Jan. 7, 2005

The Notre Dame baseball team is listed 20th in the Baseball America magazine preseason poll, joining an exclusive group of seven teams that have been in the Baseball America presason top-20 during each of the past six seasons. The Irish earlier were ranked 20th in the Collegiate Baseball magazine 2005 preseason poll, with the USA Today coaches poll and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers poll both to be released later this month.

The other five teams that have been in the Baseball America preseason top-20 every season since 2000 include Rice, LSU, Cal State Fullerton, Georgia Tech, Stanford and Baylor. Notre Dame checked in at 20th in BA’s 2000 preseason poll, followed by 9th in 2001, 5th in ’02, 12th in ’03 and 19th in ’04.

Notre Dame’s 2005 opponents include several that are listed among the Basebal America preseason top-50 poll: Texas A&M (13th), Rice (18th), Oral Roberts (24), Southern California (30th), St. John’s (31st), Central Florida (37th) and Michigan (46th). (See full poll at bottom of release). The BIG EAST is one of seven conferences in the nation with multiple teams (ND and SJU) among the top-35 of the BA preseason poll.

Notre Dame’s surging junior class comprises the core of the 2005 team’s returning unit. The junior group includes five starting position players – outfielders Craig Cooper, Steve Andres and Cody Rizzo, shortstop Greg Lopez and DH Matt Bransfield. Senior first baseman Matt Edwards is the other returning starter among the position players (he also could see time at third base) while the likely starters for the three open positions include sophomore catcher Sean Gason, freshman second baseman Brett Lilley and freshman third baseman Ross Brezovsky (a prep shortstop). Andres and Bransfield also could see more time behind the plate in ’05, as could Bransfield at first base. The deep 2005 outfield includes another junior, Alex Nettey, and sophomore Danny Dressman while switch-hitting sophomore Mike Dury could make an impact at first base or as a DH.

Junior lefthander Tom Thornton and his classmate, All-America closer Ryan Doherty, will look to lead a 2005 pitching staff that is looking forward to the return of two top righthanders – senior John Axford and sophomore Jeff Manship – who missed all of the 2004 season due to injury. Those two pitchers combine with Thornton and sophomore two-sport standout Jeff Samardzija as top candidates for the ’05 starting rotation. Sophomores Dan Kapala and Jess Stewart also return after playing key roles as freshmen while their classmate Derik Olvey will be looking to make a big impact after pitching just 15 innings in ’04 due to injury. Four promising freshmen – RHPs Joey Williamson and Tony Langford and LHPs Wade Korpi and David Gruener – also could fill key roles on the 2005 staff, with Langford likewise an option in the infield or at DH.

Edwards and Axford both have the option of applying for a fifth year of eligibility for the 2006 season (Edwards missed most of the ’02 season and Axford all of ’04, due to injuries).

