Mack Draft: - Matt Barnes, Taylor Jungmann , Danny Hultzen, Nico Slater, Jason Esposito, Francisco Linder, Curt Casali , Tony Zych , Travis Harrison , and Jace Herrera ,

We continue the list today at number 9 with UConn junior RHP Matt Barnes. The Bethel, Connecticut, native attended Bethel High School where he was a three year letter winner. He earned multiple awards in his high school career including picking up All-Colonial Division honors as a junior, earned All-Conference, All-State (Class L), a Connecticut High School Coaches Association All-Star as a senior, and a 2008 Rawling Pre-Season All-Region Team member. Barnes decided to stay in his home state for his college career by heading to Storrs, CT to become a member of the UConn Huskies. As a freshman in 2009, he made 13 appearances (seven starts) as he went 5-3 with a 5.43 ERA. He ended up pitching a total of 53 innings while striking out 55 batters while walking 23. He spent the summer of 2009 with the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod Baseball League. He pitched in nine games (four starts) with a 1-3 record while compiling an ERA of 4.78 in 26.1 innings of work. He finished with 33 strikeouts while walking ten. - http://www.collegebaseballdaily.com/2011/01/18/matt-barnes-uconn-top-100-countdown/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CollegeBaseballDaily+%28College+Baseball+Daily%29&utm_content=Twitter 



Taylor Jungmann – Texas - It’s not a huge surprise that UCLA, TCU and Texas boast arguably the three best pitching staffs in the nation. Jungmann is the third of three Aflac All-Americans to get the nod as a starter on this team, with three more among the honorable mentions as listed below. He enjoyed a solid sophomore year after a big freshman campaign, although he has not pitched during the summer due to his heavy spring workloads. He should be in the mix for the top three to five overall picks come June with a 19-6 record in two seasons with the Longhorns. - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5155



Danny Hultzen, Virginia - Hultzen has had a fantastic career for the Cavaliers, but he would love nothing more than to lead them back to Omaha in what could be his final season after falling just short last year with a super regional loss to Oklahoma. Hultzen only had 57 at-bats last season, but he was the team’s premier starting pitcher. He went 11-1 with a 2.78 ERA in 106 2/3 innings. He also struck out 123 and walked 24 and limited teams to a .193 average. http://www.tossitaround.com/baseball-news/college/14402.html



http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5164  - - The recently completed Perfect Game World Showcase in Fort Myers featured one of the most talented groups of players ever to play in this long running event, which dates back to 1997 and was the original Perfect Game showcase. Players are 2011 prospects: - 9. SS Nico Slater (Jupiter, FL): The 6-0, 200 lb Slater stood out defensively at shortstop, which makes his strong right handed bat all the more impressive.



Jason Esposito (Vanderbilt Univ.) is another potential five-tool talent, though his "now" offensive profile is inconsistent and lacks probability with underwhelming performances with wood. - http://diamondscapescouting.com/rankings_2011_preseason_thirdbase.html  

Francisco Lindor has very good quick twitch athleticism and surprising strength for his frame. A switch hitter, his right-handed swing is the far more advanced and powerful one. He has an easy, rhythmic load that helps him stay quick, resulting in solid bat speed. While he creates most of the bat speed out in front at this point, he should get better at accelerating earlier as he matures and gains strength. Lindor's biggest hurdle right now is creating a solid base from which to hit, as he often finds himself off balance. As he builds better balance, he should too see a more consistent swing and power plane. His left hand swing is geared far more towards contact, and has a much flatter swing plane. He adjusted his left handed swing from event to event this year, showing some ability to tweak even at this young age. He won't be a super slugger at the position, but his package of defense, speed and surprising pop make him an exciting follow. -
http://diamondscapescouting.com/rankings_2011_preseason_shortstop.html



Curt Casali – Vanderbilt - Casali was Vanderbilt’s primary catcher two years ago, but he delayed arm surgery until after last season so that he could primarily DH and play first base. The move paid-off in spades for both he and his team. He batted .309 with eight home runs and 42 RBIs while helping the Commodores reach the Super Regionals. Casali had an RBI and scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning of Vandy’s Regional title game win over Louisville. He also went 7-for-14 with six RBIs, three doubles and a home run in three Super Regional games against Florida State. Now a senior, Casali hopes to get back on the field and behind the plate again this season. - http://collegebaseball360.com/2011/01/18/top-11-college-baseball-catchers-to-watch-in-2011  

Tony Zych – Lousville - Zych may still see some time as a starter, and possibly a little time as an infielder, making him a candidate for the utility spot on this team. His stuff is too nasty in short relief in a closing role not to get the nod for this spot, with a fastball that can touch 97 and an intimidating mid-80s slider. There is some Troy Percival-esque effort to his delivery, which also points to a future out of the bullpen, and he could put up big numbers taking the reins from his predecessor, Neil Holland. - http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5155  



Travis Harrison (Tustin HS, Tustin, Calif.), once mentioned as a potential top 10 overall talent for the 2011 MLB Draft, has seen his stock drop significantly over the past year. As he has continued to grow and add strength, the California slugger has lost mobility in the field and now looks like he will limited to left field or first base (most likely the latter). He had a solid but inconsistent showing on the showcase circuit - http://diamondscapescouting.com/rankings_2011_preseason_thirdbase.html



http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=5164  - - The recently completed Perfect Game World Showcase in Fort Myers featured one of the most talented groups of players ever to play in this long running event, which dates back to 1997 and was the original Perfect Game showcase. Players are 2011 prospects: - 10. RHP Jace Herrera (Apopka, FL): The Miami signee has improved significantly over the past year and hasn’t reached his physical ceiling yet. He threw in the upper 80’s and his 81 mph slider is a very good upper level pitch.