Stanford Cardinal
Overall Rank: #20
Conference Rank: #5 Pac-12
Playing in one of the toughest conferences in the land, our #20 team is quite possibly only the fifth best in the Pac-12. But the Stanford Cardinal have a great shot to make a big run in the NCAA Tournament in Coach Mark Marquess’ 40th season at the helm.
2015: 24-32, 9-21
2015 Postseason: N/A
Coach: Mark Marquess
Field Players:
The Cardinal return their most dangerous weapon on offense in do-everything junior Tommy Edman. The switch-hitting infielder led the team in just about every category at the plate in 2015, and should be even better this spring as other players continue to develop around him. He’s also incredibly reliable, starting in all 56 games a year ago. Sweet swinging Mikey Diekroeger is also back, with his .315 average and .419 on base percentage. The bulk of the team returns, and another year of experience should pay big dividends at the plate and in the field. First baseman Matt Winaker is an excellent defender at the corner, and catcher Bryce Carter is as reliable as they come behind the plate. The Cardinal will need to be better on the basepaths (they successfully stole on 25 of 40 attempts a year ago), and cut down on their strikeout rate (319 in 2015).
Pitchers:
Ace Brett Hanewich is back, and will be counted on to perform better in his junior campaign, after compiling a 4.00 ERA and 4-6 record a season ago. While he matched his hits with strikeouts (62 a piece), he will look to cut down on walks and extra-base hits allowed in 2016. Promising juniors Cal Quantrill and Tyler Thorne, along with exciting sophomore Andrew Summerville, will also be crucial components to the staff.
Who to Watch:
Edman is the name to watch on offense, and will be counted on to carry the load for the Cardinal at the plate. If Quantrill can recover from having Tommy John surgery in 2015 in time to impact this season, he could be an exciting and electric arm for Marquess’ squad - something he showed as a true freshman, when he started opening day. He also knows something about winning, having watched his father Paul pitch in the big leagues for over a decade.
Final Projection:
Stanford was so young in 2015 and they should improve just based on having a year’s experience under their belt. Quantrill could be one of the best pitchers in the country if he’s healthy, and Edman is a versatile and effective weapon at the plate. Marquess knows how to win, he has a lot of talent to work with, and should be able to right the ship this spring. All that being said, the Pac-12 is loaded, so while the record might not be sparkling, the team will be battle tested for an NCAA Tourney run.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
Returning Leaders:
At Bats:, Tommy Edman, IF, 223
Hits:, Tommy Edman, IF, 66
Home Runs: Five players with two each
RBIs: Tommy Edman, IF, 29
Runs: Tommy Edman, IF, 42
Stolen Bases: Tommy Edman, 4, IF; Quinn Brodey, OF, 4
Wins: Brett Hanewich, P, 4; Tyler Thorne, P, 4
Innings Pitched: Brett Hanewich, P, 78.2
Strikeouts: Brett Hanewich, P, 62
Saves: Colton Hock, P, 3
Madness 2016 Draft Rankings:
#12 Cal Quantrill
