Daniel Mahoney

Connecticut righthander Dan Mahoney is the clear-cut No. 2 prospect in lower New England behind Eric Smith, but scouts have been exasperated all spring by how difficult he has been to see, as the Huskies use him in a middle relief role. A 16th-round pick by the Yankees out of Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Mass., in 2007, Mahoney dominated as a closer in the New England Collegiate League last summer, ranking as the circuit's No. 2 prospect. He has a projectable 6-foot-4, 204-pound frame and a quick arm that produces fastballs up to 94 mph, though the pitch can be flat. He also flashes an above-average 76-78 mph curveball with sharp 11-to-5 break and an average or slightly better changeup. Sometimes he impresses scouts with his aggressive approach, but other times he's tentative and struggles with his command. There are questions about Mahoney's delivery, as he has a wrist wrap and often struggles to repeat his release point. A club that managed to get a few good looks at Mahoney could take him in the top six rounds, and he is believed to be signable as a draft-eligible sophomore.