Feb. 6, 2012

click here for feature on Jeremy Gendlek

 

Utah Valley is team to beat again in Great West

 

CollegeBaseballInsider.com asked college coaches around the country to preview the 2012 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 in your conference is: Utah Valley

 

Rank the top three starting pitchers: Jeremy Gendlek, Utah Valley; Mark Leiter Jr., NJIT; Tripp Davis, NJIT

 

The top closer is: Ryan Dillabough, NYIT (right)

 

The pitcher you least want to face is: Tripp Davis, NJIT

 

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

 

The best defensive catcher is: Mike McCarthy, Texas-Pan American

 

The best catcher arm is: Mike McCarthy, Texas-Pan American

 

The best defensive infielder is: Kai Hatch, Utah Valley

 

The best infield arm is: Kai Hatch, Utah Valley

 

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: Angel Ibanez, Texas-Pan American; Mike McCarthy, Texas-Pan American; Robbie Buller, Houston Baptist; Austin Heaps, Utah Valley

 

Rank the three biggest power threats: Robbie Buller, Houston Baptist; Austin Heaps, Utah Valley; Vincent Mejia, Texas-Pan American

 

The hitter you least want to face is: Robbie Buller, Houston Baptist

 

The toughest hitter to strike out is: (tie) Kai Hatch, Utah Valley; and Angel Ibanez, Texas-Pan American

 

The most underrated hitter is: Mike McCarthy, Texas-Pan American

 

The best base-runner is: Ali Rodriguez, NYIT

 

The best game coach is: Eric Madsen, Utah Valley

 

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: Dave Carter, Utah Valley

 

(photo by Marcello Cutti Jr.)