[Brickcity]

It’s never too early to think baseball. 
Baseball America in the too early rankings has us at #3

The Baseball America rankings are from early August, but they are after the pro signing deadline and much of the transfer situation would have been sorted out by then. 

On Stanford:
- The core of the team are juniors, and those juniors have been to the CWS twice. It's about as experienced as a college baseball team gets. 
- That said, the team will need to find 4 new lineup regulars. We lost CF Brock Jones, 2B Brett Barrera, C Kody Huff, SS Adam Crampton. 
- I would guess Tommy Troy will start at either SS or 2B. 
- Two candidates come to mind for the other middle infield position. Esquer mentioned Owen Cobb (Sr) in his post-season interviews. Cobb has spent some time as a starter each of the past three seasons but so far his bat hasn't come around. Trevor Haskins (So) got a fair amount of playing time last year and was the hero of the Texas State rubber game. 
- Two candidates for catcher. Charlie Saum (So) was a noted recruit a year ago and Malcolm Moore (Fr) was probably the highest profile recruit this year. Moore hits well, so could be DH if he doesn't make catcher. 
- I have little feel for a likely new outfield starter. Anyone? 
- Lots of pitchers who've thrown lots of innings. Bruno likely the closer. Matthews presumably will begin as Friday starter. Not sure who other starters will be out of Dowd, Dixon, O'Rourke, Pancer, Uber ... and Frosh Matt Scott who was drafted by Rangers in the 20th round. 


Stanford's out of conference opponents include Fullerton, Rice, Texas Tech and Oklahoma - but none are in Baseball America's top 25.

Given how well Haskins was playing late, seems hard to believe he won't win one of the infield spots. But, who knows. 

I think I read elsewhere that Dowd is projected to be the Saturday starter. It's interesting: he and Dixon took turns throughout the season pitching very well and very poorly. But, Dowd was the one playing well in the post-season, so perhaps that gives him the edge.

[Brickcity]

It’s never too early to think baseball. 
Baseball America in the too early rankings has us at #3

The Baseball America rankings are from early August, but they are after the pro signing deadline and much of the transfer situation would have been sorted out by then. 

On Stanford:
- The core of the team are juniors, and those juniors have been to the CWS twice. It's about as experienced as a college baseball team gets. 
- That said, the team will need to find 4 new lineup regulars. We lost CF Brock Jones, 2B Brett Barrera, C Kody Huff, SS Adam Crampton. 
- I would guess Tommy Troy will start at either SS or 2B. 
- Two candidates come to mind for the other middle infield position. Esquer mentioned Owen Cobb (Sr) in his post-season interviews. Cobb has spent some time as a starter each of the past three seasons but so far his bat hasn't come around. Trevor Haskins (So) got a fair amount of playing time last year and was the hero of the Texas State rubber game. 
- Two candidates for catcher. Charlie Saum (So) was a noted recruit a year ago and Malcolm Moore (Fr) was probably the highest profile recruit this year. Moore hits well, so could be DH if he doesn't make catcher. 
- I have little feel for a likely new outfield starter. Anyone? 
- Lots of pitchers who've thrown lots of innings. Bruno likely the closer. Matthews presumably will begin as Friday starter. Not sure who other starters will be out of Dowd, Dixon, O'Rourke, Pancer, Uber ... and Frosh Matt Scott who was drafted by Rangers in the 20th round. 


Stanford's out of conference opponents include Fullerton, Rice, Texas Tech and Oklahoma - but none are in Baseball America's top 25.

Given how well Haskins was playing late, seems hard to believe he won't win one of the infield spots. But, who knows. 

I think I read elsewhere that Dowd is projected to be the Saturday starter. It's interesting: he and Dixon took turns throughout the season pitching very well and very poorly. But, Dowd was the one playing well in the post-season, so perhaps that gives him the edge.

