[Mick]

ACC seems like a strong baseball conference. Five of last year's Top Ten in RPI were UNC (#4), FSU (#5), Clemson (#8), NC State (#9) and Virginia (#10). Wake Forest (#14), Duke (#20), and Ga Tech (#45) are all in the Top Fifty. That's some impressive baseball.

DI Baseball Rankings - RPI | NCAA.com

The Top 100 contains Louisville (#61), VaTech (#68), Notre Dame (#79), Miami (#81), Pitt (#88), Boston College (#89).

Cal was #64, Stanford was #156. 

SMU hasn't played baseball since 1980. Syracuse hasn't had a team since 1972.

Are we really ranked this low??
What happened? How did we drop so fast so quickly? 
Didn't we make 2 of the last 3 CWS?
Is the sky falling?

The team went 22-33 in 2024. That tends to have an effect on RPI rankings.

DI Baseball Rankings - RPI | NCAA.com

The preseason ACC poll has Stanford at #8 of 17, Cal at #13

Virginia (13) – 251
Florida State (2) – 230
North Carolina – 217
Clemson (1) – 214
Duke – 182
Wake Forest – 171
NC State – 168
Stanford – 143
Louisville – 128
Georgia Tech – 113
Miami – 87
Virginia Tech – 85
California – 60
Pitt – 52
Notre Dame – 44
Boston College - 31

Virginia Tops 2025 ACC Baseball Preseason Poll - Atlantic Coast Conference

---

This articles predicts a ninth-place finish for Stanford in the ACC and predicts Sasaki will be Freshman of the Year. 

2025 ACC baseball preview: Georgia Tech's Drew Burress leads preseason awards | NCAA.com

This Clemson article doubts that Stanford will have the power to succeed in the ACC:

Stanford will Have to Adjust to ACC Baseball

The article refers to the ACC as a "much better baseball conference". Maybe. Here's a college baseball conference RPI rating which puts the ACC and the old Pac-12 at #2 and #6 (out of 31 collegiate conferences) respectively:
Conference RPI - 2024 College Baseball | WarrenNolan.com

In 2021, they were adjacent at #3 and #4:
College Baseball Conference RPI | WarrenNolan.com

Baseball America has Stanford at #22 in their preseason Top 25 (implying a #7 overall ACC finish). They note that Stanford had gone to three straight CWS's and return almost all of their pitching and all position players except the catcher and 2nd baseman:

College Baseball 'Way Too Early' Top 25 Rankings For 2025

Thanks Mick, I'll take it as the sky isn't falling, at least not yet.
The truth lies somewhere between #22 and #156

We'll find out pretty soon. First three ACC games are at #6 North Carolina March 7-9, then three home games vs. #11 Duke, then three home games vs. Cal and three road games against #2 Virginia. So by the April 1 game vs. SCU at Sunken Diamond, we'll know what we have.

My guess is 29-22 before the postseason starts.

[Mick]

ACC seems like a strong baseball conference. Five of last year's Top Ten in RPI were UNC (#4), FSU (#5), Clemson (#8), NC State (#9) and Virginia (#10). Wake Forest (#14), Duke (#20), and Ga Tech (#45) are all in the Top Fifty. That's some impressive baseball.

DI Baseball Rankings - RPI | NCAA.com

The Top 100 contains Louisville (#61), VaTech (#68), Notre Dame (#79), Miami (#81), Pitt (#88), Boston College (#89).

Cal was #64, Stanford was #156. 

SMU hasn't played baseball since 1980. Syracuse hasn't had a team since 1972.

Are we really ranked this low??
What happened? How did we drop so fast so quickly? 
Didn't we make 2 of the last 3 CWS?
Is the sky falling?

The team went 22-33 in 2024. That tends to have an effect on RPI rankings.

DI Baseball Rankings - RPI | NCAA.com

The preseason ACC poll has Stanford at #8 of 17, Cal at #13

Virginia (13) – 251
Florida State (2) – 230
North Carolina – 217
Clemson (1) – 214
Duke – 182
Wake Forest – 171
NC State – 168
Stanford – 143
Louisville – 128
Georgia Tech – 113
Miami – 87
Virginia Tech – 85
California – 60
Pitt – 52
Notre Dame – 44
Boston College - 31

Virginia Tops 2025 ACC Baseball Preseason Poll - Atlantic Coast Conference

---

This articles predicts a ninth-place finish for Stanford in the ACC and predicts Sasaki will be Freshman of the Year. 

