Posse have six prospects named to Preseason All-American first team

Baseball America announced today the 2007 Preseason All-American High School teams today and the Posse had a MDBL leading six prospects on the first team, three prospects on the second team and one prospect on the third team.

Leading the way on the first team are third base prospect Josh Vitters, shortstop prospect Justin Jackson, outfield prospects Jason Heyward and Michael Burgess and pitching prospects Blake Beavan and Matt Harvey. All six of these players are expected to be first round draft selections in June MLB draft.

On the second team are first base prospect Freddie Freeman, catching prospect Danny Rams and third base prospect Matt Dominguez.

Christian Colon is the only Posse prospect on the third team.

Josh Vitters, Cypress (Calif.) HSA treat of last summer's showcase circuit was the five days Vitters spent playing third base opposite Chatsworth (Calif.) High's Matt Dominguez at the Area Code Games. They both have outstanding bat speed and a knack for squaring balls with wood bats, but Vitters' feel for hitting is unrivaled among this year's high school hitters. He's the younger brother of Christian, who signed with the Athletics as a 10th-round pick in 2006 following three years at Fresno State. Josh could be the first high school player drafted this year.

Justin Jackson, Roberson HS, Asheville, N.C.Having played alongside Tigers prospect and 2005 first-round choice Cameron Maybin and growing up as the son of former big leaguer Chuck Jackson, Justin's pedigree is impressive. His swing is longer than Dent's, but he's a more refined player, with savvy, feel, soft hands and an extraordinary arm.

Michael Burgess, Hillsborough HS, TampaBurgess and righthander Rick Porcello were the only unanimous choices as first-teamers this year. A product of the same high school as Doc Gooden and Gary Sheffield, Burgess boasts huge raw power and a ferocious approach at the plate. He was one of three underclassmen to be named to last year's postseason All-America teams and his power will be tough to pass up during the first half of this year's first round.

Jason Heyward, Henry County HS, McDonough, Ga.Like Davis and Burgess, Heyward is a lefthanded hitter with superb athletic ability. He lacks Davis' speed and Burgess' power, but his instincts and feel for all phases of the game are valuable assets. He has never missed a high school game in three years, and led his school to a Georgia Class 4-A title in 2006.

Blake Beavan, Irving (Texas) HSUSA Baseball's junior national team fell a run short of winning a gold medal during the World Junior Championship in Cuba last September, but Beavan put Team USA in position when he dominated Cuba in a showdown in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, in an elimination game. His delivery isn't without its flaws, but he has a nasty two-pitch mix that he delivers from a low-three-quarters arm slot and a big, durable frame.

Matt Harvey, Fitch HS, Groton, Conn.Harvey enters the spring as the top player in the prep class, but not without some debate. He's tall, lean and projectable, has flashed 96 mph heat and owns a filthy, if inconsistent curveball. He wasn't as sharp as Beavan for Team USA in Cuba, and will have fewer opportunities to acquit himself this spring in the chilly New England weather where high school seasons are abbreviated.