38. LONG BEACH STATE

2008 RECORD. Overall: 38-21 (Advanced to NCAA regional). Conference: 16-8 / 1^st in Big West.

Coach: Mike Weathers (253-152, 8^th season).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 at No. 51 Southern California .

 

OVERVIEW: To say that Long Beach State has one of the most inexperienced lineups in the country wouldn’t be an exaggeration. Its projected starting lineup hit a combined three home runs at the Division I level in 2008 and the weekend starting rotation returns two victories—both from a pitcher who should have been in high school in 2008. That doesn’t mean the Dirtbags aren’t without talent, it just it isn’t proven yet. And historically, few teams have made more out of perceived less talent than Long Beach State, which had eight players drafted in the top seven rounds a year ago—only two of whom had previously been drafted (one in the 47^th round, four years earlier). Sophomore RHP Jake Thompson should take a big step forward this year after getting adjusted to college in 2008, and freshman RHP Andrew Gagnon is a potential future high-draft pick. Sophomore SS Devin Lohman could be next in an impressive line of Dirtbag shortstops that includes Troy Tulowitzki and Evan Longoria—neither of whom was drafted prior to attending Long Beach State , but left as high first-rounders.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Kip Masuda, Sr. (.250-0-1).

1B: Steve Tinoco, Jr. (.291-1-24).

2B: Derek Legg, Fr. (HS—Murrieta, Calif.).

3B: Rylan Sandoval (4), Sr. (.263-2-6).

SS: Devin Lohman, So. (.253-0-8).

LF: Tre Dennis (1), Jr. (.332-5-46, 21 SB at Southwestern, Calif. , CC).

CF: Jonathan Jones (3), So. (.343-0-18).

RF: Jordan Casas, So. (.302-0-4).

DH: Matt Avery, Fr. (HS—Los Alamitos, Calif.).

1/Starter: Jake Thompson, So. (2-5, 4.95, 67 IP/42 SO).

2/Starter: Adam Wilk, Jr. (0-0, 1.26, 14 IP/15 SO).

3/Starter: Andrew Gagnon, Fr. (Pirates/10^th round).

Closer: Charlie Ruiz, Jr. (3-2, 2.45 at Chabot, Calif. JC).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Jordan Casas.

Best Overall Hitter: Jonathan Jones.

Best Power Hitter: Joey Terdoslavich (ineligible in 2009).

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Jonathan Jones.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Jordan Casas (6.6 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Tre Dennis.

Best Defender: Devin Lohman.

Best Infield Arm: Kirk Singer.

Best Outfield Arm: Matt Avery.

Best Fastball (velocity): Jake Thompson (93 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Jason Markovitz.

Best Changeup: Jake Thompson.

Best Command: Jake Thompson.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Andrew Gagnon, rhp. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Gagnon is expected to step right into the weekend rotation after turning down a 10^th-round offer from the Pittsburgh Pirates last June, and become the Friday-night starter by his junior year. He has a present low-90s fastball that should continue to gain velocity.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Devin Lohman, ss / Jake Thompson, rhp. Lohman interned at second base last year with 3-year starter Danny Espinosa entrenched at shortstop. He has excellent defensive skills and the chance to develop some power as he matures and gets stronger. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Thompson is of freshman age as he skipped his senior year of high school, but has top-round ability and showed maturity beyond his years last year. By the 2010 draft, he should have three above-average pitches.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Charlie Ruiz, rhp. The Dirtbags had a profound impact on the 2009 draft, but may be hard-pressed to have a pick in the top 10 rounds this year. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Ruiz closed the last two years for Chabot JC and will continue in that role with Long Beach State. His primary pitches are a low-90s fastball and slider.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Rylan Sandoval, 3b. Sandoval was drafted twice out of Chabot JC (30^th round, Mets in 2007; 38^th round, A’s in 2006) before coming to Long Beach State . He got only 76 at-bats as a junior, but is an athletic third baseman who can play a variety of positions, will hit in the cleanup spot and is one of the Dirtbags fastest players.

--DAVID RAWNSLEY