Feb. 8, 2011

CollegeBaseballInsider.com asked college coaches around the country to preview the 2011 college baseball season by sharing their insights on the teams and players to watch in their conferences. CBI compiled their answers to provide a sneak peek for the season ahead. click here for CBI Conference Previews

Today, we take a look at the Great West (four of eight coaches responded).

The team to beat is: Utah Valley

Rank the top three starting pitchers: Joe Sawicki, Northern Colorado (pictured right); Blake Krahenbuhl, Utah Valley; Stephen Nikonchik, Houston Baptist

The top closer is: Brian Whatcott, Utah Valley

The pitcher you least want to face is: Joe Sawicki, Northern Colorado

The most underrated pitcher is: no player received more than one vote

The best defensive catcher is: (tie) George Carroll, NYIT; and Mike McCarthy, Texas-Pan American

The best catcher arm is: (tie) George Carroll, NYIT; and Mike McCarthy, Texas-Pan American

The best defensive infielder is: Jake Rickenbach, Utah Valley

The best infield arm is: Effrey Valdez, NYIT

The best defensive outfielder is: no player received more than one vote

The best outfield arm is: no player received more than one vote

Rank the three best pure hitters: Effrey Valdez, NYIT (pictured right); Chris Benson, Utah Valley, Jarod Berggren, Northern Colorado

Rank the three biggest power threats: Jake Magner, North Dakota; Chris Benson, Utah Valley; (tie) Goose Kallunki, Utah Valley; and Effrey Valdez, NYIT

The hitter you least want to face is: Effrey Valdez, NYIT

The toughest hitter to strike out is: no player received more than one vote

The most underrated hitter is: no player received more than one vote

The best base-runner is: no player received more than one vote

The best game coach is: Eric Madsen, Utah Valley

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: Michael Caulfield, NYIT

(photos courtesy of Northern Colorado & NYIT Media Relations Offices)