22. STANFORD

2008 RECORD. Overall: 41-24 (Advanced to College World Series). Conference: 14-10 / 2^nd in Pac-10.

Coach: Mark Marquess (1,337-676, 33rd season).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 vs. No. 16 Vanderbilt.

 

OVERVIEW: Stanford’s outstanding sophomore class will be counted on to mature in 2009 and possibly lead the Cardinal to another College World Series berth. Closer Drew Storen has already established himself as a top-level performer, but C Ben Clowe, SS Jake Schlander, 3B Zach Jones, 2B Colin Walsh, DH Jon Kaskow and RHP Dan Sandbrink are also promising talents, and will be expected to play more significant roles than a year ago. Junior RHP Jeff Inman is the unquestioned ace. He has first-round stuff and has steadily improved over the past two years after being primarily a shortstop in high school. Stanford must replace its top three power hitters who combined for 49 homers, but a wild card for the Cardinal will be sophomore OF Toby Gerhart, a 1,100-yard rusher on the football field who has some of the best raw power in college baseball.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Ben Clowe (3), So. (.300-3-9).

1B: Brent Milleville (4), Sr. (.289-11-57).

2B: Colin Walsh, So. (.323-0-8).

3B: Zach Jones, So. (.249-3-33, *11 SB).

SS: Jake Schlander, So. (.232-0-26).

LF: Joey August (1), Sr. (.323-1-23).

CF: Jeff Whitlow, Sr. (.279-1-14).

RF: Toby Gerhart, Jr. (.240-7-21).

DH: Jon Kaskow, So. (.200-0-0).

1/Starter: Jeff Inman, Jr. (7-2, 4.27, 71 IP/45 SO).

2/Starter: Dan Sandbrink, So. (2-1, 2.81, 57 IP/30 SO).

3/Starter: Brett Mooneyham, Fr. (Padres/15^th round).

Closer: Drew Storen, So. (5-3, 3.51, *8 SV, 56 IP/50 SO).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Wande Olabisi.

Best Overall Hitter: Joey August.

Best Power Hitter: Brett Milleville.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Joey August.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Wande Olabisi (6.54 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Zach Jones.

Best Defender: Jake Schlander.

Best Infield Arm: Michael Garza.

Best Outfield Arm: Jeff Whitlow.

Best Fastball (velocity): Jeff Inman (95 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Drew Storen.

Best Changeup: Brett Mooneyham.

Best Command: Dan Sandbrink.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Brett Mooneyham, lhp. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Mooneyham would have been a potential top-2 round pick in 2008 if teams had judged him signable. His fastball can reach 94 mph and his curveball grades out just as high. Mooneyham, whose father pitched in the big leagues, still has command issues which mature college hitter will take advantage of if he doesn’t improve his ability to throw quality strikes.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Drew Storen, rhp. Storen has a starter’s array of pitches in a low-90’s fastball, a killer slider and a nice changeup, but his competitive approach and makeup are ideally-suited for the closer’s role. SS Jake Schlander gets mention here as well as Stanford coach Mark Marquess and his long-time assistant Dean Stotz say he’s the best defensive shortstop they have had in their 30-plus years with the program.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Jeff Inman, rhp. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Inman came to Stanford with limited pitching experience but has progressed in all areas. His fastball will regularly touch 94-95 mph, with electric life at times, and his curveball and changeup are solid secondary pitches. It would surprise few scouts if Inman puts his name firmly in first-round consideration this spring.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Brett Milleville, 1b. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Milleville came to Palo Alto four years ago as a catcher and still gets behind the plate on occasion, although the presence of sophomores Ben Clowe and Zach Jones will limit his opportunities. His bat/power will garner him significant senior-sign attention from scouts and he could see his stock boosted further if they think he could still contribute behind the plate.

--DAVID RAWNSLEY