Previewing the 2009 Draft: Part I (1-5)

Last weekend marked the opener for the 2009 college baseball season for Division I baseball. Roughly 50-60 scouts were in attendance for the consensus top pick Stephen Strasburg’s first start against Bethune-Cookman. Strasburg is largely considered the top right handed pitcher to come from the collegiate ranks since Mark Prior was drafted out of USC in 2001. Baring an injury, he’ll be the top pick by the Washington Nationals on June 9. Let’s take a look at the top five talents for the 2009 draft.

1. Stephen Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State

Arguably the best right handed pitcher college baseball has seen in the last five years. He has the size, stuff, athleticism, and still project to get better, if you can imagine. He started his career at San Diego State in the bullpen, so his arm doesn’t have a lot of miles on it, although you’d assume it does when watching how advanced of a pitcher he is am. You may remember him from last season, when he struck out 23 batters in a 1-0 complete game shutout against Utah (a game that Sox prospect Stephen Fife started for the Utes). He have the ideal pitchers body, and can still manage to add 20 lbs to his frame. His fastball sits between 93-95 with solid late break, and could comfortably be in the mid-upper 90’s once he adds more muscle.