UTA's Choice among most MLB-ready

May, 27, 2010
5/27/10
12:22
PM CT
ESPN Insider Keith Law, spurred by the no-time-for-minors path of Mike Leake, put together his list of the top 20 college players who are the closest to playing in the major leagues -- without regard to ceiling or signability.

Among those his list:
3. Michael Choice, OF, Texas-Arlington: If he hits -- that is, makes contact and hits for average, since his power is beyond question -- he'll hit his way to the majors by the end of 2011.
5. Barrett Loux, RHP, Texas A&M: Like McGuire, his ceiling isn't that high, but he's pretty close to ready and has performed exceptionally this year.
11. Chad Bettis, RHP, Texas Tech: Unless someone converts him to the rotation, he's pretty close to big league ready. For pure relievers like Bettis and Munson, the big issue in the minors is feel and everything that goes with it -- commanding the fastball, mixing pitches, changing speeds or locations and getting hitters on the other side of the plate out. Because college relievers face such limited samples of batters, many of whom are not prospects, it's the hardest thing for scouts to judge in an amateur pitcher.
12. Brandon Workman, RHP, Texas: Two power pitches and major-league ready control.
17. Chance Ruffin, RHP, Texas: In the bullpen, he should move fairly quickly, but there's a decent chance the team that takes him will move him back to the rotation to see if he can pitch with an average or better fastball working every fifth day.

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