BLUE BLOODS
1. FLORIDA
LAST YEAR 16-1 (0-0 in SEC)
COACH (RECORD AT SCHOOL) Kevin O’Sullivan (547-256, 13 years)
FINAL RANKING No. 1
TOP 100 2021 DRAFT PROSPECTS OF Jud Fabian (No. 11), RHP Tommy Mace (No. 38), RHP Ben Specht (No. 92)
THE GOOD NEWS: Last spring, the Gators were off to the best start in program history and were playing like the best team in the country when the season halted. That team returns almost completely intact and with a top-five recruiting class. Florida was one of the biggest winners in the draft process, as righthanders Tommy Mace and Jack Leftwich were unexpectedly not picked in June and instead return to lead the rotation as fourth-year juniors. Along with second-year freshman Hunter Barco, they form a formidable rotation that will be one of the best in the nation. Beyond that trio, the Gators’ depth on the mound is unmatched and their staff is loaded with powerful, versatile pitchers. Offensively, Florida returns third-year sophomore outfielders Jud Fabian—who could be the first college hitter drafted in June—and Jacob Young—who is a career .346 hitter. Shortstop Josh Rivera and second baseman Cory Acton keep the Gators strong up the middle. They’ll also have enviable catching depth with true freshman Mac Guscette joining Nathan Hickey and Cal Greenfield. To top it all off, Florida this season moves into the brand new, $65 million Florida Ballpark, which instantly becomes one of the best stadiums in the sport.
THE BAD NEWS: There isn’t much of it in Gainesville. Outfielder Austin Langworthy is the one starter from the 2020 team who departed, signing as a nondrafted free agent along with catcher/infielder Brady Smith. Florida has options to replace both. Kendrick Calilao could see more time in the outfield, especially with Kris Armstrong breaking out at first base this fall. True freshmen Colby Halter and Sterlin Thompson will get in the mix offensively and have versatility defensively. But the Gators won’t need to lean too heavily on their freshmen, thanks to their overall depth.
PLAYER TO KNOW: Josh Rivera, SS. Rivera was a high-profile recruit for the Gators in their 2019 class and wasted no time taking over at shortstop, starting 16 games at the position. He homered on Opening Day and went on to hit .298/.385/.439. Now, with another year of experience, he’s back to play a key role both in the lineup and in the field. Any step forward from him in his second season would be a nice boost for the Gators.
PATH TO OMAHA: Only Texas has been the No. 1 team in the Preseason Top 25 more times than Florida in the 40-year history of the rankings. This is the fifth time in 11 years the Gators are the top-ranked team entering the year and they made it to Omaha in all four of the previous occurrences. So, it’s a familiar path for O’Sullivan. The Gators have impressive talent and depth around the diamond, but their pitching staff especially is a strength and will make them a difficult matchup for any team.
2021 LINEUP
2. UCLA
LAST YEAR 13-2 (0-0 in Pac-12)
COACH (RECORD AT SCHOOL) John Savage (552-362-1, 16 years)
FINAL RANKING No. 4
TOP 100 2021 DRAFT PROSPECTS SS/OF Matt McLain (No. 8), C Noah Cardenas (No. 65), RHP Jesse Bergin (No. 81), RHP Nick Nastrini (No. 95)
THE GOOD NEWS: UCLA returns every pitcher except closer Holden Powell from a team that had a 1.88 ERA last season, including all three members of the weekend rotation in fourth-year junior righthander Zach Pettway and third-year sophomore righthanders Jesse Bergin and Nick Nastrini, plus a quality fourth starter in second-year freshman righthander Jared Karros. The loss of Powell at the back end of the bullpen is significant, but with fifth-year senior righthander Kyle Mora, fourth-year junior righthander Michael Townsend and thir-dyear sophomore righthander Sean Mullen back in the fold, plus the addition of true freshman righthander Max Rajcic, UCLA will be fine when it comes to closing games. Offensively, the Bruins bring back arguably the most dynamic position player in college baseball in third-year sophomore shortstop Matt McLain. He’ll make the lineup go.
