Baseball America released its annual list of the nation’s top 25 recruiting rankings, and the Beavers find themselves in familiar territory. Oregon State, according to the publication, has the nation’s seventh-best recruiting class for the 2012 season. By earning that ranking, the Beavers are also the top rated program from the Pac-12 Conference. The ranking continues a recent trend for the Beavers as they’ve annually found themselves recognized by Baseball America. Oregon State is in the top 25 for the fourth time in the past five seasons. “The Beavers win with pitching and defense, and they reeled in an intriguing blend of right-handed and left-handed pitching, but they also bolstered the offense with a pair of impact hitters in (Dylan) Davis and (Michael) Conforto,” Baseball America wrote in its rankings report. The Beavers have five players on their fall roster who were drafted by Major League Baseball clubs in June but who elected to join the program. Jace Fry was a ninth-round selection in the draft by Oakland, while Jordan Dunatov was selected in the 14th round by Pittsburgh. Carlos Rodriguez was taken in the 20th round by Atlanta, and was joined in the 39th round by Cole Brocker (Detroit). Rounding out the five was Nate Esposito, a 46th-round selection by Oakland. Fry and Rodriguez both received high honors after playing summer collegiate baseball. Fry was selected as the top prospect in the West Coast League and the top incoming freshman from all 21 summer leagues. Rodriguez, meanwhile, was selected as the No. 9 prospect in the California Collegiate League after playing for the San Luis Obispo Blues. “Fry, like Davis, has two-way ability but will make his biggest impact on the mound,” Baseball America wrote in the wrap. “He ranked as the top prospect in the West Coast League, running his fastball up to 96 at times and showing good feel for his slider and changeup. “Rodriguez also got his feet wet in a summer college league ? the California Collegiate League ? and showed the makings of a solid three-pitch mix, though his breaking ball needs tightening and his changeup needs refinement. Loose and athletic, he projects to add velocity to his high-80s fastball. Brocker has 91-94 mph heat and a wipeout curve at times, and he likely would have been drafted between the 10th and 15th rounds if not for his firm commitment to OSU.” On Esposito and Dunatov: “Esposito was a late-bloomer in high school who has shown quality catch-and-throw skills. Dunatov missed most of the spring with a back injury and is a work in progress offensively, but he is an athletic specimen with above-average speed and plenty of upside.” Beavers who were not drafted but are on campus include Davis and Conforto from Redmond High School (Wash.), Michael McCall and Spencer Manjarrez from Gig Harbor High School (Wash.), Mitchell Tripp from Meridian High School in Bellingham, Wash., and Riley Wilkerson from West Linn High School. “Davis has upside as a pitcher ? he can run his fastball into the mid-90s and flashes a plus slider, though he needs to throw strikes more consistently ? and as a hitter, offering serious power potential,” it was written in the report. “His high school teammate Conforto stands out most for his left-handed power and overall athleticism (he was a standout quarterback at Redmond). “McCall is a pitchability right-hander in the Sam Gaviglio mold, while his high school teammate Manjarrez has intriguing bat speed and draws comparisons to former OSU outfielder Mike Lissman from the Beavers coaches.” Each signed a national letter of intent with the Beavers last November. The Beavers’ top 10 ranking is the second of the year as Collegiate Baseball rated Oregon State ninth nationally in late September
As a Beaver fan, I do hope the Ducks make the NCAA baseball tourney this 2012 spring. The only reason why the Ducks didn't make the tourney back in 2011 was because of conference record in Pac 10 play.