[BobK]

Perseason Pac 12 All League

[tweet]https://twitter.com/perfectgameusa/status/1615401127280771074?s=46&t=7fHgQP7f3KfTSb7ydOLKbQ[/tweet]

Can’t wait for the start of the season

[BobK]

Perseason Pac 12 All League

[tweet]https://twitter.com/perfectgameusa/status/1615401127280771074?s=46&t=7fHgQP7f3KfTSb7ydOLKbQ[/tweet]

Can’t wait for the start of the season

[TonyLima]

D1 Baseball preseason rankings

[TonyLima]

D1 Baseball preseason rankings

[treetop11]

https://stanforddaily.com/2022/08/31/bas...into-2023/

Never too early to talk baseball

Interesting part of that article is that they interviewed Esquer, so we know that this is based upon what Esquer actually thinks at this point, or at least has the messages he wants to send publicly. 

Things that stood out to me:

1. The middle infield - returning players. 
He mentions senior Owen Cobb as a likely middle infielder, along with Tommy Troy. 

Troy is a no brainer. If it hadn't been for some lingering injuries early last season I think he might have beat out Barrera for starting second baseman. He's just had a second strong season in a row in the Cape Cod League. 

Cobb got starts at second/short to begin each of the last three seasons (4 starts 2020, 5 2021, 4 2022). However, he couldn't get his bat untracked and lost the starter's role. I had sort of forgotten about him in thinking about 2023. Hard to tell how much Esquer's comment is a real statement about likely starters versus a shout-out to a loyal senior. 

While we don't quite know what comments from Esquer that the writer might not have passed on, I note that Trevor Haskins was not mentioned. Haskins was the top backup middle infielder by the end of the season, getting a start when Carter Graham got injured in the regional and was the pinch hitter hero in the comeback in the regional final vs Texas State. 
I figured that he was second in line for a middle infield starting spot. 

2. Incoming Frosh
The only player Esquer really talks about is Jimmy Nati from Australia, noting "He's a great offensive player". I hadn't heard anything about him, so it's good to hear he is a potential standout. I have noticed a bit of an influx of quality players into NCAA baseball from Australia recently, including 2022 freshman all-american second baseman Travis Bazzana from OSU. Will be interesting if Nati corrals a starting spot. 

Malcolm Moore is the incoming player I had heard the most about, a big hitting catcher. Not mentioned in the article, but that may have been due to some kind of editor's cut. At one point the article states that "joining them [four pitchers] and Moore are ...", even though this Moore had not been previously mentioned. 

3. Outfield
Nothing is really mentioned about a candidate for the open center field spot vacated by Brock Jones. I don't have any feel for a leading candidate for that position - other than noting that there seem to be several infield candidates and Troy can play outfield (I think). 

4. Pitching
Not at all surprised by the statement that Esquer intends to return Matthews to a starting role, with Bruno and Montgomery taking over closer role. There is a problem with bringing in Montgomery as a reliever, if he has been in right field, in that we lose the DH. Might be a reason to make him more of a single inning closer than we usually see in college.  
Lots of junior arms who have pitched a lot, a frosh who was drafted, and another that Bobk was high on (Dugan if I remember correctly). 
Pretty bullish on the pitching staff for 2023. 

5. Funniest Line. 
First, our author mentions that the incoming class has pitchers, infielders, outfielders, and apparently a catcher (in the edited out section), then follows that up with, "Whether intentional or not, these players play the same positions as those in the departing 2022 MLB draft class." 
To be fair, it's true that we didn't lose first or third basemen, and nobody in the incoming class seems to be labeled for there - but still thought it was rather amusing.

I think Bobk was referring to a highly acclaimed fr. pitcher Scott from CT. Other frosh pitchers look to have potential, but until I see them in competition, can;t offer opinion on their possible contributions. Hwever, I think from what I have read, Dugan will be a sleeper in terms of becoming a factor.

Looks like a favorable schedule for us which is good. Strong returning talent and potential from newcomers, but team needs to adjsut to the losses and develop its own new identity. So a favorable schedule gives Esquer opportunity to experiment and adjust the pieces.

[treetop11]

https://stanforddaily.com/2022/08/31/bas...into-2023/

Never too early to talk baseball

Interesting part of that article is that they interviewed Esquer, so we know that this is based upon what Esquer actually thinks at this point, or at least has the messages he wants to send publicly. 

Things that stood out to me:

1. The middle infield - returning players. 
He mentions senior Owen Cobb as a likely middle infielder, along with Tommy Troy. 

