ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

C Jett Bandy, Arizona
1B Ricky Oropesa, USC
2B Zack MacPhee, Arizona State
SS Kenny Diekroeger, Stanford
3B Riccio Torrez, Arizona State
OF Johnny Ruettiger, Arizona State
OF Steve Selsky, Arizona
OF Beau Amaral, UCLA
DH Deven Marrero, Arizona State

SP RHP Gerrit Cole, UCLA
SP RHP Trevor Bauer, UCLA
SP LHP Tyler Anderson, Oregon
RP LHP Mitchell Lambson, Arizona State

RISING STOCK

Oregon: The Ducks put together one of the most impressive turnarounds in college baseball history last season by reaching an NCAA Regional. Now, they hope to take another huge leap forward with a super regional appearance and perhaps even a trip to the College World Series. UO has a solid nucleus of pitchers with starter Tyler Anderson and closer Scott McGough leading the way. But the offense must rise to the occasion with KC Serna, who currently is suspended, leading the way.

UCLA: It’s safe to say the Bruins’ stock can’t climb much more than it did last season with a trip to the national title series, but this team again has a great chance to win the title. The Bruins welcome back a fantastic two-headed monster on the weekend with Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer leading the way, while the offense is expected to be better with Tyler Rahmatulla, Cody Regis, Dean Espy and Beau Amaral back in the mix. UCLA finally has things rolling.

Stanford: The Cardinal finished in the upper half of the Pac-10 last season, but only had a 31-25 overall record. They’re expected to be much improved this season with CWS aspirations. The Cardinal welcomes back a pitching staff with much upside with Brett Mooneyham, Mark Appel and others leading the way. The offense also should be productive with Kenny Diekroeger leading the charge. Look for Stanford to eclipse the 40-win mark.

Arizona: The Wildcats finished last season seventh in conference with a 34-24 record, but hope to take a significant step forward this season. ‘Zona has several reasons to be excited about this spring. It returns a very solid pitching staff with weekend starters Kurt Heyer and Kyle Simon as the headliners, while Bryce Bandilla

FALLING STOCK

USC: The Trojans have the nation’s most historic program, but you’d never know that by the amount of struggles they’ve had the past few seasons. USC hopes to turn the tide this season with new coach Frank Cruz leading the charge. Cruz definitely has his work cut out, but the return of pitcher Andrew Triggs and addition of talented arm Austin Wood at last gives them some confidence on the mound. Still, USC reaching an NCAA Regional this season would be a surprise.

Washington: It will take time for coach Lindsay Meggs to right the ship with the Huskies. There’s little doubt Meggs eventually will get it going, but the Huskies have some work to do this season. Things don’t get easier if starting pitcher Andrew Kittredge, who begins the season academically ineligible, isn’t able to return this season. The Huskies need Kittredge and others to step up.

Oregon State: The Beavers narrowly reached an NCAA Regional last season and will need some players to step up to move up the Pac-10 pecking order. The Beavers have some high hopes with the return of several players, including talented starting pitchers Josh Osich and Sam Gaviglio. OSU has lot some luster the past couple of seasons, but perhaps it has a few tricks up its sleeve.

Cal’s administration Politics and college sports usually don’t mix well. And that’s exactly what happened earlier this week when the University of California-Berkeley reiterated its position to cut the baseball program, which has been around since 1892. Ironically, the Golden Bears have their best team in years this season with pitchers Justin Jones, Dixon Anderson and Erik Johnson leading the way. Perhaps Cal will finish the season in Omaha, thus making the administrators look even sillier.

BEST PITCHER

RHP Gerrit Cole, UCLA: It would be a surprise if Cole isn’t the first pitcher selected in the upcoming MLB draft. The right-hander has had a great career and is expected to finish it off with a bang this season. He went 11-4 last season with a 3.37 ERA in 123 innings. He also struck out 153 and walked 52 and limited teams to a .205 average.

BEST HITTER

2B Zack MacPhee, Arizona State: No matter their personnel losses, the Sun Devils always seem to hit with consistency. That isn’t expected to change this season with the return of star hitters such as MacPhee. MacPhee hit .389 with nine homers and 64 RBIs last season. He also slugged .664 and had a .486 on-base percentage.