2025 ACC baseball preview: Georgia Tech's Drew Burress leads preseason awards | NCAA.com

This Clemson article doubts that Stanford will have the power to succeed in the ACC:

Stanford will Have to Adjust to ACC Baseball

The article refers to the ACC as a "much better baseball conference". Maybe. Here's a college baseball conference RPI rating which puts the ACC and the old Pac-12 at #2 and #6 (out of 31 collegiate conferences) respectively:
Conference RPI - 2024 College Baseball | WarrenNolan.com

In 2021, they were adjacent at #3 and #4:
College Baseball Conference RPI | WarrenNolan.com

Baseball America has Stanford at #22 in their preseason Top 25 (implying a #7 overall ACC finish). They note that Stanford had gone to three straight CWS's and return almost all of their pitching and all position players except the catcher and 2nd baseman:

College Baseball 'Way Too Early' Top 25 Rankings For 2025

Thanks Mick, I'll take it as the sky isn't falling, at least not yet.
The truth lies somewhere between #22 and #156

We'll find out pretty soon. First three ACC games are at #6 North Carolina March 7-9, then three home games vs. #11 Duke, then three home games vs. Cal and three road games against #2 Virginia. So by the April 1 game vs. SCU at Sunken Diamond, we'll know what we have.

My guess is 29-22 before the postseason starts.

[JJJ]

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFgaSrEIXuL/...BiNWFlZA==

Nati with preseason accolades at 3B, making room for Sasaki at 1B.

[JJJ]

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFgaSrEIXuL/...BiNWFlZA==

Nati with preseason accolades at 3B, making room for Sasaki at 1B.

[JJJ]

Sasaki tabbed at #15 at 1B.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFgSrANP_Vy/...BiNWFlZA==

[JJJ]

Sasaki tabbed at #15 at 1B.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFgSrANP_Vy/...BiNWFlZA==

[GK3]

Sasaki tabbed at #15 at 1B.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFgSrANP_Vy/...BiNWFlZA==

I hadn't paid much attention to the schedule but I like the games with Fullerton and Washington. I am clueless about Xavier. I like how we start out with Fri, Sat, and Sun Acc games.  I assume we will fly Thursday, but maybe Wednesday then fly back after the Sun game giving us a little time to rest up before doing it again.  We might have to wait until Monday to fly back after Duke and before Cal. Then we start to see some other games appear in the schedule, then we stick in solo games against Santa Clara and Davis.  Not sure that makes good sense, but maybe we have to have so many games.
Rest is going to a challenge at times I would think.

[GK3]

Sasaki tabbed at #15 at 1B.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFgSrANP_Vy/...BiNWFlZA==

I hadn't paid much attention to the schedule but I like the games with Fullerton and Washington. I am clueless about Xavier. I like how we start out with Fri, Sat, and Sun Acc games.  I assume we will fly Thursday, but maybe Wednesday then fly back after the Sun game giving us a little time to rest up before doing it again.  We might have to wait until Monday to fly back after Duke and before Cal. Then we start to see some other games appear in the schedule, then we stick in solo games against Santa Clara and Davis.  Not sure that makes good sense, but maybe we have to have so many games.
Rest is going to a challenge at times I would think.

[BobK]

https://gostanford.com/news/2025/01/9/pr...tt-volchko

2 named pre season All Americans

[BobK]

https://gostanford.com/news/2025/01/9/pr...tt-volchko

2 named pre season All Americans

[JJJ]

Esky on the infield. (He didn’t even talk about 1B which is Rintaro’s spot.)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFyijwmO0...BiNWFlZA==

---

I’ll shut up after sharing this series that is also on IG.

Rintaro on D1baseball.com

[JJJ]

Esky on the infield. (He didn’t even talk about 1B which is Rintaro’s spot.)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFyijwmO0...BiNWFlZA==

---

I’ll shut up after sharing this series that is also on IG.

Rintaro on D1baseball.com

[TonyLima]

Looks like ESPN+ will carry the games!

[TonyLima]

Looks like ESPN+ will carry the games!

[Mick]

Esky on the infield. (He didn’t even talk about 1B which is Rintaro’s spot.)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFyijwmO0...BiNWFlZA==

---

I’ll shut up after sharing this series that is also on IG.

Rintaro on D1baseball.com

Fun article on Sasaki.

