Brian Matusz tosses warm up pitches during a February 22 season opener between the USD Toreros and the San Diego St. Aztecs. The 6-foot-5, 200 pound southpaw was 10-3 with a 2.85 earned run average and recorded 163 strikeouts in 123 innings as a sophomore. The junior is a preseason All-American and is considered as a top 3-to-5 prospect for the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. Matusz was a first-team selection to the All-West Coast Conference team in 2007 and was named an All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers ociation. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the fourth round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft out of St. Marys High School in Arizona.
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Kyle Blanks at the plate during a June 28 California League game between the Lake Elsinore Storm and the Visalia Oaks. The 6-6, 270 pound Blanks was selected by the San Diego Padres as a draft-and-follow in 42nd round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft out of Yavapai Junior College in Arizona. Blanks was chosen to play on the 2007 California League All-Star team. Blanks batted .292/.382/.455 with ten home runs and 52 RBI for the low Single-A Ft. Wayne Wizards of the Midwest League in 2006.
Kyle Blanks swings in the batting cage before a June 30 California League meeting between the Lake Elsinore Storm and the Visalia Oaks. The 6-6, 270 pound Blanks was selected by the San Diego Padres as a draft-and-follow in 42nd round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft out of Yavapai Junior College in Arizona. Blanks was chosen to play on the 2007 California League All-Star team. Blanks batted .292/.382/.455 with ten home runs and 52 RBI for the low Single-A Ft. Wayne Wizards of the Midwest League in 2006.