Josh Beckett

RHP Josh Beckett has taken on legend status in his home state, right alongside famed Texas schoolboy pitchers of years past--Nolan Ryan, David Clyde, Roger Clemens and Kerry Wood. He has had a national following since last year, when there was talk he would have been the first pick in the draft had he been eligible. He pitched lights out again this spring, compiling a 13-2, 0.39 record with 178 strikeouts in 89 innings. His fastball was clocked routinely from 93-96 mph and occasionally reached 97-98. His breaking pitch was its equal. Scouts marvel at how easy Beckett's arm works, and yet the ball explodes out of his hand. He competes hard and has developed an arrogance that does not always endear him to people. "He knows he's good; he's been told it for three years," one scout said. For all the hype, Beckett still isn't likely to become the first high school righthander ever drafted No. 1 overall. He should be the second pick.