Many regard North Carolina shortstop Dustin Ackley as the best hitting prospect in the country. The Nationals are expected to take Stephen Strasburg, which would leave Ackley for the Mariners, who have the second overall pick. "Everyone is saying, 'It's Strasburg and everyone else,' " Baseball America's Jim Callis said. "It's Strasburg, and the clear No. 2 is Ackley."

San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg is believed to top the Nationals' draft board, which means that he'll likely be the top pick in next month's First-Year Player Draft. Sources also revealed to Sports Illustrated that the club isn't scared off by Strasburg's high price tag. "It's fair to say, going into it, he's the No. 1 player on our board," acting Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said of Strasburg. "We can say it. There's not anybody who can jump ahead of us. He's an outstanding talent. He's got all the tools to be a great player."

With a record crowd at Santa Clara, Stephen Strasburg struck out 12 batters over eight innings, while allowing no runs and just three hits. ?I haven't seen anything like him in the college game,? Santa Clara coach Mark O'Brien said. ?In fact, I don't think I've seen anything like him in the big league level. We've seen him three years in a row and that slider that he throws, that's a lethal pitch. That's as good a combination as you're going to see at any level.? Said right fielder Kevin Madden: ?That's the best pitcher we'll probably face in our lives. His fastball is as fast as it gets and his breaking ball just drops off the table.?

Former Washington Nationals' GM Jim Bowden said the club will certainly take San Diego State pitcher Stephen Strasburg. "Washington is going to draft Strasburg," Bowden said, according to a transcript in the Washington Times. "The decision has already been made. It was made when I was there. That is who they are going to take. ... This is the best amateur pitcher since I was born. He is that good -- his delivery, his stuff, 100 miles an hour in the eighth inning, his makeup. He's got the entire package." Click here to read RealGM's prospect page and scouting report on Strasburg.