PGCROSSCHECKER COLLEGE TEAM SCOUTING REPORT

35. BAYLOR (37-26, lost in NCAA regionals).

Conference/Projected Finish: Big 12/4^th (13-14, T-5^th in 2006).

Coach: Steve Smith (455-284, 12 seasons).

First Game: Feb. 9 vs. Houston at Houston Astros College Classic.

OVERVIEW: The Bears project to start four freshman position players and another in their three-man rotation. But it’s hardly a rebuilding season in the true sense of the word as the Bears’ newcomers include the likes of 1B Dustin Dickerson, OF Aaron Miller and RHP Kendal Volz, all ranked among the nation’s elite first-year players. Among the holdovers Dickerson and Miller will join in the everyday lineup are sophomore OF Ben Booker (.268-2-23), senior OF Chase Gerdes (.292-2-34) and sophomore SS Beemer Weams (.297-8-47). Junior RHP Randall Linebaugh (6-1, 3.42) is the team’s No. 1 starter.

X-Factor: Baylor’s highly-touted freshman class could make even more of an impact if RHPs Shawn Tolleson and Ryan Jenkins bounce back to their old form. Both were considered possible future first-rounders as high school juniors, before Tolleson missed his senior year while undergoing Tommy John surgery and the 6-foot-5 Jenkins suffered a significant drop in velocity.

TOP FRESHMAN: Aaron Miller, of. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Miller once ranked among the nation’s top prep pitching prospects, but his ability as a pure hitter with above-average power potential has surpassed his ability on the mound. He’ll start in right field for the Bears.

TOP SOPHOMORE: Beamer Weems, ss. Weems is an outstanding defensive shortstop with impressive switch-hitting ability. He is Baylor’s top returning hitter and run producer.  

TOP JUNIOR: Randall Linebaugh, rhp. Based on a live arm and ability to throw his fastball at 92-94 mph, the 6-foot Linebaugh should be the first Baylor player drafted this year. His size, however, probably will keep him out of the top three rounds.

TOP SENIOR: Jeff Mandel, rhp. Mandel (2-3, 4.40) has been used in a variety of roles in his career at Baylor, but should settle into the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind Linebaugh. He combines a good sinking fastball in the 88-90 mph range with a hard slider.