54. SAN DIEGO STATE

2008 RECORD. Overall: 31-28. Conference: 16-8 / 2nd in Mountain West Conference.

Coach: Tony Gwynn (173-190, 7^th season).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 vs Bethune-Cookman at Compton, Calif.

 

OVERVIEW: The overriding focus on the San Diego State program this spring will be on RHP Stephen Strasburg, the prohibitive favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the June draft. But that deflects attention from what might be the best team in coach Tony Gwynn’s six-year tenure. LHP Nate Solow is a quality No. 2 starter and sophomore RHP Addison Reed showed signs as a freshman that he could become a dominant closer. Highly-touted freshmen Ryan O’Sullivan and Brandon Meredith will impact both the offense and defense. A big sophomore season from talented OF Cory Vaughn, son of former major league slugger Greg Vaughn, would be a big boost to the Aztecs’ chances.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Matt Parker, So. (Injured in 2008; .259-0-10 in 2007).

1B: Brandon Meredith (3), Fr. (Rays/15^th round).

2B: Mitch Blackburn, Jr. (.354-2-26 at Palomar, Calif. , JC).

3B: Erik Castro, Jr. (.259-5-29).

SS: Ryan O’Sullivan (4), Fr. (Giants/10^th round).

LF: Brandon Decker, Jr. (.325-1-23).

CF: Pat Colwell (1), Jr. (.313-3-25).

RF: Cory Vaughn, So. (.243-6-28).

DH: T.J. Thomas, So. (.226-1-8).

1/Starter: Stephen Strasburg, Jr. (*8-3, *1.57, *97 IP/*133 SO).

2/Starter: Nate Solow, Jr. (6-7, 4.24, 91 IP/96 SO).

3/Starter: Tyler Lavigne, Jr. (8-3, 1.13 at JC of Southern Nevada ).

Closer: Addison Reed, So. (3-1, 2.73, *4 SV, 26 IP/26 SO).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Cory Vaughn.

Best Overall Hitter: Brandon Meredith.

Best Power Hitter: Cory Vaughn.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Pat Colwell.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Cory Vaughn (6.6 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Pat Colwell.

Best Defender: Matt Parker.

Best Infield Arm: Ryan O’Sullivan.

Best Outfield Arm: Cory Vaughn.

Best Fastball (velocity): Stephen Strasburg (99 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Stephen Strasburg.

Best Changeup: Stephen Strasburg.

Best Command: Stephen Strasburg.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Brandon Meredith, 1b/Ryan O’Sullivan, ss. O’Sullivan has always excelled as a two-way player at shortstop and on the mound. Though his professional future seemed to be on the mound when he was drafted in the 10^th round by the San Francisco Giants a year ago, he’ll spend most of his freshman season in college at shortstop. Because his brother Sean initially committed to the Aztecs (also as a two-way player) before re-routing to Grossmont JC and eventually signing with the Los Angeles Angels, and Ryan was an Aflac All-American like his brother, O’Sullivan came to San Diego State with a higher-prospect profile than the undrafted Meredith. But the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Meredith was a monster for the Aztecs in the fall with the bat. The duo will hold down the key Nos. 3-4 spots in the San Diego State batting order.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Cory Vaughn, of. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Vaughn is a potential 5-tool player with 6.6-speed in the 60 and big-time power. The big question will be if he can control and shorten his swing, which resulted in 62 strikeouts vs. only 12 walks as a freshman.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Stephen Strasburg, rhp. There really isn’t anything the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Strasburg doesn’t do. He throws consistently in the mid- to upper-90s, has a hammer of a curveball, a surprisingly good changeup, walked only 16 hitters in 97 innings last year and has a clean injury history. Expectations will be huge.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: James McLaughlin, rhp. McLaughlin is ticketed again to fill the long reliever/spot starter role he did admirably last spring, when he went 3-2, 4.04 in 64 innings. His fastball may only be in the upper 80s, but he gets good arm-side run on the pitch, and a split-finger change is his best secondary pitch.

--DAVID RAWNSLEY