Duke pitcher Michael Matuella dubbed No. 2 overall 2015 draft prospect by MLB.com

The Blue Devils will be drawing a lot of scouts in the spring—at least when Michael Matuella is on the mound.

MLB.com released its top 50 prospect rankings for the 2015 draft Thursday, and the Duke right-hander was listed as the No. 2 overall prospect. Matuella—who will eligible for the draft for the first time following his upcoming junior season—ranks one spot ahead of southpaw Brady Aiken, who was drafted with the top overall pick out of high school by the Houston Astros in the 2014 draft but did not sign a contract.

Matuella enjoyed a breakout year in his sophomore campaign at Duke a season ago. The Great Falls, Va., native posted a 2.78 ERA in 11 starts, striking out 69 and yielding just 40 hits in 58.1 innings. Despite missing four weeks due to a back injury, Matuella ranked second among Duke pitchers in strikeouts and led the staff with a .190 batting average against—a mark good for second in the ACC.

Matuella features a four-pitch repertoire that includes a mid-to-high 90s fastball—rated a 70 on scouts’ traditional 20-80 scale—and a trio of off-speed pitches that he can throw for strikes in any count. The right-hander stands supports an imposing 6-foot-7, 220-pound frame on the mound, which helps him generate easy velocity and a downward angle on his pitches that creates difficulties for opposing hitters.

With senior Drew van Orden departing after being drafted by the Washington Nationals in the fifth round of the 2014 draft, Matuella is poised to assume the role of staff ace for the Blue Devils in the upcoming season.

Undrafted out of high school, Matuella is now a good bet to become the highest-drafted player in school history. Right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman—who debuted in the majors with 20 starts for the Toronto Blue Jays last year—currently holds the title of highest-drafted Blue Devil and was selected 22nd overall in the 2012 draft.

Matuella is widely considered to be a consensus top pick in this year’s draft and is currently on the short list of candidates for the top overall choice, held by the Arizona Diamondbacks.