Monty Fariss

For two years, Fariss has played in the shadow of Robin Ventura at Oklahoma State, but Fariss is the one who’s wielded the hot bat (.500-plus) this spring for the nation’s top-ranked team. There are a couple of clubs who actually like Fariss as a prospect more than Ventura, citing his power potential and his ability to play a premium position. Most scouts, however, question his size (6-foot-4), but in the same vein they also compare him to Baltimore’s Cal Ripken, who’s proven his height is no obstacle to playing a capable shortstop. Fariss often lacks intensity, scouts say, but he is the leading candidate to play shortstop for the Olympic team.