Field of 64: Preseason Picks

Preseason All-American Mike Papi leads a powerful Virginia team,
 my pick to win it all. Photo from VirginiaSports.com

For the first time in what will most likely be a weekly thing, I'm going to project what the NCAA tournament will look like based on what's happened in the season. This first one is rather unofficial, seeing as no games have been played, but it's a start. (Preseason BA rankings in parentheses)

On the brink: Alabama (21), Arkansas (25), Miami (16), Rice (15), Texas (18), Texas Christian/TCU (19)
Super Regionals: UCLA (12), Clemson (13), Florida (23), Indiana (3), Louisiana State (9), Louisiana-Lafayette (14), Mississippi State (8), North Carolina (17)

College World Series: Cal State Fullerton (3), Florida State (4), North Carolina State (5), Oregon (11), Oregon State (2), South Carolina (7), Vanderbilt (10), Virginia (1)

Not much stats or results to base this list on, but these eight teams are the premier teams in the country, the ones heading to Omaha.  I have Virginia and Oregon State moving on, but the other six teams have legitimate chances at a title as well. Indiana has one of the most talented, complete and experienced team in the nation...Cal State Fullerton has a superb pitching staff and a lineup anchored by two potential All-Americans...NC State has the best position player and the best pitcher in the nation...Florida State is deep, balanced and experienced...South Carolina is the team to beat in the SEC and are gritty and talented....Vanderbilt has the advantage in close games with impressive bullpen depth to back up a young lineup....Oregon has an elite pitching staff and is built to win.


Championship Series: Virginia and Oregon State

There are a lot of different opinions on the top two teams in D-I, from Cal State Fullerton at the top to even NC State on some lists. However, in my opinion, the top two are Virginia and Oregon State. Virginia is my preseason pick to win it all, but Oregon State is very tough as well. The Beavers have arguably the deepest pitching staff in the nation and have a strong lineup as well.

National Champion: Virginia

I mentioned this in my previous article but this is one of the most experienced teams in D-I. The Cavaliers have seven juniors and Baseball America puts them at 75 on the 20-80 scouting scale when it comes to hitting. There pitching isn't shabby either with three solid starters. Virginia is a serious threat for the national championship- and we'll have to see as the season goes on.