January 8, 2009

Kendall Rogers
Rivals.com College Baseball Editor

North Carolina's Dustin Ackley and Alex White hope to lead their program to another College World Series appearance. But most important, Ackley and White finally would like to guide the Tar Heels to a national title.

San Diego State's Stephen Strasburg is the nation's top returning pitcher, while Oklahoma State could be in great shape if left-handed pitcher Andy Oliver returns without a suspension. They also could be in tough shape if Oliver's suspension is upheld and is forced to sit out 70 percent of the season.

North Carolina, Arizona State and Miami lead the way with two players each on our list of elite juniors.

We take an inside look at the nation's top 10 returning juniors.

1B Dustin Ackley (North Carolina)

Since the day he put on the Carolina blue for the first time, first baseman Dustin Ackley has wowed observers. After putting together a banner freshman season, Ackley didn't stop there. As a sophomore last season, Ackley once again had a huge year at the plate. He finished the season hitting .417 with seven homers and 51 RBIs. He also recorded 21 doubles, four triples and 166 total bases. Also, he had a slugging percentage of .597 and a .503 on-base percentage. Ackley is expected to have another monster campaign at the plate, but it should be noted that he's coming off an injury and surgery during the offseason.

RHP Stephen Strasburg (San Diego State)

Strasburg wasn't an incredibly hot commodity out of high school, but has made every team that passed on him regret that decision at San Diego State. After a good freshman campaign, Strasburg entered his sophomore season hoping to improve even more. He accomplished that and much more. Strasburg became one of the nation's elite pitchers last season. The talented right-hander made 13 starts, threw four complete games, had an 8-3 record and had a 1.57 ERA in 97 1/3 innings. He also struck out 133 and walked 16, while opponents hit him at a .181 clip. There are several talented pitchers nationally back this spring, but Strasburg is the cream of the crop.

LHP Andy Oliver (Oklahoma State)

We're still not sure how much Oliver will be allowed to pitch this spring because of the ongoing feud with the NCAA, but he's still one of the nation's elite pitchers. He also is expected to be a top-round selection in the MLB Draft next summer. Oliver had a monster sophomore campaign. The left-hander started 14 games, threw one complete game, had a 7-2 record and a 2.20 ERA in 98 1/3 innings of work. He also struck out 96 and walked 36, while opponents hit him at a .211 clip. If Oliver is unable to pitch for much of the upcoming season, OSU could be in a little trouble. However, the Cowboys would be in great shape if his suspension is lifted in the coming weeks.

RHP Alex White (North Carolina)

Anyone that saw White pitch last season and in the College World Series know why he's on a list of elite juniors. White will be a top-round selection in the MLB Draft in June and also should be a unanimous All-America selection. Though White rose to the occasion in Omaha as a reliever, he primarily is a starter. White made 15 starts last season, threw one complete game, had a 13-3 record and a 2.83 ERA in 101 2/3 innings of work. He also struck out 113 and walked 42, while opponents hit him at a .215 clip. The veteran right-hander is a chief reason why we believe the Tar Heels once again will compete for a national title.

SS Grant Green (USC)

Green has had a pair of productive seasons for the Trojans, but really hasn't earned the headlines warranted because of his team's lack of postseason play. Despite that slight hindrance, Green enters the 2009 season as one of the nation's elite infielders. Green had a monster sophomore campaign for the Trojans. He batted .390 with nine homers and 46 RBIs. He also recorded 15 doubles, five triples and 132 total bases. Additionally, Green had a slugging percentage of .644 and a .438 on-base percentage. Defensively, Green finished the '08 campaign with a respectable .956 fielding percentage. Green is the nation's elite shortstop entering the spring.

OF Blake Dean (LSU)

When Dean decided to attend LSU, he dreamed of guiding the Tigers to the College World Series and a national title. Dean already has accomplished his first objective, but now is focused on giving the Tigers another national title. Dean had a monster sophomore campaign at the plate. The hard-hitting veteran batted .353 with 20 homers and 73 RBIs. He also recorded 18 doubles, three triples and 179 total bases. Additionally, he slugged .665 and had a .432 on-base percentage. In addition to his great offensive numbers last season, Dean also was LSU's most clutch hitter down the stretch.

C Josh Phegley (Indiana)

Phegley had the opportunity to go to another good college, but chose to try his luck in helping Indiana become a legitimate Big Ten contender. Phegley's chance never will be better than this spring. After a rocky freshman campaign, Phegley made offseason adjustments and punched in a great sophomore season. Last season, the talented veteran batted .438 with 15 homers and 80 RBIs. He also recorded 20 doubles, two triples and 167 total bases. Additionally, he finished the year with a slugging percentage of .746 and a .507 on-base percentage. The Hoosiers are in good shape with Phegley leading the way.

3B Chris Dominguez (Louisville)

Dominguez was a big-time power threat as a freshman two seasons ago, but lacked the consistency displayed by elite hitters. That changed as a sophomore last season. Dominguez had a good season in the field and also frustrated opposing pitchers with consistency and more power at the plate. Dominguez finished last season hitting .365 with 21 homers and 75 RBIs. He also recorded 13 doubles, a pair of triples and 171 total bases. He also had a slugging percentage of .687 and a .427 on-base percentage. Interestingly, Dominguez finished the '08 campaign with a .959 fielding percentage. Will Dominguez lead the Cardinals back to the College World Series this spring?

RHP Mike Leake (Arizona State)

Mike Leake's arm never will be as important as it will be for the Sun Devils this spring. Without several pitchers from last year's team, Leake must once again establish consistency early in the season. The talented right-hander is coming off an impressive sophomore campaign. Primarily as a pitcher last season, Leake started 16 games, threw a pair of complete games, had an 11-3 record and a 3.49 ERA in 121 1/3 innings of work. He also struck out 104 and walked 20, while opponents hit him at a .254 clip. Leake once again should have plenty support at the plate, but another good campaign really would help the Devils.

SS Ryan Jackson (Miami, Fla.)

If not for USC's Grant Green, Jackson would be the nation's elite shortstop entering the '09 campaign. Jackson was a consistent hitter for the Hurricanes, but also was one of the slickest fielders I saw last season. Jackson had a productive sophomore campaign. He batted .360 with four homers and 50 RBIs. He also recorded 19 doubles, a triple and 120 total bases. Additionally, he had a slugging percentage of .496 and a .422 on-base percentage. Defensively, Jackson finished last season with a .974 fielding percentage. With the 'Canes losing many key offensive cogs from last year's team, Jackson's production is very important.

The next five:

OF Jason Kipnis (Arizona State)
OF Kyle Jensen (St. Mary's)
LHP Mike Minor (Vanderbilt)
RHP Kyle Bellamy (Miami, Fla.)
RHP Tim Clubb (Missouri State)


Kendall Rogers is the college baseball editor for Rivals.com and Yahoo! Sports. He can be reached at rogersk@yahoo-inc.com.