NOTE:  We've asked TT to drop some knowledge on us about the best amateur players eligible for the upcoming draft.  If you would be so kind, please rec it so it stays atop the fanposts for a while. - CS

With interest in MLB’s June First-Year Player Draft dramatically increasing in recent years, Slyde thought a series on some of the top prospects between now and the start of the season might be in order. He was silly enough to ask me to do it and I gleefully obliged.

Remember, a lot can change between now and the first week of June. Some on this list likely will fall considerably and some not listed will jump into the top half of the first round.

Without further ado, for your perusing enjoyment, here is a look at the top college pitchers:

1. Stephen Strasburg-RHP-San Diego State.

Compares very favorably to David Price, but throws harder and features better fastball command, while lagging slightly behind Price with his breaking ball. He is 6-foot-5, 225 pounds. His signature performance cam when he struck out 23 in a one-hit shutout of Utah last season. Strasburg went 8-3, 1.57 with a 0.69 WHIP. In 97 innings he allowed 61 hits, struck out 133 and walked 16. Strasburg is very athletic and draws comparisons to Mark Prior. He was the only amateur on the U.S. Olympic team. He no-hit The Netherlands for seven innings and struck out 11. Strasburg works up-and-in and low-and-away very effectively. He sets up his 78-84 m.p.h. slider with his fastball, which ranges from 94-99 and consistently is 95-97. He adds and subtracts from his fastball quite well, has strong command of his pitches, including a developing change-up. He's very competitive and is said to have great makeup. A Scott Boras client, Strasburg won't come cheaply. Washington likely will have to pony up at least a $6 million signing bonus if it wants him as the first overall pick. Currently, the only way the Reds get him is if he slips because of his signing demands.

2. Alex White-RHP-North Carolina.

An enticing combination of a safe bet and a high ceiling, White features excellent stuff, including a heavy, above average fastball that’s generally in the 90-92 range. White has reached 97 in rare stints and maintains his low-90s velocity deep into games. He also throws a low-80s plus slider and relies on it quite a bit. When it’s not working, his walk total can get high. Scouts rave about his makeup and competitiveness. They’re excited that he is this good and has room to improve. White is very athletic and has played 1B and 3B. White (6-3, 195) is said to be close to MLB ready. White went 13-3 with a 2.83 ERA and 1.18 WHIP last season, allowing 78 hits, striking out 113 and walking 42 in 101 innings. Some very early mock drafts and speculation have White sliding to the Reds, but others have him going a more realistic No. 2 to Seattle.

3. Aaron Crow-RHP-Ft. Worth Cats (Independent League).

The former Missouri star turned down Washington’s offer of $3.3 million after last year’s draft. Crow wanted $4 million and likely still will, although he lacks the leverage he had in 2008. He is advised by the Hendricks Brothers. Crow consistently throws 92 and as high as 97. Crow’s fastball has late life and he commands it well. He is durable, despite a delivery that causes some scouts to wonder if he’ll be an injury risk. Last season at Missouri, Crow went 10-3 2.35. In 107 innings he allowed 85 hits, whiffed 127 and walked 38 with a 1.15 WHIP. He could be there at No. 8 if he proves he can get AAAA-type hitters out with Fort Worth.

4. Mike Minor-LHP-Vanderbilt.

The top southpaw college starting pitcher at the moment, Minor is 6-4, 210. He has above average command of a fastball that ranges from 88-91 and that has topped out at 94. Minor supplements his heater with an excellent change, an improving breaking ball and occasional slider. His pitching coach, Derek Johnson, is regarded as one of the best in the business. Minor doesn’t walk many but is hittable. Minor is a fine athlete and is projectable and competitive. His makeup and intelligence endear him to scouts. Last season he went 7-3 with a 4.28 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. In 103 innings he allowed 99 hits, struck out 101 and walked 28. Minor is a pitch-efficient hurler likely to be available when the Reds select, although he currently doesn’t warrant going that high.

5. Kendal Volz-RHP-Baylor.

Volz has started and relieved. He likely will receive an opportunity to start in pro ball, but his future role appears to be that of a late-innings reliever, possibly a closer. He was the closer for Team USA last summer and didn’t allow an earned run in 14 innings while striking out 16 and allowing just six hits. Volz is a powerfully built, physical pitcher who commands very well a 92-94 m.p.h. fastball that has jumped as high as 95. More velocity is possible. Volz works off his fastball and features a hard slider that comes in at 82 with late break. His change is effective enough to get him a look as a starter as a pro. In 12 starts with Baylor, Volz went 3-6 with a 4.20 ERA. In 70 innings he allowed 75 hits, struck out 85 and walked 28 with a 1.46 WHIP. The tools outweigh the numbers in the eyes of scouts. Walt Jocketty doesn’t appear to be someone who will take a reliever in the first round, especially with a top-10 pick.

