Feb. 15, 2012

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 Summit League (five of seven coaches responded).

The team to beat in your conference is: Oral Roberts

Rank the top three starting pitchers: Alex Gonzalez, Oral Roberts; Drew Bowen, Oral Roberts; Layne Somsen, South Dakota State; John Straka, North Dakota State (right)

The top closer is: Matt Rush, Oral Roberts

The pitcher you least want to face is: Alex Gonzalez, Oral Roberts

The most underrated pitcher is: John Straka, North Dakota State

The best defensive catcher is: Bennett Pickar, Oral Roberts

The best catcher arm is: Bennett Pickar, Oral Roberts

The best defensive infielder is: Cam Schiller, Oral Roberts

The best infield arm is: Cam Schiller, Oral Roberts

The best defensive outfielder is: Brandon King, Oral Roberts

The best outfield arm is: Brandon King, Oral Roberts

Rank the three best pure hitters: Bo Cuthbertson, Southern Utah; Cam Schiller, Oral Roberts; Brandon King, Oral Roberts (right)

Rank the three biggest power threats: Brandon King, Oral Roberts; Cam Schiller, Oral Roberts; Taylor Shaw, Southern Utah; Zach Wentz, North Dakota State

The hitter you least want to face is: Bo Cuthbertson, Southern Utah

The toughest hitter to strike out is: Bo Cuthbertson, Southern Utah

The most underrated hitter is: (tie) Beau Hanowski, South Dakota State; and Matt Igara, Western Illinois

The best base-runner is: Bo Cuthbertson, Southern Utah

The best game coach is: Rob Walton, Oral Roberts

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: Ryan Folmar, Oral Roberts

(photos courtesy of NDSU & ORU Media Relations Offices)