By Bryan Smith

TOP 10 SOPHOMORES

USC's Grant Green has the power to hit 20 homeruns a year at the major league level. Shelly Castellano/ Icon SMI

SIOC's best second-year players based on statistics and conversations with coaches and scouts

1. Steven Strausburg, San Diego State (1.97 ERA, 73 K, 50.1 IP) --Yes, Strausburg did strike out 23 Utah batters on Friday night. In doing so, the Aztec solidified his spot atop the 2009 draft class, showing command of a fastball that can touch triple digits. Most amazing about Strausburg is that he's allowed just eight walks and zero home runs on the season -- he gives away nothing free.

2. Kyle Gibson, Missouri (2.63 ERA, 59 K, 51.1 IP) -- Pitching in the Cape Cod League last summer, Gibson wowed scouts with his stuff and was considered the top prospect in his age group. Gibson is a rail-thin (6-foot-6), but can touch 92 mph and scouts believe he will add 5 mph to his fastball with some work in the weight room. Like Strausburg, Gibson has been dominant this season on the strength of fantastic fastball command.

3. Grant Green, USC (.397/.438/.621) -- Thanks to Troy Tulowitzki, you won't see many big college shortstops with power projections get past the top 10 in any future drafts. Though Green isn't quite on par Tulowitzki defensively, his skills on offense are similar. Green will need to work on his plate discipline next season, but he's a shortstop that projects to hit 20 home runs annually, a rare commodity these days.

4. Kendal Volz, Baylor (4.78 ERA, 56 K, 49 IP) -- Volz has had a topsy-turvy spring this season, but one thing is set in stone -- he will be a first-rounder next June. The 6-6 right-hander has one of the nation's best sinking fastball and his slider offers a nice change of pace. Volz needs to begin commanding the pitch better, however, as he still leaves too many sinkers up in the strike zone.

5. Andy Oliver, Oklahoma State (2.50 ERA, 54 K, 54 IP) -- Despite few opportunities to pitch during his freshman year, Oliver came on strong in the Cape Cod League last summer and landed the Friday night spot on the mound for the Cowboys. He boasts three plus pitches and is one of the top lefties in the nation, though he needs to work on his command.

6. Alex White, North Carolina (1.67 ERA, 49 K, 43 IP) -- As a freshman last season, White was thrown into the fire and came up big. Since then, he's become one of the most consistent aces in the nation. White can pitch in the mid 90s and throws a "heavy" ball, leaving batters struggling to make solid contact.

7. Mike Minor, Vanderbilt (3.95 ERA, 59 K, 57 IP) -- Minor has struggled with consistency as he tries to replace last year's No. 1 overall pick, David Price, but that hasn't kept the scouts away. He still boasts the nation's best change-up, but needs to solidify his breaking ball, as it remains an average, or below-average, pitch.

8. Robert Stock. USC (.345/.444/.455) -- Stock garnered some headlines last year when he opted out of his final season of high school ball to attend college a year early. The decision has paid off as Stock has garnered some serious experience and is still just 18. A catcher with a closer's arm, Stock has struck out just eight times in 110 at-bats this season, showing contact ability rarely seen at this level.

9. Jason Kipnis, Arizona State (.333/.460/.643) -- A transfer from Kentucky, Kipnis has been a stabilizing force in the Sun Devils lineup. Coach Pat Murphy has used the center fielder both in the leadoff spot and the middle of the order. The Sun Devil has thrived at both spots, hitting eight home runs with 29 walks and 12 steals in 34 games. No sophomore has a better developed five-tool set than Kipnis.

10. Dustin Ackley, North Carolina (.377/.472/.582) -- Scouts don't believe Ackley will be very powerful with a wooden bat in his hands, but the Tar Heel does too many things well not to be on this list. A first baseman by trade, Ackley is the most athletic at his position in the nation and some have suggested a move to second base or left field. However, with contact ability, base running and patience off the charts, Ackley will be a hot commodity in next year's draft.