The Oregon State Beavers are our pick to make it three straight NCAA titles for the Pac-12:
1. Oregon State (52-13 in 2013)
Five of the last eight College World Series champions have come from west of the Rockies, including the last two: Arizona in 2012 and UCLA in 2013. Oregon State won titles in 2006 and 2007 and is poised to claim another. Outfielder Michael Conforto (.328, 11 home runs, 47 RBIs), our preseason Player of the Year, is back along with All-America pitcher Andrew Moore (14-2, 1.79 ERA, 1 save) and All-America two-way star Dylan Davis (.335-5-61; 2-1). Getting pitchers Ben Wetzler (10-1, 2.25 ERA) and Scott Schultz (2-1, 2.08, 10 saves) to return for their senior year pushes the Beavers to the top.
2. Cal State Fullerton (51-10)
If pitching wins championships, the Titans, eliminated by UCLA in last year’s Super Regional, could claim their fifth CWS title with their dominant returning weekend rotation: All-Americans Justin Garza (12-0, 2.03) and Thomas Eshelman (12-3, 1.48) and Grahamm Wiest (9-3, 3.27). All-American J.D. Davis (.318-4-50; 1-2, 2.74, 4 saves) can hit for a lead and protect one out of the bullpen.
3 N.C. State (50-16)
After their first CWS appearance since 1968, the Wolfpack could return to win it all. There were big pitching losses, but State returns junior lefty Carlos Rodon (10-3, 2.99), our two-time preseason Pitcher of the Year and top draft prospect. State also welcomes back All-America senior third baseman Trea Turner (.368-7-42), who’s arguably the nation’s best player.
4. Oregon (48-16)
Oregon reinstated its program in 2009 and rapidly became a Pac-12 power. After a breakout campaign as a national seed, the Ducks can eclipse 2013’s record win total with the return of its weekend rotation: Cole Irvin (12-3, 2.48), Tommy Thorpe (7-5, 2.16) and Jake Reed (6-6, 3.50). The offense, led by Mitchell Tolman (.315-1-37), needs more pop.
5. Virginia (50-12)
Virginia welcomes back seven players from what should be one of the nation’s best lineups, led by outfielder/first baseman Mike Papi (.381-7-57) and catcher/outfielder Brandon Downes (.316-10-59). The pitching staff also returns Friday starter Brandon Waddell (6-3, 3.96) and Josh Sborz (3-0, 1.98, 2 saves), who will transition from reliever to weekend starter.
6. Vanderbilt (54-12)
Most programs hit as hard by player losses as Vandy would fall off, but the Commodores’ back-to-back top recruiting classes will pay off. While the everyday lineup needs players to step up, pitching is in the capable hands of All-Americans Tyler Beede (14-1, 2.32) and Brian Miller (5-2, 1.58, 16 saves).
7. Indiana (49-16)
The Hoosiers have the tools to convert 2013’s first-ever CWS appearance into a trend. Third baseman Dustin DeMuth (.377-5-41) turned down an eighth-round pick by the Minnesota Twins to stay in Bloomington, where he’ll be joined by fellow All-American Kyle Schwarber (.366-18-54), who plays catcher and outfield. Strong arms Joey DeNato (10-2, 2.52), Scott Effross (6-1, 2.44) and Ryan Halstead (4-5, 2.89, 11 saves) also return to form the core of the pitching staff.
8. South Carolina (43-20)
The Gamecocks are at a point where merely reaching a Super Regional, as they did in 2013, doesn’t satisfy the faithful. South Carolina can aim higher this season despite some key losses. All-American Joey Pankake (.311-11-42) moves from shortstop to third base but the one-two pitching duo of Jordan Montgomery (6-1, 1.48) and Jack Wynkoop (7-3, 3.09) isn’t going anywhere.
9. UCLA (49-17)
The Bruins will rely on the same formula—pitching, defense and manufacturing runs—that led to their first CWS title. Starters Grant Watson (9-3, 3.01) and Cody Poteet (4-6, 4.84) will nurse leads to All-America closer David Berg (7-0, 0.92, 24 saves). The UCLA offense, led by outfielder Eric Fillia (.281-1-33), hit just .250 last season and needs to do better.
10. Florida State (47-17)
The Seminoles field a pitching-laden team led by All-American Luke Weaver (7-2, 2.29) and Brandon Liebrandt (10-4, 3.44), son of former major leaguer Charlie Liebrandt. The biggest question is whether last year’s dynamic quarterback on the FSU football team, Jameis Winston, returns to play outfield and pitch for the ’Noles. He hit .235 while going 1-2 with two saves in 2013. Outfielder D.J. Stewart (.364-5-59) leads the offense.
11. Mississippi State (51-20)
Are the Bulldogs the team that went 16-14 in SEC play or the one that caught fire and reached the 2013 CWS Championship Series? They can be the latter if All-American Ross Mitchell (13-0, 1.53, 2 saves) recovers from hip surgery, Jonathan Holder (2-0, 1.65, 21 saves) remains dominant and veteran first baseman Wes Rea (.291-7-40) performs as expected.
12. LSU (57-11)
The Tigers matched the school record for wins, but going 0-2 in Omaha was a shock. There are lots of holes to fill, none bigger than at closer, where coach Paul Mainieri hopes junior-college transfer Brady Domangue can eat up most of Chris Cotton’s 16 saves. All-Americans Aaron Nola (12-1, 1.57) and Alex Bregman (.369-6-52), the shortstop, are great cornerstones.
