The CBB continues our countdown to the 2009 College Baseball season with the Top 50 players to watch in the season. We will be providing one player each day (Monday-Saturday) until we reach number 1. We continue our list today with senior righthander Preston Guilmet from the University of Arizona.
The Citrus Heights California native busted onto the national scene at Oakmont High School in Roseville California where he had a record of 9-1 with three saves and an ERA of 0.50. His senior season included eight complete games with five shutouts as he only allowed five earned runs in 70.1 innings of work while striking out 114 while only walking 10 batters. He ended up picking up the Oakmont High School Athlete of the Year award in 2004 and 2005.
Preston jumped right into the middle of the Arizona rotation in the 2006 season which was his freshman season. He ended up finishing the season as the number 1 starter after an injury to Eric Berger in early March. He struggled with the Friday role as he finished the season with a 3-7 record with a 4.80 ERA in a team high 93.2 innings while striking out 87 batters.
Guilmet had a breakout season in 2007 which saw him go 12-2 with an ERA of 1.87 with five complete games including two shutouts. The 12 wins where the most for an Arizona starter since Scott Erickson in the 1989 season. He ended up tying a career and season record by winning the Collegiate Baseball/Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week three times in 2007.
In 2008, Guilmet could not repeat his 2007 season as he ended up finishing the season with a 6-4 record and a 4.38 ERA. He ended up leading the team in innings pitched with 96.2 and strike outs with 93. He struggled with his control with 22 walks, 18 wild pitches, and hitting eight batters. He ended up being selected in the 22nd round (664th overall) by the Oakland A’s but did not come to terms which brought him back for his senior season.
We believe that Preston will continue to dominate in the Pac-10 conference leading the Wildcats back to the NCAA Tournament after a Super Regional appearance last season. He has a 87-88 MPH fastball which keeps him from getting to the great college level but is one of the best pitchers in the nation right now.
You can check out our Top 50 by clicking here.
7 comments
Guilmet took a big step back this past year (in my opinion). Hes not throwing hard enough and his strikeout rate is decent but not top tier. I like his teammate Stoffel MUCH better. I will struggle to have Guilmet in my top 50, but again, my list is more influenced by what the players may be able to accomplish at the next level.
You are picking alot of players that have not performed well in the last year or so. I saw 25 games at the Cape last summer with real competition each night. The USA players were rolling over teams, maybe not playing the best competition to judge their talent. I’m not saying they could not have preformed at the Cape but I feel the Cape gives a better description of this year’s draft eligible players, with the exception of a few.
I dont understand how you could say that the USA team didn’t face real competition.. they played and beat many of the Olympic teams including the Cuban silver medal team which beat our best minor leaguers… I would like to see a few names of guys that were on Team USA and are on this top 50 list that you dont think performed last year kseta.
The USA team is LOADED with 1st round picks for the 2009 MLB draft as well as the top players in college baseball. Im confused byt those statements as well.
Yes, the Cape is loaded with talent as well, but theres no reason to discount anything the USA players have shown or done.
Strasberg?
Minor?
Volz?
Gibson?
Oliver?
Kentrail Davis?
Leake, Jackson, Dietrich?
Mendonca, Hernandez?
thats the cream of the crop right there!
Ackley, Mccully, Green, Pollock, Medica. and Paulsen played better competition night after night. Never discount Team USA but this year the comp was in The Cape. Most scouts will agree, the scouts I talked to anyway. Aman no doubt the players you mention are creamy, probably all first or second rounders, but look at the scores of the USA games. Undefeated in baseball only happens in little league when the coach has stocked the team. I didn’t mean to confuse you. Chewy, maybe I misspoke, I did not mean that the players from Team USA did not perform well, but some of the 50 top players did not have the best stats in the last year. Check them out.
Hey,
I talked to a scout that called last year’s National team the worst in recent memory in terms of talent. I ended up seeing Team USA and Kyle Gibson looked horrendous and the team ended up losing to a NECBL team but it doesn’t count since it was the trials period.
We can’t be having a debate when you don’t admit that the Cuban Olympic team ended up losing to Team USA twice last summer in the Haarlem Baseball Tourney.
I don’t even care about results per say, I’m not comparing the 2 leagues.
I’m just saying that all those names I mentioned will be some of the top dogs in college baseball this year.
and you can say all ya want about Gibson, but the fact remains that he is a very good pitcher. He looked better than Crow to me, last year. (although I don’t think he is)
Gibson should be the 3rd college pitcher taken in the draft this year.
The Cape was very strong however. I’m definitely not disagreeing with you on that.
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