Vanderbilt's Swanson among college baseball players to watch

AP

Some of the top college baseball players to watch this season:

—Dansby Swanson, SS, Vanderbilt, junior. He started 72 games at second base, batted .333 and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series. He'll move to shortstop with the departure of Vince Conde, though scouts believe Swanson's future is at second.

—Nathan Kirby, LHP, Virginia, junior. After working out of the bullpen in 2013, Kirby was the No. 1 starter and the ACC pitcher of the year. He struck out 18 while no-hitting Pittsburgh and finished 2014 ranked among the national leaders in hits allowed and strikeouts.

—Alex Bregman, SS, LSU, junior. He's been the most consistent offensive threat in the Tigers' lineup the past two years. He batted .451 with six doubles, three homers and 16 RBIs over the final 12 games, and he turned in a second straight strong summer with the U.S. Collegiate National Team.

—Walker Buehler, RHP, Vanderbilt, junior. He pitched more than 100 innings and went 12-2 with a 2.64 ERA for the national champion Commodores and then was co-playoff MVP in the Cape Cod League. He's added 15 pounds to his 6-foot-1 frame to get up to 175.

—Riley Ferrell, RHP, TCU, junior. The Louisville Slugger preseason national player of the year had a 0.79 ERA, struck out 70 in 45 1-3 innings and set a school record with 15 saves. He needs three more saves to break the school career record of 20.

—Sikes Orvis, 1B, Mississippi, senior. Orvis hit a team-leading 14 home runs and had a .540 slugging percentage, and he committed only three errors at first. He starred in the postseason, driving in the go-ahead run in the regional-clinching win and homering in the super-regional win that sent the Rebels to the CWS.

—James Kaprielian, RHP, UCLA, junior. Kaprielian is a big reason why the Bruins are predicted to bounce back after following their 2013 national championship with a sub-.500 campaign. The 6-4, 200-pounder got better as the season progressed and led the Pac 12 with 108 strikeouts in 106 innings.

Michael Matuella, RHP, Duke, junior. This is a huge season for the 6-foot-7, 220-pounder who's a projected high first-round draft pick based on potential. His fastball has touched 97 mph, and he has a wicked curveball and improving slider, but he's been beset by injury and didn't pitch last summer.

—Ryan Boldt, OF, Nebraska, sophomore. The Cornhuskers excelled with Boldt in the leadoff spot the second half of last season. He was 6 for 10 in the Stillwater Regional and went on to have a sensational summer in the Northwoods League.

—Ian Happ, OF, Cincinnati, junior. The switch-hitting Happ is poised to become highest draft pick in a program whose biggest-name alum is Kevin Youkilis. Happ batted .322 each of the past two years for Cincinnati and is a two-time Cape Cod League All-Star.