FROM COLLEGIATE BASEBALL NEWSPAPER
TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of Texas is the pre-season favorite to capture the 2010 College World Series, according to Collegiate Baseball newspaper’s Fabulous 40 NCAA Division I pre-season baseball poll.
The Longhorns, which finished second at the College World Series last year, are absolutely loaded with superb pitching, including three Louisville Slugger pre-season All-Americans in RHP Taylor Jungmann (11-3, 2.00 ERA, 101 K, 35 BB), RHP Chance Ruffin (10-2, 115 K, 25 BB) and RHP Cole Green (5-3, 3.34 ERA, 85 K, 34 BB, who is expected to be drafted in the first three rounds of next June’s Free Agent Draft).
The staff also includes stalwarts such as RHP Brandon Workman (3-5, 3.48 ERA, 82 K, 28 BB) who also is expected to be drafted in the first three rounds next June and RHP Austin Dicharry (8-2, 2.28 ERA, 59 K, 28 BB).
"We start with pitching, and we go at least eight deep with the staff this year," said Head Coach Augie Garrido.
"We have five pitchers who threw a substantial number of innings last season, including Cole Green, Chance Ruffin, Brandon Workman, Taylor Jungmann and Austin Dicharry. Plus, we have some very talented newcomers who have been impressive."
Last year’s pitching staff ranked second in the nation with a team ERA of 2.95 and was No. 1 in hits allowed with 7.52 per nine innings over 67 games. Five position starters return as well, including Louisville Slugger pre-season All-American catcher Cameron Rupp. He is expected to be drafted in the first three rounds of next June’s Free Agent Draft. Last season, he hit .292 with 11 HR, 13 2B, and 46 RBI. But he is even better known by his defensive skills. Rupp almost completely shut down the running game of opponents as he only allowed 27 stolen bases in 39 attempts last season over 63 games with the help of pitchers keeping runners close to bases.
The defense should once again be superb. Last season, Texas ranked eighth in the nation with a fielding percentage of .976.
Garrido said that his offense again will be triggered by the bunt. One year ago, the Longhorns led the nation with 104 sacrifice bunts in 67 games. Where this style of offense especially comes into play is the pressure packed playoffs and the College World Series where defenses rush plays as bunts turn into triples with throws being fired over the first baseman.
It is a style that has allowed Garrido to win five national titles as a head coach (three at Cal. St. Fullerton and two at Texas). Keep in mind that the Longhorns have the potential to hit the ball with power and also feature line drives hitters with good speed on the base paths.
Another big edge Texas has this season is experience. Almost every national champion has College World Series experience from the previous year, and the Longhorns have that important edge.
One other area to mention is a fabulous recruiting class the Longhorns landed last fall orchestrated by Recruiting Coordinator Tommy Harmon. It was ranked 12th in the nation and featured eight superb ball players (seven freshmen and one JC transfer), including six drafted athletes headed by C Jonathan Walsh (18th round pick) and RHP Josh Urban (19th round pick).
For a detailed rundown on the top 40 teams, see the Jan. 8, 2010 edition of Collegiate Baseball newspaper.
- The "Collegiate Baseball" Newspaper poll is the oldest college baseball poll. Its birth took place during the 1958 college baseball season.
