Arizona Wildcats
Overall Rank: #26
Conference Rank: #4 Pac-12
Arizona missed out on the tournament last year, but Coach Jay Johnson has a talented, veteran team, at least at the plate, heading into the 2019 campaign. The Wildcats were unfortunate to be left out of the 2018 NCAA Tournament and will certainly be looking to prove that they belonged as the 2019 campaign begins. With a superb recruiting class coming in, this a Wildcats team that could make some noise on the national level.
2018: 34-22, 14-16
2018 Postseason: None
Coach: Jay Johnson
Key Departed Players:
Alfonso Rivas, OF, .342 BA, 7 HR, 52 RBI
Cesar Salazar, C, .339 BA, 4 HR, 42 RBI
Cody Deason, P, 2.87 ERA, 6-5 W/L, 6-5 W/L, 91.0 IP, 84 SO
Michael Flynn, P, 4.89 ERA, 6-5 W/L, 73.2 IP, 72 SO
Key Returning Players:
Cameron Cannon, IF, .321 BA, 8 HR, 50 RBI
Nick Quintana, IF, .313 BA, 14 HR, 55 RBI
Jacob Blas, IF, .305 BA, 2 HR, 28 RBI
Avery Weems, P, 5.69 ERA, 2-3 W/L, 55.1 IP, 39 SO
Projection:
The biggest concern is on the mound where Cody Deason, Michael Flynn and Tylor Megill must be replaced. Many freshmen will be asked to play a large role this season when it comes to pitching. Avery Weems and Randy Labaut have some starting experience and they will be asked to turn into the leaders of the new look staff. Nick Quintana will lead a deep lineup. The junior hit .313 last year with 14 homeruns and 55 RBIs. Cameron Cannon has All-American potential too after hitting .321 with eight homeruns and 50 RBIs during his sophomore season. With Jacob Blas, Matt Frazier, Blake Paugh, Tate Soderstrom and Donta Williams adding more depth to the lineup, Arizona should again be one of the top scoring teams in the Pac-12. The pitching will need to come around quickly though if Arizona is going to compete for a Pac-12 title.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
