North Carolina State, 6-1, 170, junior.
Slick-fielding shortstop is one of speediest players in draft with good eye at plate and consistent contact, making him potential leadoff-type hitter in pros. Began college career at third base with Wolfpack, but made seamless transition to SS last year. Good range and strong infield arm. Led Division I players with 55 SBs in 59 attempts as freshman, including 29 in a row to start season, and is school’s career leader in SBs. Hit .321 with team-leading eight HRs this year, along with 36 RBIs and 26 SBs.
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BRADLEY ZIMMER
OF, San Francisco, 6-4, 185, junior.
Sweet-swinging lefty hit .368 with seven HRs and 31 RBIs, stole 21 bases and tied school’s single-season mark with seven triples. Line-drive hitter with power potential has excellent speed and could potentially fit at any of three outfield spots. Brother Kyle, a pitcher, was No. 5 overall pick by Kansas City in 2012. Unlikely Bradley will go higher than Kyle, but likely opening-round selection. Was 23rd-round pick by Cubs out of high school in 2011.
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