6. Kyle Gibson-RHP-Missouri.

A projectable 6-6, 195, Gibson could add velocity to his 89-91 m.p.h. fastball. The pitch has good tail and sink, making Gibson a groundball guy when he’s on. Gibson’s best pitch is an 84 m.p.h. slider he commands well and will throw in any count. It is an out pitch. Gibson was used out of the bullpen with Team USA. Gibson’s motion has some deception. Whether Gibson remains a starter as he climbs the pro ladder probably depends on how well he develops a change-up that currently is fringe-average. Gibson has a shot at being available at the eighth pick.

7. Andy Oliver-LHP-Oklahoma State.

A native of Vermillion, Ohio, Oliver was ruled ineligible late last season because of his "agents" perceived inappropriate contacts with the Minnesota Twins, who drafted him out of high school. It was a situation that many amateur baseball players have been in without being sanctioned and the NCAA re-instated Oliver. The Cowboys lefty features strong command of a 90-93 m.p.h. fastball that has hit 95. When Oliver (6-4, 205) throws in the mid-90s, however, the pitch lacks movement. Sometimes he relies too much on his heater. Oliver throws an average change and an improving slider that needs to progress if he is to be a starter as a pro. He is a strike thrower. Oliver moves his fastball around well and can pitch up effectively. Last season, Oliver went 7-2 with a 2.20 ERA, allowing 72 hits in 98 innings while striking out 96 and walking 36 in the hitter’s haven in Stillwater. Oliver probably still will be available when the Reds select, but he likely doesn’t warrant a spot that high in the first round.

8. Mike Leake-RHP-Arizona State.

A two-way player, some like Leake as a second baseman. Leake commands a fastball that ranges from 89-91 with heavy sink and plus life. His curve and change feature average or better potential, meaning with a three-pitch mix he’ll at least get a look as a starter as a pro. The concern for some is that at 6-1, 170 he might not be durable enough to stay in the rotation. Others dismiss such talk and compare him to Tim Hudson. Unlike with Hudson, Leake’s velocity noticeably dips as the game progresses. That’s enough to make some think he’ll be better off as a groundball-inducing reliever. Leake throws strikes and will throw any pitch in any count. Leake could be an excellent pick, but is a gamble at No. 8.

9. Tyler Lyons-LHP-Oklahoma State.

Lyons throws four pitches, beginning with a 92 m.p.h. fastball. His curve and slider are inconsistent, but when they’re working he’s very good. Lyons throws a change with decent fade and benefits from a deceptive delivery. At 6-2, 195 Lyons has a durable, projectable frame. He throws strikes. Last season he posted a 12-2 record with a 3.31 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in a hitter’s ballpark. Lyons gave up 111 hits in 108 innings, struck out 92 and walked 19. If his off-speed stuff develops, he could pitch to contact a bit less than he has at the risk of being less efficient. Currently, he would be a real reach for the Reds at No. 8.

10. Jason Stoffel-RHP-Arizona.

A power arm out of the bullpen, Stoffel has a passion for the game and the durability to take the ball on a regular basis. The top RHP in all of California high schools as a senior, Stoffel draws comparisons to former Arizona teammate and current Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Schlereth. At 6-2, 205, Stoffel is dominant at times. His fastball ranges from 90-91 to as high as 94. He throws an effective curve and is competitive. Last season he went 4-2 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. In 34 games, all in relief, he saved 13 while allowing 34 hits and 15 walks in 48 innings. He struck out an eye-popping 79 batters.

Ten More to Watch: Ben Tootle-RHP-Jacksonville State, Jeff Inman-RHP-Stanford, Brad Stillings-RHP-Kent State, Alex Wilson-RHP-Texas A&M, Alex McRee-LHP, Georgia, Matt Thomson-RHP-San Diego, Joe Kelly-RHP-Cal-Riverside, Tanner Scheppers-RHP-St. Paul Saints (Independent), Scott Bittle-RHP-Mississippi, Sean Black-RHP-Seton Hall.