Missouri’s streak for producing a first-round arm from the college ranks may be on the line this year as there isn’t a pitcher who, on the eve of the 2010 season, is a slam-dunk to go in the first round in June.

The state’s two best bets are Missouri power right-hander Nick Tepesch and Missouri State crafty lefthander Aaron Meade, though both are consensus second- or third-round talents.

From 2006-09, a college pitcher from the Show-Me State was drafted in the first round, starting with Missouri right-hander Max Scherzer (Arizona Diamondbacks) in 2006, Missouri State lefthander Ross Detwiler (Washington Nationals) in 2007, Missouri right-hander Aaron Crow (Nationals) in 2008 and Missouri right-hander Kyle Gibson (Minnesota Twins) a year ago.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Tepesch has all the physical tools to keep Missouri’s streak alive and he can fill the strike zone with four pitches, including a 91-94 mph fastball that has peaked at 96. But he has lacked consistency in his first two years with the Tigers and went just 6-5, 6.27 in 2009. He could help himself considerably in this year’s draft with a junior season along the lines of any of his predecessors.

Meade, a 28^th-round pick of the New York Yankees last year as a draft-eligible sophomore, went 9-2, 3.39 for the Bears and elevated his stock considerably with a solid summer in the Cape Cod League, improving the velocity on his fastball to a consistent 89-92 mph.

With the likelihood there will be no first-rounder this year in Missouri to fall back on, the Ozark region that encompasses Arkansas and Missouri will need the talent in Arkansas to step to the plate to make it a relevant area for scouting directors and national cross-checkers, and fortunately that state has a bumper 2010 crop.

Almost all the elite talent in Arkansas is concentrated at the University of Arkansas, and there’s a distinct possibility the Razorbacks alone could produce as many as four picks in the first 100 selections. Sophomore-eligible third baseman Zach Cox is viewed as a near-certain first-rounder, while two-way talent Brett Eibner has all the natural ability – both as a pitcher and position player – to evolve into a first-rounder as well, though he has a lot of work to do in both areas.

Few players in the entire draft have Eibner’s combination of raw power, speed and arm strength, but he hit just .231-12-34 and struck out 60 times in 147 at-bats as a sophomore outfielder, while going 5-5, 5.00 and allowing 100 base runners (65 hits, 35 walks) in 72 innings as a regular starter.

Power-hitting first baseman Andy Wilkins, who led the Razorbacks in homers a year ago, and lefthander Drew Smyly, who becomes the team’s Friday starter this season, also will be early-round targets.

With that as a backdrop, here’s an overview of how we see the talent stacking up in the Arkansas/Missouri college ranks in 2010:

ARKANSAS/MISSOURI: IN A NUTSHELL

BEST COLLEGE TEAM: Arkansas.
BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE TEAM: Jefferson (Mo.).
BEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAM: Fort Zumwalt South HS, St. Peters, Mo.

COLLEGE/BEST SENIOR PROSPECT: Adam Champion, lhp, Arkansas-Little Rock.
COLLEGE/BEST JUNIOR PROSPECT: Brett Eibner, rhp-of, Arkansas.
COLLEGE/BEST SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Zach Cox, 3b, Arkansas.
COLLEGE/BEST FRESHMAN PROSPECT: D.J. Baxendale, rhp, Arkansas.
COLLEGE/BEST NON-DIVISION I PROSPECT: Cody Springer, rhp, Southern Arkansas.

BEST JUNIOR-COLLEGE PROSPECT: James Hudelson, rhp, Jefferson (Mo.).

HIGH SCHOOL/BEST SENIOR PROSPECT: Jordan Shipers, lhp, South Harrison HS, Bethany, Mo.
HIGH SCHOOL/BEST JUNIOR PROSPECT: Dillon Howard, rhp, Searcy (Ark.) HS.
HIGH SCHOOL/BEST SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Hunter Wood, rhp-if, Rogers Heritage HS, Hindsville, Ark.

COLLEGE/BEST TOOLS:
Best Athlete: Brett Eibner, rhp-of, Arkansas.
Best Pure Hitter: Zach Cox, 3b, Arkansas.
Best Raw Power Hitter: Murray Watts, 1b, Arkansas State/Andy Wilkins, 1b, Arkansas.
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Zach Cox, 3b, Arkansas.
Fastest Base Runner: Tommie Johnson, of, Arkansas-Little Rock.
Best Base Runner: Bo Bigham, 2b, Arkansas/Blake Brown, of, Missouri.
Best Defender: Travis McCormick, ss, Missouri State.
Best Infield Arm: Zach Cox, 3b, Arkansas.
Best Outfield Arm: Todd Baumgartner, Arkansas State/Jarrod McKinney, Arkansas.
Best Fastball: Brett Eibner, rhp, Arkansas/Nick Tepesch, rhp, Missouri.
Best Breaking Ball: Mike Bolsinger, rhp, Arkansas.
Best Changeup: T.J. Forrest, rhp, Arkansas/Aaron Meade, lhp, Missouri State.
Best Command: Aaron Meade, lhp, Missouri State/Nick Tepesch, rhp, Missouri.

TOP 10 COLLEGE PROSPECTS/2010 DRAFT
(Projected Round Noted)

1. Zach Cox, 3b, Arkansas (So.)                                                                                        1^st Round
Has excellent feel for hitting to all fields, with evolving power; still figuring out third base, but has + arm

2. Brett Eibner, rhp-of, Arkansas (Jr.)                                                                          1^st-2^nd Round
Few players in draft can match his athleticism, speed, power bat/arm, but he needs to settle on one position

3. Andy Wilkins, 1b, Arkansas (Jr.)                                                                              2^nd-4^th Round
One of premier left-handed power bats in draft, Wilkins hit .319-19-58 in ’09, topped Razorbacks in homers

4. Nick Tepesch, rhp, Missouri (Jr.)                                                                             2^nd-4^th Round
Has big-league body, easy/loose arm action, can touch 96, throw 4 pitches for strikes; just lacks consistency

5. Drew Smyly, lhp, Arkansas (So.)                                                                             3^rd-5^th Round
Soph-eligible LHP moves to Friday role after going 3-1, 4.66 in ‘09; gets + movement on 90-94 mph FB

6. Aaron Meade, lhp, Missouri State (Jr.)                                                                    3^rd-6^th Round
Went 9-2, 3.39 with 89 K’s in 90 IP as draft-eligible sophomore; should improve stock with added velocity

7. Adam Champion, lhp, Arkansas-Little Rock (Sr.)                                                   8^th-10^th Round
Giants’ 22^nd-rounder in 2009 hopes to enhance draft standing with better command of 89-92 mph fastball

8. Mike Bolsinger, rhp, Arkansas (Sr.)                                                                        8^th-12^th Round
Slots in as No. 2 starter after going 6-4, 2.99 (69 IP/79 SO) in set-up role in 2009; has 89-92 FB, plus slider

9. Mike Kickham, lhp, Missouri State (So.)                                                                 8^th-12^th Round
Draft-eligible soph/JC transfer has excellent physical profile with quick arm/plus FB; could be a draft steal

10. Brett Nicholas, 3b-c, Missouri (Jr.)                                                                        8^th-12^th Round
Arizona JC transfer may start at third for Tigers, but has all the ability to be an everyday catcher, plus hitter

SLEEPER
Aaron Senne, of, Missouri (Sr.)                                                                               Fifth-15^th Round
Projected early-rounder in ‘09 hit just .305-6-43, was passed over; concerns about odd hitting approach

NEXT: Tennessee.