Mike Lieberthal

Even before the season, scouts knew all about the arm of Westlake Village, Calif., catcher Lieberthal. Exceptional, most scouts rated it. But there was concern about his size and overall hitting ability. When the 6-foot, 180-pound Lieberthal hit four home runs in a recent game against Simi Valley High, those concerns dissipated. His stock has risen so sharply this spring that the Philadelphia Phillies have said they would jump at the chance to draft Lieberthal with the No. 3 pick overall.