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MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. TCU
2. BYU
3. New Mexico
4. San Diego State
5. UNLV
6. Utah
7. Air Force
ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
C C.J. Cron, Utah
1B Ryan Bernal, BYU
2B Jerome Pena, TCU
SS Taylor Featherston, TCU
3B Jantzen Witte, TCU
OF Jason Coats, TCU
OF Brandon Meredith, San Diego State
OF Brance Rivera, TCU
DH Brandon Bayardi, UNLV
SP Matt Purke, TCU
SP Kyle Winkler, TCU
SP Steven Maxwell, TCU
RP Erik Miller, TCU
AT A GLANCE
Regular-season winner last season: TCU
Tournament winner last season: TCU
New coaches: Tim Chambers (UNLV), Maj. Mike Kazlausky (Air Force)
Coach on the rise: Ray Birmingham, New Mexico
Rising stock: New Mexico
Falling stock: San Diego State
Best hitter: 1B C.J. Cron, Utah
Best pitcher: LHP Matt Purke, TCU
Regional contenders: TCU, New Mexico
Injuries to note: P Kaleb Merck, TCU (arm injury)
TOP PROSPECTS (2011 MLB DRAFT)
-- Compiled by Allan Simpson
1. LHP Matt Purke, TCU
2. C C.J. Cron, Utah
3. OF Jason Coats, TCU
4. RHP Kyle Winkler, TCU
5. SS Taylor Featherson, TCU
6. RHP Taylor Cole, BYU
7. OF/1B Brandon Meredith, San Diego State
8. RHP Steven Maxwell, TCU
9. RHP Joe Robinson, UNLV
10. RHP Joe Pond, Utah
11. LHP Rudy Jaramillo, New Mexico
12. OF Trevor Kirk, UNLV
13. RHP Mike Hachadorian, San Diego State
14. 1B/OF Jomel Torres, San Diego State
15. LHP Rick Anton, Utah
16. 1B/OF Marvin Campbell, UNLV
17. RHP Erik Miller, TCU
18. C/1B Alex Wolfe, BYU
19. RHP/3B Quay Grant, New Mexico
20. RHP Kaleb Merck, TCU
TOP PROSPECTS (2012 MLB DRAFT)
-- Compiled by Allan Simpson
1. RHP Tyler Duffie, TCU
2. RHP Zach Adams, Utah
3. RHP/SS Corey Black, San Diego State
4. OF Kyle Von Tungeln, TCU
5. C/OF Josh Elander, TCU
6. SS Alex Albritton, New Mexico
7. RHP Tyler Wagner, Utah
8. RHP/3B Brock Duke, Utah
9. OF Brandon Bayardi, UNLV
10. RHP/1B Ethan Miller, San Diego State
11. C/3B Garrett Customs, Air Force
12. OF/LHP Matt Nadolski, San Diego State
13. RHP Austin House, New Mexico
14. RHP Brian Crabb, San Diego State
15. SS Blair Moore, San Diego State
AROUND THE DIAMOND
TCU took a huge step forward last season when it reached the College World Series and almost reached the national title series. Now, the Horned Frogs hope to finish the job and play for a national title.
The Frogs welcome back a trio of solid weekend starters in Steve Maxwell, Matt Purke and Kyle Winkler, while the bullpen suffered a hit in the offseason when Kaleb Merck was lost for the season because of an injury. The Frogs hope Erik Miller, who had a 4.67 ERA in 27 innings last season, rises to the occasion.
Offensively, the Horned Frogs will miss Matt Curry and Bryan Holaday to start the season, but are expected to be very productive as the season progresses with several returning hitters from a lineup that finished last season with a .334 average.
UNLV ushers in a new era with coach Tim Chambers leading the way. Chambers built a perennial power at the JUCO level at Southern Nevada, and now hopes to carry some of the magic to the Division I level. The Rebels have a few talented players to watch, including slugger Brandon Bayardi and pitcher Tanner Peters. Still, it will take Chambers a while to turn the Rebels into a consistent winner.
San Diego State took a step back last season, but hopes to return to the NCAA postseason this spring. The Aztecs have something to prove on the mound with only a few quality and consistent arms to work with, while the offense is in good shape with Pat Colwell, Brandon Meredith, Blair Moore and Jomel Torres as the nucleus.
New Mexico made a statement last season with an NCAA postseason appearance, but will need several players to step up to return this spring. The Lobos have a solid prospect in junior left-handed pitcher Rudy Jaramillo, while Jacob Nelson and Alex Allbritton lead the offense. Nothing would surprise us from Ray Birmingham’s team.
Utah catcher C.J. Cron is worth watching. He’s the league’s top prospect outside of TCU left-handed pitcher Matt Purke. He finished last season with a .431 average, 16 doubles, 20 homers and 81 RBIs. He also slugged .817 and had a .487 on-base percentage. Look for Cron to catch and play first base at times this season.
