PGCROSSCHECKER COLLEGE TEAM SCOUTING REPORT

41. LONG BEACH STATE (29-27, did not qualify for NCAA post-season play).

Conference/Projected Finish: Big West/3^rd (12-9, 2^nd in 2006).

Coach: Mike Weathers (186-111, 5 years).

First Game: Feb. 2 at Southern California .

OVERVIEW: After producing SS Evan Longoria (.353-11-43), the third overall pick in last year’s draft and the latest in a succession of first-rounders, this will be a rare year when the 49ers won’t have an early-round selection. Junior 1B Brandon Godfrey (.298-0-21), slick-fielding sophomore SS Danny Espinosa (.281-0-23) and senior OF Robert Perry (.309-3-33) are the top returning regulars, but none is considered a premium talent. Sophomore RHP Vance Worley (4-7, 3.82), the ace of the pitching staff, has significant pro aspirations but he won’t be eligible for the draft until a year from now.

X-Factor: The 49ers will pin a lot of their offensive hopes on two University of California transfers—sophomore C Travis Howell, who hit .506 as an all-state high school player, and junior OF Jason Corder, who once ranked as the nation’s premier player in his high school class.

TOP FRESHMAN: Adam Wilk, lhp. Wilk, who went 23-3 in his high school career, has been tabbed for the No. 3 spot in the 49er rotation behind Worley and junior RHP Manny McElroy, who went 10-1, 1.97 at Bakersfield (Calif.) JC in 2006.

TOP SOPHOMORE: Vance Worley, rhp. Easily the team’s best pro prospect, Worley attacks hitters with a 90-94 mph fastball and quality slider. But his stuff needs to be more consistent for him to be considered a high-round pick in the 2008 draft.

TOP JUNIOR: Chris Nelson, of. A transfer from Riverside (Calif.) CC, Nelson will inject much-needed speed and extra-base power into Long Beach State ’s lineup. He’s also a top-notch defensive center fielder.

TOP SENIOR: Robert Perry, of. Perry is a three-year Division I starter, but his 5-foot-9, 180-pound frame and lack of speed is a deterrent to a potential pro career.