44. MISSOURI STATE

2008 RECORD. Overall: 40-17. Conference: 18-6 / 2nd in Missouri Valley Conference.

Coach: Keith Guttin (904-553, 27th year).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 at No. 88 Middle Tennessee State .

 

OVERVIEW: It’s easy to write down Wichita State every year as the favorite in the Missouri Valley Conference, but 2009 could be different. Missouri State returns intact its entire starting rotation, including MVC pitcher of the year Tim Clubb (a perfect 11-0 in 2008), from a team that won 40 games in 2008. Junior LHP Buddy Baumann, who isn’t that far behind Clubb in talent, and sophomore LHP Aaron Meade give the Bears two southpaws with upper-80s-type stuff, a rarity in the Missouri Valley, though Baumann underwent labrum surgery in November. The same kind of talent exists on offense, where junior 1B Ben Carlson is the top offensive player in the league and senior 3B Brayden Drake isn’t far behind.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Dallas Hord, Jr. (.214-4-21).

1B: Ben Carlson (4), Jr. (.379-*17-*67).

2B: Travis McComack, Fr. (HS—De Soto, Mo).

3B: Brayden Drake (3), Sr. (.342-6-61, 14 SB).

SS: Curt Courtwright, Jr. (.174-1-14).

LF: Zak Swyhart, Fr. (HS—St. Joseph, Mo).

CF: Aaron Conway (1), So. (.297-0-7).

RF: Chris Playter, Sr. (.299-3-34, 12 SB).

DH: Christian Overstreet, Jr. (.227-2-8).

1/Starter: Tim Clubb, Jr. (*11-0, *2.52, *104 IP/*82 SO).

2/Starter: Buddy Baumann, Jr. (6-4, 4.66, 75 IP/71 SO).

3/Starter: Aaron Meade, So. (4-3, 5.06, 59 IP/65 SO).

Closer: J.C. Casey, So. (0-1, 14.88, 0 SV, 16 IP/6 SO).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Dallas Hord.

Best Overall Hitter: Ben Carlson.

Best Power Hitter: Ben Carlson.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Christian Overstreet.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Aaron Conway (6.5 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Aaron Conway.

Best Defender: Curt Courtwright.

Best Infield Arm: Brayden Drake.

Best Outfield Arm: Ryan Modglin.

Best Fastball (velocity): Tim Clubb (92 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Tim Clubb.

Best Changeup: Buddy Baumann.

Best Command: Tim Clubb.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Ryan Modglin, rhp/of. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Modglin, a 39th-round pick of the Kansas City Royals last June, could contribute either on the mound or as a lefthanded power hitter. He can reach the low 90s with his fastball and has a hard, tumbling split-finger change that could make him ideal for a power relief role.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Aaron Meade, lhp. Meade averaged more than a strikeout per inning as a freshman, using an upper-80s fastball and very deceptive changeup as his main weapons. A more consistent breaking ball is the next item on his learning curve.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Tim Clubb, rhp / Ben Carlson, 1b. Clubb, a fourth-year junior drafted in the 42nd round by Tampa Bay last June, can touch 92 mph with his fastball and pitch in the upper-80s, but his main strength is command of three pitches and his competitiveness. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Carlson put up big numbers as a sophomore, despite an injured elbow that required surgery immediately after the season and forced him to DH all of 2008. He has big-time lefthanded power in his big frame.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Brayden Drake, 3b. Drake is a four-year starter for the Bears at third base and will finish his career high on the all-time school lists in numerous categories. He’s a polished hitter with a short, crisp line-drive swing and gap power. He projects as a solid senior-sign type of draft.

--DAVID RAWNSLEY