|
NCAA Div. I Pre-Season Poll (As of Dec. 21, 2009) |
|
| Rank School (’09 Final Record) | Points |
| 1. Texas (50-16-1) | 496 |
| 2. Louisiana St. (56-17) | 494 |
| 3. Virginia (49-15-1) | 493 |
| 4. Cal. St. Fullerton (47-16) | 492 |
| 5. Arizona St. (51-14) | 491 |
| 6. Georgia Tech. (38-19-1) | 486 |
| 7. Florida St. (45-18) | 483 |
| 8. U.C. Irvine (45-15) | 482 |
| 9. Florida (42-22) | 479 |
| 10. Oregon St. (37-19) | 475 |
| 11. Rice (43-18) | 473 |
| 12. Miami, Fla. (38-22) | 470 |
| 13. North Carolina (48-18) | 469 |
| 14. Ohio St. (42-19) | 467 |
| 15. Texas Christian (40-18) | 464 |
| 16. Clemson (44-22) | 462 |
| 17. Coastal Carolina (47-16) | 459 |
| 18. East Carolina (46-20) | 455 |
| 19. Louisville (47-18) | 454 |
| 20. UCLA (27-29) | 452 |
| 21. Southern Miss. (40-26) | 450 |
| 22. Mississippi (44-20) | 446 |
| 23. Arkansas (41-24) | 443 |
| 24. San Diego (29-25) | 441 |
| 25. Oklahoma (43-20) | 439 |
| 26. Stanford (30-25) | 435 |
| 27. Wichita St. (30-27) | 430 |
| 28. South Carolina (40-23) | 428 |
| 29. Texas A&M (37-24) | 427 |
| 30. Minnesota (40-19) | 425 |
| 31. Georgia (38-24) | 422 |
| 32. Vanderbilt (37-27) | 419 |
| 33. Fresno St. (32-30) | 417 |
| 34. Pepperdine (31-23) | 415 |
| 35. South Florida (34-12) | 412 |
| 36. Kansas (39-24) | 410 |
| 37. Middle Tennessee St. (44-18) | 407 |
| 38. Florida Gulf Coast (36-18) | 402 |
| 39. Notre Dame (36-23) | 401 |
| 40. Dallas Baptist (38-17) | 397 |
| Other Teams Receiving Votes: Cal Poly, Arizona, Oregon, Long Beach St., California, Missouri, Michigan, Nebraska, Baylor, Oklahoma St., Central Florida, Mississippi St., Alabama, Auburn, James Madison, Tulane, Kentucky, Tennessee, New Mexico St., Ball St., Bowling Green St., Hawaii, Houston, Kent St., Missouri St., Creighton, Western Kentucky, N.C. State, Boston College, Illinois, Jacksonville, Washington, Southern Cal., Washington St., Troy, San Diego St., College of Charleston, Georgia Southern, St. John’s, Wagner, New Mexico, Eastern Illinois, Kennesaw St., Florida International, West Virginia, Elon, Texas St., Southeastern Louisiana, Stetson, Oral Roberts, Winthrop, N.C. Wilmington, Georgia St., Dartmouth, Wright St., Bethune-Cookman, Liberty, Dayton, Rhode Island, Southern.
Source: Collegiate Baseball Newspaper |
|
9 comments
Mr. Foley I agree with your ranking of the college teams. But Ohio State, with Wimmers, might not have the complete depth that other teams have. They do have a lot of returning players so offense will be strong. Miami, I think will surprise people, may be better this year. Ranked second last year and fell. Whats your thought on Tennessee, kentucky, and indiana?
Jay,
Those rankings are NOT mine as they are what Collegiate Baseball has put out. I put them up to share them with the fans.
I have an interviews with the Indiana and Kentucky coaching staffs which will be posted in the coming weeks.
A quick breakdown on Indiana
They lost Josh Phegely which was the offensive star last season. They also lost the number 1 starter in Arnett so if they can replace those two keys then they should be able to compete for the second spot in the Big Ten as Ohio State is clearly the top team.
Kentucky
The Wildcats have some of the best starting pitching in the conference based on pro potential in Alex Meyer, James Paxton (if he plays), and Logan Darnell.
Tennessee
They return Morgado who should be the Friday night starter and he was up and down in the Cape this summer. Some of the people I have talked to have been split on him. Forsythe will be the offensive leader heading into the start of the season. The biggest wildcard is Matt Duffy who is coming in from Vermont and coule potentially start at short. He was outstanding with the Catamounts last season.
Go Pirates!!! E. Carolina will be in Omaha this year!!!
I second this! ARRRRGGGHHHH
Fresno State is ranked 33rd despite having two potential All American sluggers and a legitimate pitching staff. This should be a nice season.
what happened to kansas state this year, had an outstanding year lastyear posting 40+ wins as well as barely missing out on advancing to super regionals?
AJ Morris happened last year…I don’t think Morris got enough credit for what he did last year.
Hope to see my Commodores climb the ladder and make it to Omaha this year.
With Ohio State being a front runner in the big ten do you believe that there are any sleeper teams in the big ten that can make some noise?. After a down year Michigan returns most of their team with All-American potential in Ryan Lamarre. Purdue also did not lose one pitcher and brought in a good recruiting class to fill some holes in their lineup and fill out the pitching staff.
Comments are closed.