WEST COAST CONFERENCE
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. San Diego
2. Pepperdine
3. San Francisco
4. Loyola Marymount
5. Portland
6. Gonzaga
7. Santa Clara
8. St. Mary’s
ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
C Zack Kometani, San Diego
1B Troy Channing, St. Mary’s
2B Jonathan Johnson, Loyola Marymount
SS Shon Roe, Loyola Marymount
3B Stephen Yarrow, San Francisco
OF Ryan Hawthorne, Loyola Marymount
OF Brian Humphries, Pepperdine
OF Kevin Muno, San Diego
DH Curtis Wagner, Santa Clara
SP Dylan Covey, San Diego
SP Ryan Carpenter, Gonzaga
SP Kyle Kraus, Portland
RP Chris Dennis, Portland
AT A GLANCE
Regular-season winner last season: San Diego
Tournament winner last season: No tournament
New coaches: None
Coach on the rise: Chris Sperry, Portland
Rising stock: San Francisco
Falling stock: Santa Clara
Best hitter: 1B Troy Channing, St. Mary’s
Best pitcher: RHP Dylan Covey, San Diego
Regional contenders: San Diego, Pepperdine, San Francisco
Injuries to note: None
TOP PROSPECTS (2011 MLB DRAFT)
-- Compiled by Allan Simpson
1. LHP Ryan Carpenter, Gonzaga
2. RHP Calvin Drummond, San Diego
3. RHP Martin Viramontes, Loyola Marymount
4. OF Brian Humphries, Pepperdine
5. LHP Jason Wheeler, Loyola Marymount
6. RHP J.R. Graham, Santa Clara
7. RHP Chris Jensen, San Diego
8. C/1B Zack Kometani, San Diego
9. LHP/OF Aaron Gates, Pepperdine
10. RHP Kyle Kraus, Portland
11. C Matt Koch, Loyola Marymount
12. OF/LHP Lucas Herbst, Santa Clara
13. RHP/1B Matt Chavez, San Francisco
14. RHP/OF Andy Hunter, Gonzaga
15. OF/RHP Royce Bollinger, Gonzaga
16. 3B/1B Stephen Yarrow, San Francisco
17. SS Shone Roe, Loyola Marymount
18. 1B Troy Channing, St. Mary’s
19. RHP Kyle Barraclough, St. Mary’s
20. LHP John Lally, Loyola Marymount
TOP PROSPECTS (2012 MLB DRAFT)
-- Compiled by Allan Simpson
1. 3B Patrick Wisdom, St. Mary’s
2. OF Patrick Stover, Santa Clara
3. LHP Alex Najera, Pepperdine
4. 2B Joe Sever, Pepperdine
5. OF Matt Ozanne, Santa Clara
6. LHP James Pazos, San Diego
7. RHP Martin Agosta, St. Mary’s
8. SS Zach Vincej, Pepperdine
9. LHP Elliott Waterman, San Francisco
10. OF Matt Lowenstein, Loyola Marymount
AROUND THE DIAMOND
San Diego has the tough chore of replacing weekend starters Kyle Blair, Sammy Solis and AJ Griffin, but has high hopes for freshman right-hander Dylan Covey. Covey was a first round pick to the Brewers last summer, but decided to attend college.
Though Covey was diagnosed with diabetes last spring and dealt with some weight loss issues, the talented righty has gained 20 pounds since joining the program in the fall.
San Francisco hopes to take a step forward this season with third baseman Stephen Yarrow leading the way. Yarrow has had a solid career and is coming off a campaign where he batted .310 with 12 doubles, three triples, 16 homers and 47 RBIs.
Yarrow is arguably the second-best hitter in the WCC, while St. Mary’s first baseman Troy Channing leads the way. Channing has had a fabulous offensive career for the Gaels and batted .310 with 15 homers and 54 RBIs last season. He also slugged .603 and had an impressive .465 on-base percentage.
Santa Clara has earned a reputation the past few seasons of failing to meet expectations. But perhaps the Broncos can find a way to surprise this spring. They welcome back right-handed pitcher Thain Simon, who missed last season because of injury. Two seasons ago, he had a 6.30 ERA in 65 2/3 innings, while he had a 2.59 ERA in 62 2/3 innings as a freshman.
Pepperdine had a 2010 campaign to remember, but has much potential this season. The Waves have some talent at the plate with Brian Humphries and others leading the way. On the mound, Aaron Gates hopes to improve after tallying a 5.98 ERA last season. The Waves also have high hopes for right-hander Scott Frazier, who turned down overtures as a fifth-round pick last summer to attend college.
