PGCROSSCHECKER COLLEGE TEAM SCOUTING REPORT

7. ARIZONA STATE (37-21, lost in NCAA regionals).

Conference/Projected Finish: Pacific-10/1^st (14-10, 2^nd in 2006).

Coach: Pat Murphy (480-242, 12 years).

First Game: Feb. 2 vs. Southern Utah .

OVERVIEW: Led by sophomore C Preston Paramore (.318-3-35), sophomore 1B Brett Wallace (.371-7-32), junior 2B Eric Sogard (.353-9-50) and sophomore OF Ike Davis (.329-9-65), the Sun Devils have a sound nucleus of returning position players. The key will be getting equivalent production from an untested pitching staff that will depend heavily on junior LHP Brian Flores, who won 27 games and struck out 261 in two years at New Mexico JC. LHP Josh Satow (4-2, 4.78) and sophomore LHP Joey Parigi (1-2, 3.86 at Texas ) have the inside track on joining Flores in the Sun Devils rotation. Their performance could be a difference-maker for the Sun Devils, who should have no trouble scoring runs.

X-Factor: Junior OF-LHP Matt Spencer (.278-6-29) transferred to ASU at the semester break because he didn’t have a defined role at North Carolina entering the 2007 season. Though he has never lived up to his vast potential as either a hitter or pitcher, he could become the first ASU player drafted in June if he comes close to fulfilling his promise. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he intrigues scouts with his big power potential and above-average right field arm strength.

TOP FRESHMAN: Mike Leake, rhp. Oakland ’s seventh-round pick in the 2006 draft has the best arm on the staff and will be entrusted with the closer’s role. Leake’s two best pitches are an 89-91 mph fastball and a sharp 76-78 mph curve.

TOP SOPHOMORE: Ike Davis, of. Davis struggled early last season when he was asked to play first base and take a regular turn in the rotation, but flourished when he moved to right field. He has excellent bat speed and could be in line for a breakout season. Davis, Paramore, Wallace and sophomore 3B Matt Hall (.278-1-7) are all expected to be premium picks in the 2008 draft.

TOP JUNIOR: Andrew Romine, ss. Romine, son of former ASU All-American Kevin Romine, missed the first two-thirds of the 2006 season because of complications from a blood clot in his chest, but recovered to hit .317-0-13. A sound defender and base runner, he’s projected to be the team’s best draft this year and could improve his worth with a breakthrough season at the plate.

TOP SENIOR: C.J. Retherford, dh-rhp. Prior to Spencer’s arrival, Retherford (.305-3-29; 0-0, 9.53) was slated to DH and pitch on occasion for the Sun Devils. But he will play a secondary role on a youthful ASU squad.