[CTcard]

15 in another poll.  Yes way too high.  So many of immense proportions losses

Far too many question marks for this Cardinal team to start top 25. No power arms, no proven closer, a catcher who is a veteran but not great defensively and an offense topped by kids coming off of down years. The freshmen will have to grow up quickly.

The team lost most of its 2019 offense, the top 6 (or 6/7) hitters. Pitching lost the top three arms, but has more coming back.

A quick recap of returners who started more than a game or two last year:

Position Players
Integrating everyone below is about three total starters.
Tim Tawa - SS/3B (at least previously). Likely the guy that led to the "coming off down years" comment. Last year went .253(AVG)/.694(OPS) versus .296/.845 as a frosh.
Interestingly, the roster currently lists him as an outfielder.
Nick Bellafronto - 3B. (.258/.875 in 2019) One of the surprises of last year, emerging as a starter as a redshirt junior after never really on the field previously.
Christian Robinson - OF (.287/.756) My impression was that he was a big prospect, but his hitting has never really got going in two years at Stanford. Been a rotating starter for two years.
Nick Brueser - OF (previously). Was a rotating RF starter last year, now listed as infield. (.224/.720)
Brandon Dieter - SS/P (.208/.562) Began season as starting SS. Strong fielder but struggled at the plate as a frosh. When he lost the starting SS job I thought it was due the hitting problems. However, he basically didn't end up in games at all after that except for one pitching outing. So there could have been multiple issues involved.

Pitchers
Coming ...

[CTcard]

15 in another poll.  Yes way too high.  So many of immense proportions losses

Far too many question marks for this Cardinal team to start top 25. No power arms, no proven closer, a catcher who is a veteran but not great defensively and an offense topped by kids coming off of down years. The freshmen will have to grow up quickly.

The team lost most of its 2019 offense, the top 6 (or 6/7) hitters. Pitching lost the top three arms, but has more coming back.

A quick recap of returners who started more than a game or two last year:

Position Players
Integrating everyone below is about three total starters.
Tim Tawa - SS/3B (at least previously). Likely the guy that led to the "coming off down years" comment. Last year went .253(AVG)/.694(OPS) versus .296/.845 as a frosh.
Interestingly, the roster currently lists him as an outfielder.
Nick Bellafronto - 3B. (.258/.875 in 2019) One of the surprises of last year, emerging as a starter as a redshirt junior after never really on the field previously.
Christian Robinson - OF (.287/.756) My impression was that he was a big prospect, but his hitting has never really got going in two years at Stanford. Been a rotating starter for two years.
Nick Brueser - OF (previously). Was a rotating RF starter last year, now listed as infield. (.224/.720)
Brandon Dieter - SS/P (.208/.562) Began season as starting SS. Strong fielder but struggled at the plate as a frosh. When he lost the starting SS job I thought it was due the hitting problems. However, he basically didn't end up in games at all after that except for one pitching outing. So there could have been multiple issues involved.

Pitchers
Coming ...