GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A.J. Puk stood out even before Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan first saw him pitch.
His frame was as imposing as his fastball, a big reason Puk has long been considered a can’t-miss major-leaguer.
Now, the 6-foot-7 left-hander who throws in the mid-to-upper 90s and has better-than-average off-speed stuff is about to go from top prospect to top pick.
Puk is widely expected to be among the first few names called in the Major League Baseball draft, which begins Thursday night. The Philadelphia Phillies hold the No. 1 selection, and many prognosticators believe Puk won’t slip past Cincinnati at No.