Troy is a no brainer. If it hadn't been for some lingering injuries early last season I think he might have beat out Barrera for starting second baseman. He's just had a second strong season in a row in the Cape Cod League. 

Cobb got starts at second/short to begin each of the last three seasons (4 starts 2020, 5 2021, 4 2022). However, he couldn't get his bat untracked and lost the starter's role. I had sort of forgotten about him in thinking about 2023. Hard to tell how much Esquer's comment is a real statement about likely starters versus a shout-out to a loyal senior. 

While we don't quite know what comments from Esquer that the writer might not have passed on, I note that Trevor Haskins was not mentioned. Haskins was the top backup middle infielder by the end of the season, getting a start when Carter Graham got injured in the regional and was the pinch hitter hero in the comeback in the regional final vs Texas State. 
I figured that he was second in line for a middle infield starting spot. 

2. Incoming Frosh
The only player Esquer really talks about is Jimmy Nati from Australia, noting "He's a great offensive player". I hadn't heard anything about him, so it's good to hear he is a potential standout. I have noticed a bit of an influx of quality players into NCAA baseball from Australia recently, including 2022 freshman all-american second baseman Travis Bazzana from OSU. Will be interesting if Nati corrals a starting spot. 

Malcolm Moore is the incoming player I had heard the most about, a big hitting catcher. Not mentioned in the article, but that may have been due to some kind of editor's cut. At one point the article states that "joining them [four pitchers] and Moore are ...", even though this Moore had not been previously mentioned. 

3. Outfield
Nothing is really mentioned about a candidate for the open center field spot vacated by Brock Jones. I don't have any feel for a leading candidate for that position - other than noting that there seem to be several infield candidates and Troy can play outfield (I think). 

4. Pitching
Not at all surprised by the statement that Esquer intends to return Matthews to a starting role, with Bruno and Montgomery taking over closer role. There is a problem with bringing in Montgomery as a reliever, if he has been in right field, in that we lose the DH. Might be a reason to make him more of a single inning closer than we usually see in college.  
Lots of junior arms who have pitched a lot, a frosh who was drafted, and another that Bobk was high on (Dugan if I remember correctly). 
Pretty bullish on the pitching staff for 2023. 

5. Funniest Line. 
First, our author mentions that the incoming class has pitchers, infielders, outfielders, and apparently a catcher (in the edited out section), then follows that up with, "Whether intentional or not, these players play the same positions as those in the departing 2022 MLB draft class." 
To be fair, it's true that we didn't lose first or third basemen, and nobody in the incoming class seems to be labeled for there - but still thought it was rather amusing.

I think Bobk was referring to a highly acclaimed fr. pitcher Scott from CT. Other frosh pitchers look to have potential, but until I see them in competition, can;t offer opinion on their possible contributions. Hwever, I think from what I have read, Dugan will be a sleeper in terms of becoming a factor.

Looks like a favorable schedule for us which is good. Strong returning talent and potential from newcomers, but team needs to adjsut to the losses and develop its own new identity. So a favorable schedule gives Esquer opportunity to experiment and adjust the pieces.

[OutsiderFan]

How can Stanford hold its own in Baseball with 7/10 of the Top 10 being from the SEC, and walk around with pants around their ankles in MBB and Football?

[OutsiderFan]

How can Stanford hold its own in Baseball with 7/10 of the Top 10 being from the SEC, and walk around with pants around their ankles in MBB and Football?

[TonyLima]

How can Stanford hold its own in Baseball with 7/10 of the Top 10 being from the SEC, and walk around with pants around their ankles in MBB and Football?

Baseball requires a different skill set mentally and physically.

---

https://gostanford.com/sports/baseball/schedule

The schedule and the roster

https://gostanford.com/sports/baseball/roster

Bought my season tix yesterday

Bob, if possible could you use your powers to merge this thread with "Stanford baseball 2023?" Thanks.

[TonyLima]

How can Stanford hold its own in Baseball with 7/10 of the Top 10 being from the SEC, and walk around with pants around their ankles in MBB and Football?

Baseball requires a different skill set mentally and physically.

