|
|
|
Stanford. Ranked No. 1 In Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Pre-Season Poll
Defending champion Miami ranked sixth.
Dec. 15, 1999 TUCSON, Ariz. - Stanford is the pre-season favorite to win the 2000 College World Series, according to "Collegiate Baseball" newspaper's annual pre-season survey of NCAA Division I baseball coaches across the USA. The Cardinal, which finished third at las t year's College World Series, returns seven position player starters and three superb pitchers off a team which rolled to a 50-15 overall record and Pac-10 championship. Three players are expected to be first or second round draft picks next June in RHP Jason Young (12-3, 3.43 ERA), RF Joe Borchard (.372, 11 HR, 16 2B, 56 RBI) and RHP Justin Wayne (10-1, 4.94 ERA, 135 K, 43 BB). Young led the nation last year with 178 str ikeouts (also a Stanford single-season record). He led the Pac-10 in innings pitched (154.6), wins (12) and games started (21). It should also be noted Young hurled 10 complete games which may have led the nation as well. "This is the most veteran team I have ever had at Stanford (in 23 years)," said Head Coach Mark Marquess. "We are very fortunate we have so many seniors on this team (6) who play such pivotal roles on the team. It is rare to see this since so many top jun iors are usually signed." Key starting seniors who have returned include C Damien Alvarado, 1B/3B John Gall, 2B/SS Eric Bruntlett, CF Edmund Muth, and 1B Craig Thompson. "I can't poor mouth my team," said Marquess. "We have a veteran, strong team. But that can change in a hurry if key injuries take place. I look at teams that have made it to the College World Series. If they have older players on the team who post big num bers, they usually have great years. That is what we are striving to do with our veteran team. The "Collegiate Baseball" newspaper NCAA Division I poll is the oldest college baseball poll. Its birth took place during the 1957 college baseball season.
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's NCAA Div. I Pre-Season Poll
Rank School '99 Record Points '99 Final Rank
|
|
