1. Texas
Coach: Augie Garrido
2009 Finish: CWS runner-up
The Longhorns have an embarrassment of riches on the mound. The weekend rotation of Taylor Jungmann, Cole Green, and Brandon Workman has the potential to be special. Chance Ruffin has experience pitching on Fridays, and he will switch to a multi-inning, moment-of-truth reliever. (I would have opted to keep Ruffin in the Friday slot, as he is one of the best in the business.) The 'Horns have a deep staff, and their defense, led by shortstop Brandon Loy, should be excellent as well. Texas isn't as strong offensively, but players such as Cameron Rupp, Kevin Keyes, Connor Rowe, and Russell Moldenhauer will get the job done.
2. Virginia
Coach: Brian O'Connor
2009 Finish: CWS
Virginia has an immensely talented, balanced club. Jarrett Parker, Phil Gosselin, Tyler Cannon, Steven Proscia, and Dan Grovatt are offensive studs. Danny Hultzen leads a shutdown rotation, and the Cavaliers have above-average athleticism and defense to boot.
3. Cal State Fullerton
Coach: Dave Serrano
2009 Finish: CWS
The Titans return their entire weekend rotation, which was outstanding last season. Shortstop Christian Colon is a superstar who will lead the Titans.
4. LSU
Coach: Paul Mainieri
2009 Finish: CWS title
Anthony Ranaudo and Matty Ott are arguably the top starter and reliever, respectively, in the game. The Tigers lost a lot from last year's championship team, but they kept cogs such as Blake Dean, Micah Gibbs, and Mikie Mahtook.
5. Georgia Tech
Coach: Danny Hall
2009 Finish: Regionals
Georgia Tech always looks better on paper than in reality. The Yellow Jackets have high-upside pitchers in Deck McGuire, Brandon Cumpton, Mark Pope, and Kevin Jacob. Their lineup, led by Matt Skole, Tony Plagman, and Derek Dietrich, has some of the most thump in the nation.
6. Rice
Coach: Wayne Graham
2009 Finish: Super Regionals
Similar to last season, the Owls have a terrific offense and a mix-and-match formula on the mound. Anthony Rendon, Rick Hague, Diego Seastrunk, Michael Fuda, and Chad Mozingo star in a fearsome lineup.
7. Florida State
Coach: Mike Martin
2009 Finish: Super Regionals
FSU's rotation is not dominating, but won't need to be because its offense is so productive. Tyler Holt is one of the top sparkplugs in the country, and Stuart Tapley, Mike McGee, and Stephen Cardullo mash behind him. The Seminoles' pitching may be undersold as well, as Sean Gilmartin, Brian Busch, and McGee are good competitors.
8. UC Irvine
Coach: Mike Gillespie
2009 Finish: Regionals
Irvine has to be elated, as they retained senior pitchers Daniel Bibona, Christian Bergman, and Eric Pettis. The Anteaters have an excellent run prevention unit. They lack power, but can skill it up on offense. Brian Hernandez, Francis Larson, Casey Stevenson, Cory Olson, D.J. Crumlich, Jeff Cusick, and Ronnie Shaeffer form an above-average, contact-oriented offense.
9. Arizona State
Coach: Tim Esmay
2009 Finish: CWS
ASU lost an incredible amount of talent (from ace Mike Leake to bash brothers Jason Kipnis and Carlos Ramirez to head coach Pat Murphy), but I still think the Sun Devils could be in for a return engagement to Omaha. Josh Spence is among the top hurlers in the country, and Mitchell Lambson, Seth Blair, and Jordan Swagerty will give him enough backup. ASU has a wealth of talented position players: Matt Newman, Kole Calhoun, Zach Wilson, Johnny Ruettiger, Drew Maggi, Riccio Torrez, Xorge Carrillo, Deven Marrero, Andy Workman, and Zack McPhee.
10. Florida
Coach: Kevin O'Sullivan
2009 Finish: Super Regionals
The Gators have gotten their mojo back under Kevin O'Sullivan. They hosted a Super Regional last season and have brought in top-notch recruiting classes of late. Florida has several excellent underclassman arms, and first baseman Preston Tucker could be one of the top hitters in the country.
11. Coastal Carolina
Coach: Gary Gilmore
2009 Finish: Regionals
Let's hear it for the mid-majors! Coastal always puts out a competitive ballclub, but this year they have a legitimate shot to be the top team in the Carolinas and make it to Omaha. The Chanticleers have a great 1-2 punch of lefty Cody Wheeler and righty Anthony Meo, as well as several other interesting arms. Their offense features speedsters (Rico Noel, Scott Woodward) and hitters with pop (Daniel Bowman, Adam Rice, Jose Iglesias).
12. East Carolina
Coach: Billy Godwin
2009 Finish: Super Regionals
I rate the Pirates this highly because I believe in their pitching. Seth Maness, Kevin Brandt, Brad Mincey, and Seth Simmons aren't overpowering, but they'll keep their team in the game. ECU has its typical thunder in the lineup, with Kyle Roller, Devin Harris, Trent Whitehead, and Dustin Harrington.
13. Louisville
Coach: Dan McDonnell
2009 Finish: Super Regionals
The Cardinals, who have reached Super Regionals 2 of the last 3 seasons, boast a strong offensive attack. Phil Wunderlich, Andrew Clark, Adam Duvall, Stewart Ijames, Ryan Wright, and Josh Richmond could make a lethal lineup. Louisville's ability to prevent runs is more of an unknown, but Tony Zych, Thomas Royse, Dean Kiekhefer, and others have potential.
