I appreciate all the recs and nice comments on our look at college pitchers available for the 2009 MLB Draft. Let’s continue the series with a gander at the top college infielders. It is a talented crop at the very top, but drops off in a hurry. Several players possess decent potential combined with significant flaws.

Remember, a lot can and will change before the draft in June. Some on this list will fall, some not on it will rise. The Reds pick eighth. Here’s a look:

Grant Green-SS-Southern California

   Green not only is the No. 1 college infield prospect, it’s not close. A junior, he is the top position player available in the 2009 draft. Green (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) was the first freshman in a decade to start at shortstop for USC. He added 25 pounds of muscle since arriving on campus. A right-handed hitter, Green evokes from coaches and scouts comparisons to Troy Tulowitzki and Evan Longoria. Green was the top prospect in the Cape Cod League in 2008, hitting a very impressive .348. A legitimate five-tool player, Green’s greatest value is in his bat but he’s no slouch in the field, despite making 17 errors in 35 games on the Cape. At USC he had a streak of 29 consecutive games without an error and generally is a sure-handed fielder. Green has the range, arm and instincts to remain at shortstop. His plate discipline and strength have improved since high school and he uses the whole field. Last year at USC he posted a line of 9-46-.390 .438 .644, with 15 doubles, 5 triples and 10 stolen bases. No way he slides to the Reds.

Dustin Ackley-1B-North Carolina

   Ackley is coming off Tommy John surgery, but scouts aren’t concerned. A tad undersized (6-1, 190) for first base, Ackley also plays the outfield and could wind up in center field this season if his arm allows it. A left-handed hitter, Ackley has exceptional bat control and is difficult to strike out. He is an adept two-strike hitter who squares up very well and rarely is off balance. Ackley batted .415 in the Cape Cod League last season. At UNC in 2008, Ackley went 7-51-.417 .503 .597, with 21 doubles, four triples, 82 runs and 19 stolen bases. His batting average was the highest for a Tar Heel since Brian Roberts hit .427 in 1997. Ackley is the only UNC player to bat .400 twice in his career. He was the national freshman of the year two years ago and his character is outstanding. He is a hard worker and athletic. Ackley plays well against quality opponents. He projects as a fine MLB outfielder and the Reds would do well to select him.

Ryan Jackson-SS-Miami

     Jackson (6-3, 180) is one of the better defensive shortstops in the nation. Known for his instincts and range, Jackson had a .974 fielding percentage last season. A junior, Jackson is strong at turning the double play. Jackson can hit. He was third on the Hurricanes in batting last season, trailing first-rounders Yonder Alonso and Jemile Weeks. Jackson posted a line of 4-50-.360 .422 .496, with 19 doubles, one triple and 10 stolen bases in 12 attempts. Very intelligent, Jackson draws comparisons to Alex Cora. He walks as often as he strikes out, is a fine bunter and is very coachable.

D.J. Lemahieu-SS-LSU

   A draft-eligible sophomore, Lemahieu draws mixed reviews as to where he will play on the infield. At 6-4, 195, he has a build more suited for third base than for shortstop, but there are scouts who believe he can stick at short. He would do well to remain in the middle of the diamond because his power might be short for third. Lemahieu has the range for shortstop and is smooth defensively. Lemahieu hit 1-13-.290 in the Cape Cod League, where he was the No. 6 prospect, before a case of mono ended his season. Lamahieu posted a line of 6-44-.337 .386 .457, with 11 doubles, one triple and 10 stolen bases last season. He developed more patience as the season progressed. At the No. 8 spot, Lemahieu likely would be an overdraft.

A.J. Pollock-2B-Notre Dame

    The MVP of the Cape Cod League last summer, Pollock batted .377 and slugged .556. Pollock, a 6-1, 220-pound junior, uses strong instincts to make his average speed play up. He also plays center field and has experience at third base and in right field. Pollock’s bat is his best tool. His line drive swing produced a line of 4-42-.352 .414 .505, with 15 doubles, 3 triples and 28 stolen bases in 31 attempts. Pollock has a quick bat and is athletic. Pollock, who runs 60 yards in 6.5 seconds, struck out just 10 times and walked 24 in 216 at bats last season.

Robbie Shields-SS/2B-Florida Southern

   More likely to play second base as a pro, Shields is an aggressive player who went .349-.431-.605 in the Cape Cod League before fracturing his wrist and tearing a thumb ligament. Shields (6-1, 195, Jr.) has enough arm for shortstop, but his range and speed are short and his .936 fielding percentage doesn’t sparkle. He draws comparisons to Aaron Hill. Shields walks as often as he whiffs and put up a line of 9-36-.348 .424 .571 last season. He isn’t a stolen base threat. With a smooth, compact swing and the ability to hit to all fields, Shields could be a right-handed-hitting, offensive-minded second baseman as a pro.

Rich Poythress-3B-Georgia

   Poythress hits to all fields and at 6-4, 235 could generate even more power. He plays first base for Georgia, but proved he could play third in a pinch last season in the Cape Cod League. His future, though, is at first. Poythress makes contact and walked 46 times while striking out 40 last season at Georgia. He put up a line of 15-75-.374 .461 .626, showing more power than before. Poythress is a decent athlete, but lacks speed. Poythress is a good two-strike hitter, is smart and is a sound base runner. His first base defense is solid.

Ben Paulsen-1B-Clemson

   A 6-3, 195-pound junior, Paulsen hit eight home runs in the Cape Cod League last summer. Paulsen hits to all fields and is patient, with the ability to work a count. He features a smooth swing and squares balls well, but needs to show improvement against left-handers. Paulsen has potential to hit for power, but could be a “clout or an out” guy. Paulsen, a left-handed hitter, posted a line of 13-49-.310 .393 .571, with 18 doubles and one triple last season. In 226 at bats, he struck out 54 and walked 27. Paulsen has no speed, but significant power potential.

Ryan Wheeler-1B/3B-Loyola Marymount

   A 6-4, 220-pound left-handed-hitting junior, Wheeler has power but needs to work on his plate discipline. Wheeler is a sound defensive first baseman but is limited to that position. Wheeler works hard and plays well against top competition. Both his parents played college basketball. Last season, Wheeler went 6-45-.345 .405 .542 with 32 strike outs and 17 walks in 203 at bats.

Chris Dominguez-3B-Louisville

   A 6-4, 240-pound right-handed-hitting junior, Dominguez was a fifth-round pick by the Rockies last season as a draft-eligible sophomore. His 10 home runs and 22 extra base hits led the Cape Cod League last summer. He struck out 51 times in 168 at bats. Dominguez has a tremendous arm, leading some to think he might be a better prospect as a pitcher, particularly since he has hit the mid-90s on the radar gun. Dominguez is strong and has easy power, but some wonder if he’ll be nothing more than a batting practice star, as he struggles against advanced pitching. Dominguez chases pitches out of the zone. He has little range, but good hands. Last season, Dominguez went 21-75-.365 .427 .687, with 13 doubles and 2 triples, whiles stealing 11 bases in 15 attempts. He struck out 47 times and walked 23 in 249 at bats.

Ten more to watch: Tommy Mendonca-3B-Fresno State, Kyle Seager-2B-North Carolina, Dustin Dickerson-1B-Baylor, Connor Powers-3B-Mississippi State, Joseph Sanders-2B-Auburn, Jeff Kobernus-3B-California, Diego Seastrunk-C/3B-Rice.