Drew Pomeranz

Pomeranz, whose brother Stuart was the Cardinals' second-round pick out of high school in 2003, nearly signed himself out of high school, as a Rangers 12th-rounder in 2007. The deal fell through and Pomeranz instead embarked on a stellar career with Ole Miss, averaging 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings over nearly 300 career innings. He nearly pitched the Rebels to Omaha himself in 2009 with a 16-strikeout complete-game win on two days' rest in the regional final, followed by a 10-strikeout, seven-inning, 146-pitch effort the next week in a super regional. He was no worse for wear last summer with Team USA or this spring, when the Rebels have used him more judiciously. He even was removed from a start at South Carolina in a 0-0 game after seven innings. Pomeranz still was slowed in May by a mild pectoral muscle strain, which caused his fastball velocity to dip into the upper 80s in a start against Arkansas. When he's right, Pomeranz sits 90-94 mph with his fastball and creates tough angles for the hitter, pitching to both sides of the plate. Coaches assert that he's nearly unhittable at the college level when he's throwing his hard curve for strikes, a 12-to-6 downer. His changeup is solid-average as well, as he has shown feel for using it. Control has been Pomeranz's biggest concern. He walked nine in a letdown showdown with Louisiana State's Anthony Ranaudo and was averaging nearly 4.5 walks per nine innings. He said he has fixed the problem with a more consistent takeaway with the ball when he begins his windup, keeping him a better rhythm.