14. Clemson
Coach: Jack Leggett
2009 Finish: Super Regionals
Clemson retains most of last year's lineup, and could take the step forward to an excellent offensive team. Jeff Schaus, Kyle Parker, Brad Miller, Chris Epps, Jason Stolz, and Richie Shaffer are all picks to click. The Tigers don't have a true ace, but they have a deep pitching staff.
15. TCU
Coach: Jim Schlossnagle
2009 Finish: Super Regionals
The Horned Frogs have ample high-upside arms, particularly Matt Purke, Kyle Winkler, and Steven Maxwell, though they lack a proven #1. I think their pitching will be well above-average if they all come together. TCU's offense isn't as exciting, but Bryan Holaday, Jason Coats, Matt Curry, Taylor Featherston, and Josh Elander are ones to watch.
16. San Diego
Coach: Rich Hill
2009 Finish: did not make Regionals
As usual, the Toreros have terrific arms and a modest offense. A.J. Griffin, Kyle Blair, and Sammy Solis have the potential to form one of the best weekend rotations in the country. James Meador leads an offense with below-average power but solid contact ability. They still haven't won a Regional, but the Toreros once again have the potential to do so.
17. Arkansas
Coach: Dave Van Horn
2009 Finish: CWS
Andy Wilkins and Zack Cox will provide the thump in the Razorbacks' lineup. Brett Eibner, Travis Sample, and Jarrod McKinney have potential, but need to unlock it. Arkansas's pitching, defense, and speed are adequate.
18. North Carolina
Coach: Mike Fox
2009 Finish: CWS
The Tar Heels lost a huge amount of talent to the draft last year and will be hard-pressed to make it to the College World Series for the 5th straight season. UNC has many intriguing players, though, from infielder Levi Michael to pitchers Matt Harvey and Patrick Johnson.
19. UCLA
Coach: John Savage
2009 Finish: did not make Regionals
UCLA's weekend rotation is comprised of two filthy righthanders (Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer) and a curveball specialist (Rob Rasmussen). The Bruins have depth after those three, as well as a solid defense, and should excel in the run prevention department. Their offense is puny and they need to shake the underachiever tag.
20. Miami
Coach: Jim Morris
2009 Finish: Regionals
Lefties Chris Hernandez and Eric Erickson should form a nice 1-2 punch for the Hurricanes, who also have a strong defense. Yasmani Grandal, Harold Martinez, and Scott Lawson are their top hitters, and I don't anticipate them being much more than average on offense.
21. Ole Miss
Coach: Mike Bianco
2009 Finish: Super Regionals
Ole Miss has the personnel to be slightly above-average in all phases of the game. Drew Pomeranz is a true #1, and Aaron Barrett and Trent Rothlin round out the weekend rotation. The Rebels are led at the plate by Matt Smith, Miles Hamblin, and Matt Snyder. All three can hit for average and power. Mississippi should boast a strong defense.
22. Oregon State
Coach: Pat Casey
2009 Finish: Regionals
The Beavers have a mediocre offense and absolutely no power. Jared Norris, Stefen Romero, and Adalberto Santos are the main threats. Their pitching staff has the potential to be stellar, however, and it's spearheaded by Sam Gaviglio, Tyler Waldron, Kevin Rhoderick, Greg Peavey, Tanner Robles, James Nygren, and Kraig Sitton.
23. Georgia
Coach: David Perno
2009 Finish: Regionals
The Bulldogs lost a lot of talent, but I still like their squad. Position player-wise, they are more deep than top-heavy, with Colby May, Johnathan Taylor, Chase Davidson, Peter Verdin, and Zach Cone. Georgia has unproven but electric arms, led by Justin Grimm, Michael Palazzone, Jeff Walters, and Alex McRee.
24. Southern Miss
Coach: Scott Berry
2009 Finish: CWS
A consistently competitive program, Southern Miss got hot and made it to the College World Series in '09, and it has a solid team this year too. The Golden Eagles have a variety of offensive contributors (Joey Archer, Taylor Walker, Kameron Brunty), but B.A. Vollmuth is the X-factor. The sophomore could blossom into a star this year. With an otherwise unspectacular arms corps, the Golden Eagles will rely heavily on ace Todd McInnis.
25. Vanderbilt
Coach: Tim Corbin
2009 Finish: Regionals
Kendall Rogers of Rivals offered five keys for Vanderbilt to finally get to Omaha, and I agree with the assessment. Aside from Steven Liddle and Jonathan White, the Commodores return most of their bats and should have a potent offensive unit. Position players such as Aaron Westlake, Jason Esposito, Andrew Giobbi, Curt Casali, Riley Reynolds, Brian Harris, and Joe Loftus are ready to carry the offense. Vandy's pitching staff has depth, with quality options such as Taylor Hill, Russell Brewer, Drew Hayes, Chase Reid, and Navery Moore. The Commodores will incorporate talented freshmen such as Sam Selman, Anthony Gomez, Regan Flaherty, Connor Harrell, and Mike Yastrzemski into the fold this year. If sophomore starting pitchers Sonny Gray and Jack Armstrong pitch like the studs atop the rotation like many believe they can be, Vanderbilt will be formidable.
Just Missing
Ohio State
South Carolina
Kansas
Stanford
Cal Poly
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