---

https://gostanford.com/sports/baseball/schedule

The schedule and the roster

https://gostanford.com/sports/baseball/roster

Bought my season tix yesterday

Bob, if possible could you use your powers to merge this thread with "Stanford baseball 2023?" Thanks.

[BostonCard]

Bob, if possible could you use your powers to merge this thread with "Stanford baseball 2023?" Thanks.

Not Bob, but done.

BC

[BostonCard]

Bob, if possible could you use your powers to merge this thread with "Stanford baseball 2023?" Thanks.

Not Bob, but done.

BC

[TonyLima]

Bob, if possible could you use your powers to merge this thread with "Stanford baseball 2023?" Thanks.

Not Bob, but done.

BC

TYVM. I can’t keep track of who’s in charge here.

[TonyLima]

Bob, if possible could you use your powers to merge this thread with "Stanford baseball 2023?" Thanks.

Not Bob, but done.

BC

TYVM. I can’t keep track of who’s in charge here.

[BobK]

Weasrrfc

It’s certainly never been me Tony

Wish you would spell out words however
:)

[BobK]

Weasrrfc

It’s certainly never been me Tony

Wish you would spell out words however
:)

[BobK]

https://gostanford.com/news/2023/1/18/ba...raise.aspx

4 first and 2nd team pre season All Americans

[BobK]

https://gostanford.com/news/2023/1/18/ba...raise.aspx

4 first and 2nd team pre season All Americans

[martyup]

Bob, if possible could you use your powers to merge this thread with "Stanford baseball 2023?" Thanks.

Not Bob, but done.

BC

TYVM. I can’t keep track of who’s in charge here.

[martyup]

Bob, if possible could you use your powers to merge this thread with "Stanford baseball 2023?" Thanks.

Not Bob, but done.

BC

TYVM. I can’t keep track of who’s in charge here.

[BobK]

https://gostanford.com/index.aspx

Our pre season All Americans

[BobK]

https://gostanford.com/index.aspx

Our pre season All Americans

[Brickcity]

https://gostanford.com/index.aspx

Our pre season All Americans

Here's the link to baseball: https://gostanford.com/sports/baseball?path=bsb

Interesting that Drew Bowser isn't on any of them. 

In any case, our hitting should be among the best in the country, as I'll assume at least three of the four new guys in the lineup will hit well (Haskins, Moore, Campbell) with a TBD on Saum. 

The real question mark for the team, IMHO, is can we find a few more pitching studs beyond Matthews and Bruno? If we can at least get consistently "good" performances from at least four others, we'll be in good shape. Panzer was pretty consistent last year. But we need more from guys like Dixon, Dowd, O'Rourke, Uber and Montgomery (Montgomery being a real wild-card.) We have a couple freshmen pitchers coming in too who look promising - hopefully at least one can be big a contributor in year one.

[Brickcity]

https://gostanford.com/index.aspx

Our pre season All Americans

Here's the link to baseball: https://gostanford.com/sports/baseball?path=bsb

Interesting that Drew Bowser isn't on any of them. 

In any case, our hitting should be among the best in the country, as I'll assume at least three of the four new guys in the lineup will hit well (Haskins, Moore, Campbell) with a TBD on Saum. 

The real question mark for the team, IMHO, is can we find a few more pitching studs beyond Matthews and Bruno? If we can at least get consistently "good" performances from at least four others, we'll be in good shape. Panzer was pretty consistent last year. But we need more from guys like Dixon, Dowd, O'Rourke, Uber and Montgomery (Montgomery being a real wild-card.) We have a couple freshmen pitchers coming in too who look promising - hopefully at least one can be big a contributor in year one.

[BobK]

Baseball America has Moore national Frosh of the year
Troy 1st team All American
Montgomery and Bruno 2nd team All Americans
And ranks Stanford # 4

[BobK]

Baseball America has Moore national Frosh of the year
Troy 1st team All American
Montgomery and Bruno 2nd team All Americans
And ranks Stanford # 4

[Maple Leaf]

College baseball’s best players, teams to watch in 2023: The Athletic’s coaches forum - The Athletic

The Athletic has a list of college coaches offering their opinions including Esquer and the Oregon State head coach.

