
Barnegat’s Jason Groome could be the top high school player selected in the June draft (Photo: USA TODAY Network)
With the baseball’s draft approaching on June 9-11, USA TODAY Sports looks at the top high school prospects. The rankings were compiled by Frankie Piliere, a national prospect writer for D1Baseball.com.
DRAFT ORDER: 1. Phillies; 2. Reds; 3. Braves; 4. Rockies; 5. Brewers; 6. Athletics; 7. Marlins; 8. Padres; 9.Tigers; 10. White Sox; 11. Mariners; 12. Red Sox; 13. Rays; 14. Indians; 15. Twins; 16. Angels; 17. Astros; 18. Yankees; 19. Mets; 20. Dodgers; 21. Blue Jays; 22. Pirates; 23. Cardinals; 24. Padres (Upton); 25. Padres (Kennedy); 26. White Sox (Samardzija); 27. Orioles (Chen); 28. Nationals (Zimmermann); 29. Nationals (Desmond); 30. Rangers (Gallardo); 31. Mets (Murphy); 32. Dodgers (Greinke); 33. Cardinals (Lackey); 34. Cardinals (Heyward)
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1. Jason Groome
Position: LHP
Age: 17
School: Barnegat High School (N.J.)
Best Tool: Curveball
Arguably the best prep lefty we’ve seen in the draft since Clayton Kershaw, Groome works from a silky smooth delivery and the ball explodes from his hand at 92-95 mph, topping upwards of 96-97. His 6-foot-5 frame and plus curveball make him the total package.

St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.) pitcher Riley Pint (Photo: St. Thomas Aquinas baseball).
2. Riley Pint
Position: RHP
Age: 18
School: St. Thomas Aquinas High School (KS)
Best Tool: Fastball
Armed with as explosive a fastball as we’ve seen out of the amateur ranks, Pint works consistently at 95-99 mph and has hit 102 this spring. The lank 6-foot-4 LSU commit has improved his command and has shown better feel for his swing and miss slider.
3. Mickey Moniak
Position: OF
Age: 18
School: La Costa Canyon High School (CA)
Best Tool: Hitting
Perhaps the most advanced high school hitter in the class, Moniak still projects to add to his 6-foot-2 frame and hit for more power down the road. The UCLA recruit also proven to be an outstanding defender in the outfield
RELATED: Mickey Moniak has been money at the plate for La Costa Canyon
4. Ian Anderson
Position: RHP
Age: 18
School: Shenendehowa High School (N.Y.)
Best Tool: Command
At 6-foot-3, Anderson has a highly projectable frame and is surprisingly advanced for a northeast native pitcher. He shows an extra easy 92-95 mph fastball and has an advanced feel for an above average changeup and curveball.

Chaminade Prep’s Blake Rutherford (Photo: Eric Dearborn)
5. Blake Rutherford
Position: OF
Age: 19
School: Chaminade College Preparatory (CA)
Best Tool: Hitting
An extremely advanced hitter from the prep ranks, this UCLA commit is ready to step right into pro ball. His power has continued to blossom and he has the speed and athleticism to make him a potential star at the next level.
6. Josh Lowe
Position: 3B
Age: 18
School: Pope High School (GA)
Best Tool: Power
A unique combination of power, speed, and elite arm strength, Lowe truly has superstar potential. Scouts project him as a potential 30 home run threat with above average athleticism at third base.

Brax Garrett (Photo: Emily Taylor)
7. Braxton Garrett
Position: LHP
Age: 18
School: Florence High School (AL)
Best Tool: Curveball
A 6-foot-3 Vanderbilt recruit, Garrett is one of the most polished pitchers in the class. Armed with a better than plus curveball and a 91-93 mph fastball, Garrett has the skills to advanced quickly up the professional ladder
8. Joey Wentz
Position: LHP
Age: 18
School: Shawnee Mission East High School (KS)
Best Tool: Command
Known for both this powerful lefty arm and lefty bat, Wentz has taken the next step as a pitcher. He’s a highly projectable at 6-foot-5, and his 91-94 mph, above average curveball, and changeup make him a total package that has rocketed up draft boards.
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Position: OF
Age: 18
School: Plum High School (PA)
Best Tool: Power
A Liberty recruit, Kirilloff’s easy lefty power has teams all over the top of the first round highly intrigued. He’s an above average runner and has an athletic 6-foot-2 frame but the main selling point is his sweet, explosive swing.
10. Forrest Whitley
Position: RHP
Age: 18
School: Alamo Heights High School (TX)
Best Tool: Fastball
A towering 6-foot-7 Florida State recruit, Whitley has an explosive 92-96 mph fastball and he’s developed a plus, late breaking slider in the mid 80s. The ball comes out of his hand very easily, and his powerful frame has scouts envisioning a front end starter.
11. Matt Manning
Position: RHP
Age: 18
School: Sheldon High School (CA)
Best Tool: Fastball
Scouts rave about the 6-foot-6 Manning’s electrifying athleticism, and he’s the son of a former NBA player, Rich Manning. Manning throws a heavy 93-96 mph fastball, topping at 98 and his plus curveball has been the difference maker for him this spring.
12. Nolan Jones
Position: SS
Age: 18
School: Holy Ghost Prep (PA)
Best Tool: Hitting
Jones is a super, projectable 6-foot-4 athlete that scouts envision becoming a major lefty power threat as a professional. He may grow out of shortstop long term, but the Virginia commit has loud tools that would allow him to profile easily at third base.