PGCROSSCHECKER COLLEGE TEAM SCOUTING REPORT
18. UCLA (33-25, lost in NCAA regionals).
Conference/Projected Finish: Pacific-10/3rd (13-10, 3rd in 2006).
Coach: John Savage (48-66, 2 years).
First Game: Feb. 2 vs.
Winthrop
.
OVERVIEW: UCLA made big strides a year ago with a freshman-dominated lineup, finishing third in the powerful Pac-10, and the Bruins will depend heavily on underclassmen again as they make inroads on the national stage. C Ryan Babineau (.258-6-25), SS Brandon Crawford (.318-6-30) and OF Tim Murphy (.254-1-7), all potential early-round picks in 2008, are the three big sophomores they’ll count on. The pitching staff will have a mixture of youth and experience, with senior RHP Tyson Brummett (6-7, 4.52) joining a freshman tandem of
Gavin
Brooks
and Charles Brewer in the rotation.
X-Factor: RHP Brant Rustich (1-0, 1.50), the team’s best prospect, made only six appearances a year ago before being sidelined with an inflamed tendon in his pitching finger. Slated again to be the team’s closer again, his ability to return to full health will be critical for the young Bruins. Reports are that he’s 100 percent healthy.
TOP FRESHMAN: Gavin Brooks, lhp. One of the nation’s top prospects as a 10th-grader, Brooks was beset by shoulder problems his final two years of high school and was passed over in last year’s draft. He could dominate as a freshman if the velocity returns to his 91-92 mph fastball and he finds the release point on his breaking stuff.
TOP SOPHOMORE: Brandon Crawford, ss. Crawford is still trying to figure it out with the bat, but few college shortstops are his equal defensively. He has an exceptional arm, solid hands and poise beyond his years.
TOP JUNIOR: Brant Rustich, rhp. The 6-foot-6 righthander would have been one of the top picks in the 2006 draft had he not been sidelined since February with an inflamed tendon in the middle finger on his pitching hand. He was granted red-shirt status after making only six relief appearances, and returns to a closer role this spring. When healthy and pitching, Rustich features a 92-94 mph fastball with good downward plane, and an effective 81-84 mph slider.
TOP SENIOR: Tyson Brummett, rhp. Brummett worked effectively as the Bruins No. 3 starter a year ago. He doesn’t possess anywhere near the natural ability that the freshmen who will join him in the rotation have, but he will be looked upon as a stabilizing force.