Oregon State coach named Quinn Mathews as the best pitcher coming back they faced last year, Carter Graham the best position player coming back they faced last year.

Esquer said the conference has OSU, Oregon, UCLA and Arizona as the top teams in the conference

OSU coach has UCLA and Stanford as the top teams in the conference.

The Athletic has a three part series on college baseball, this is the first part.

[Maple Leaf]

College baseball’s best players, teams to watch in 2023: The Athletic’s coaches forum - The Athletic

The Athletic has a list of college coaches offering their opinions including Esquer and the Oregon State head coach.

Oregon State coach named Quinn Mathews as the best pitcher coming back they faced last year, Carter Graham the best position player coming back they faced last year.

Esquer said the conference has OSU, Oregon, UCLA and Arizona as the top teams in the conference

OSU coach has UCLA and Stanford as the top teams in the conference.

The Athletic has a three part series on college baseball, this is the first part.

[BobK]

More Baseball America

Pac 12 Pitcher of the year : Mathews
Top Draft Prospects:
1 Troy
5 Browser
9 Bruno

[BobK]

More Baseball America

Pac 12 Pitcher of the year : Mathews
Top Draft Prospects:
1 Troy
5 Browser
9 Bruno

[TonyLima]

Season countdown t-3.  Any video (or even audio) coverage of the Fullerton games?

[TonyLima]

Season countdown t-3.  Any video (or even audio) coverage of the Fullerton games?

[BobK]

This on the 2024 draft

Montgomery 12
Moore 19 however per perfect game he won’t be 21 until august 2024
Charlie Bates Stanford commit 47

[BobK]

This on the 2024 draft

Montgomery 12
Moore 19 however per perfect game he won’t be 21 until august 2024
Charlie Bates Stanford commit 47

[CTcard]

Series with Fullerton starts tomorrow. Games are at Fullerton, all three with TV coverage on ESPN+. 6 PM, 5 PM, 1 PM PST. 

Fullerton is a long time Stanford baseball rival and national power, with 4 national titles, 1 runner up, 18 appearances at the CWS. However, they have hit some hard times lately. Their last tournament appearance was 2018. They hired a new coach a year ago, Jason Dietrich. Last year the Titans went 22-33, which was actually a small step up from the previous season's 20-35.
The Fullerton fans seem rather upbeat this year, with several new transfer players. They are trumpeting on their web site that D1 Baseball ranked several of their players: pitcher Stultz #85 starter, Lew #35 third baseman, Connor #44 first baseman. Fans are also high on pitching transfer Hinkle (from Pepperdine) and their main fan page thinks this will be Friday starter. These seem to be their top players. 

In recent years against Fullerton:
2022: 2-1 (at Stanford)
2021: didn't play
2020: 1-2 (at Stanford)
2019: 2-1 (at Fullerton)
2018: 3-0 (at Stanford)

Stanford has announced starting pitchers:
Friday - Quinn Matthews
Saturday - Drew Dowd
Sunday - Nick Dugan

Dugan getting the Sunday start is very interesting. The generally highest rated frosh pitcher was Matt Scott out of CT, but this presumably tells us something about how the coaches rate them now. 

I haven't heard anything about the starting position players. Has anyone? 

Here's the link to baseball: https://gostanford.com/sports/baseball?path=bsb

Interesting that Drew Bowser isn't on any of them. 

In any case, our hitting should be among the best in the country, as I'll assume at least three of the four new guys in the lineup will hit well (Haskins, Moore, Campbell) with a TBD on Saum. 

Also interesting on our All Americans is that the highest rated guy (or just about), Tommy Troy, has yet to hold down a regular fielding starting position. He was the main DH last year, has been an outstanding hitter in two consecutive NCAA tournaments, and had two very strong seasons in the Cape Cod League. My guess is he would have been staring 2B last year if not for some nagging, early season injuries. Certainly expect him to man a fielding position all this season (likely middle infield, though he can play outfield). 

On the four new guys you mention, do you know those are our new starters or are you guessing? 
I hadn't heard anything on Campbell, so that would be interesting.

