Will the Texas Rangers select Arizona State right-hander Mike Leake?Much has been said about the lack of true first-round talent in this draft, particularly position players. The top half of the first, though, is definitely not short on pitching talent.

It starts with Stephen Strasburg, arguably the most talented amateur pitching prospect of all time and the would-be savior of the Washington Nationals franchise. While Strasburg blows the rest of the draft class away, there is a solid collection of pitchers to whom teams will happily hand millions of dollars. Mock drafts have been all over the place.

The Texas Rangers' first selection is the 14th overall pick. Here's a quick rundown of the independent-league and collegiate talent that could be available when their turn comes up:

INDEPENDENT LEAGUE PITCHERS

Aaron Crow, RHP, Ft. Worth: Among the top right-handers in the 2008 draft, Aaron Crow and the Washington Nationals could not come to terms. He's been pitching with the Ft. Worth Cats of the American Association. Several scouts express concern about his mechanics, as do I.

Crow has exceptional command, a fastball which reaches the mid-90s, an average change-up, a slider that projects as a plus pitch, and no make-up questions. If his arm holds up, he's going to make an organization very happy. Likelihood: 5%. He should be off the board, but the Rangers could call his name if he's there.

Tanner Scheppers, RHP, St. Paul: Scheppers has perhaps the most electric stuff of any pitcher in this draft not named Stephen Strasburg. He was drafted in the second round in 2008, but a shoulder problem complicated negotiations. He's been pitching with the St. Paul Saints of the American Association.

Scheppers has hit the upper-90s with his fastball, and shows the ability to work comfortably in the mid-90s with movement and a power curveball that has plus potential. His change-up needs work. Likelihood: 10%. He will probably be off the board, but he could fall because of shoulder concerns. If he's available, it's hard to imagine the Rangers passing on him.

COLLEGIATE PITCHERS

Kyle Gibson, RHP, Missouri: Gibson pitches with above-average command of a 90-92 mph fastball, a slider, and a change-up. The one knock I've read about Gibson is that he has a tendency to rely on his slider, sometimes throwing it more than his fastball. All three pitches are above average.

At 6' 6", 208 lb., Gibson has scouts split on whether he is projectable or just naturally skinny.

Gibson should be a top-five pick. If he's not, I will be very surprised. Likelihood: 1%. There's no reason he should fall out of the top 10.

Mike Leake, RHP, Arizona State: The only "negative" on Leake is that he stands only six feet tall. Scouts love his command, poise and athleticism. His stuff receives plenty of praise, too. Leake throws a sinker around 90 mph, but he's capable of throwing harder. He also throws a hard slider and a change-up that both grade out as above-average, potentially plus pitches. His fourth pitch is a curveball described by some as average and by others as above average. He probably has the best command of any draft-eligible pitcher.

I have trouble finding things not to like about Leake. Likelihood: 50%. He might still be on the board at No. 14, but I'm not convinced the Rangers like him as much as I do.

Mike Minor, LHP, Vanderbilt: Minor is a lefty with some pitchability but a limited ceiling. At his best, he can throw his fastball, slider, and change-up for strikes in any count. He could dominate the lower levels and move quickly. He's a fringe first-round talent who could go as high as No. 3 if the Padres want a "safe" pick. Likelihood: 0%. Much better options should be available at No. 14.

Alex White, RHP, UNC: White arguably has two plus pitches right now in his 91-93 mph sinking fastball and biting split-finger fastball. Coming into the season, his slider was his top secondary pitch, but it has been inconsistent this spring. He also throws a curveball that needs work. His delivery isn't the smoothest around, and as a result he's struggled with command at times. Any team that drafts him will likely move toward helping him "fix" his once-reliable slider. If that happens, White looks even better.

His reputation and fastball/splitter combination will keep him near the top of this draft. Likelihood: 20%. He's an intriguing arm, but his lack of polish could cause him to fall into the middle of the first round.

COLLEGIATE POSITION PLAYERS

Grant Green, SS, USC: A five-tool middle infield prospect by most accounts, Green should be chosen in the top half of the first round. He's drawn comparisons to Troy Tulowitzki and Evan Longoria, though he lacks Longoria's raw power and Tulowitzki's arm.

Green is faster than both, and though he struggled with defense and hitting early on this spring, he rebounded extremely well, saving himself a bunch of money in the process.

After Dustin Ackley, Green is the best collegiate position player available. He should be selected around No. 10. Likelihood: 8%. You're supposed to take the best player available, but with Elvis Andrus newly installed at shortstop and Ian Kinsler at second base, Green just doesn't make sense for the Rangers. His skill set might be irresistible, though.

Tim Wheeler, OF, Sacramento State: Wheeler's a bit of an enigma. Though they list him as their No. 15 prospect for the draft, Baseball America has him falling to No. 32. They project him as a left fielder because of his average arm and slightly above-average speed. The Major League Scouting Bureau says he has all the tools to play center field.

The 6' 4", 205 lb. Wheeler had a great season, finishing at .385/.494/.765 with 15 stolen bases, 29 walks, 17 hit-by-pitches and 28 strikeouts in 200 at-bats.

Calling him a five-tool left fielder seems like an overstatement, but Wheeler is a very polished hitter. He could be drafted as early as No. 11, or he could fall into the supplemental round. Likelihood: 1%. There's almost no chance the Rangers select someone who projects as a left fielder with this pick.

Look for Part II, detailing the Rangers' high-school draft possibilities, on Wednesday morning.

[Additional reading: Keith Law's ESPN.com Mock Draft (May 27th), Jim Callis's Baseball America Mock Draft, Baseball America's Top 100 Draft Prospects (May 27th)] (May 29th)