Major-league scouts have especially frequented Gilbert High, Desert Ridge and Basha baseball games this spring with eyes keenly focused on a trio of recently graduated East Valley prep players - Gilbert's Dustin Peterson, Desert Ridge's Riley Unroe and Basha's Jamie Westbrook.

That scrutiny ends for a few days Thursday June 6  through Saturday June 8 as the trio looks forward to hearing their name called at Major League Baseball's 2013 first-year player draft. The draft commences Thursday June 6 at  4 p.m. Arizona time with the first round and supplementals and second round and supplementals (total of 73 players). Friday it's on to rounds three through 10 beginning at 10 a.m. Arizona time and Saturday rounds 11 through 40 also beginning at 10 a.m. Arizona time. 

Gilbert High coach Matt Gutierrez will have special interest in this year's draft. He'll keep tabs on a handful of former players -- just-graduated Dustin Peterson, Dustin's older brother, D.J., currently playing at New Mexico and former Gilbert High pitcher, Stephen Tarpley, now throwing for Scottsdale Community College.

"It's going to be interesting," Gutierrez said. "I've been hearing D.J. could go somewhere between the fifth and 15th pick (first round.  Dustin could go in the first round or supplemental. You don't know how it will play out. You just wait and watch."

Here's a brief look at some of the top East Valley prospects likely to be selected, starting with a couple collegians:

D.J. Peterson is one of the top power hitters in the country. The 2010 Gilbert High grad plays third base at New Mexico, and may be the best pure hitter in the college ranks, according to many scouts. He finished his junior season at New Mexico last weekend, batting .408 with 18 homers and 72 RBI. Those are reasons it would be a shock if he's not taken in the first round perhaps even the first 20 picks.

Stephen Tarpley was drafted two years ago out of Gilbert High, but did not sign. He attended USC, left after one year and landed at Scottsdale Community College this past year. A 6-foot-2, 200-pound lefty, he's projected as a second-to-fourth round choice.

PREP PROSPECTS

Riley Unroe was the state's player of the year and there's no arguing the honor. Just look at the numbers. A switch hitter, he batted .560 and drove in a whopping 59 runs in 32 games. Twenty-nine of his 52 hits were for extra bases and he stole 25 bases. He runs well and may be able to stick at the next level at shortstop. The son of former major-league infielder Tim Unroe, Riley is committed to USC. Baseball America writer Alan Simpson said Unroe's majestic spring has vaulted him from a fifth-to-seventh-round pick to a first-rounder or supplemental choice. Unroe was cited last week by Baseball America as Arizona's top draft prospect and listed as No. 53 nationally.

Dustin Peterson capped a three-year varsity career at Gilbert High this spring hitting .540 and ripping 10 homers with 39 RBI. Twenty-seven of his 47 hits were for extra bases. Peterson played shortstop in high school, but a corner spot is likely where he'll end up. His bat and speed are the likes. He is committed to ASU and Baseball America lists him 63rd nationally..

Riley Unroe was the state's player of the year and there's no arguing the honor. Just look at the numbers. A switch hitter, he batted .560  and drove in a whopping 59 runs in 32 games. Twenty-nine of his 52 hits were for extra bases and he stole 25 bases. He runs well and may be able to stick at the next level at shortstop. The son of former major-league infielder Tim Unroe, Riley is committed to USC. Baseball America writer Alan Simpson said Unroe's majestic spring has vaulted him from a fifth-to-seventh-round pick to a first-rounder or supplemental choice. Unroe was cited last week by Baseball America as Arizona's top draft prospect and listed as No. 53 nationally.

Jamie Westbrook also has a quick bat, good power and may be the fastest of the local products. Westbrook had another strong power year for Basha. Committed to Pepperdine, Westbrook is projected to go in the third to sixth round, perhaps higher. He to move to second or the outfield at the next level. He is No. 163 on Baseball America's prospect list.

Hamilton's Cody Bellinger is likely an early second-day selection with a very good bat and wows with defense. He is he son of former major leaguer Clay Bellinger and was listed by Baseball America No. 91 nationally. He is comitted to Oregon. 

Desert Vista pitcher Tyler Viza, who was the most valuable player in last Sunday's Division I Arizona Baseball Coaches Association All-Star game, got his share of scouts' attention this spring. With an uptick in velocity the University of Utah commit managed to make Baseball America's top 500 list of draft prospects nationally -- landing at No. 427.