ESPN RISE

Which players should you watch in 2009? ESPN RISE baseball editor Andrew Drennan found nine to look out for in 2009:

Bold Predictions

Which players will shine in 2009? Which teams will take home titles? ESPN RISE asked its experts to make bold predictions for the new year:

Top 10 predictions for high school sports
Nine high school athletes to watch in 2009

By sport:
Baseball
Boys' basketball
Girls' basketball
Boys' lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Boys' volleyball
Girls' volleyball

Tyler Matzek
High school: Capistrano Valley HS (Mission Viejo, Calif.)
Position: LHP
What he's done: In 2008, Matzek played in both the Area Code Games (Milwaukee Brewers) and in the 2008 AFLAC All American Game at Dodger Stadium. He helped guide his high school team to a 20-9 record and the CIF-Southern Section Div. 1 playoffs.
Why you should watch: Matzek is one of the best pitchers in the nation and has a 90mph fastball. At the Jesse Flores Memorial back in November of 2008 he impressed with his assortment of pitches and his ability to keep hitters off balance. In the AFLAC All American Game he threw one inning with two strikeouts.

Bryce Harper
High school: Las Vegas HS
Position: C
What he's done: Was the only freshman on the 2008 Cincinnati Reds Area Code Team and played for Team USA in the 2008 COPABE "AA" Youth Pan American Championships, where USA took the Gold Medal and Harper was named MVP. In Mexico he hit .571 with four home runs and 16 RBI.
Why you should watch: This 2011 is probably the best player in that class, as of now. Not only can he hit for power (with an explosive bat), the catcher also as a good arm from behind the plate.

Matt Purke
High school: Klein HS (Spring, Texas)
Position: LHP
What he's done: Purke played in the 2008 AFLAC All American Game and like Tyler Matzek threw one inning striking out two. He helped guide Team USA to a Silver Medal at the 2008 International Baseball Federation's XXIII AAA World Junior Championships. He was named to the all-tournament team, one of four members of Team USA to do so.
Why you should watch: Purke is one of the top pitchers in the 2009 class and along with Matzek there may not be a better duo. He has a 90mph fastball and a solid breaking pitch. Purke signed to play at TCU next year and he may or may not go depending on the MLB draft next June.

Mike Trout
High school: Millville Senior (N.J.)
Position: OF
What he's done: Trout played in the two top high school events last summer, the East Coast Professional Showcase and the Area Code Baseball Games (New York Yankees). He made the 2008 All Area Code Team and signed to play at East Carolina next fall. He posted the second highest SPARQ Rating at the Area Code Games with an 83.07.
Why you should watch: To say Trout is fast is an understatement, as his 60 times are around 6.50 (2008 Area Code Games) and some say he even ran a 6.40. He is competitive, has good makeup and loves to play.

Donovan Tate
High school: Cartersville HS (Ga.)
Position: OF
What he's done: A great two sport athlete at Cartersville High School and signed to play at the University of North Carolina, where he hopes to play both sports. Looks like he may play safety in college and roam the outfield for the Tar Heels. Of course this all depends on where he gets drafted in June's amateur draft.
Why you should watch: He will play in the 2009 US Army All American Bowl this January. On the diamond he is a five tool player and is ranked as the No. 2 prospect by Baseball America.

Mychal Givens
High school: Plant HS (Tampa, Fla.)
Position: RHP/SS
What he's done: Givens played in the 2008 AFLAC All American Game at Dodger Stadium last summer on the East Roster. He committed to Oklahoma State next
Why you should watch: His future may be on the mound where he has 95mph on the gun. Rumors were that at the WWBA he hit 97. As a junior he hit .421 with 17 RBI. On the mound, he went 8-1 with an ERA of 1.79 and struck out 48.

Shelby Miller
High school: Brownwood HS (Texas)
Position: RHP
What he's done: Miller signed with Texas A&M last fall and is arguably the top righty in the nation. Last year, Miller finished with a 8-2 record and a 1.11 ERA. He was named to the second team Class 4A by the Texas Sportswriters Association.
Why you should watch: He is the No. 4 prospect according to Baseball America. He has a good pitching frame and the ingredients of a power pitcher. Sitting in the low to mid 90s, Miller hopes to improve on that this upcoming season.

Jacob Turner
High school: Westminster Christian (St. Charles, Mo.)
Position: RHP
What he's done: Pitched in the 2008 Area Code Games (White Sox) and in the Under Armour All America Game at Wrigley Field. In 2008 he posted a 5-2 record with a 1.45 ERA. He struck out 92 in only 43 innings pitched. He signed to play at UNC next year. He also played on the 18U Team USA National Team.
Why you should watch: Could very well be the top player in the state of Missouri and has high draft potential. He throws in the low 90s with a solid breaking ball.

Josh Sale
High school: Mount Lake Terrace (Brier, Wash.)
Position: OF
What he's done: Was one of two 2010 at the Area Code Games on the Washington Nationals Area Code team. In Long Beach, Sale hit for the cycle, which is unusual because players rarely get four at bats in one game. He committed to Gonzaga University. He was the only 2010 player on the All Area Code Team.
Why you should watch: He is one of the best 2010 players in the Northwest.

Andrew Drennan covers high school baseball for ESPN RISE.