Pac-10 hopes to rebuild this fall

Fall workouts couldn’t be more important for some Pac-10 teams.

Arizona State enters workouts in good shape on the mound and at the plate. But otherwise, most Pac-10 teams have something to prove this fall.

Oregon State and Stanford have reasons to feel confident this fall. However, both teams failed to establish consistency at the plate last season. Likewise, both must improve at the plate to have a chance to reach the College World Series in 2010.

UCLA and Washington State could experience a wealth of success in the spring if a few things go their way this fall. Others such as Southern California, Arizona and Washington hope to turn the tide both on and off the field.

It’s time to preview the Pac-10 entering fall workouts.

Arizona

Biggest loss. 3B Dillon Baird

What to watch. The Wildcats had a rash of injuries that cost them dearly last season. The injuries also played a part in UA finishing the season without an NCAA regional berth and an unimpressive 30-25 record. The Wildcats have some tough holes to fill at the plate and on the mound this fall. Leading pitchers Cory Burns, Preston Guilmet and Jason Stoffel are gone this fall. The talented trio accounted for 94 appearances last season. Replacing that production will be difficult. UA also has some holes to fill at the plate without Dillon Baird, Hunter Pace and Dwight Childs. Even with some tough losses, UA must find a way to regain confidence this fall. The offense still should be fine, but the pitching staff has many questions to answer this fall.

Arizona State

Biggest loss. P Mike Leake

What to watch. The Sun Devils shouldn’t skip a beat this fall. Sure, they have the tough chore of replacing key power hitters Jason Kipnis and Carlos Ramirez. However, they also welcome back several key hitters including Johnny Ruettiger, Kole Calhoun and Drew Maggi. The Devils will be just fine at the plate. They also will be fine on the mound, even without ace pitcher Mike Leake. Left-hander Josh Spence decided to return for his senior campaign and Mitchell Lambson is coming off a fabulous freshman campaign. The Devils have few worries this fall, but they do need to find more power and figure out the entire weekend rotation with the departure of Leake. Otherwise, this team once again is in great shape.

California

Biggest loss. OF Brett Jackson

What to watch. The Golden Bears took a step forward two seasons ago with an NCAA regional berth, but were unable to establish consistency last season. Cal finished last season with a 24-29 mark and failed to reach the postseason. Some things will need to change this fall for the Bears to experience success in the spring. The Bears are without their top three hitters in Jeff Kobernus, Brett Jackson and Blake Smith. That means Brian Guinn, Danny Oh and Mark Canha must have productive falls. The pitching staff is expected to improve this fall with the return of Kevin Miller, Erik Johnson, Chris Petrini and Dixon Anderson. The Bears should be in good shape entering the spring if the pitching staff improves this fall.

Oregon

Biggest loss. P Erik Stavert

What to watch. The Ducks returned to the baseball diamond last season and didn’t experience much success. They finished last season with a 14-42 record. The Ducks won’t be looking to do a complete 180 in the spring, but improvement is expected. It starts with more production at the plate. The Ducks finished last season with a .227 batting average and need Curt Raulinaitis and others to rise to the occasion this fall. The Ducks must find a way to replace ace pitcher Erik Stavert, but welcome back pitchers Tyler Anderson, Madison Boer, Drew Gagnier, Chris Garrison and Alex Keudell. The pitching staff should be in good shape after fall workouts, but the offense may have too much to accomplish between now and the spring.

Oregon State

Biggest loss. C Ryan Ortiz

What to watch. The Beavers returned to NCAA regional play last season and hopes to return to the College World Series in ’10. The Beavers need to improve at the plate this fall to accomplish that goal. OSU finished last season with an unimpressive .278 batting average and must replace leading hitter and catcher Ryan Ortiz. The Beavers do welcome back Jared Norris and Adalberto Santos. Offense is a question mark this fall, but the pitching is in great shape with the return of Sam Gaviglio, Josh Osich, Ryan Gorton, Kraig Sitton, Kevin Rhoderick and Tyler Waldron. The Beavers have a good chance to return to Omaha if the offense rises to the occasion.

Stanford

Biggest loss. P Drew Storen

What to watch. The Cardinal hopes to return to normalcy this fall and especially in the spring. Stanford returned to the CWS two seasons ago with an excellent club, but took a step back last season by compiling an unimpressive 30-25 record. Now they hope to restore order for good. Accomplishing that goal won’t be easy. Stanford must replace key hitters Brent Milleville and Joey August, but welcomes back Colin Walsh, Kellen Killsgaard, Adam Gaylord and Toby Gerhart. On the mound, replacing Drew Storen and Max Fearnow won’t be easy, but they welcome back Michael Marshall, Brett Mooneyham and Jordan Pries. The Cardinal is expected to improve on the mound this fall, but the offense must find a way to exceed expectations.

UCLA

Biggest loss. 1B Cody Decker

What to watch. The Bruins hope to make last season a distant memory beginning this fall. The Bruins have several tough holes to fill at the plate with the departures of leading hitters Cody Decker and Casey Haerther, but have high hopes with the return of Justin Uribe, Blair Dunlap and Niko Gallego. This unit likely won’t be filled with power, but can establish consistent batting averages. The pitching staff is on the other end of the spectrum. The Bruins welcome back weekend starters Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer in addition to pitchers Rob Rasmussen, Matt Grace and Garett Claypool. Pitching will be one of the team’s strengths, but the offense has much work to do this fall.

Southern California

Biggest loss. P Brad Boxberger

What to watch. The Trojans have tried unsuccessfully to restore order the past few seasons. We’re not sure it’s going to happen this fall or in the spring, either. USC has a plethora of holes to fill between now and the spring. On the mound, the Trojans must find a way to replace weekend starters Brad Boxberger and Robert Stock in addition to often-used pitchers Anthony Vasquez and Daniel Cooper. That’s not at all. At the plate, the Trojans have the tough chore of replacing shortstop Grant Green and Hector Rabago. USC showing improvement in the spring begins and ends with an offense that finished last season with a dismal .274 batting average. Mike O’Neill and Ricky Oropesa must have productive falls. USC could make some strides if the offense surprises.

Washington

Biggest loss. OF Kyle Conley

What to watch. The Huskies have failed to make a statement the past few seasons and decided to part ways with long-time coach Ken Knutson during the summer. They now will rely on former Indiana State coach and two-time national champion Lindsay Meggs to get the job done. The new coach has his work cut out for him. The Huskies finished last season with a .265 batting average and must replace leading hitters Jake Rife and Kyle Conley. They also must find a way to replace pitcher Brian Pearl, who finished last season with a 3.05 ERA in 38 1/3 innings. The Huskies welcome back pitchers Seth Haehl, Andrew Kittredge and Geoff Brown. The pitching staff has a little work to do, but the offense will determine the team’s fate in the spring.

Washington State

Biggest loss. P Matt Way

What to watch. The Cougars took a step forward last season with an NCAA regional berth and a respectable 32-25 record. They hope to build on that campaign this fall. Accomplishing that goal will be difficult. The Cougars finished last season with a .273 batting average and must replace their top three hitters in Alex Burg, Jared Prince and Greg Lagreid. However, they welcome back infielder Travis Coulter, who missed last season with an injury. On the mound, the Cougars welcome back Chad Arnold and David Stilley. They combined for 34 appearances and 24 starts last season. WSU, however, must replace leading pitchers Matt Way and Jeremy Johnson. Way finished last season 8-4 with a 2.43 ERA in 107 1/3 innings. WSU still should have a good pitching staff, but offense has to be a concern.