John Olerud

Before an aneurysm in January led to 6.5 hours of surgery, Washington State 1B Olerud was second-ranked among college players to LSU's Ben McDonald. Olerud made a rapid recovery this spring, but hasn't rebounded to his '88 form (.464-23-82; 15-0 as a pitcher). And there's concern that Olerud has taken himself out of the draft and will return to WSU for his senior year -- in part out of loyalty to longtime WSU coach Chuck Brayton, who also coached Olerud's father. Brayton will retire after winning his 1,000th game next year. Scouts say that if someone is willing to gamble on Olerud, he could be among the first two or three players drafted, particularly if the Seattle Mariners take a stab at a hometown boy with the No. 3 pick.