[CTcard]

Series with Fullerton starts tomorrow. Games are at Fullerton, all three with TV coverage on ESPN+. 6 PM, 5 PM, 1 PM PST. 

Fullerton is a long time Stanford baseball rival and national power, with 4 national titles, 1 runner up, 18 appearances at the CWS. However, they have hit some hard times lately. Their last tournament appearance was 2018. They hired a new coach a year ago, Jason Dietrich. Last year the Titans went 22-33, which was actually a small step up from the previous season's 20-35.
The Fullerton fans seem rather upbeat this year, with several new transfer players. They are trumpeting on their web site that D1 Baseball ranked several of their players: pitcher Stultz #85 starter, Lew #35 third baseman, Connor #44 first baseman. Fans are also high on pitching transfer Hinkle (from Pepperdine) and their main fan page thinks this will be Friday starter. These seem to be their top players. 

In recent years against Fullerton:
2022: 2-1 (at Stanford)
2021: didn't play
2020: 1-2 (at Stanford)
2019: 2-1 (at Fullerton)
2018: 3-0 (at Stanford)

Stanford has announced starting pitchers:
Friday - Quinn Matthews
Saturday - Drew Dowd
Sunday - Nick Dugan

Dugan getting the Sunday start is very interesting. The generally highest rated frosh pitcher was Matt Scott out of CT, but this presumably tells us something about how the coaches rate them now. 

I haven't heard anything about the starting position players. Has anyone? 

Here's the link to baseball: https://gostanford.com/sports/baseball?path=bsb

Interesting that Drew Bowser isn't on any of them. 

In any case, our hitting should be among the best in the country, as I'll assume at least three of the four new guys in the lineup will hit well (Haskins, Moore, Campbell) with a TBD on Saum. 

Also interesting on our All Americans is that the highest rated guy (or just about), Tommy Troy, has yet to hold down a regular fielding starting position. He was the main DH last year, has been an outstanding hitter in two consecutive NCAA tournaments, and had two very strong seasons in the Cape Cod League. My guess is he would have been staring 2B last year if not for some nagging, early season injuries. Certainly expect him to man a fielding position all this season (likely middle infield, though he can play outfield). 

On the four new guys you mention, do you know those are our new starters or are you guessing? 
I hadn't heard anything on Campbell, so that would be interesting.

[TonyLima]

Series with Fullerton starts tomorrow. Games are at Fullerton, all three with TV coverage on ESPN+. 6 PM, 5 PM, 1 PM PST. 

Fullerton is a long time Stanford baseball rival and national power, with 4 national titles, 1 runner up, 18 appearances at the CWS. However, they have hit some hard times lately. Their last tournament appearance was 2018. They hired a new coach a year ago, Jason Dietrich. Last year the Titans went 22-33, which was actually a small step up from the previous season's 20-35.
The Fullerton fans seem rather upbeat this year, with several new transfer players. They are trumpeting on their web site that D1 Baseball ranked several of their players: pitcher Stultz #85 starter, Lew #35 third baseman, Connor #44 first baseman. Fans are also high on pitching transfer Hinkle (from Pepperdine) and their main fan page thinks this will be Friday starter. These seem to be their top players. 

[more to come ...]

TYVM.  Will try to record the games this weekend.  Stay tuned.

[TonyLima]

Series with Fullerton starts tomorrow. Games are at Fullerton, all three with TV coverage on ESPN+. 6 PM, 5 PM, 1 PM PST. 

Fullerton is a long time Stanford baseball rival and national power, with 4 national titles, 1 runner up, 18 appearances at the CWS. However, they have hit some hard times lately. Their last tournament appearance was 2018. They hired a new coach a year ago, Jason Dietrich. Last year the Titans went 22-33, which was actually a small step up from the previous season's 20-35.
The Fullerton fans seem rather upbeat this year, with several new transfer players. They are trumpeting on their web site that D1 Baseball ranked several of their players: pitcher Stultz #85 starter, Lew #35 third baseman, Connor #44 first baseman. Fans are also high on pitching transfer Hinkle (from Pepperdine) and their main fan page thinks this will be Friday starter. These seem to be their top players. 

[more to come ...]

TYVM.  Will try to record the games this weekend.  Stay tuned.