2023 Big West Conference College Baseball Preview — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

Image credit: UCSB coach Andrew Checketts (Photo courtesy of UCSB)

The Big West seemed primed to return to prominence as a conference in 2022, thanks to the star power it had on the field and following the success in the 2021 NCAA Tournament by UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara, which both reached regional finals.

The results were mixed in 2022, however. Cal Poly shortstop Brooks Lee was drafted eighth overall, giving the Big West a top-10 pick for the first time since 2017 (Keston Hiura). But the Big West returned to one-bid status in the NCAA Tournament as only league champion UC Santa Barbara posted an RPI in the top 75. The Gauchos dominated the conference, going 27-3 in Big West play, but went 1-2 in the Stanford Regional.

There’s no player with the star power of Brooks Lee in the conference this season, but there might be more depth in the standings. Cal State Fullerton seems to be ready to take a step forward under second-year coach Jason Dietrich. UC Irvine and Long Beach State will also hope to close the gap on the top of the conference. But, for now, everyone is chasing UCSB, which won the league by five games in 2022. The biggest question entering 2022 in the conference is whether anyone can catch the Gauchos.

Preseason Awards

Player of the Year: Caden Kendle, OF, UC Irvine. Kendle had a breakout 2022 and was named first-team all-Big West after hitting .328/.465/.533, despite not being a consistent presence in the lineup until April. Now, he comes into the season with more expectations and plenty of upside. He’s a standout athlete and plays all out, making for an exciting combination.

Pitcher of the Year: Mike Gutierrez, LHP, UC Santa Barbara. Under coach Andrew Checketts, the Gauchos have excelled on the mound and Gutierrez is the next man up as the Gauchos’ ace. He was named second-team all-Big West a year ago after going 9-1, 3.19 with 86 strikeouts and 38 walks in 87.1 innings. He isn’t overpowering, but he does a good job of attacking hitters and using his pitchability.

Freshman of the Year: Tyler Bremmer, RHP, UC Santa Barbara. Bremmer is one of the best recruits Checketts has brought to UCSB in his 11 years as coach. Bremmer last year ranked No. 123 on the top 500 draft prospects and has a projectable build with a good fastball-changeup combination. His control and pitchability will help him quickly find success in college.

Predicted Order of Finish (2022 record)

1. UC Santa Barbara (44-14, 27-3)

UCSB last season rolled to the Big West title, finishing five games ahead of second-place Cal Poly. It was the Gauchos’ second conference championship in three seasons, following a drought of more than 30 years. UCSB appears set to keep the good times rolling in 2023, as it again has the most talented roster in the conference, despite some significant departures.

The Gauchos lost five regulars from last year’s lineup, including shortstop Jordan Sprinkle, a fourth-round pick. Still, UCSB can be one of the conference’s top offenses. Outfielder Broc Mortensen (.249/.376/.512, 16 HR), has led the Big West in home runs in each of the last two seasons, and is back in the heart of the order. Outfielder Christian Kirtley (.300/.412/.526, 11 HR) returns as well and third baseman Zander Darby (.241/.381/.454, 7 HR) and outfielder Ivan Brethowr, an Arizona State transfer, also bring power to the middle of the order. Two keys for UCSB will be catcher John Newman Jr. (.337/.485/.525) and shortstop Nick Oakley (.260/.315/.410), who are slated to step into larger roles as juniors.

Under coach Andrew Checketts, UCSB typically shines on the mound. The Gauchos must replace ace Cory Lewis and closer Ryan Harvey, who were both drafted, as well as Big West freshman pitcher of the year Ryan Gallagher, who is out due to Tommy John surgery. Lefthander Mike Gutierrez (9-1, 3.19) last year served as the Gauchos’ No. 2 starter and will now move to the front of the rotation. Righthander Matt Ager (2-0, 3.55) is coming off a solid freshman season in the bullpen and will move into the rotation, with star freshman righthander Tyler Bremmer, who was the 123rd-ranked prospect in last year’s draft, set to round it out. Classmates Hudson Barrett and Reed Moring also figure to take on significant innings this spring.

2. UC Irvine (32-24, 16-14)

UCI won the 2021 Big West title, but last season took a step back and finished in sixth place in the standings. To get back into the mix at the top of the conference, the Anteaters must fill some key holes on the mound. Relief ace Gordon Ingebritson and closer Michael Frias both graduated and righthander Troy Taylor was drafted. The good news is lefthander Nick Pinto (2-6, 3.23) is back to lead the rotation and righthander David Vizcaino (5-0, 1.93) will pair with him. Freshman righthander Riley Kelly was the No. 94th-ranked prospect in the draft class and gives the Anteaters another premium arm, though he was a bit raw coming out of high school.