THE BAD NEWS: Led by McLain, the UCLA lineup will be plenty deep, but it’s not clear if there’s a true middle-of-the-order bopper in the mix. The Bruins may not need that aspect of the game to be successful and score a bunch of runs, but it sure is nice to have as a failsafe. Just ask the 2019 Bruins, who were able to lean on Michael Toglia for the occasional three-run homer. McLain has more power than his stature would suggest, so maybe he makes a run at double-digit homers. Third-year freshman first baseman J.T. Schwartz has the frame and strength to be that kind of guy, but to this point, he’s been more of a line-drive hitter. Second-year freshman Michael Curialle also has raw power, but he has just 10 games of experience so it’s difficult to project how much of that power he will get to in games. UCLA is a national title contender as it is, but if one or more players become traditional power threats, it would add another dimension to the Bruins.
PLAYER TO KNOW: Michael Curialle, SS/OF. Curialle will have a lot on his shoulders in 2021. Naturally a shortstop, and perhaps the shortstop of the future after McLain is drafted, he’s the favorite to take over for first-round pick Garrett Mitchell in center field this season. Those are big shoes to fill, but he has the speed for the position and a plus arm that is strong enough for him to play right field as well. His numbers from 10 games last season, including a .325/.357/.525 line, and plus raw power suggest that he could be ready for a breakout season at the plate.
PATH TO OMAHA: UCLA has had some College World Series-caliber teams in recent years, but it hasn’t made the trip since it won it all in 2013. The pitching staff, with experience and high-end potential in equal measure, is exactly the type you would look to build in order to get to Omaha. The lineup isn’t filled with mashers, but the depth, athleticism and positional versatility is impressive, and they should score more than enough to get the job done. If the Bruins play up to their potential and then get over the final postseason steps, they’ll end the season playing for a national title.
2021 LINEUP
3. TEXAS TECH
LAST YEAR 16-3 (0-0 in Big 12)
COACH (RECORD AT SCHOOL) Tim Tadlock (301-155, eight years)
FINAL RANKING No. 2
TOP 100 2021 DRAFT PROSPECTS None
THE GOOD NEWS: After impressing in the early going of the 2020 season, Texas Tech is bringing the bulk of its team back in 2021 and again looks like the Big 12 favorite. The Red Raiders have impressive all-around depth, especially offensively. They return eight regulars from what was a young but dangerous lineup in 2020. Even with all the returners, Texas Tech has plenty of options around the diamond, from behind the plate where Braxton Fulford and Nate Rombach both are likely to see time, to the outfield, where several players will get in the mix. Fourth-year junior center fielder Dylan Neuse and third-year freshman shortstop Cal Conley keep the Red Raiders strong up the middle. Second-year freshman infielder Jace Jung and Rombach bring power to the heart of the lineup, while outfielders Dru Baker, Max Marusak and Neuse add speed and athleticism. Texas Tech again has plenty of options on the mound, as nearly their entire recruiting class, which ranked No. 15, was pitchers. The newcomers add to a group that still has good depth even after losing power pitchers Clayton Beeter, Bryce Bonnin and John McMillon to pro ball. Third-year sophomores Micah Dallas, Hunter Dobbins and Mason Montgomery all have rotation experience, and the bullpen has no shortage of options.
The losses on the mound sting and Texas Tech will have to replace two members of its rotation. After pitching in the bullpen in 2020, Dallas can reprise his 2020 role as a starter to fill one of those holes. Dobbins is also an option in the rotation, while junior college transfer Brandon Birdsell has the ability to take over as a Friday night starter. Texas Tech won’t be able to call on Austin Becker, who arrived in the summer of 2019 as a high-profile transfer from Vanderbilt, after he had Tommy John surgery this offseason. But between Birdsell, Dallas, Dobbins, Montgomery and a cadre of talented freshmen, Texas Tech should have plenty of options on the mound. The Red Raiders must also replace second baseman Brian Klein, who last year led the team in batting and finished his career as a .318 hitter. Jung will move from third