POSTSEASON CONTENDERS

Omaha caliber: UCLA, Oregon, Stanford, Arizona State (postseason ban pending)
Super regional caliber: Arizona, California
Regional caliber: Washington State, Oregon State

TOP PROSPECTS (2011 MLB DRAFT)

Prospect lists compiled by Allan Simpson

1. RHP Gerrit Cole, UCLA
2. RHP Austin Wood, USC
3. C Andrew Susac, Oregon State
4. RHP Trevor Bauer, UCLA
5. LHP Brett Mooneyham, Stanford
6. 3B/1B Ricky Oropesa, USC
7. LHP Tyler Anderson, Oregon
8. LHP Adam Conley, Washington State
9. RHP/SS Scott McGough, Oregon
10. 1B/OF Zach Wilson, Arizona State
11. LHP John Osich, Oregon State
12. C/OF Jett Bandy, Arizona
13. RHP Dixon Anderson, California
14. LHP Bryce Bandilla, Arizona
15. RHP Sam Gaviglio, Oregon State
16. OF Johnny Ruettiger, Arizona State
17. RHP/3B Erik Johnson, California
18. RHP Madison Boer, Oregon
19. 2B Zack MacPhee, Arizona State
20. 3B/1B Riccio Torrez, Arizona State
21. SS/2B Andy Burns, Arizona (not eligible)
22. 1B Taylor Ard, Washington State
23. OF Steve Selsky, Arizona
24. LHP Scott Snodgress, Stanford
25. RHP Kyle Simon, Arizona
26. LHP Chris Reed, Stanford
27. 2B/SS Tyler Rahmatulla, UCLA
28. OF Derek Jones, Washington State
29. RHP Chad Smith, USC
30. SS Marcus Semien, California

TOP PROSPECTS (2012 MLB DRAFT)

Prospect lists compiled by Allan Simpson

1. RHP Mark Appel, Stanford
2. SS Kenny Diekroeger, Stanford
3. SS Deven Marrero, Arizona State
4. RHP Jake Barrett, Arizona State
5. 3B/RHP Stephen Piscotty, Stanford
6. OF Jacob Stewart, Stanford
7. RHP Brady Rodgers, Arizona State
8. LHP Christian Jones, Oregon
9. LHP Justin Jones, California
10. OF Jeff Gelalich, UCLA
11. RHP/1B Eric Jaffe, UCLA
12. 3B Cody Regis, UCLA
13. RHP Scott Griggs, UCLA
14. RHP/OF Kurt Heyer, Arizona
15. 3B Jake Lamb, Washington
16. LHP Ben Holmes-Wetzler, Oregon State
17. OF Joey Rickard, Arizona
18. 2B/3B Tony Renda, California
19. OF Tyler Gaffney, Stanford
20. C/OF Chase Anselment, Washington

AROUND THE DIAMOND

UCLA is aiming for a national title and hopes infielder Tyler Rahmatulla stays healthy. Rahmatulla missed the College World Series last summer because of a wrist injury sustained in the Los Angeles Super Regional against Cal State Fullerton. He had another injury this past fall that kept him out of practice. Now, Rahmatulla is healthy and motivated more than ever.

Speaking of UCLA players to watch, keep close tabs on freshman right-handed pitcher Adam Plutko. The talented righty turned down significant money to go to college, and is expected to have a solid spring as the Bruins’ No. 3 starter.

Arizona State’s quest for another Pac-10 regular season title continues, but the jury is still out on whether it can compete for the national title. The NCAA announced the Sun Devils are banned from the NCAA postseason this spring, but the university is appealing the decision and a final verdict is expected in March. Sources close to the situation believe the appeal will fall on deaf ears, but it’s a possibility to follow.

Speaking of the Sun Devils, it’ll be interesting to see how the pitching staff fairs this season. The Devils lost all three weekend starters from last year’s club, and desperately need Brady Rodgers and Jake Barrett to rise to the occasion. They also have high hopes for transfer Kyle Ottoson, whom the coaching staff really likes. ASU also has a fantastic reliever in Mitchell Lambson.

Oregon welcomes back top returning hitter KC Serna, but likely won’t have him for a few weeks. Serna recently was suspended indefinitely for breaking team rules, but UO coach George Horton told Perfect Game he didn’t expect the suspension to last more than three weeks. The Ducks, who didn’t have a highly productive offense last season, could use Serna sooner rather than later.

It’s safe to say Oregon State has taken a backseat in terms of headlines to in-state rival Oregon, but the Beavers hope to accomplish something special this season. OSU welcomes back talented outfielder Garrett Nash after he returned from a two-year Mormon mission. They also have high hopes for sophomore catcher Andrew Susac, a top prospect that still has much room for improvement at the plate.

Stanford has high hopes this season, but will go through the campaign without veteran pitcher Alex Pracher, who decided at holiday break not to return to the team. In his absence, the Cardinal has several pitchers that must step up, including talented sophomore Mark Appel, who throws in the mid 90’s, but finished last season with a 5.92 ERA in 38 innings.

Arizona has high hopes this season but will miss the services of talented outfielder Steve Selsky for up to six weeks to start the campaign. Selsky recently broke his hand in practice. Fortunately, the Wildcats welcome back several talented hitters, including all-conference selection Jett Bandy.

Washington State is expected to take another step forward this spring, and is looking forward to left-handed pitcher Adam Conley moving to the weekend rotation. Conley was one of the nation’s best relievers last season, recording 12 saves in 29 appearances and tallying a 3.33 ERA in 67 2/3 innings. With Conley and Arnold (when he’s healthy) leading the way, the Cougars are in good shape on the mound.

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