Offensively, outfielder Caden Kendall (.328/.465/.533) is back after leading the team in hitting. The Anteaters will have to replace Nathan Church, who was drafted, as well as shortstop Taishi Nakawake, who stood out for his glove, but they should again have a solid lineup. Third baseman Dub Gleed (.271/.362/.392) and outfielder Myles Smith (.229/.377/.333) are ready to take steps forward as sophomores and newcomers like infielder Jo Oyama, named West Coast League MVP this summer, can make an immediate impact.

3. Long Beach State (29-27, 17-13)

The Dirtbags made a lot of noise Opening Weekend when they upset reigning national champion Mississippi State on the road. But Beach wasn’t able to find the consistent success necessary to challenge for either the Big West title or an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. While they have a lot to replace from that team—especially on the mound—the Dirtbags remain dangerous in 2023.

Beach’s offense is led by first baseman Jonathan Long (.311/.411/.454), outfielder Rocco Peppi (.321/.408/.443) and third baseman Eddie Saldivar (.293/.376/.378). That trio gives the Dirtbags a strong core, which they’ve supplemented with several transfers. Shortstop Nick Marinconz (Cal Poly) and center fielder Jashia Morrissey (Cal State Bakersfield) are key additions up the middle for a team that last season led the conference in fielding (.975). The Dirtbags are resetting on the mound. Gone are starters Luis Ramirez, Juaron Watts-Brown and Jack Noble, as well as Noah Carabajal, Matt Fields, Devereaux Harrison, Marques Johnson and Zach Voelker. Those eight pitchers combined for 348 innings—more than 70% of all the innings totaled last season by the Dirtbags. How far Beach goes this season will be determined by its new-look staff. The Dirtbags added a pair of interesting transfers from Arizona State in righthander Will Levine and lefthander Graham Osman, while exciting freshman lefthander Myles Patton could step right into the rotation.

4. Cal Poly (37-21, 22-8)

The Mustangs in recent seasons have consistently competed at the top of the Big West but haven’t broken through for a regionals bid since 2014. This year, they have to replace shortstop Brooks Lee and ace Drew Thorpe, the Big West’s 2022 player and pitcher of the year, who were both drafted in the top two rounds. That much star power is a lot to replace, but Cal Poly still has a solid all-around roster.

Cal Poly has some big holes to fill offensively, starting with Lee, who led the team in every significant offensive stat, as well as second baseman Nick Marinconz and DH Matt Lopez. But first baseman Joe Yorke (.353/.440/.464) and catcher Ryan Stafford (.321/.384/.431), a Freshman All-American, return to the heart of the lineup. The Mustangs will also turn to their recruiting class to bolster their lineup, including exciting freshman outfielder Wyatt King. On the mound, lefthander Travis Weston (7-3, 3.91) returns to the rotation and righthander Bryce Warrecker (2-0, 5.81), who is coming off a solid summer in the Cape Cod League, should play a big role. Lefthander Jakob Wright is an X-factor for the Mustangs, as he missed last season due to injury but has the stuff to join the rotation this spring.

5. Cal State Fullerton (22-33, 14-16)

Fullerton, one of college baseball’s most consistent programs, has fallen on difficult times in recent seasons. The Titans’ first season in Division I was in 1975 and before 2021, they had never had a losing season. Last year, Jason Dietrich’s first as Fullerton head coach, marked its second losing campaign, but there is hope that it can take a bigger step forward in 2023.

Fullerton brings back six regulars from last year’s lineup, including infielders Caden Conor (.327/.414/.460) and Zach Lew (.317/.427/.377). Outfielders Brendan Bobo (.258/.346/.508, 8 HR) and Nate Nankil (.237/.288/.378, 14 SB) bring dynamism to the lineup. On the mound, ace lefthander Tyler Stultz (5-5, 3.36) returns and gives the Titans a veteran presence in the rotation. Fullerton added transfers Trevor Hinkle (Pepperdine), Jojo Ingrassia (San Diego State) and Seth Tomczak (junior college) and those newcomers should help the staff take a step forward.

6. Hawaii (28-24, 19-11)

The Rainbow Warriors last year finished third in the Big West, their best finish since joining the conference in 2013. It was a strong debut at Hawaii for coach Rich Hill, who took over the program after 23 years at San Diego. Hawaii returns some key pieces of its lineup but will have to reset on the mound.

