To get an idea of just how much talent is going to be assembled in Jupiter this week, be sure to read the recent features on the homepage, including David Rawnsley’s National League dream team.  Each and every year the impact that players at all levels of the sport who have participated at Perfect Game events becomes more and more apparent.

Each year I look at the players that have played in Jupiter, but have yet to begin their professional careers, still performing as amateurs at the college level.  With a glance towards the 2011 draft, I’m going to list college players that are draft eligible, as almost all of these players as listed below participated at the 2007 WWBA World Championship.

It probably isn’t a surprise that the tournament champions that year, the Braves Scout Team, is well represented on this list.

Catcher

Andrew Susac, Oregon State (Braves Scout Team, 2008)

Susac and Bryce Harper were the catchers on the ’08 Braves Scout Team.  Harper of course has already begun his professional career, while Susac is draft-eligible next June as a sophomore.  Susac’s strong arm and quick feet behind the plate makes him a rock at the position defensively.  Experience will help round out whatever rough edges he may have.  He didn’t have a huge year at the plate as a freshman, but did have an impressive output of power on the Cape last summer, finishing first in the circuit in slugging (.500) and tied for the second most home runs with five.  Should that production continue into the coming season, he has the talent to sneak into the first round.

First Base

Nick Ramirez, Cal State Fullerton (Ohio Warhawks)

Ramirez quietly finished last year with 28 doubles and 16 home runs for the Titans, leading his team in RBI and total bases.  He’s an aggressive left-handed hitter that doesn’t get cheated at the plate, and also shows a fairly slick glove at first base.  Also a left-handed thrower, Ramirez has added value in that he could come into the game out of the bullpen and get hitters out with his upper-80s fastball and polished, fading changeup.

Second Base

Brad Miller, Clemson (Chet Lemon’s Juice)

Miller served as a utility infielder for Team USA last summer, leading the team in batting with a .441 average.  He hit .357 for the Tigers last spring with eight home runs and 31 extra-base hits overall, but also committed 32 errors at shortstop.  Even without those numbers, most expect Miller to slide over to second base, and he is versatile enough to play anywhere on the infield if needed.  As a left-handed hitter he has shown a disciplined eye at the plate and improved power production.

Third Base

Anthony Rendon, Rice (Houston Heat)

Third base offered a wealth of talent, including Jason Esposito, Riccio Torrez and Matt Skole, but none of those players were going to keep Rendon from getting a starting nod on this team.  As one of the top prospects available for next year’s draft, it’s no surprise that he is this team’s best hitter, and would bat either third or fourth in a proposed lineup.

Shortstop

Levi Michael, North Carolina (Dirtbags)

Miller, Michael and B.A. Vollmuth were all in consideration for the two infield positions, and I don’t think any of them are shortstops long-term.  I went with Michael here because I think he’s the most likely to stick at the position.  Miller fits best at second base while Vollmuth may have to slider over to third base or even at outfield corner at the next level.  Michael isn’t flashy, but he’s steady as they come, and does all of the little things well.  He exhibits a patient eye and line drive bat at the plate with some over the fence pop.

Outfield

Nick Martini, Kansas State (Hitters Baseball)

Jackie Bradley, Jr., South Carolina (Richmond Braves)

Zach Cone, Georgia (Ohio Warhawks)

Martini’s name may not be as recognizable as Bradley’s and Cone’s, but all he did a year ago was hit .416 on his way to achieving All-American status and the Big 12 player of the year.  He’s a shorter, scrappy top of the order table-setter that would look nice batting leadoff among this group.  Bradley finished his breakout season last year by being named the MVP of the College World Series and spent the summer patrolling centerfield for Team USA.  He is a dynamic player with five-tool potential. Cone is the best physical specimen of this group, built like a running back with exciting power potential at the plate and a cannon for an arm in the outfield.  He plays center for the Bulldogs, but may be best suited in right at the next level.

Utility

Danny Hultzen, Virginia (Richmond Braves)

It appears that for the most part that Hultzen’s days as a hitter are over, but he showed a very sound approach and sweet left-handed swing during his freshman year for the Cavaliers.  He was named the ACC freshman of the year that season, and last year was named the ACC pitcher of the year after posting a 11-1 record with a 2.78 ERA.  If you were to include him to the group below, he offers the most polished approach even if his stuff isn’t quite as electric as that trio.  On this team he provides a valuable bat to DH, and could be the staff ace.

Starting Pitcher

Gerrit Cole, UCLA (Braves Scout Team)

Austin Wood, USC (Braves Scout Team)

Brett Mooneyham, Stanford (Braves Scout Team)

Leave it up to the Braves to assemble a pitching staff like this, which very well be Jupiter’s version of Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz.  Cole once again was the co-ace of the Team USA staff along with Sonny Gray (who didn’t participate in Jupiter due to his prep football career), and is one of the favorites to go first overall next June.  He truly has a special arm with the ability to sit 94-98 from game-to-game.  Now at USC, Wood’s stock is rising thanks to a very impressive summer pitching on the Cape.  He started the game for the West squad and showcased a power one-two punch including a low-to-mid-90s fastball and a sharp and still improving slider.  Mooneyham is blessed with a big body and equally big stuff which alone makes him a candidate to be selected in the first round.  However, he has been unable to consistently throw strikes, leading to a lot of free passes and shorter outings.

Matt Barnes and Alex Meyer both participated in 2006 but not ’07, while Grayson Garvin, Kyle Winkler and Jack Armstrong would represent a second trio of talented starters.

Closer

Tony Zych, Louisville (Cangelosi Baseball White)

Zych could have been the utility option on this as well, but no one else is better suited to close for this proposed team.  There is some exaggerated effort to Zych’s delivery, but it helps him generate mid-90s heat with the ability to touch 97-98.  He also throws a very violent slider and has a changeup in his arsenal, but doesn’t really need it in his current role.  A good overall athlete, his role has changed a little during his first two years for the Cardinals, and seems poised for a huge year taking the closer reigns from Neil Holland.

The thoughts and opinions listed here do not necessarily reflect those of Perfect Game USA.  Patrick Ebert is affiliated with both Perfect Game USA and 5 Tool Talk, and can be contacted via email at pebert@5tooltalk.com.