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Welcome to the fourth annual installment of the College Baseball Review! In this annual analysis, I will break down the All-Americans who will appear in the upcoming season's draft. Be on the lookout, though, because you never know which top player will be a top bust and which unknown could be the next breakout star! Without further ado, here is the position-by-position breakdown of the 1991 All-America Team! (NOTE: For the players who didn't attend college, the college nearest their birth-city was chosen and are designated with an *).

STARTING PITCHERS

Pedro Martínez, RHP International
Perhaps the best pitching prospect to ever find his name on the All-American team, Pedro Martínez enters with perhaps the most hype as well. The 20-year old righty has dominated the Dominican leagues for 2 years now and is ready to step in and do the same in the bigs. Although he may be best suited to begin his career as a middle reliever, he will be ready to be the ace of any staff in 2 seasons.

RL Breakout Season: 1993 10-5 in 107.0 IP, 119 K, 2.61 ERA
baYk's taYk: Cy Young Potential

Pedro Astacio, RHP International
Deemed the "other" Pedro, Pedro Astacio is actually more polished than his Dominican league counterpart. Teams can use him right away in the bullpen or as a middle-end starter. His electric stuff and his will to win are two aspects which will lead to a brilliant career in the bigs. Currently holding a 4th ranking on the big board, Astacio could be the best pick right away out of this draft class.

RL Breakout Season: 1992 5-5 in 11 GS, 4 CG (4 SHO), 1.98 ERA
baYk's taYk: Potential All-Star

Shane Reynolds, RHP Texas
This solid All-American at the University of Texas brought success back to the program for the first time since Roger Clemens left some years ago. While Reynolds doesn't have the awe-inspiring stuff of Clemens, he has great command of his pitces and has a 12-6 curveball that will baffle hitters. After a few seasons in the minors, Reynolds could find himself as a front-end starter on any ballclub.

RL Breakout Season: 1994 8-5 in 14 GS, 1 CG (1 SHO), 3.05 ERA
baYk's taYk: Solid 2 or 3

RELIEF PITCHERS

Jeff Nelson, RHP Maryland*
Although this is a bit of a down year in relief pitching, Jeff Nelson is no slouch. Upon seeing his slider, scouts were under the impression that he had somehow defied the laws of physics. This knee-buckling slider along with a great fastball account for a solid 1-2 punch and should help his chances at becoming a top-notch set-up man in this league for many years.

RL Breakout Season: 1995 2 Saves, 96 SOs in 78.7 IP, 2.17 ERA
baYk's taYk: Top notch set-up

Bob Wickman, RHP Wisconsin*
Although Wickman finished out his career in Madison as a closer, he enters this draft as a Starting Pitcher. Scouts, however, feel that Wickman would be best served in the bullpen and that is the reason you will find his name here. His off-the-field eating habits have led many to believe that his endurance will quickly fade upon entering the bigs, while as a reliever, this stuff-yourself attitude may actually help.

RL Breakout Season: 1995 6 Saves, 56 SOs in 70 IP, 3.09 ERA
baYk's taYk: Solid Middle Reliever

OUTFIELDERS

Tim Salmon, OF Long Beach State*
Again perhaps not the deepest outfield class in recent memory, Tim Salmon enters the class as the top ranked outfielder. Many forget that Salmon hit 31 homers in just his 2nd season with the Angels in real life. Scouts see no reason why he can't duplicate that in this league. I look for him to remain in AAA the entire '92 season, and then come out with a bang in the '93 season just like in real life.

RL Breakout Season: 1993 .283 31 HR 95 RBI
baYk's taYk: Power Threat

Brian Jordan, OF Richmond
An all-around solid player in college, Jordan enters the league, consequently, with very solid talent ratings. Many view Jordan as a poor man's Deion Sanders, since he was also drafted by the Atlanta Falcons to play in the NFL. While he may not possess the superior ability to vault him into the top 10, Jordan is without a doubt a top 15 pick and will make teams happy with his athletic ability and love of the game.