Baseball America Preseason Top 50
Team (2004 Record); comments from BA
1. Tulane (41-21); Two-way talents Brian Bogusevic, Micah Owings head deep lineup and pitching staff.
2. Louisiana State (46-19); Veteran Tigers seek third straight CWS trip behind deep offense, improved pitching.
3. Cal State Fullerton (47-22); Jr. LHP Ricky Romero serves as the ace of a deep staff for the defending CWS champs.
4. Texas (58-15); Jr. RHP J. Brent Cox replaces Huston Street as the closer for an always-talented staff.
5. Miami (50-13); Jrs. SS Ryan Braun and RHP Cesar Carillo could each be first-round picks in June.
6. Stanford (46-14); 2B Jed Lowrie, 1B John Mayberry Jr. ranked first and fifth in Pac-10 OPS last year.
7. South Carolina (53-17); Gamecocks feature three seniors in rotation and Sr. 3B Steve Pearce (.346-21-70).
8. Washington (39-20); So. RHPs Tim Lincecum, Kyle Parker front the Pac-10’s best pitching staff.
9. Arizona State (41-18); First-round talents Jr. OF Travis Buck and Sr. 1B Jeff Larish lead a stout offense.
10. Georgia (45-23); Deep, experienced Bulldogs must deal with expectations following a surprise CWS run.
11. Baylor (29-31); Senior-laden Bears return nearly everyone as they try to recover from disappointing ’04.
12. Arizona (36-27); Wildcats need freshmen arms to supplement explosive returning offense.
13. Texas A&M (42-22); SS Cliff Pennington and RHPs Robert Ray and Kevin Whelan all have scouts buzzing.
14. North Carolina (43-21); Power-armed sophs RHP Daniel Bard and LHP Andrew Miller could be among first 10 picks in ’06.
15. Florida (43-22); Jr. transfer RHP Alan Horne replaces 2004 SEC Pitcher of the Year Justin Hoyman.
16. Mississippi (39-21; ’04 Co-SEC player of the year 1B/LHP Stephen Head could win the national award.
17. Vanderbilt (45-19); Jr. LHP Ryan Mullins posted a better ERA (2.58) than first-rounder Jeremy Sowers in ’04.
18. Rice (46-14); Owls still hooting despite losing three first-round pitchers and a second rounder.
19. Georgia Tech (44-21); Talented but inexperienced pitching could make this ranking look conservative or generous.
20. Notre Dame (51-12); The draft took five contributors, but as many as nine juniors could still play major roles.
21. Texas Christian (39-26); Transfers RHP Lance Broadway and LHP Brad Furnish front a rebuilt rotation.
22. Long Beach State (40-21); Jr. LHP Cesar Ramos (12-4, 2.29) leads a rotation that lost Jered Weaver, Jason Vargas 23. Oklahoma State (38-24); A score of transfers increases the talent level for Frank Anderson’s second year.
24. Oral Roberts (50-11); Defending Mid-Con player and pitcher of the year Dennis Bigley returns to a deep club.
25. Winthrop (37-23); Cape Cod League MVP Daniel Carte poised to leave as best Eagles hitter ever.
26. Arkansas (45-24);Won’t be a surprise if the Razorbacks exceed expectations for second straight year.
27. Florida State (45-23); Sophs. Ryne Malone and Shane Robinson must fills shoes of Drew, Martinez-Esteve.
28. Mississippi State (35-24); Jr. OF Brad Corley led SEC with 1.120 OPS in ’04, and might pitch some this year.
29. College of Charleston (47-16); Return eight of nine hitters, two of three starters and the closer from a year ago.
30. Southern California (24-32); Jr. C Jeff Clement and So. RHP Ian Kennedy are one of nation’s best sets of batterymates.
31. St. John’s (37-23); Big East sleeper returns majority of team that gave Long Beach State a regional scare.
32. Pepperdine (30-32); Big league progeny Sean Tracy, Justin Sandberg, Drew Saberhagen highlight the roster.
33. Florida Atlantic (47-17); Owls remain deep despite losing two senior arms and top two power threats from ’04.
34. Tennessee (38-24); Jr. RHP Luke Hochevar likely won’t need–or get–much run support.
35. Virginia (44-15); Led by Team USA batting leader Ryan Zimmerman, Cavs hope to overachieve again.
36. Clemson (39-26); Two-way Jr. Kris Harvey, son of Bryan, provides veteran influence to talented young club.
37. Central Florida (47-18); Golden Knights must replace RHPs Matt Fox, Kyle Bono to repeat as Atlantic Sun’s best.
38. Cal Poly (38-23); Jr. LHP Garrett Olson and Sr. RHP Jimmy Shull combined for 192 K’s in ’04.
39. Wichita State (49-16); Experience: Jr. RHP Mike Pelfrey and the staff have plenty, not so much for the offense.
40. UC Irvine (34-23); First-year coach Dave Serrano inherits the majority of an ’04 regional team.
41. Stetson (36-23); A-Sun POY Chris Westervelt is gone, but the Hatters return everyone else.
42. Hawaii (31-24); Coach Mike Trapasso’s fourth team should end Hawaii’s 11-year regional drought.
43. Alabama (29-26); Reinforcements should provide more run support for ’04 Freshman of the Year Wade LeBlanc.
44. Fresno State (29-29); So. SS Christian Vitters, Fr. 3B Beau Mills form a strong left side behind an experienced rotation.
45. Minnesota (38-23); Only Terry Steinbach had more RBIs in his first two years than Jr. 1B Andy Hunter.
46. Michigan (34-26); Jr. 2B Chris Getz (.364) returns to help third-year coach Rich Maloney chase his first Big 10 title.
47. Louisiana-Lafayette (34-23); Packed with seniors, it’s the most complete Ragin Cajuns team since the ’00 CWS run.
48. San Diego (35-21); Young, talented Toreros are sleepers this year, should be major players in 2006.
49. Auburn (32-24); Sr. 1B Karl Amonite brings his power back to the lineup after losing 2004 to injury.
50. Nebraska (36-23); Jr. 3B Alex Gordon primed to repeat his All-America and Big 12 POY performance.