57. GONZAGA

2008 RECORD. Overall: 30-23. Conference: 10-10 / 5^th in West Coast Conference.

Coach: Mark Machtolf (114-102, 5^th season).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 vs. Nevada at Phoenix, Ariz.

 

OVERVIEW: Gonzaga has a pitching core that matches up with any school in the Northwest, and maybe even in the West Coast Conference. Red-shirt senior Matt Fields returns after leading the Zags in wins in 2008. He will fill the Friday slot, but scouts are almost certain to take more of a liking to converted sophomore closer Cody Martin, promising JC transfers Steve Ames and Jake Hiatt, and especially freshman LHP Ryan Carpenter—one of five freshmen recruits from Arizona who are expected to make an immediate impact. The Zags also return their top six hitters, including senior 1B Ryan Wiegand, who swings a big lefthanded bat and should be a force again in the middle of the lineup.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Tyson Van Winkle, Jr. (.298-3-30).

1B: Ryan Wiegand (4), Sr. (.365-*11-*63).

2B: Evan Wells (1), Sr. (.337-0-36).

3B: Jason Chatwood, Sr. (.316-4-35).

SS: Ernesto Ortiz, Fr. (HS—Phoenix, Ariz.).

LF: Grant Kveder, Sr. (.322-0-31).

CF: Drew Heid (3), Jr. (*.386-2-16).

RF: Royce Bolinger, Fr. (HS—Scottsdale, Ariz.).

DH: Mark Castellitto, Jr. (.315-8-28).

1/Starter: Matt Fields, Sr. (*8-3, 4.92, *78 IP/*70 SO).

2/Starter: Ryan Carpenter, Fr. (Rays/21^st round).

3/Starter: Cody Martin, So. (4-1, *2.80, *9 SV, 55 IP/51 SO).

Closer: Jake Hiatt, Jr. (6-1, 1.73, 7 SV at Walla Walla, Wash. , CC).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Drew Heid.

Best Overall Hitter: Ryan Wiegand

Best Power Hitter: Ryan Wiegand.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Evan Wells.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Chris Sturdivant (6.7 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Drew Heid.

Best Defender: Ernesto Ortiz.

Best Infield Arm: Jason Chatwood.

Best Outfield Arm: Royce Bolinger.

Best Fastball (velocity): Ryan Carpenter (94 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Jake Hiatt.

Best Changeup: Cody Martin.

Best Command: C.J. McClure.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Ryan Carpenter, lhp. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Carpenter, a product of Gonzaga’s rich Arizona recruiting connection, could be the best freshman ever to enter the program. He turned down fourth-round money from the Tampa Bay Rays late last summer after his fastball jumped up to 94 mph. He also throws a slider and changeup.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Cody Martin, rhp. Martin moves to the starting rotation after establishing himself as one of the top freshman relievers in the country in 2008. He has three quality pitches in his fastball, curve and changeup and plus command potential.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Jake Hiatt, rhp. Hiatt was a record-setting closer at Washington ’s Walla Walla CC the past two seasons, and dominated with two power pitches, an 89-93 mph fastball and a sharp slider. He also attacks hitters aggressively, and both his highly-competitive approach and inclination to run out of gas quickly make him well-suited for a closer or end-of-game role. RHP Steve Ames, another notable JC transfer, has a proven track record of success in both college and summer competition, but his stuff is nowhere as electric as Hiatt’s.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Ryan Wiegard, 1b. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Wiegard has been a model of consistency as a three-year starter for the Zags, hitting .335, .338 and .365 while increasing his home-run totals from 1 to 6 to 11. The lefthanded hitter has a short swing for his size, and power to all fields.

--DAVID RAWNSLEY