RL Breakout Season: 1995 .286 22 HR 81 RBI
baYk's taYk: All-Around Solid OF

Henry Rodriguez, OF International
Rounding out the outfield, "Oh" Henry Rodríguez enters the league as a decent power threat from the left side of the plate. While his game may be best suited for the DH-role in the American League because of his lacking defensive ability, Rodríguez can make an impact on any team's lineup, especially against right-handed pitching. Teams in need of that lefty presence in their lineup should look no further.

RL Breakout Season: 1996 .276 36 HR 103 RBI
baYk's taYk: Potential All-Star

INFIELDERS

Mike Piazza, C Pittsburgh*
For the second consecutive season, one of the best players comes in at the Catcher position. While Pudge may have the edge in defense, Mike Piazza is a force to be reckoned with on offense. What he may lack in defensive ability, he more than makes up for it at the plate. Piazza burst onto the scene in 1993 and quickly established himself as the best hitting catcher in the league, and many believe he will do the same here at VaV. Although he is ranked behind Pedro, in the right situation a team could take him at #1.

RL Breakout Season: 1993 .318 35 HR 112 RBI
baYk's taYk: Potential MVP

Javy López, C International
Following in the shadow of Piazza, Javy López is the best hitting prospect out of Latin America in this class. Teams have been chomping at the bit to take a catcher with hitting ability and this is definitely the season to get one. López is an intriguing blend of both power and defense that teams should not pass on this draft. López' stock will likely fluctuate between the 5th pick and the 10th pick, but whichever team makes the selection, they will be happy they did.

RL Breakout Season: 1995 .315 14 HR 51 RBI
baYk's taYk: Perennial All-Star

Ryan Klesko, 1B UCLA
Another one of my former Braves' prospects, Klesko enters surrounded by a lot of hype. At only 20 years of age, Klesko opted to leave college early and test his skill at the big-league level. His young age and unpolished ability may scare some of the teams at the top, but if properly trained in the minors, Klesko could be a perennial all-star and could challenge for the homerun crown in the near future.

RL Breakout Season: 1994 .278 14 HR 47 RBI
baYk's taYk: Perennial All-Star

Jeff Kent, 2B California
Very much in the same mold as future hall of famer Ryne Sandberg, Jeff Kent could very quickly surpass his superior in ability and take over the throne of great hitting second basemen. Currently occupying the 3rd spot behind only Pedro and Piazza, many scouts believe Kent will continually get better and better each year. His unique blend of power and contact at the second base position is something of which you will not find too often, which leads to his #3 ranking.

RL Breakout Season: 1993 .270 21 HR 80 RBI
baYk's taYk: Perennial All-Star

Bret Boone, 2B USC
Rounding out the infield and much like López to Piazza, Bret Boone often found himself in the shadow of Jeff Kent. With his major league pedigree, however, Boone will quickly make a name for himself and establish his spot in the pantheon of great hitting second basemen. Although he may not have the all-out power that Kent possesses, he is equally dangerous at the plate as well as on the defensive side.

RL Breakout Season: 1994 .310 122 H 68 RBI
baYk's taYk: Perennial All-Star

BENCH

SP Tim Wakefield,
SP Alan Embree,
SP Sterling Hitchock,
SP Mike Williams,
MR Paul Quantrill,
MR Russ Springer,
C Dave Nilsson,
1B J.T Snow,
1B John Jaha,
2B Eric Young,
SS John Valentin,
OF Chad Curtis,


baYk's Board ::
1. Pedro Martínez, SP
2. Mike Piazza, C
3. Jeff Kent, 2B
4. Pedro Astacio, SP
5. Ryan Klesko, 1B
6. Bret Boone, 2B
7. Shane Reynolds, SP
8. Javy Lopez, C
9. Tim Salmon, OF
10. Tim Wakfield, SP
11. John Valentin, SS
12. J.T Snow, 1B
13. Brian Jordan, OF
14. Matt Stairs, OF
15. Eric Young, 2B
16. Dave Nilsson, C
17. Henry Rodríguez, OF
18. Jeff Nelson, MR
19. Wil Cordero, SS
20. Kevin Young, 3B
21. Alan Embree, SP
22. Paul Quantrill, MR
23. Sterling Hitchcock, SP
24. Chad Curtis, OF
25. Bob Wickman, SP
26. Miguel Batista, MR


* NOTE: The board is based solely on talent and may not reflect actual teams' needs.