Initially drafted by the New York Yankees out of the University of San Diego High School in the 1998 amateur draft, Mark Prior opted to play collegiate ball for the Trojans at the University of Southern California.
While at USC, he became a decorated pitcher, winning several Player of the Year awards ahead of the 2001 draft. In just two years pitching at USC, Prior compiled an astonishing 15-1 record with a microscopic 1.70 ERA, striking out more than 200 batters against only 18 walks.
Scouts lauded his performance, as well as his pitching mechanics.