One of the strengths of next year’s draft is an exceptional crop of college first basemen. Scouts are predicting as many as five such players could be picked before the start of the second round, led by South Carolina switch-hitter Justin Smoak.
The strength of the first base crop is evident in the list of the top 10 Division I sophomore home run hitters from the 2007 season—half of whom are first basemen. In addition to Smoak, Yonder Alonso, Allan Dykstra and Brett Wallace are being targeted as early picks in 2008. California first baseman David Cooper, who hit 12 homers this season, is also projected to be an early-round selection. Texas outfielder Kyle Russell, the national leader with 28 homers, was a draft-eligible sophomore and was selected in the fourth round by the Cardinals, but he has yet to sign and will return as a junior if he is not signed by Aug. 15.
The top 10 college sophomore home run hitters in Division I this season: |
| |
| |
Player, Pos., School |
G |
HR |
| 1. |
Kyle Russell, of, Texas |
63 |
28 |
| 2. |
Justin Smoak, 1b, South Carolina |
66 |
22 |
| 3. |
Scott Krieger, of, George Mason |
54 |
20 |
| 4. |
James Darnell, 3b, South Carolina |
64 |
19 |
| 5. |
Will Block, 3b, Florida Atlantic |
57 |
18 |
| |
Yonder Alonso, 1b, Miami |
61 |
18 |
| |
Allan Dykstra, 1b, Wake Forest |
63 |
18 |
| |
Pedro Alvarez, 3b, Vanderbilt |
66 |
18 |
| 9. |
Rawley Bishop, 1b, Middle Tennessee |
58 |
17 |
| 10. |
Brett Wallace, 1b, Arizona State |
63 |
16 | |
| --Allan Simpson |
|