Feb. 16, 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 West Coast Conference (seven of nine coaches responded).

The team to beat in your conference is: (tie) Gonzaga and San Diego

Rank the top three starting pitchers: Marco Gonzales, Gonzaga; Kyle Zimmer, San Francisco; Kyle Kraus, Portland

The top closer is: Ryan Hawthorne, Loyola Marymount

The pitcher you least want to face is: Marco Gonzales, Gonzaga

The most underrated pitcher is: Kyle Barraclough, Saint Mary’s

The best defensive catcher is: Ben Grubb, Portland

The best catcher arm is: Ben Grubb, Portland

The best defensive infielder is: Kris Bryant, San Diego

The best infield arm is: Kris Bryant, San Diego

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

The best outfield arm is: Billy Moon, Gonzaga

Rank the three best pure hitters: Kris Bryant, San Diego (right); Patrick Wisdom, Saint Mary’s; Nik Balog, San Francisco

Rank the three biggest power threats: Kris Bryant, San Diego; Patrick Wisdom, Saint Mary’s; Billy Moon, Gonzaga

The hitter you least want to face is: Kris Bryant, San Diego

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

The most underrated hitter is: Billy Moon, Gonzaga

The best base-runner is: Kris Bryant, San Diego

The best game coach is: Nino Giarratano, San Francisco

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: Greg Moore, San Francisco

(photo courtesy of USD Media Relations Office)