At Stanford, Japanese prospect Rintaro Sasaki finds home away from home as a college student

[Mick]

Esky on the infield. (He didn’t even talk about 1B which is Rintaro’s spot.)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFyijwmO0...BiNWFlZA==

---

I’ll shut up after sharing this series that is also on IG.

Rintaro on D1baseball.com

Fun article on Sasaki.

At Stanford, Japanese prospect Rintaro Sasaki finds home away from home as a college student

[SkiBum80]

Esky on the infield. (He didn’t even talk about 1B which is Rintaro’s spot.)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFyijwmO0...BiNWFlZA==

---

I’ll shut up after sharing this series that is also on IG.

Rintaro on D1baseball.com

Fun article on Sasaki.

At Stanford, Japanese prospect Rintaro Sasaki finds home away from home as a college student

Great article. What gumption and determination. How could you not root for the kid, young man.

[SkiBum80]

Esky on the infield. (He didn’t even talk about 1B which is Rintaro’s spot.)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFyijwmO0...BiNWFlZA==

---

I’ll shut up after sharing this series that is also on IG.

Rintaro on D1baseball.com

Fun article on Sasaki.

At Stanford, Japanese prospect Rintaro Sasaki finds home away from home as a college student

Great article. What gumption and determination. How could you not root for the kid, young man.

[JJJ]

1739472513[/url]']

1739463423[/url]']

1738997406[/url]']
Esky on the infield. (He didn’t even talk about 1B which is Rintaro’s spot.)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFyijwmO0...BiNWFlZA==

---

I’ll shut up after sharing this series that is also on IG.

Rintaro on D1baseball.com

Fun article on Sasaki.

At Stanford, Japanese prospect Rintaro Sasaki finds home away from home as a college student

Great article. What gumption and determination. How could you not root for the kid, young man.

Thanks for sharing this! I was actually at that game where the baseball team chucked t-shirts into the crowd (but missed chatting with Rin-chan). :)

[JJJ]

1739472513[/url]']

1739463423[/url]']

1738997406[/url]']
Esky on the infield. (He didn’t even talk about 1B which is Rintaro’s spot.)

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFyijwmO0...BiNWFlZA==

---

I’ll shut up after sharing this series that is also on IG.

Rintaro on D1baseball.com

Fun article on Sasaki.

At Stanford, Japanese prospect Rintaro Sasaki finds home away from home as a college student

Great article. What gumption and determination. How could you not root for the kid, young man.

Thanks for sharing this! I was actually at that game where the baseball team chucked t-shirts into the crowd (but missed chatting with Rin-chan). :)

[BobK]

https://gostanford.com/news/2025/02/11/2...3Vo02VBmTy

Preview

[BobK]

https://gostanford.com/news/2025/02/11/2...3Vo02VBmTy

Preview

[chrisk]

Poor field conditions / DH Saturday

[chrisk]

Poor field conditions / DH Saturday

[paloalto]

Yeah, I live near Fullerton.  While it was mostly sunny today, it rained heavily Thursday into early evening.  Biggest storm  so far this season for SoCal.   First game at 2:05 Saturday.  Should be sunny and cool with not much wind.

[paloalto]

Yeah, I live near Fullerton.  While it was mostly sunny today, it rained heavily Thursday into early evening.  Biggest storm  so far this season for SoCal.   First game at 2:05 Saturday.  Should be sunny and cool with not much wind.

[Madera86]

Offense off to a good start. 3-0 after 1st at-bat. Sasaki with an RBI after his first at bat.

[Madera86]

Offense off to a good start. 3-0 after 1st at-bat. Sasaki with an RBI after his first at bat.

[TonyLima]

Sasaki with a solid single in the second, another RBI.  7-0 after 1.5 innings.  Stanford left the bases loaded in the second. Looking awfully good.

[TonyLima]

Sasaki with a solid single in the second, another RBI.  7-0 after 1.5 innings.  Stanford left the bases loaded in the second. Looking awfully good.

[JJJ]

8-0 after 2. Impressed that two frosh are starting (well, Sasaki is a no-brainer but Tatum Marsh in LF too). Marsh and Trevor Haskins (3B) repping Valley Christian in San Jose.

---

Can someone please tell the announcer that it’s not “Sazaki” as there’s no “Z” in his name (or game)?

