You can follow Kendall Rogers on Twitter @KendallRogersPG and can like the Perfect Game College Baseball Facebook page
Like the college baseball content we provide at Perfect Game? If so, have the ultimate college baseball experience by subscribing to the College Baseball Ticket for the low price of $60 annually. If you're interested in subscribing to the CBT and getting college baseball coverage like no other, Click Here
The Independent ranks in Division I baseball have dwindled to four teams—five counting Nebraska-Omaha, which is in the process of reclassifying from D-II to D-I, but is ineligible for postseason play in 2012—and are quickly in the process of becoming a thing of the past.
In the wake of a massive reshuffling of conference alignments nationally, Dallas Baptist, the current standard bearer for independent baseball teams, is scheduled to join the Western Athletic Conference in 2013, along with Cal State Bakersfield and Seattle. Longwood is in line to join the Big South Conference while even Nebraska-Omaha has a future home in the Summit League.
Dallas Baptist pulled off a rare feat for an independent team in 2011 when it secured an at-large berth in the NCAA tournament. The Patriots (42-20) have the best shot of duplicating that achievement, though will probably need breakthrough seasons from their two best pitching prospects for that to happen.
Six-foot-6, 220-pound junior right-hander Jake Johansen (3-0, 12.15, 13 IP, 16 BB/12 SO) has one of the most impressive arms in this year’s draft class with a fastball up to 98 mph and slider at 86, but little history of success at the college level because of consistently poor command. He showed signs of throwing strikes more consistently in the fall, however, and has been slotted into the Friday role atop the Dallas Baptist rotation.
Similarly, 6-5, 220-pound junior right-hander Stuart Pudenz (4-1, 6.50, 36 IP, 20 BB/38 SO) has achieved marginal success in two years with his superior stuff (91-94 mph fastball, plus splitter), and yet he has been installed as the team’s closer.
Swinging the bats should present fewer potential concerns for the Patriots, who return six regulars, including junior catcher Duncan McAlpine (.270-9-38), senior shortstop Joel Hutter (.303-9-50) and senior outfielder Landon Anderson (.356-7-58, 21 SB), and welcome former Nebraska outfielder Boomer Collins, who was forced to sit out last year while transferring, but quickly has become the best hitter on the Dallas Baptist roster.
HOW THEY STACK UP
Overall/conference won-loss records from 2011 indicated; preseason national ranking in parentheses, expectation level denoted -- College World Series= CWS, NCAA Super Regional= SR, NCAA Regional= R
This is PG 'DiamondKast' Level content.
You must be either an DiamondKast, Crosschecker Rankings & Scouting Reports, or Scout subscriber to read the rest.