There is a popular philosophy when it comes to player development and scouting that says you should draft high school hitters and college pitchers. I don't like making too many generalizations in my own approach, but I always have had particular interest in high school shortstops since they typically are the most athletic, and arguably the best, players on the field. Some of the best, most exciting hitters and overall players in all of baseball were drafted in the first round as shortstops out of high school, including Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield and Chipper Jones. As evidenced with Arod, Sheffield and Jones, these players often move to other positions at some point during their career.

The 2006 draft class doesn't have that one, can't-miss prep shortstop that is a sure bet to be taken in the first-round of the 2006 draft, but there is an interesting grouping of players that are kind of lumped together that all could be taken in the first three to five rounds. California and Florida (as always) are well represented in this group, as are the recruiting classes for several traditional college baseball powerhouses in Cal State Fullerton, LSU, Miami and Texas. Keep in mind that this does not include a few players that project at other positions at the professional level, such as Kyle Drabek (RHP), Billy Rowell (3B), Chris Marrero (3B) and Jake Locker (RHP or possibly the OF, if he doesn't pursue a football career).

Here's my usual baker's dozen, listed in alphabetical order:

1. Ryan Adams, Jesuit HS (LA)

Adams is the first of four Aflac All-Americans included on this list, and is a similar player to the Toronto Blue Jays' Russ Adams (no relation). Ryan may end up at second base down the road, as his range and arm strength will serve him better there. He gobbles up anything he gets to, and has solid tools across the board. Offensively he employs a line-drive stroke, a keen eye and good speed on the basepaths, which could make him a threat at the top of the batting order. Adams had committed to play at LSU,

2. Nick Akins, Los Angeles HS

Akins is a phenomenal all-around athlete, and could play anywhere on the field. He may wind up in centerfield, where his athleticism, speed and arm would serve him very well. Akins' best aspect is his bat speed, which generates very intriguing power potential that should allow him to hit for both average and power no matter what position he ends up at. He has committed to play for San Diego State.

3. Nathan Bridges, Villa Park HS (CA)

Another Aflac All-American, no player impressed me as much as Bridges did coming out of that event. I've seen a few commentaries about how he needs to get bigger and stronger, and how he may not be able to handle shortstop, but when you watch him play you can tell he's a gamer. Bridges has a knack for the big hit, and offers surprising pop given his frame. To me he is almost an exact clone of current Padres shortstop Khalil Greene. Bridges committed to Cal State Fullerton.

4. Michael Demperio, Kells HS (GA)

Shortstop may not be in Demperio's future, as he profiles best at second base and has the wheels that make centerfield a very realistic possibility either as a pro or at the University of Texas. He's not the biggest, most projectable of players, but like Bridges he plays much bigger than he is, and knows how to sting the ball repeatedly. Once he reaches base he is a constant threat to swipe a bag, and could easily be labeled a nuisance by those that oppose him.

5. Stephen Englund, Bellevue HS (WA)

Englund, Green, King and Pham have the best baseball bodies on this list, as Englund checks in at 6'3", 195 pounds. His bat speed is the finest aspect, and with his frame that bat speed gives him extremely interesting power potential. Englund's size may also prompt a position change down the road, but with his bat he could hit well enough to play anywhere on the field. His college intent lies at Washington State.

6. Grant Green, Canyon HS (CA)

As noted Green has a very good, athletic build, and already resembles a big-leaguer at 6'3", 170 pounds. He probably has the best upside and best chance of sticking at shortstop combination of any player on this list. Green has the type of bat speed that could develop light-tower power, and he has the range, balance and arm strength to play at shortstop, whether it be as a pro or at USC.

7. Ryan Jackson, Florida Christian HS

No player eligible for the 2006 draft, no matter what position they play at what level, can match Jackson's defensive prowess. His game is incredibly fluid, and he makes everything he does look so incredibly easy. Jackson is a switch-hitter, and while he's not a huge power threat at this point in time, he has repeatedly hit good pitching. While he has committed to hometown Miami, his defense alone should get him drafted early.

8. Stephen King, Winter Park HS (FL)

King is quickly rising up top prospect lists for his proven performances, and he has the tool-set and size that quickly grabs scouts attention. While he has the physical tools to remain at shortstop, he could out-grow the position, making the hot corner a possible future destination. King, like Adams, has committed to play at LSU, where the two of them could make one of the most dynamic infield combinations in college baseball.

9. Marcus Lemon, Eustis HS (FL)

Lemon's father is former big-leaguer Chet, and Marcus player for his pop's team, the Juice, which was the co-champion at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter last November. On top of his big-league pedigree, Lemon has good speed, range, hands and a line-drive bat from the left side of the plate. He could be a threat as a leadoff hitter, and is the second of three intriguing infield recruits for the Texas Longhorns listed here.

10. Tommy Pham, Durango HS (NV)

Pham is the most exciting player to watch on this list. He may not be in the shortstop conversation for long if he continues to blow batters away with a lively low-90s heater and developing breaking ball. Offensively he has great pull power, and an athletic body that makes all of the plays at the most demanding infield position. Like Bridges, Pham has committed to play for Cal State Fullerton.

11. Josh Prince, Barbe HS (LA)

Prince isn't a big bopper, but he is rather flashy with the glove, and ranks as the second-best defensive shortstop on this list after Ryan Jackson. Prince has very soft hands, very good range and a strong arm. At the plate he has a line drive, contact bat, and he has proven to be a good situational hitter. If Prince slips in the draft he could take his game to the University of Texas, where he, Demperio and Lemon could assemble a very talented infield to watch.

12. Mark Sobolewski, Sarasota HS (FL)

Sobolewski is runner-up to Green on this list when it comes to awarding the best tool-set and best chance to stick at the shortstop position combination. He is a very good all-around athlete with a strong arm, good speed, very good bat speed and intriguing power potential. It's hard not seeing Sobolewski not hitting at the next level, whether it be as a pro or for the Miami Hurricanes. He is also a very good student, and was pursued by several of the top academic institutions in the nation.

13. Luis Tovar, Kofa HS (AZ)

While Tovar has good range and a strong enough arm, his tools fit better either at second base, or more likely, third. When you see him hit you start to care less about his where he plays, as he has very good hitting mechanics and balance at the plate, and smokes line drives to all parts of the field with a very quick stroke. Tovar has a tall and rangy build that should allow him to add more strength as he matures which may mean even more power potential down the road. He has committed to play for UC Irvine.

I would like to dedicate this column to my newborn son, Henry James, born on March 2, 2006. Hammerin' Hank Ebert proudly joins Rocky Yasutake atop the top prospect list for 2024. Thank you to those who have reached out and offered your congratulations and support.