College Baseball 2014 Season

[CaliforniaRaisin]

The college baseball season starts on Friday!

 

Perfect Game's preseason top 25:

 

1 Virginia

2 Cal State Fullerton

3 Oregon State

4 Florida State

5 Indiana

6 Mississippi State

7 South Carolina

8 UCLA

9 Oregon

10 North Carolina State

11 Vanderbilt

12 Louisiana State

13 North Carolina

14 Clemson

15 Florida

16 Louisville

17 Rice

18 Arizona State

19 Texas A&M

20 Miami (Fla.)

21 Alabama

22 Kansas State

23 Oklahoma State

24 Florida Atlantic

25 Texas

 

BA's:

 

1. Virginia

2. Oregon State

3. Indiana

4. Cal State Fullerton

5. North Carolina State

6. Florida State

7. South Carolina

8. Mississippi State

9. Louisiana State

10. Vanderbilt

11. Oregon

12. UCLA

13. Clemson

14. Louisiana-Lafayette

15. Rice

16. Miami

17. North Carolina

18. Texas

19. Texas Christian

20. Louisville

21. Alabama

22. Kansas State

23. Florida

24. Texas A&M

25. Arkansas

 

Here's ESPN's scheduled of televised games. Here's a great website that has the schedule for every college baseball team by day, with box scores posted during games. This forum has a nice list (with links) of teams that stream their home games. Good follows on Twitter for college baseball are BA's Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) and Perfect Game's Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogersPG).

 

We'll have to wait till next weekend to see Carlos Rodon and Trea Turner as North Carolina State couldn't fly out for their series against UC Santa Barbara because of the winter storm in the South. Many other games on Friday in the South and East have been postponed to Saturday.

[toonsterwu]

As a UVA fan, I am very excited about this upcoming season. The offensive talent and depth on this squad is just ridiculously good (good enough that a somewhat intriguing sophomore, George Ragsdale, transferred). It starts with a ridiculously loaded junior class. I really expect Derek Fisher to have a monster year. I think people forget he was banged up a bit last year. If Brandon Downes cuts down on his K's, while keeping his power, it wouldn't surprise me if he challenged Fisher to be the first Wahoo off the board in the MLB draft. Mike Papi has such a good approach, and has better pop than he's recognized for (although I still have a hard time figuring out what he might become as a professional). Branden Cogswell will probably play more 2nd this year, but he's capable enough at short, and he's a good top of the order bat. On another team, Kenny Towns would be an intriguing collegiate bat, as there's some pop to go with being a solid glove at the hot corner. It's just a loaded group, and as of now, I expect that everyone besides Towns should be a solid top 10 round guy (and I could see him be a top 10 round value/save money pick). One could make an argument, IMO, that the most complete hitter might be sophomore Joe McCarthy. John LaPrise had a good Northwoods run, but might be stuck as a backup MI, as Daniel Pinero has supposedly looked that good at short. This offensive group, IMO, is not only a better collegiate lineup than the UVA Jarrett Parker led groups that went to the CWS, but it's also a grouping that has more pro potential, IMO.

 

The big question concerning UVA is with their pitching, but ... the arm talent/upside/potential/ceiling might be superior to the positional grouping. The weekend rotation, as of now, will be three sophomores, Brandon Waddell, Nate Kirby, and Josh Sborz. Kirby and Sborz have arm strength and arsenal to really project as potentially intriguing starting arms for the pros. I had thought Sborz would be kept in the pen until his junior year, with the depth of arms that UVA has, but he must have been that impressive. The reports on Kirby all off-season have been stellar, and he might be living up to the hype. Waddell's the "savvy" arm of the group, with an average fastball, but he was a good Friday starter last year. Of course, that leaves aside Connor Jones, who might have the most arm talent of the group, along with senior Artie Lewicki, who looked like a fascinating pro prospect 2 summers ago before getting hurt (and a solid looking arm in Trey Oest transferred to Tampa). The depth of UVA arms has allowed them to move a solid Sunday starter (and a guy who could get drafted as a positional guy) in Nick Howard to closer, and it wouldn't surprise me if he was mid-90's with his fastball out of the pen.

 

There's no guarantees, but on paper, I think this UVA squad is better than last year's UNC squad, and if the pitching matches up to their potential, they could be really dominant. Fun times (particularly since the sophomore/freshmen classes look good, and by most accounts, they have an intriguing recruiting class coming in).

 

Barring any more winter storms, I think there should be a very good matchup next Friday, the 21st, with ECU and likely Hoffman, going up against this UVA lineup. Should be a good test for Hoffman.

[ctcf]

Raisin (and other college ball aficionados), who are some of the guys you think we should be keeping an eye on as a potential draft pick by the Cubs at #4?

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Raisin (and other college ball aficionados), who are some of the guys you think we should be keeping an eye on as a potential draft pick by the Cubs at #4?

