MLB Draft: How four of the top college prospects fared Thursday night

MLB Draft Update

No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper and three of the top rated college pitchers were in action Thursday. Here’s how they all fared.

*Bryce Harper, the consensus No. 1 pick in the upcoming June draft, blasted his 24th home run of the season, leading No. 2 College of Southern Nevada to a 9-8 victory over Western Nebraska Community College on Thursday at Merchants Park.

According to the schools website, Harper tied the single-season school record for runs scored when he hit his home run in the first inning. He has scored 76 times this season.

* In a critical game to solidify his status as a top 5 pick, Ole Miss pitcher Drew Pomeranz (7-2) took the loss Thursday, allowing four runs on eight hits with two walks and six strikeouts. According to OLE MISS SPORTS.com, Pomeranz tied the school record for strikeouts in a career, bringing his three-year total to 332 strikeouts. The Rebels loss 5-3 to No. 16 Auburn.

Pomeranz stock is dropping with the draft less than three weeks away and is not believed to be under serious consideration from the Pirates at No. 2..

*Georgia Tech pitcher Deck McGuire (8-3), the reigning ACC Player of the Year, allowed one earned run on five hits over 6.0 innings of work to earn his 8th win of the season. McGuire struck out six and lowered his ERA to 2.75 on the season. The Richmond, VA, native is believed to be very much on the Pirates radar and among 2-3 college pitchers the Pirates are considering.

*LSU’s Anthony Ranaudo (3-2, 8.74 ERA) has gone from the consensus No. 2 prospect behind Bryce Harper to maybe a mid-to-late first round pick.

Ranaudo (6-7, 230), who has been pitching out of the bullpen in relief, allowed zero runs on one hit in 1.1 innings pitched Thursday against Mississippi. Ranaudo had two strikeouts and one hbp, facing five batters.

Ranaudo is a mystery heading into the draft due to his struggles in 2010. He’s a top 5 talent but a team who selects him would have to be banking on him being the pitcher he was his sophomore season in 2009.

Elbow concerns have also hurt his stock. Ranaudo is the third rated pitcher in the draft, according to ESPN’s Keith Law.