Top 10 right-handed high school pitchers for the 2013 MLB Draft

The Major League Baseball draft is just over two weeks away and approximately 12 right-handed pitchers are projected to be selected in the first round. However, only about three of those players are from the high school ranks.

The three likely first-round picks are Kohl Stewart, Hunter Harvey and Phillip Bickford with Stewart looking like the top selection of the three. Stewart has had relatively few mound appearances this year compared to the other pitchers on the list, but he has the highest upside with a 6-foot-3 frame and a very strong arm.

The one downside for Stewart is that he is also an elite quarterback prospect who has already committed to play at Texas A&M next year. Nevertheless, some mock drafts have Stewart as the first high school player selected.

Harvey and Bickford could go anywhere from the middle to late first round. Both pitchers have seen their stock rise during the season as neither showed up on mock drafts that appeared prior to the start of the season. Now the two are making regular appearances in mock drafts that are becoming more and more frequent as draft day approaches.

Top 10 Right-Handed Pitchers for the MLB Draft Kohl Stewart, St. Pius X (Houston)
Stewart was a force at the plate and on the mound this year, but he'll earn his money with his right arm. He went 5-1 for St. Pius, leading the team to the TAPPS state championship game. He had a 0.18 ERA with 58 strikeouts in just 40 innings pitched. He also hit 10 home runs on the season. Most mock drafts have Stewart going somewhere in the top 10 picks.

Hunter Harvey, Bandys (Catawba, N.C.)
Possibly the only other right-handed prep pitcher to go in the first round of the draft, Harvey has been outstanding all year for Bandys. He's posted an 8-0 record with 116 strikeouts and just 17 walks in only 54.2 innings pitched. Has reportedly hit 97 mph on his fastball.

Phillip Bickford, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)
By hitting 97 mph with his fastball this year, Bickford raised himself into first round contention. Some mock drafts have the Oaks Christian ace going in the middle of the first round, however other drafts don't have him listed at all. Reportedly needs to work on other pitches. Has 120 strikeouts on the season.

Kyle Serrano, Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.)
The son of University of Tennessee coach Dave Serrano, Kyle is reportedly a very polished pitcher, although he is not very big at just 6-foot. Projected to go somewhere in rounds two or three, Serrano is coming off a 10-strikeout performance against Tullahoma in the state playoffs. He has great control, keeping walks to a minimum while registering double digits in strikeouts. Could drop if teams feel he is more likely to play in college.

Connor Jones, Great Bridge (Chesapeake, Va.)
Jones saw a streak of 43 innings without giving up an earned run come to an end when he gave up six in an 8-1 loss to Western Branch in a Southeastern District tournament playoff game. Still has an 8-1 record on the season and has improved his stock with a strong spring season.

Carlos Salazar, Kerman (Calif.)
A small school product with a big arm, Salazar throws about 93 mph and has a good frame at 6-foot-3. He allowed just one earned run all season long, and that came in his last outing of the season. Posted a 10-2 record with 147 strikeouts in only 74 innings pitched.

Brett Morales, King (Tampa, Fla.)
Will likely go somewhere in the first five rounds, Morales posted an 11-1 record for King this year with the only loss coming against state finalist Durant. He struck out 117 batters and had a 0.45 ERA in 78 innings pitched. He showed good control with just 21 walks on the season.

Jordan Sheffield, Tullahoma (Tenn.)
Sheffield barely played this year due to season-ending Tommy John surgery on his elbow. Reportedly the nephew of former MLB All-Star Gary Sheffield, Jordan was expected to go somewhere in the first two rounds. The injury will likely result in Sheffield dropping way down in the draft, if he is selected at all. Will likely attend Vanderbilt instead.

Dustin Driver, Wenatchee (Wash.)
Posted a 6-2 record with a 1.09 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings pitched. Threw in relief as a closer several times this year and registered two saves. Throws in the low 90s and has at least two pitches while working on a curveball. Headed to UCLA, but could be available in the second or third round.

Clint Hollon, Woodford County (Versailles, Ky.)
At one time the No. 1 prospect in the class of 2013 following his sophomore season, Hollon slid about 50 spots following a junior season that saw him win only a handful of games during his team's state championship run. Hollon appears back on track, however, as he has a 0.61 ERA with 87 strikeouts, a no-hitter and three shutouts this year.