Loyola Marymount hopes right-handed pitcher Martin Viramontes meets expectations this season. Viramontes is a top prospect but didn’t have an impressive 2010 campaign. He tallied an unimpressive 7.53 ERA in 71 2/3 innings last season. He also had issues recording outs as opponents hit .349 against him.
WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Fresno State
2. Hawaii
3. Nevada
4. San Jose State
5. New Mexico State
6. Louisiana Tech
7. Sacramento State
ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
C Clint Ewing, Louisiana Tech
1B Jordan Ribera, Fresno State
2B Kolten Wong, Hawaii
SS Garrett Weber, Fresno State
3B Danny Muno, Fresno State
OF Dusty Robinson, Fresno State
OF Brennan Gowens, Fresno State
OF Brian Barnett, Nevada
DH Mark Threlkeld, Louisiana Tech
SP Blake McFarland, San Jose State
SP Greg Gonzalez, Fresno State
SP Matt Sisto, Hawaii
RP Lenny Linsky, Hawaii
AT A GLANCE
Regular-season winner last season: Fresno State
Tournament winner last season: Hawaii
New coaches: None
Coach on the rise: Mike Trapasso, Hawaii
Rising stock: Hawaii
Falling stock: Louisiana Tech
Best hitter: 2B Kolten Wong, Hawaii
Best pitcher: RHP Lenny Linsky, Hawaii
Regional contenders: Fresno State, Hawaii
Injuries to note: None
TOP PROSPECTS (2011 MLB DRAFT)
-- Compiled by Allan Simpson
1. 2B Kolten Wong, Hawaii
2. 1B Jordan Ribera, Fresno State
3. OF Dusty Robinson, Fresno State
4. 3B Matt Threlkeld, Louisiana Tech
5. RHP Lenny Linsky, Hawaii
6. LHP Robert Padilla, San Jose State
7. LHP Mike Jefferson, Louisiana Tech
8. OF Nick Melino, Nevada
9. LHP/1B Brock Stassi, Nevada
10. LHP/OF Michael Blake, Hawaii
11. LHP Tom Harlan, Fresno State
12. C Trent Garrison, Fresno State
13. RHP Conner Little, Hawaii
14. RHP Derek Benny, Fresno State
15. RHP Taylor Garrison, Fresno State
16. OF Kerry Jenkins, San Jose State
17. OF Collin Bennett, Hawaii
18. 2B Chris Mallory, Fresno State
19. OF Brian Barnett, Nevada
20. 2B/SS Danny Muno, Fresno State
TOP PROSPECTS (2012 MLB DRAFT)
-- Compiled by Allan Simpson
1. RHP/IF Zack Jones, San Jose State
2. C/1B Zach Fisher, New Mexico State
3. RHP Trevor Petersen, Louisiana Tech
4. OF Breland Almadova, Hawaii
5. RHP Danny Davis, San Jose State
6. 3B Pi’kea Kitamura, Hawaii
7. RHP Justin Haley, Fresno State
8. OF Kaohu Gaspar, Fresno State
9. RHP Tom Jameson, Nevada
10. LHP Ryan Beck, New Mexico State
AROUND THE DIAMOND
Fresno State could make some serious noise this spring if its pitching staff rises to the occasion. The Bulldogs welcome back several key cogs from an offensive lineup that finished last season with a solid .322 average. However, the pitching staff leaves something to be desired after finishing ’10 with a 6.05 ERA.
The Bulldogs have high hopes for weekend starter Greg Gonzalez, who is coming off an unimpressive campaign where he went 8-2 with a 6.54 ERA in 63 1/3 innings. He also struck out 73 and walked 35 and teams hit .273 against him. Also keep an eye on Derek Benny, who finished last season with a dismal 8.18 ERA in 66 innings.
New Mexico State always has two stud hitters to watch, and this season is no exception. The Aggies hope Ryan Aguayo and Chace Perkins have impressive campaigns. Aguayo batted .365 with 12 homers and 66 RBIs last season while Perkins hit .363 with 17 doubles, 17 homers and 70 RBIs.
Nevada is expected to have a productive offense with the return of Nick Melino, Brock Stassi and Brian Barnett. Melino is coming off a campaign where he batted .388 with seven homers and 35 RBIs, Stassi hit .364 with nine homers and 42 RBIs last season and Barnett hit .348 with 18 homers and 71 RBIs. The Wolfpack could win the WAC if their pitching staff takes care of business.
Hawaii is led at the plate by Kolten Wong, but also keep close tabs on Jeffrey Van Doornum, who batted .342 with 12 homers and 36 RBIs last season. The Rainbows also have high hopes on the mound with reliever Lenny Linsky and weekend starter Matt Sisto leading the way. It could be a special campaign for Mike Trapasso’s club.
Kendall Rogers is the managing editor of college baseball for Perfect Game USA and has covered the sport for over 10 seasons. He can be reached at kendall@perfectgame.org