13. North Carolina (52-8)
The Tar Heels may have trouble matching last year’s stellar record but shouldn’t fall far. All-America infielder Landon Lassiter (.358-1-28) headlines the offense. The pitching staff will be potent if Benton Moss (8-1, 3.56) and closer Trent Thornton (9-1, 1.29, 6 saves) take over at the top of the rotation, thus allowing Chris McCue (6-1, 2.12) to be the bullpen ace.
14. East Carolina (31-26)
The Pirates have known better seasons than 2013, but there are strong signs that 2014 will be a bounce-back year. All-America utility player Drew Reynolds (.322-0-22; 3-2, 2.92, 14 saves) led ECU in hitting and saves last year. Also back on the pitching staff are 2013 Freshman All-American David Lucroy (4-2, 2.49) and Jeff Hoffman (6-7, 3.20).
15. Texas (27-24)
The Longhorns have missed back-to-back NCAA tournaments for the first time since 1997-98. What’s more, they finished last in conference play in 2013 for the first time since 1956. But there is reason to expect a rebound with players like outfielder Mark Payton (.393-0-29), shortstop C.J. Hinojosa (.309-2-29) and pitchers Dillon Peters (6-3, 1.97) and Nathan Thornhill (3-6, 2.21).
16. Louisiana-Lafayette (43-20)
The Ragin’ Cajuns aim for their first CWS appearance since 2000 by returning the top hitters from a team that ranked sixth nationally in 2013 with a .317 average: third baseman Tyler Girouard (.360-7-41), outfielder Caleb Adams (.339-16-55) and utilityman Seth Harrison (.338-9-45; 0-0, 3.18, 3 saves). Austin Robichaux (9-2, 3.05), coach Tony Robichaux’s son, is the ace of the pitching staff.
17. Florida (29-30)
Don’t expect the Gators to stay down for long, as a veteran lineup will be joined by the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class. Outfielder Harrison Bader (.312-1-22) and utilityman Justin Shafer (.300-5-25; 1-1, 5.20) were the team’s top hitters in 2013. Johnny Magliozzi (4-2, 2.67, 12 saves) returns as the closer.
18. Rice (44-20)
Owls senior outfielder Michael Aquino won the 2013 College Home Run Derby in Omaha. This year, he hopes to bring the rest of his team along. Aquino (.315-9-43) and Rice’s top bat, Shane Hoelscher (.320-0-25), return, as does a solid core of pitching with righthanders Jordan Stephens (8-4, 2.43, 1 save) and Zech Lemond (7-2, 2.02, 14).
19. Cal Poly (40-19)
The Mustangs have been Big West runner-ups the last two seasons. Now they’re poised for bigger things. There should be plenty of offense with outfielder Nick Torres (.333-7-49), catcher Brian Mundell (.265-11-42) and outfielder Jordan Ellis (.323-0-18) back as returning regulars. Lefty Matt Imhof (7-3, 2.74) and righty Reed Reilly (2-4, 2.29, 14 saves) are the top starter and reliever, respectively.
20. Clemson (40-22)
The Tigers went to the CWS in 2006 and 2010, so maybe they hit for the cycle again in 2014. Clemson returns a wealth of experience, as eight position players are led by All-ACC designated hitter Shane Kennedy (.317-5-35) and all-conference second baseman Steve Wilkerson (.291-4-37). Righthander Daniel Gossett (10-4, 2.56), another All-ACC standout, returns in the role of staff ace.
21. Kentucky (35-20)
Folks could easily mistake sophomore pitcher Kyle Cody for a basketball player, but the 6-7 righthander (3-3, 4.84) will anchor the Wildcats’ pitching staff along with Cape Cod League standout Chandler Shepherd (5-0, 2.77). Outfielder Kyle Barrett (.349-0-14) and slugger A.J. Reed (.280-13-52) will provide plenty of run support.
22. Miami (40-22)
It has been six years since the Hurricanes made landfall in Omaha. If Miami is to return in 2014, it will be with pitching. The ’Canes keep six of their top seven game-winners, topped by All-American Brian Radziewski (9-3, 1.78) and Chris Diaz (7-5, 1.64). Third baseman David Thompson (.286-6-46) and first baseman Brad Fieger (.279-0-34) pace a light-hitting lineup.
23. TCU (29-28)
The Horned Frogs are poised for a comeback with an experienced team that learned the hard way in 2013. Preston Morrison (7-3, 1.51), an All-America junior righthander, is the ace of the staff, while lefty Alex Young (7-4, 2.66, 5 saves) is positioned as the closer. Outfielders Boomer White (.314-1-27) and Cody Jones (.269-1-18) headline a lineup that needs improvement.
24. Alabama (35-28)
A No. 2 seed in last year’s Tallahassee Regional was a positive step toward national relevance for the Crimson Tide. Alabama should build on that with pitchers like Tucker Hawley (5-2, 2.93, 1 save), Ray Castillo (2-3, 3.38, 12) and Spencer Turnbull (4-3, 3.70). The offense is led by shortstop Mikey White (.287-2-30), who like Castillo was a Freshman All-American, and first baseman Austen Smith (.279-7-40).
25. Southern Mississippi (30-27)
Five years removed from the program’s one and only CWS appearance, the Golden Eagles look to make a return to NCAA play behind catcher Austin Roussel (.330-1-14), outfielder/pitcher Mason Robbins (.317-2-40; 1-3, 4.84) and pitchers Conor Fisk (4-3, 3.23) and Bradley Roney (1-0, 5.93, 7 saves).
This content originally appeared in the Sporting News 2014 Baseball Yearbook.