2012 College World Series Preview

2012 College World Series Preview and Team Reviews

The 2012 College World Series gets underway in Omaha tomorrow, Friday, June 15. Here is a look at the squads who will be competing for the NCAA Division I baseball championship. The focus is on players who are professional prospects.

Arizona Wildcats: Five Wildcats were drafted, all before the 10^th round. The best prospect on the team is shortstop Alex Mejia (4^th round, Cardinals), a line drive hitter and solid defender who profiles as a utility player at the highest levels. Outfielder/second baseman Robert Refsnyder (5^th round, Yankees) doesn't have Mejia's tools but has more pop in his bat. Third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean (8^th round, Reds) has a terrific glove and doubles power. Center fielder Joey Rickard (9^th round, Rays) is another defensive expert with a line drive bat and some speed. The key to the pitching staff is RHP Kurt Heyer (6^th round, Cardinals), who uses a deceptive delivery and strong command to help his average stuff play up. Sophomore left fielder Johnny Field, RHP Konner Wade, closer Matt Troupe, and freshman catcher Riley Moore are good targets for 2013 and 2014.


Arkansas Razorbacks: Eight players were drafted off this team, with third baseman Matt Reynolds (2^nd round, Mets) and fireballing RHP Nolan Sanburn (2^nd round, Athletics) at the top. RHP curveballer D.J. Baxendale (10^th round, Twins), first baseman Sam Bates (28^th round, Royals), LHP Randall Fant (29^th round, Indians), and outfielders Derrick Bleeker (37^th round, Orioles) and Jacob Morris (37^th round, Indians) all had their names called on draft day. Fant has superb control. The best prospect on the team is RHP Ryne Stanek, a hard-throwing sophomore who should be a first round pick next year.


Florida Gators: Nine Gators were drafted, eight of them before the ninth round. Catcher Mike Zunino (1^st round, Mariners) is one of the best hitting prospects in college baseball and has a strong glove too. Lefty Brian Johnson (1^st round, Red Sox) has terrific pitchability, while shortstop Nolan Fontana (2^nd round, Astros) provides impressive defense and an OBP threat. The bullpen is lead by deadly closer Austin Maddox (3^rd round, Red Sox) and versatile lefty Paco Rodriguez (2^nd round, Dodgers), who could both reach the majors quite rapidly. RHP Hudson Randall (7^th round, Tigers) is an efficiency expert, while outfielder Preston Tucker (7^th round, Astros) has one of the best power bats in college baseball. Seniors Dan Pigott (OF, 9^th round, Reds) and Greg Larson (RHP, 20^th round, Red Sox) have a chance as role players. RHPs Karsten Whitson and Jonathan Crawford are strong first-round candidates for 2013.


Florida State Seminoles: Seven Seminoles were drafted, led by senior OF James Ramsey (1^st round, Cardinals), who provides power, OBP skills, a sound glove, and leadership. First baseman Jayce Boyd (6^th round, Mets) can field and hit for average but doesn't have classic first base power. RHP Robert Benincasa (7^th round, Nationals) is the key reliever due to sharp command of a low-90s fastball and slider. Third baseman Devon Travis (13^th round, Tigers), infielder Sherman Johnson (14^th round, Angels), RHP Hunter Scantling (14^th round, Tigers) and infielder Justin Gonzalez (27^th round, Dodgers) all project as solid organization players. Gonzalez has the best tools but is also the most erratic. Keep an eye on RHP Mike Compton and LHP Brandon Leibrandt (son of Charlie), impressive command pitchers who will be eligible for the draft in 2014.


Kent State Golden Flashes: This club produced six 2012 draft picks, led by southpaw starter David Starn (7^th round, Braves), who doesn't throw hard but has superior command. Southpaw Ryan Clark (20^th round, Astros) and RHP Ryan Bores (27^th round, Rangers) help anchor the staff, with Bores an inning-eating control starter. Seniors Jimmy Rider (SS, 26^th round, Pirates) and David Lyon (C, 34^th round, Rangers) anchor the lineup, are sharp on defense, and should be sound organization players. Lyon has power, Rider has a reliable glove. RHP Tyler Skulina is a draft prospect for 2013.


South Carolina Gamecocks: Can South Carolina win three CWS titles in a row? Five players were drafted off the club, beginning with powerful first baseman Christian Walker (4^th round, Orioles) and hard-throwing RHP closer Matt Price (7^th round, also to the Orioles). OF Evan Marzilli (9^th round, Diamondbacks) provides speed and defense. LHP Michael Roth (9^th round, Angels) dominated college competition despite a low-80s fastball due to his amazing command. OF Adam Matthews (29^th round, Reds) interested pro scouts despite a poor hitting record this year. Freshmen Joey Pankake (SS) and Tanner English (OF) will be watched for the draft in 2014.


Stony Brook Seawolves: Seven Seawolves were drafted last week, led by supplemental first round pick (by the Padres) Travis Jankowski, a speedy centerfielder with an excellent glove. Third round pick Patrick Cantwell (Rangers) is also a strong defender, while 11^th round second baseman Max Tissenbaum (Padres) is a favorite of scouts due to his tremendous work ethic and feel for the game, even though his tools are just average. Third baseman William Carmona somehow fell to the 11^th round (Phillies) despite a strong power bat, likely due to an erratic glove. The best arm belongs to RHP James Campbell (12^th round, Dodgers), a hard-throwing reliever. The rest of the staff is anchored by Tyler Johnson (33^rd round, Athletics), Jasvir Rakkar (26^th round, Cubs), Brandon McNitt, Evan Stecko-Haley, and Frankie Vanderka, who make up in pitchability what they lack in pure stuff.


UCLA Bruins: Seven players were chosen off this club, led by outfielder Jeff Gelalich (1S-Reds) and his combination of power, speed, and improved approach. Veterans Beau Amaral (OF, 7^th round, Reds) and Tyler Heineman (C, 8^th round, Astros) impress scouts with their defensive ability but concerns about their bats kept them out of earlier rounds. Versatile C-INF Trevor Brown (10^th round, Giants) could be a highly useful utility player. OF Cody Keefer (15^th round, Marlins) hits for average but doesn't show enough power for a corner outfielder in pro ball. Closer Scott Griggs (RHP, 8^th round, Dodgers) could zip through the minors if his command improves. RHP Eric Jaffe (11^th round, White Sox) also throws hard but has an erratic track record. Three pitchers, RHP Adam Plutko, RHP Nicolas Vander Tuig, and RHP Zach Weiss should all be drafted in 2013, with Plutko projecting as a first-day choice.