Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - It is a bit of a mystery and MLB teams can never really be sure of what the future will hold for their picks but it's draft time once again.
Only time will tell if players like Yonder Alonso or Buster Posey will have an impact in the Majors. Here are some players to watch as likely top 10 picks in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, which gets underway June 5.
1) TIM BECKHAM, SHORTSTOP, GRIFFIN HIGH SCHOOL (GEORGIA)
Considered the top high school prospect in this year's class and a candidate for the No. 1 overall pick.A five-tool talent whose athleticism and elite skill set has evoked comparisons to ex-Cincinnati great Barry Larkin.Displays above-average range and a strong arm that should allow him to remain at shortstop in the pros.A little less polished at the plate than in the field, but has exceptional bat speed and figures to develop at least average power.An intelligent baserunner as well with the speed to steal bases.Also has shown very good makeup and has remained humble despite being on the national radar since his freshman season.Earned MVP honors at the prestigious Aflac All-American High School Classic in August.Committed to Southern California, but it's highly unlikely Beckham will make it to college.
2) PEDRO ALVAREZ, THIRD BASE, VANDERBILT
The consensus best player in the draft, despite missing half the season with a hand injury.Best college hitter since Alex Gordon.Above average raw power.One of the most feared hitters in college all three years he has played.Hit .322 with six homers and 22 RBI this season for Vanderbilt.Well disciplined at the plate and often goes deep into counts which leads to more strikeouts.Defensively, he is still a work in progress, but his skills and footwork have improved each year.May have to shift across the diamond at some point in his career.Played two years with Team USA.Considered a good teammate.Only thing keeping him from being selected No. 1 overall is the fact that he is represented by Scott Boras, meaning, of course, signability may be a problem.Drafted out of high school in the 14th round in 2005 by the Boston Red Sox.
3) BUSTER POSEY, CATCHER, FLORIDA STATE
True jack of all trades who drew national recognition when he played all nine positions in a Florida State win earlier in the season.Considered the safest pick in the entire draft.Started career with Seminoles as a shortstop and played in 65 games there for them as a freshman before being asked to move to catcher as a sophomore.Despite still being a neophyte catcher, Posey is considered not only the best offensive backstop in the draft, but the best defensively as well. His receiving, footwork and release are all above average.Has a cannon behind the plate and has been clocked as high as 94 mph when throwing off the hill.Was among national leaders in many offensive categories and batted .471.Above average bat-speed and makes consistent contact.Good speed for a catcher.Started 184 straight games for Seminoles before sitting out recently.Drafted in the 50th round by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim out of high school in 2005.
4) BRIAN MATUSZ, LHP, SAN DIEGO
The favorite to be the first pitcher chosen in this year's draft and a likely top-five overall selection.Extremely polished left-hander who profiles as a No. 2 starter due to his ability to throw three above-average pitches for strikes.Possesses both an excellent changeup and curve that he can throw at any time in the count, along with a fastball that can reach 93-94 mph and a useable cutter.Also repeats his delivery very well and has room to add bulk to a lanky, 6-foot-5 frame.Should move quickly through the minors due to his advanced feel for pitching.Named 2008 West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year and earned NCBWA first-team All-America honors as a sophomore after finishing second nationally with 163 strikeouts.A fourth- round selection by the Angels as an Arizona prepster in 2005.
5) KYLE SKIPWORTH, CATCHER, PATRIOT HIGH SCHOOL (CALIFORNIA)
The premier high school catcher in this year's draft and a likely top 10 selection who could be the highest prepster taken at the position since Joe Mauer went No. 1 overall to Minnesota in 2001.Like Mauer, Skipworth is a left-handed hitter with an advanced approach and the ability to spray the ball to all fields.Set a California high school record with 18 consecutive hits earlier this spring.Also possesses excellent raw power and a strong throwing arm that is his best asset defensively.Improved his receiving skills and footwork behind the plate during his senior season, but still needs more polish on the defensive side.Is a very good athlete, however, and should continue to progress in those areas over time.Committed to Arizona State but is considered very signable.
6) AARON CROW, RHP, MISSOURI
The consensus choice as this draft's top right-handed pitcher, Crow could surpass former Tigers teammate and current Arizona Diamondback Max Scherzer (11th overall in '06) as the highest drafted player in Missouri history.Named the No. 1 prospect of the esteemed Cape Cod League this past summer after leading the circuit with a 0.67 ERA.Shows excellent command of an overpowering sinking fastball that can reach the upper '90s and a quality power slider.Had a streak of 43 consecutive scoreless innings during his junior campaign and set a school record with 12 wins en route to earning 2008 Big 12 Pitcher of the Year honors.Does carry durability concerns with some scouts due to a slender frame and minor mechanical flaws, although's he's never been seriously injured in college.
7) JUSTIN SMOAK, FIRST BASE, SOUTH CAROLINA
Outstanding switch-hitter, middle of the lineup hitter.Power to all fields.Compared to Atlanta Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira.Strong finish to season could land him in top-5.Finished regular season hitting .389 with 20 homers and 61 RBI - all team highs.Often overlooked defensively because he is so good at the plate, but had just four errors all season.High school teammate of last year's No. 5 overall pick Matt Wieters.Drafted in the 16th round by the Oakland Athletics out of high school, but opted for South Carolina, where he has started every game.
8) ERIC HOSMER, FIRST BASE, AMERICAN HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL (FLORIDA)
Driving force behind his team's state championship.Probably the most decorated prep player in this year's draft.Smoothest and most natural swing in the draft.As much raw power from the left-hand side of the plate as anyone in the draft.Extremely disciplined at the plate.Power to all fields.Above average arm at first base, where he is a solid defender.Served as his prep team's closer and regularly hit 95 mph.Highest ceiling of anyone in the draft.Often compared to another first baseman from Sunshine State - Casey Kotchman.Has committed to play for Arizona State.Client of Scott Boras, meaning, of course, signability will be an issue.
9) GORDON BECKHAM, SHORTSTOP, GEORGIA
Beckham stamped himself as an upper-tier prospect after topping the Cape Cod League with nine home runs in 2007 and tying for the summertime circuit's RBI title, then further boosted his stock with a tremendous junior season at Georgia.Selected as the 2008 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and the SEC Baseball Scholar-Athlete of Year and enters the NCAA Regionals ranked among the Division I leaders with 23 home runs.A good contact hitter with above average power and bat speed who has greatly improved his approach and plate discipline as a junior.Has enough athleticism and arm strength to handle shortstop at the pro level, although some scouts like him better as a second baseman due to a lack of size.Still, Beckham's hitting skills and great instincts make him a near lock to be taken in the top 10 picks.
10) YONDER ALONSO, FIRST BASE, MIAMI-FLORIDA
Tremendously gifted hitter who's considered one of the surest bets among this year's class to contribute in the majors because of his remarkable patience and ability to consistently make hard contact.Named the best hitter and No. 2 overall prospect of the talent-laden Cape Cod League by Baseball America in 2007.Led the Cape in walks and on-base percentage (.468) to go along with a .338 average.Selected in the 16th round of the 2005 draft by Minnesota out of high school but opted to attend Miami, where he's enjoyed a stellar three-year career.Led the Hurricanes' College World Series squad in RBI as a freshman in 2006 and has topped the ACC in home runs the last two seasons.More of a line-drive hitter now, but has emerging power and projects to hit 25-30 homers a year in the pros.As a first baseman, has just adequate range but solid hands and isn't a liability defensively.