 

The most obvious college guys that might be available at #4 are Tyler Beede and Trea Turner. Raisan and toonster might know of some under the radar guys that could move up with great seasons.

[A New Era]

you'll want to track North Carolina State for Turner and Vanderbilt every fifth day for Beede. I'm interested to see if Beede can get his command together. If he can he could be a likely pick for the Cubs.

[Guest]

you'll want to track North Carolina State for Turner and Vanderbilt every fifth day[/b{ for Beede. I'm interested to see if Beede can get his command together. If he can he could be a likely pick for the Cubs.

 

Every 7th day.

 

There's no guarantees, but on paper, I think this UVA squad is better than last year's UNC squad, and if the pitching matches up to their potential, they could be really dominant. Fun times (particularly since the sophomore/freshmen classes look good, and by most accounts, they have an intriguing recruiting class coming in).

 

No doubt about it. I like their bats better and while their pitching might not be as established as UNC's, they're all incredibly talented with a lot of ceiling arms. I really felt UNC was overrated last year.

 

For my Bruins, they lost some key cogs from last year's championship team (Plutko and Vander Tuig from the rotation, Valaika at SS, Allen in LF) but now have been hit hard by the injury bug: RF Eric Filia is out for the season (labrum), new SS Kevin Kramer probably is too (shoulder), 2B Kevin Williams is out at least a month and LHP Hunter Virant will miss his second season with back injuries. They're more like a fringe top 25 team with those hits on offense and defense. The rotation will be loaded as always; Kaprielian is now the Friday starter and I think he and Cody Poteet could both be first rounders in 2016.

[A New Era]

Is he the Friday starter?

[Guest]

Is he the Friday starter?

 

Yeah.

 

Raisin (and other college ball aficionados), who are some of the guys you think we should be keeping an eye on as a potential draft pick by the Cubs at #4?

 

BA's top 50 juniors: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-college-preview-top-50-by-class-juniors/

 

Guys who can really fly up if they make improvements - RHP Michael Cederoth (San Diego St), LHP Sean Newcomb (Hartford), C Max Pentecost (Kennesaw St), RHP Jordan Brink (Fresno St) and LHP Andrew Suarez (Miami). RHP Erick Feede (UNLV) and C Grayson Greiner (South Carolina) are personal favorites of mine too but I don't think they can go higher than late first round picks.

[ctcf]

Is he the Friday starter?

 

Yeah.

 

Raisin (and other college ball aficionados), who are some of the guys you think we should be keeping an eye on as a potential draft pick by the Cubs at #4?

 

BA's top 50 juniors: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-college-preview-top-50-by-class-juniors/

 

Guys who can really fly up if they make improvements - RHP Michael Cederoth (San Diego St), LHP Sean Newcomb (Hartford), C Max Pentecost (Kennesaw St), RHP Jordan Brink (Fresno St) and LHP Andrew Suarez (Miami). RHP Erick Feede (UNLV) and C Grayson Greiner (South Carolina) are personal favorites of mine too but I don't think they can go higher than late first round picks.

 

I should get a BA subscription.

[Guest]

Is he the Friday starter?

 

Yeah.

 

Raisin (and other college ball aficionados), who are some of the guys you think we should be keeping an eye on as a potential draft pick by the Cubs at #4?

 

BA's top 50 juniors: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-college-preview-top-50-by-class-juniors/

 

Guys who can really fly up if they make improvements - RHP Michael Cederoth (San Diego St), LHP Sean Newcomb (Hartford), C Max Pentecost (Kennesaw St), RHP Jordan Brink (Fresno St) and LHP Andrew Suarez (Miami). RHP Erick Feede (UNLV) and C Grayson Greiner (South Carolina) are personal favorites of mine too but I don't think they can go higher than late first round picks.

 

I should get a BA subscription.

 

Sorry, is that behind the pay wall? If so, I'll copy and paste the top 10.

[Guest]

I read a Mizzou baseball preview that showed they return one hitter with an OPS over .701. Maybe the Cubs will draft another one of their interesting arms again to at least make me 1% proud of where the program is now.

[A New Era]

I wish BP did something like that. An indepth look at the 2014 draftees. Cause that's the only one I have a subscription to. :)

[Guest]

Perfect Game's weekend preview (featuring the defending champs :)): http://www.perfectgame.org/%28S%28jpfb1zzlskvyor45k5magwbs%29%29/Articles/View.aspx?article=9423

 

Baseball America's weekend preview: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/weekend-preview-k-state-cal-poly-in-fascinating-faceoff/

 

BA's projected Field of 64, along with Aaron Fitt and John Manuel's national champion picks, player of the year, etc: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-college-preview-projected-field-of-64-awards/

 

No ACC team has won the College World Series. Ever. (Sorry, toonster.)

