2012 CBD Season Preview: Big 12 (Part 2)

Yesterday we released our team-by-team preview for 2012 (LINK). Today, we unveil our Preseason All-Big 12 teams, as well as Newcomers to Watch and other superlatives. We included data gathered from conference SIDs, as well as our own thoughts and opinions.

 

College Baseball Daily Preseason All-Big 12:
FIRST TEAM
C: Josh Ludy, Baylor
1B: Max Muncy, Baylor
2B: Jamodrick McGruder, Texas Tech
3B: Erich Weiss, Texas
SS: Caleb Bushyhead, Oklahoma
OF: Tyler Naquin, Texas A&M
OF: Barrett Barnes, Texas Tech
OF: Jared King, Kansas State
DH: James Stanfield, Kansas
SP: Michael Wacha, Texas A&M
SP: Ross Stripling, Texas A&M
SP: Sam Stafford, Texas
RP: Corey Knebel, Texas
RP: John Neely, Texas Tech

SECOND TEAM
C: Blair DeBord, Kansas State
1B: Max White, Oklahoma
2B: Ross Kivett, Kansas State
3B: Mark Ginther, Oklahoma State
SS: Hunter Bailey, Oklahoma State
OF: Krey Bratsen, Texas A&M
OF: Blake Brown, Missouri
OF: Jared Womack, Oklahoma State
DH: Scott LeJeune, Texas Tech
SP: Andrew Heaney, Oklahoma State
SP: Dillon Overton, Oklahoma
SP: Eric Anderson, Missouri
RP: Dusty Ross, Missouri
RP: Kayvon Bahramzadeh, Kansas State

Top 5 Teams:
1. Texas A&M
2. Texas
3. Oklahoma
4. Baylor
5. Texas Tech

Top 5 Pitchers:
1. Michael Wacha, Texas A&M
2. Ross Stripling, Texas A&M
3. Corey Knebel, Texas
4. John Neely, Texas Tech
5. Sam Stafford, Texas

Top 5 Hitters:
1. Tyler Naquin, Texas A&M
2. Max Muncy, Baylor
3. Barrett Barnes, Texas Tech
4. Erich Weiss, Texas
5. Jared King, Kansas State

Top Power Hitter: Barrett Barnes, Texas Tech
Best Eye: Erich Weiss, Texas
Best Speed: Jamodrick McGruder, Texas Tech
Best Arm: Tyler Naquin, Texas A&M
Best Glove: Reid Redman, Texas Tech
Best Reliever: Corey Knebel, Texas

Newcomers to Watch:
1. P Damien Magnifico, JR, Oklahoma
The Howard College transfer is a much anticipated talent on the mound. The former 5th round pick can run his fastball up to 97 MPH, but was clocked even higher as a high school senior. Magnifico is projected to go in the first ten rounds, and is expected to come out of the bullpen for the Sooners, hopefully as the closer.
2. P Ricky Jacquez, FR, Texas
Jacquez wasn’t the jewel of the recruiting class that featured a trio of first-round talent, but is possibly the best player that actually made it to campus. In the fall, the freshman from El Paso was nearly unhittable for opposing batters, and displayed a nice variety of pitches that could propel him into the starting rotation. He won’t overpower many hitters, but has good control and can find his spots.
3. OF Zach Fish, FR, Oklahoma State
Fish will join a depleted Oklahoma State team, and should be a starter from the get-go. A Baseball America Third Team All-American catcher from Richland, Michigan, Fish was a 24th round pick of the Texas Rangers, but opted for Stillwater and coach Anderson. As a senior, Fish connected on 24 home runs while hitting .566 for Gull Lake High School.
4. P Rusty Shellhorn, JR, Texas Tech
Shellhorn sat out 2011 after transferring from Washington State University. The lefty junior never won a game in his Cougar career, finishing 0-2 overall, but has been a standout for the past two summers in the Northwoods League, garnering All-Star selections both seasons, and throwing a no-hitter in 2010. Shellhorn is a lock for a starter’s spot and will be one of the older players in Dan Spencer’s starting rotation.
5. OF Connor McKay, FR, Kansas
McKay was an Under Armour All-American as a junior in 2010, but missed the bulk of his senior season due to a torn ACL from football. Despite the missed time, McKay still put up good numbers in his senior season before the Rockies selected him in the 24th round. The top player from Colorado can hit for average and power, and should be in the Jayhawk lineup on opening day.