[JJJ]

8-0 after 2. Impressed that two frosh are starting (well, Sasaki is a no-brainer but Tatum Marsh in LF too). Marsh and Trevor Haskins (3B) repping Valley Christian in San Jose.

---

Can someone please tell the announcer that it’s not “Sazaki” as there’s no “Z” in his name (or game)?

[skip75]

8-0 after 2. Impressed that two frosh are starting (well, Sasaki is a no-brainer but Tatum Marsh in LF too). Marsh and Trevor Haskins (3B) repping Valley Christian in San Jose.

---

Can someone please tell the announcer that it’s not “Sazaki” as there’s no “Z” in his name (or game)?

Don't forget about Charlie Bates - freshman from Paly playing CF, with a triple in his 1st AB.

[skip75]

8-0 after 2. Impressed that two frosh are starting (well, Sasaki is a no-brainer but Tatum Marsh in LF too). Marsh and Trevor Haskins (3B) repping Valley Christian in San Jose.

---

Can someone please tell the announcer that it’s not “Sazaki” as there’s no “Z” in his name (or game)?

Don't forget about Charlie Bates - freshman from Paly playing CF, with a triple in his 1st AB.

[TonyLima]

1739660574[/url]']
8-0 after 2. Impressed that two frosh are starting (well, Sasaki is a no-brainer but Tatum Marsh in LF too). Marsh and Trevor Haskins (3B) repping Valley Christian in San Jose.

---

Can someone please tell the announcer that it’s not “Sazaki” as there’s no “Z” in his name (or game)?

Which announcer?

[TonyLima]

1739660574[/url]']
8-0 after 2. Impressed that two frosh are starting (well, Sasaki is a no-brainer but Tatum Marsh in LF too). Marsh and Trevor Haskins (3B) repping Valley Christian in San Jose.

---

Can someone please tell the announcer that it’s not “Sazaki” as there’s no “Z” in his name (or game)?

Which announcer?

[JJJ]

1739662006[/url]']

1739660574[/url]']
8-0 after 2. Impressed that two frosh are starting (well, Sasaki is a no-brainer but Tatum Marsh in LF too). Marsh and Trevor Haskins (3B) repping Valley Christian in San Jose.

---

Can someone please tell the announcer that it’s not “Sazaki” as there’s no “Z” in his name (or game)?

Don't forget about Charlie Bates - freshman from Paly playing CF, with a triple in his 1st AB.

Thanks for the reminder! I must’ve missed him being mentioned but you’re absolutely right!

---

1739662027[/url]']

1739660574[/url]']
8-0 after 2. Impressed that two frosh are starting (well, Sasaki is a no-brainer but Tatum Marsh in LF too). Marsh and Trevor Haskins (3B) repping Valley Christian in San Jose.

---

Can someone please tell the announcer that it’s not “Sazaki” as there’s no “Z” in his name (or game)?

Which announcer?

The play-by-play guy who is doing most of the talking. It turns out his sidekick can actually pronounce the name with two s’s and no z’s.

---

I don’t know if the announcers switched roles, but now I’m hearing more Sasaki and less Sazaki. The guy with the more nasal voice is the one that’s butchering the name.

[JJJ]

1739662006[/url]']

1739660574[/url]']
8-0 after 2. Impressed that two frosh are starting (well, Sasaki is a no-brainer but Tatum Marsh in LF too). Marsh and Trevor Haskins (3B) repping Valley Christian in San Jose.

---

Can someone please tell the announcer that it’s not “Sazaki” as there’s no “Z” in his name (or game)?

Don't forget about Charlie Bates - freshman from Paly playing CF, with a triple in his 1st AB.

Thanks for the reminder! I must’ve missed him being mentioned but you’re absolutely right!

---

1739662027[/url]']

1739660574[/url]']
8-0 after 2. Impressed that two frosh are starting (well, Sasaki is a no-brainer but Tatum Marsh in LF too). Marsh and Trevor Haskins (3B) repping Valley Christian in San Jose.

---

Can someone please tell the announcer that it’s not “Sazaki” as there’s no “Z” in his name (or game)?

Which announcer?

The play-by-play guy who is doing most of the talking. It turns out his sidekick can actually pronounce the name with two s’s and no z’s.

---

I don’t know if the announcers switched roles, but now I’m hearing more Sasaki and less Sazaki. The guy with the more nasal voice is the one that’s butchering the name.

[TonyLima]

ha. I’m listening to KZSU.

[TonyLima]

ha. I’m listening to KZSU.