[ctcf]

Is he the Friday starter?

 

Yeah.

 

Raisin (and other college ball aficionados), who are some of the guys you think we should be keeping an eye on as a potential draft pick by the Cubs at #4?

 

BA's top 50 juniors: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-college-preview-top-50-by-class-juniors/

 

Guys who can really fly up if they make improvements - RHP Michael Cederoth (San Diego St), LHP Sean Newcomb (Hartford), C Max Pentecost (Kennesaw St), RHP Jordan Brink (Fresno St) and LHP Andrew Suarez (Miami). RHP Erick Feede (UNLV) and C Grayson Greiner (South Carolina) are personal favorites of mine too but I don't think they can go higher than late first round picks.

 

I should get a BA subscription.

 

Sorry, is that behind the pay wall? If so, I'll copy and paste the top 10.

 

Fraid it is.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Luke Weaver's first start of the season for Florida State is on ESPN3

[Guest]

Fraid it is.

 

1 Carlos Rodon lhp North Carolina State

2 Jeff Hoffman rhp East Carolina

3 Trea Turner ss North Carolina State

4 Tyler Beede rhp Vanderbilt

5 Aaron Nola rhp Louisiana State

6 Luke Weaver rhp Florida State

7 Michael Conforto of Oregon State

8 Bradley Zimmer of San Francisco

9 Kyle Freeland lhp Evansville

10 Derek Fisher of Virginia

 

Seniors:

 

1 A.J. Vanegas rhp Stanford

2 Ross Kivett 2b Kansas State

3 Ben Wetzler lhp Oregon State

4 Dustin DeMuth 3b Indiana

5 Jason Monda 1b/of/lhp Washington State

6 Mark Payton of Texas

7 Jason Jester rhp Texas A&M

8 Dale Carey of Miami

9 Clinton Freeman of/lhp East Tennessee State

10 Tyler Moore rhp North Florida

 

Sophomores:

 

1 Alex Bregman ss Louisiana State

2 Ian Happ 2b Cincinnati

3 James Kaprielian rhp UCLA

4 Ryan Burr rhp Arizona State

5 Skye Bolt of North Carolina

6 Kyle Funkhouser rhp Louisville

7 Kyle Cody rhp Kentucky

8 Riley Ferrell rhp Texas Christian

9 Joshua Staumont rhp Azusa Pacific

10 Jake Cosart rhp Seminole State (Fla.) JC

 

Freshmen:

 

1 Phil Bickford rhp Cal State Fullerton

2 Ryan Boldt of Nebraska

3 Chris Okey c Clemson

4 Connor Jones rhp Virginia

5 Chandler Eden rhp Oregon State

6 Garrett Williams lhp Oklahoma State

7 Matt Krook lhp Oregon

8 Cavan Biggio 2b Notre Dame

9 Kyle Serrano rhp Tennessee

10 Jordan Sheffield rhp Vanderbilt

[CarolinaCubFan]

Does anyone have opinions on A.J. Vanegas? Not as the Cubs pick, but overall. Does this guy have any chance as a starter? Last season was rough, but he was recovering from back surgery, then came down with mono.

[ctcf]

Thanks, Raisin!

[A New Era]

Looks like first time to see Tyler Beede is

 

Sat, March 22 8:30 p.m. No. 8 Vanderbilt at No. 4 Mississippi State ESPNU

 

Plenty of chances to see Trea Turner though, NC State is on a lot. First time is next Friday.

 

Fri, Feb 21 3 p.m. Appalachian State at No. 9 NC State ESPN3

[ctcf]

Rodon with kinda a meh day:

 

Aaron Fitt @aaronfitt

Rodon done after 6 IP, trailing 3-0. Ended on a good note with a 1-2-3 frame. 6 IP, 4H, 3 R, 2ER, 1BB, 6K, and 3 HBP. #mlbdraft

[toonsterwu]

This isn't meant as an over-reaction to one game, but I do wonder if Brandon Waddell will hold on as UVA's Friday starter all year. Talent-wise, Kirby and Sborz are clearly better in terms of "stuff". Looks like Connor Jones will be in Branden Kline's freshman year role as a fireman of sorts. My guess is that, with three sophomores in the rotation, that Connor will follow Branden's path and be the closer next year, with a shot at anchoring the rotation as a junior.

[ctcf]

@Clint_BA: NC State speedster Trea Turner ran a 3.42 on a bunt single from the right side

 

lol wut

[Hairyducked Idiot]

@Clint_BA: NC State speedster Trea Turner ran a 3.42 on a bunt single from the right side

 

lol wut

 

lol want

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

I have nothing to compare that to. What does Mike Trout run?

[Guest]

I have nothing to compare that to. What does Mike Trout run?

 

If he can do that time consistently, that's as fast as any player in professional baseball.