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Before taking a pair of pitchers (Dunn and Anthony Kay) last year, the Mets drafted a position player in each of the previous four opening rounds. Conforto was the only college prospect of the bunch, and his success could lead them back to the university route.

Two college middle infielders and a polished high school talent highlight the hitters most frequently projected to go around pick No. 20.

Nick Pratto, 1B, Huntington Beach HS (Calif.)

A two-way prospect, Nick Pratto should receive more attention as a first baseman with a compact swing and slick glove.

One of this year's most polished prep players has impressed scouts with his quick bat. Although he also throws 88-90 mph on the mound, he's a possible All-Star first baseman if he unlocks his power potential.

There's a strong chance Pratto is off the board before the Mets can pounce. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo predicted the Atlanta Braves reaching for him at pick No. 5 to save bonus-pool money.

A more likely outcome is Pratto instead striving to call New York home with the Yankees snagging him four spots before their cross-town adversaries.

Logan Warmoth, SS, North Carolina

ESPN Insider Keith Law has the Mets welcoming North Carolina shortstop Logan Warmoth to the organization.

But wait, what about Rosario and their other prospects playing the same position? Hoarding a surplus of young talent never hurts, and the junior dazzled this season with a .336/.410/.562 slash line, nine home runs and 18 steals over 55 games.

There's also the question of whether he will stick at shortstop anyway. Law listed him at third base and addressed the possibility of him also sliding to second. Minor League Ball's John Sickels, on the other hand, credited Warmoth with "above-average range, hands, and instincts at shortstop."

His nearly big league-ready bat can play at any of those spots, and New York's sluggish, aging defense can sorely use some versatility.

Keston Hiura, 2B/OF, UC Irvine

Another notable college producer, UC Irvine's Keston Hiura hit an outlandish .442/.567/.693 during his junior campaign. Labeled as "arguably the best pure hitter in the collegiate ranks" by FanGraphs' Eric Longenhagen, his bat may override other concerns.

The righty isn't built like a typical slugger, a fact UC Irvine associate head coach Ben Orloff discussed with Baseball America's Hudson Belinsky.



"He's a tough comp because who is 5-foot-11 and can hit 60 extra base hits? He's a tough comp, but the bat's real," Orloff said.



Even if MLB clubs agree, they also may worry about a UCL sprain from last year which has limited him to serving as a designated hitter. Without a stable position, he's a risky choice for a National League club. Then again, this is a franchise trotting out Asdrubal Cabrera instead of Rosario at shortstop, so the Mets haven't treated defense as a top priority.