Baseball: Top choices for draft being finalized by big-league clubs

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Baseball’s amateur draft is set for next Thursday and Friday, and the Southland could have as many as nine high school players taken in the first three rounds.

Catcher Kyle Skipworth, pictured, of Riverside Patriot, outfielder Aaron Hicks of Long Beach Wilson and pitcher Gerrit Cole of Orange Lutheran appear to be the Southland’s top three prospects, but outfielder Zac Collier of Chino Hills is one of the fastest rising prospects in the nation.

Others receiving strong interest are pitcher Mike Montgomery of Hart, outfielders Cutter Dykstra of Westlake, Isaac Galloway of Los Osos and Anthony Gose of Bellflower and shortstop Tyler Chatwood of Redlands East Valley.

Signability is always an issue that can influence whether a top player is drafted high. There are lots of colleges paying close attention, because virtually all the top players have signed letters of intent.

-- Eric Sondheimer

-- Image by Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times