PGCROSSCHECKER COLLEGE TEAM SCOUTING REPORT

62. MISSOURI (35-28, lost in NCAA super-regionals).

Conference/Projected Finish: Big 12/7^th (12-15, 7^th in 2006).

Coach: Tim Jamieson (399-280, 12 years).

First Game: Feb. 9 at Florida International.

OVERVIEW: Despite a seventh-place finish in the Big 12 in 2006, the Tigers finished a step short of playing in the College World Series. First-round draft pick Max Scherzer (7-3, 2.25) remains unsigned but there is no chance he will return for his senior year. He has departed along with four other top pitchers, leaving the bulk of the starting load to two sophomores, RHP Aaron Crow (1-4, 4.06) and LHP Rick Zagone (6-3, 3.28), and promising freshman Kyle Gibson. Another talented freshman, Greg Folgia, will be the closer. Six of nine position players return, however, led by junior 2B Brock Bond (.338-2-29), the team’s top hitter, smooth-fielding senior SS Gary Arndt (.280-5-43) and junior OF Jake Priday (.283-11-49), the team’s top run producer.

TOP PROSPECT/JUNIOR: Jake Priday, of. Priday began the 2006 season as Missouri ’s catcher, but the experiment ended quickly and he returned to the outfield, where he hit .305-9-67 as a freshman. His bat is his best tool.

TOP FRESHMAN: Kyle Gibson, rhp. TOP SOPHOMORE: Aaron Crow, rhp. TOP SENIOR: Gary Arndt, ss.