Some of the top college baseball players to watch this season:

—Dustin Ackley, 1B, North Carolina, junior. Nation's top all-around hitter has sweet, left-handed swing. Hit .417 with seven HRs and 51 RBIs and 19 stolen bases while helping Tar Heels to third straight College World Series appearance.

—Scott Bittle, RHP, Mississippi, senior. College baseball's top returning closer went 7-1 with eight saves, 1.78 ERA and 130 Ks in 71 innings. Second-round pick last June turned down Yankees to return to Rebels.

—Blake Dean, OF, LSU, junior. Offensive leader of one of nation's most balanced lineups hit .353 with 20 HRs and 73 RBIs.

—Chris Dominguez, 3B, Louisville, junior. Nation's top returning power hitter after blasting 21 homers for Cardinals. Big slugger — 6-foot-4, 240 pounds — also hit .365 with 75 RBIs.

—Grant Green, SS, Southern California, junior. Baseball America's top-rated prospect in Cape Cod League last summer hit .390 with nine homers and 46 RBIs, while stealing 10 bases for Trojans. Excellent defensive shortstop is considered college baseball's top all-around player.

—Chris Hernandez, LHP, Miami, sophomore. Helped lead Hurricanes to College World Series last season after going 11-0 with 2.72 ERA and 117 Ks in 113 IP while being named Baseball America's freshman of year.

—Ryan Lockwood, OF, South Florida, sophomore. Enters season with 30-game hitting streak after having freshman year end in early May with broken hand. Hit .415 with 37 RBIs and stole 12 bases for Bulls.

—Andrew Oliver, LHP, Oklahoma State, junior. Reinstated by Ohio judge after NCAA ruled him ineligible last spring because of rule that prohibits college players from hiring advisers in direct contact with big league clubs. Probable first-rounder played on U.S. national team, and went 7-2 with 2.20 ERA for Cowboys last season.

—Josh Phegley, C, Indiana, junior. Finished second in Division I with .438 batting average while hitting 15 HRs and knocking in 80 runs for Hoosiers.

—Rich Poythress, 1B, Georgia, junior. Was second on CWS runner-up Bulldogs with .374 average, 15 HRs and 75 RBIs. Also had .995 fielding percentage and was awarded Gold Glove as nation's top defensive first baseman.

—Stephen Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State, junior. Possible No. 1 overall pick hits mid- to upper-90s with fastball and was only college player selected for U.S. Olympic team. Had dominant season for Aztecs, including 23-strikeout performance vs. Utah last April.

—Alex White, RHP, North Carolina, junior. Projects as possible top-5 pick after going 13-3 with 2.83 ERA and 113 Ks in 102 IP. Has mid-90s fastball and top-notch splitter and slider.