14. OREGON STATE

2008 RECORD. Overall: 28-24. Conference: 11-13 / 6th in Pac-10.

Coach: Pat Casey (468-295, 15th season).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 at Tennessee .

 

OVERVIEW: The magic that helped bring Oregon State two straight NCAA championships ran out in 2008 as the Beavers failed to even make the 64-team field. They made strides to make sure that won’t happen again by tapping into the quick-fix, junior-college market and their starting lineup will be sprinkled with JC transfers to go along with two mainstays: junior C Ryan Ortiz, the team’s best offensive threat, and junior SS Joey Wong, one of the elite defenders in the country. Several inexperienced upperclassmen will plug the remaining holes. The real story with the Beavers is their class of sophomore pitchers, potentially as talented as any group of college pitchers in memory. How potential/raw stuff translates into performance for the likes of James Nygren, Josh Osich, Greg Peavey, Kevin Rhoderick Tanner Robles, Taylor Starr and Tyler Waldron, however, will dictate the Beavers season. All seven have the potential of being drafted in the top five rounds—Peavey this year, the remainder in 2010. There’s plenty of opportunity as no Beaver pitcher won more than four games in 2008.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Ryan Ortiz (3), Jr. (*.351-5-*55).

1B: Jared Norris, So. (.292-2-42 at Yavapai, Ariz. , CC).

2B: Adalberto Santos, Jr. (Did not play in 2008; .492-10-65, 22 SB at New Mexico JC in 2007).

3B: Stefen Romero (4), So. (.412-4-53 at Pima, Ariz. , CC).

SS: Joey Wong, Jr. (.244-5-31).

LF: John Wallace, Sr. (.326-3-20, *9 SB).

CF: Koa Kahalehoe (1), Sr. (.050-0-1).

RF: Logan Lotti, Jr. (.406-13-56, 13 SB at Sierra, Calif. , JC).

DH: Max Shupe, Jr. (.342-13-54 at San Jose, Calif. , CC).

1/Starter: Jorge Reyes, Jr. (*4-3, 7.08, 67 IP/57 SO).

2/Starter: Tyler Waldron, So. (3-7, 5.20 at Pacific).

3/Starter: Tanner Robles, So. (3-2, 6.31, 35 IP/28 SO).

Closer: Kevin Rhoderick, So. (0-1, 2.39, *12 SV, 26 IP/32 SO).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Koa Kahalehoe.

Best Overall Hitter: Stefen Romero.

Best Power Hitter: Stefen Romero.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Ryan Ortiz.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Koa Kahalehoe (6.5 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Joey Wong.

Best Defender: Joey Wong.

Best Infield Arm: Carter Bell.

Best Outfield Arm: Koa Kahalehoe.

Best Fastball (velocity): Josh Osich/Taylor Starr (97 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Kevin Rhoderick.

Best Changeup: Taylor Starr.

Best Command: Tyler Waldron.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Carter Bell, if. Bell is a very versatile athlete who could end up playing any infield position or DH this spring, although he is best suited for the left side. The Canadian native should be able to contribute right away with the bat.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Josh Osich, lhp / Kevin Rhoderick, rhp / Taylor Starr, rhp. OSU will play a lot of 6-7 inning games with arms like Rhoderick and Starr (3-1, 1.61) lurking at the back of the bullpen. Rhoderick pitches in the low 90s with a killer curveball and a closer’s mentality, while Starr pumps mid-90s heat and has a surprisingly good changeup. Osich’s role is unclear after he went 0-2, 7.56 in a swing role as a freshman, but the 6-foot-3, 195-pound lefty has been clocked routinely in the mid- to high-90s and may have a higher upside than any OSU pitcher. He just needs to throw strikes more consistently. Any of the other sophomores arms could be listed here.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Ryan Ortiz, c. Ortiz could easily lead the Beavers in most offensive categories this spring, and should challenge for All-America status. He’s a very polished hitter with good plate discipline and developing power. He’s also very athletic for a catcher, and likely will see action at first base and in the outfield this spring.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Mark Grbavac, rhp. The 6-foot, 185-pound Grvbavac is unimposing physically compared to some of the more talented arms on the OSU staff, but he went 4-1, 3.62 in a set-up role for the Beavers in 2008—and was drafted in the 32nd round by the New York Mets. Grbavac gives the Beavers depth and stability in the bullpen, and relies primarily on location and a big downer curveball to keep hitters off balance in late-inning situations.

--DAVID RAWNSLEY