9. RICE
2008 RECORD. Overall: 47-15 (Advanced to College World Series). Conference: 21-3 / 1st in Conference USA.
Coach: Wayne Graham (787-299, 18th season).
First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 at No. 52 Cal Poly.
OVERVIEW: If you ever wonder what’s at the core of Wayne Graham’s recruiting approach, be mindful that the 2009 edition of the Owls will be starting natural middle infielders at seven positions, including DH, and that an eighth player, RF Chad Mozingo, would be a prototype middle infielder athletically if he didn’t throw lefthanded. Typical of Graham’s teams, the Owls will be highly athletic on defense and quick on the bases—especially with junior catcher (and former third baseman) Diego Seastrunk, sophomore SS Rick Hague and freshman 3B Anthony Rendon leading the offense. RHP Ryan Berry, the nation’s top freshman in 2007, will lead a less-experienced pitching staff than normal, but another hallmark of Rice teams is that they always have pitching depth and their pitchers markedly improve from year to year. Expect more of the same from the 2009 Owls.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
C: Diego Seastrunk (4), Jr. (*.353-6-*61).
1B: Jimmy Comerota, Jr. (.291-0-28, 12 SB).
2B: Brock Holt (1), Jr. (.405-7-33 at Navarro, Texas, JC).
3B: Anthony Rendon (3), Fr. (Braves/27th round).
SS: Rick Hague, So. (.348-8-54).
LF: Michael Fuda, So. (.000-0-0).
CF: Steven Sultzbaugh, Jr. (.515-9-65 at Weatherford, Texas, JC).
RF: Chad Mozingo, So. (.301-2-30).
DH: Jess Buenger, Sr. (.258-1-8).
1/Starter: Ryan Berry, Jr. (8-5, 3.63, *104 IP/*86 SO).
2/Starter: Mike Ojala, Jr. (5-0, 4.97, 54 IP/64 SO).
3/Starter: Taylor Wall, Fr. (Diamondbacks, 40th round).
Closer: Matt Evers, So. (4-1, 3.00, 0 SV, 42 IP/54 SO).
BEST TOOLS
Best Athlete: Rick Hague.
Best Overall Hitter: Diego Seastrunk.
Best Power Hitter: Rick Hague.
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Jimmy Comerota.
Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Michael Fuda (6.5 seconds).
Best Base Runner: Brock Holt.
Best Defender: Rick Hague.
Best Infield Arm: Rick Hague.
Best Outfield Arm: Chad Mozingo.
Best Fastball (velocity): Ryan Berry (92 mph).
Best Breaking Ball: Mike Ojala.
Best Changeup: Taylor Wall.
Best Command: Ryan Berry.
TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Anthony Rendon, 3b. The Braves made a strong push to sign Rendon, their 27th-round pick, during the summer and Rice undoubtedly feels fortunate that he made it to campus. He is a superior hitter with middle-infield skills that will play well at third base due to Rice’s middle infield depth.
TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Rick Hague, ss. Hague, an unsigned Milwaukee Brewers draft pick in 2007, doubles as both the Owls’ best defensive player and their most dangerous power hitter—an impressive combination for a shortstop. Don’t be surprised if Hague’s a strong candidate for All-America honors this spring, and a potential early-round draft pick a year later.
TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Ryan Berry, rhp. Berry didn’t quite duplicate his outstanding freshman season (11-3, 3.01, 122 IP/125 SO) as a sophomore, but he’s still a workhorse and one of the premier Friday starters in college baseball. Though his fastball reaches the low 90s, Berry’s raw stuff isn’t exceptional but his command and competitiveness are.
TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Jess Buenger, 2b: Buenger was a starter for the 2007 Rice team that reached the College World Series, hitting .306-7-47, before missing much of last season with a foot injury. He’s a switch-hitter with a polished, mature approach to the game.
--DAVID RAWNSLEY