PGCROSSCHECKER COLLEGE TEAM SCOUTING REPORT

56. ST. JOHN ’S (40-19, did not qualify for NCAA post-season play).

Conference/Projected Finish: Big East/2^nd (16-10, 4^th in 2006).

Coach: Ed Blankmeyer (357-228, 11 years).

First Game: Feb. 15 vs. Eastern Michigan at College Classic at Midland, Texas .

OVERVIEW: The Red Storm was the only team to win as many as 40 games a year ago and fail to gain a bid to the 64-team NCAA tournament. With the exception of OF Will Vogl (.382-14-64) and RHP Rob Delaney (7-3, 4.01), every key player returns, including regulars like senior OF Chris Joachim (.398-1-46), senior DH Anthony Smith (.366-8-46) and junior 3B Gil Zayas (.281-6-41). Sophomore LHP Scott Barnes (3-2, 3.66) replaces Delaney as the ace of the pitching staff, and he is expected to make a quantum leap forward from his contributions as a freshman. Sophomore RHP Jared Yecker (7-1, 3.02) and junior LHP Matt Tosoni (3-3, 3.94) join Barnes in the rotation.

TOP PROSPECT/SOPHOMORE: Scott Barnes, lhp. The tall and lanky Barnes fanned 74 in 64 innings a year ago, mainly on the strength of an exploding 90-93 mph fastball and sharp breaking ball.

TOP FRESHMAN: Miguel Valcarcel, rhp. TOP JUNIOR: Gil Zayas, 3b. TOP SENIOR: Chris Joachim, of.