Center fielder Matt Wong (.298/.367/.434), the team’s leading hitter, is back, as is catcher Dallas Duarte (.293/.379/.401). Third baseman Kyson Donahue (.312/.435/.536) came on late in the season playing a utility role and will again be a key part of the lineup. On the mound, Hawaii must account for losing its whole rotation. Sophomore lefthander Harry Gustin (0-3, 7.27) will move from the bullpen to the rotation this spring and the Rainbow Warriors will hope to be bolstered by the additions of lefthanders Randy Abshier (Arizona) and freshman Harrison Bodendorf. If Hawaii is again going to compete with the best teams in the Big West, it will need its new-look rotation to step up to the task.

7. Cal State Northridge (32-22, 17-13)

CSUN last season finished tied for fourth in the Big West standings and won its most games overall since 2016 (33). The season also marked coach Dave Serrano’s final one, as he retired after 16 seasons as a Division I head coach and three years with CSUN. Eddie Cornejo, who came to CSUN with Serrano, was promoted to head coach.

CSUN must replace a few key pieces of its offense, especially after losing its top two power hitters. Outfielder Andrew Sojka (.335/.420/.488, 9 SB) will lead the lineup, but the Matadors will need some new hitters to step up around him. On the mound, starters Blake Sodersten and Blaine Traxel both left as graduate transfers, leaving righthander Lucas Braun (7-4, 2.91) to lead the rotation. Righthanders Hayden Cody and Ryan Wentz (2-3, 3.74) were both limited by injury last season and their healthy return will be a welcome sight for CSUN. The Matadors have potential on the mound, but they’ll have to put it all together to stay among the conference’s best.

8. UC San Diego (24-32, 13-17)

The Tritons are in their third season of reclassifying from Division II and have won 24 games in each of their first two Division I seasons. UCSD still isn’t postseason eligible as its transition period continues, but it again has the talent to compete in the Big West.

UCSD’s offense is led by outfielder Jalen Smith (.305/.404/.517), who last season led the team in OPS. Catcher Emiliano Gonzalez (.312/.404/.414) also returns and first baseman Doyle Kane, a junior college transfer, brings a powerful bat. On the mound, the Tritons are led by righthander Ryan Forcucci (2-4, 4.19), who will move to the front of the rotation and has a good fastball-slider combination. The return of righthander Michael Mitchell, who missed last season due to injury, helps to strengthen the staff.

9. UC Davis (6-35, 5-25)

The last couple years have been turbulent ones for the Aggies. In 2021, they finished last in the Big West and posted their worst record since 2009. Things got much worse that July, when the program was suspended and the coaching staff was placed on administrative leave while the university investigated the program due to allegations of misconduct. The investigation wasn’t resolved into November and Matt Vaughn resigned as head coach as a result. UCD opened a coaching search and the next month hired Tommy Nicholson, who was an assistant coach at Stanford. Predictably, the Aggies didn’t find much on-field success in 2022, but there’s reason for optimism in 2023.

Outfielder Mark Wolbert (.351/.428/.497) last year was named Big West freshman field player of the year after hitting .410/.462/.598 in conference play. He returns, giving UCD a cornerstone. Also back are veterans James Williams (.295/.404/.438) and Nick Leehey (.265/.341/.426), who ranked second and third on the team in OPS. Starters Nate Freeman (1-1, 6.40) and Kaden Riccomini (2-5, 5.93) are back, but the pitching staff as a whole will have to take a big step forward. UCD also has a bevy of newcomers who figure to play significant roles this spring.

10. Cal State Bakersfield (18-34, 11-19)

The Roadrunners joined the Big West ahead of the 2021 season and went 28-38 in their first two seasons in the conference. They’ll look to take a step forward in 2023 but it won’t be easy in the rugged league.

Outfielders James Bell (.300/.379/.483) and AJ Miller (.294/.371/.552, 12 HR), the team’s two leading hitters, return to again anchor the lineup. Miller is one of the conference’s best power hitters and ranked third in the Big West in slugging. The Roadrunners’ pitching staff is largely starting over, as only one of their top five pitchers by innings pitched returns and he is out due to injury. Righthanders Gabe Ulloa (3-1, 7.83) and Ryan Verdugo (1-0, 4.54) are the most experienced returners, but watch for transfers Kyle Stancato (Washington State) and Tally Wright (junior college) to make an impact.

11. UC Riverside (8-45, 4-26)

UCR has struggled over the last two seasons, going a combined 16-54 in Big West play. Getting things right has to start on the mound, after the Highlanders ranked No. 272 nationally with a 7.95 team ERA. To that end, UCR added transfers Blake Burzell (Arizona State) and Alexander Rivas (California Lutheran), who will figure into prominent roles. As bad as things were on the mound, UCR ranked No. 291 nationally in scoring (3.5 runs per game). The Highlanders are a good defensive team and have solid athleticism, but simply must find a way to score more runs.

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