Now that’s he’s bigger and stronger, Chris Rayborn is really starting to draw some attention with his efforts on the mound. Outside of the competition, there are at least two groups of people who are really high on current ace of the Meridian Community College

and the former Adams Christian hurler &045; Ole Miss and the San Diego Padres.

And as Rayborn finishes his sophomore season with numbers that are likely getting others’ attention as the season winds down, he’s got to make a pretty hefty decision.

College or pro?

The Eagles will end the regular season March 24 against East Central and likely go deep in the playoffs. Then after it’s over Rayborn has to make up his mind.

College or pro?

&uot;It seems like it’s an easy decision to make because it’s a win-win situation,&uot; said Rayborn, now 7-0 on the season and averaging well over a strikeout an inning with a 1.42 ERA. &uot;It’s probably going to be the hardest decision of my life. I’ve got a few more weeks to think about it. I’m not going to make a quick decision.&uot;

At least for now Rayborn can block that out and concentrate on pitching. He’s developed into the ace of the Meridian staff following the departure of Todd Doolittle &045; last year’s No. 1 &045; to Mississippi State.

Already possessing the necessary height to be a dominant pitcher, Rayborn has benefited from a new workout regimen that’s got his weight up to 190 (he left Adams Christian weighing 170, having very seldom hit the weights).

Rayborn, who signed with Ole Miss back in November, can go either way.

&uot;The Padres are really high on him,&uot; Meridian head coach Mike Federico said. &uot;They really like what they see on him. They say the same thing (as me) &045; he’s really improved each outing. I think if he doesn’t sign with the Padres and goes to Ole Miss, I think he’ll get drafted by another club and they’ll follow him.

&uot;He’s in a win-win situation. Hopefully he can help us continue to win.&uot;

Pro ball?

The Padres drafted Rayborn last summer in the 34th round as a draft-and-follow pick, and scout Bob Filotei has checked in regularly as has the organization’s national cross-checker &045; a higher-ranking scout in the organization.

The 6-2 Rayborn admitted he can find plenty of reason why to sign with the Padres and go to Oxford. If he goes with the Padres, he’ll likely report to Arizona to rookie league ball and play 70 games in 77 days.

If it’s Ole Miss, he’ll report to Oxford, continue his education and continue to improve his stock to possibly enter the draft later.

It all depends on what the Padres put on the table.

&uot;If the Padres make me an offer that’s worth my while, I can’t turn that down,&uot; Rayborn said.

&uot;Pro baseball has always been a dream. It’s hard to turn that down, but I would love to play baseball at Ole Miss and in the SEC. That’s the best conference in the country. I’m getting ready to play for one of the top five teams in the country.&uot;

The thing Filotei and the Padres may like so much is Rayborn is a projectable prospect, meaning he’s got a ways to go before maxing out.

As a pitcher in high school, Rayborn was a lanky right-hander who could just throw it by people and come with an occasional breaking pitch.

&uot;He’s got a great body, and I think his best baseball is still ahead of him,&uot; Federico said.

&uot;He’s 19 years old and still kind of young. He’s really developed in the weight room and has gotten stronger. Hopefully he’ll continue to do that. Last year as a freshman he really didn’t work as hard in the weight room. That’s been the adjustment for him.

&uot;You’ve got to work toward your next start. The easiest day of the week should be the day you pitch. I think he learned a lot last year from our sophomore pitchers.&uot;

Steady on the bump

Rayborn was a steady starter for the Eagles last spring, and he got the team’s only win in their three-game stand at the National Junior College World Series. He was hitting high 80s and low 90s with the fastball last season, but now he’s pretty consistent low 90s and will usually top out at 94 once a game.

But that’s not his nastiest stuff.

After working on Rayborn’s arm angle last season, Federico and staff have polished his slider and changeup to go with the fastball and curve.

&uot;Coach Fed has done a tremendous job with me,&uot; Rayborn said. &uot;He’s gotten me where I am today. I’m still improving every game just like I always have. My changeup has gotten good. I’ve got it to where I can throw it at any count. I can throw any of my pitches on any count, and that’s helped me out a lot. I was mainly a fastball and curveball guy.&uot;

The added repertoire has had plenty positive results. Rayborn’s best outing came on April 3 when he threw a two-hit shutout and struck out 10 in a win over Hinds.

&uot;You’ve got to command three pitches,&uot; Federico said. &uot;With right-handed batters, you’ve got to throw a fastball and a slider. With left-handed batters, you’ve got to throw a fastball and a changeup. When you have three pitches, you put something in a hitter’s mind. It keeps you on your heels and makes you think about things. He didn’t strike out many people last year &045; not as much as he has this year.&uot;

It’s the changeup to left-handed power hitters that’s really been the key, Rayborn said. With the kicked-up fastball and changeup he’s perfecting, the two kind of look like the same.

&uot;A big 3- or 4-hole hitter, if you’ve got a 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 count, you can throw that changeup,&uot; Rayborn said. &uot;It looks like a fastball. They either swing over it and miss it or chop it into the ground. It’s a great pitch to have, especially against left-handers.&uot;

Shooting for World Series

The Eagles like their chances in the playoffs this spring, particularly with all but Doolittle and the right fielder returning from last season.

The Eagles (31-6, 9-3) are currently ranked third in the nation and have lost their three conference games by a combined four runs.

&uot;The only team that can beat us is ourselves,&uot; Rayborn said. &uot;We’ve got some great hitters. I think by far 1 through 9 we’ve got probably the best lineup in the nation. Nobody is a sure out.

&uot;We’ve all been there and know what it’s like. We’ve got to finish what we started.&uot;

However the season ends, then it’s back to making a decision for Rayborn. The Padres will make an offer, and he will say either yes or no.

And somebody will be disappointed.

&uot;I don’t know right now what’s going to happen,&uot; Federico said.

&uot;The money issue &045; how much money does he warrant? How much attention are they going to put into him? You don’t want to be another number when you go to pro ball. He could go to Ole Miss and really raise his stock in the draft. If he goes up there, the sky is the limit for him.&uot;