BYU (2018 Record: 22-28, 11-16)
BYU suffered a down year in 2018 as they finished tied for last in the WCC.
Returning Players
Outfielder Brock Hale led the team in hitting last year with a .342 average to go along with 40 runs scored, 15 doubles, 8 home runs, and 31 RBI. Keaton Kringlen hit. 305 a season ago with 25 runs scored. Outfielder Mitch McIntyre hit .254 last year and will be asked to step up in the lineup.
Jordan Wood will lead the weekend rotation after posting a 2.66 ERA last season in 94.2 innings pitched with 63 strikeouts. Drew Zimmerman had a 2.40 ERA in 2018 over 45 innings pitched with 40 strikeouts and 5 saves. Riley Gates is expected to take on a bigger role in the pitching staff this year after taking a medical redshirt last season.
Newcomers
Carson Matthews, Hobbs Nyberg, and Jackson Cluff could all see time on the infield, while Danny Gelalich will compete for time in the outfield. Jarrod Lessar and Been Weese will add depth to the pitching staff.
Outlook for 2019
Assistant Coach Brent Haring said they hope to make improvements in every area this season.
Gonzaga (2018 Record: 33-24, 16-11)
It was a great 2018 season for the Zags as they cruised to a WCC Tournament title. They lost a heart-breaker to UCLA in the Minneapolis Regional before getting eliminated.
Returning Players
Ernie Yake led the team with a .322 average as a freshman last season to go along with 32 runs scored, 15 doubles, and 25 RBI. Catcher Austin Pinorini will likely be the team’s cleanup hitter to start the season after batting .268 last year with 4 home runs and 26 RBI. Outfielder Isaac Barrera should be back atop the lineup after hitting .275 as a freshman last season.
Casey Legumina was the team’s closer last year but will likely be their Friday night starter in 2019. Last season he had a 2.77 ERA in 48.2 innings pitched with 52 strikeouts and 13 saves. Mac Lardner should be back in the weekend rotation as well after posting a 2.95 ERA last year in 100.2 innings pitched with 73 strikeouts. Alek Jacob Will join those two in the rotation after posting a 2.88 ERA in 2018 over 103 innings with 95 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Josh Bristyan is a two-time Gold Glove winner in the JUCO ranks and will have an immediate impact.
Nick Iverson was a 15th round MLB draft pick out of JUCO last year and will be a difference maker in the pitching staff. Freshman Mason Wells could see significant time on the weekends as a pitcher, or be a midweek starter.
Outlook for 2019
Gonzaga hopes to be more consistent on offense this year. “Our team is built around pitching and defense, but we definitely feel like we can be a better offensive team then we were last year.” — Assistant Coach Brandon Harmon
They also hope to develop more depth on the mound by having some of their young arms and unproven arms step up into more prominent roles.
Loyola Marymount (2018 Record: 25-30, 15-12)
Finishing third in the WCC Standings, Loyola Marymount made the WCC Tournament but lost in the semifinals.
Returning Players
Shortstop Nick Sogard hit .324 last season with 31 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. Outfielder Trevin Esquerro hit .243 a season ago with 29 runs scored, 15 doubles, 6 home runs, and 18 RBI.
Codie Paiva posted a 4.17 ERA in 2018 over 86.1 innings pitched with 65 strikeouts and two complete games. Josh Agnew made 10 starts last year and had a 5.78 ERA in 67 innings with 33 strikeouts and 3 saves. Nick Frasso had a solid freshman season with a 3.15 ERA last year in 60 innings pitched with 74 strikeouts.
Outlook for 2019
There isn’t much coming back in the lineup, but they have plenty of depth in the pitching staff that they could make the WCC Tournament again.
Pacific (2018 Record: 22-29, 11-16)
They finished tied for last in the WCC and missed out on the WCC Tournament.
Returning Players
Catcher James Free hit .283 last year with 32 runs scored, 7 home runs, and 28 RBI. Second baseman Kevin Sandri hit .305 a year ago with 22 runs scored. Outfielder Bradley Jekich hit .282 last season with 27 runs scored and 11 doubles.
Ricky Reynoso will have a chance to lead the weekend rotation after posting a 4.89 ERA last year in 73.2 innings pitched with 51 strikeouts. Lucas Sweany had a 4.89 ERA a season ago in 46 innings pitched with 40 strikeouts.
Outlook for 2019
They need to replace a good bit of power in the lineup to help Free. They also have to replace two weekend starters.
Pepperdine (2018 Record: 31-24, 17-10)
Pepperdine finished with the best conference record in 2018 but couldn’t get past Gonzaga in the WCC Tournament.
Returning Players
Outfielder Matthew Kanfer is back for his senior season after hitting .315 a season ago with 39 runs scored, 12 doubles, 7 home runs, and 35 RBI. First baseman Brandt Belk hit .318 last year with 33 runs scored and 12 doubles.
Jonathan Pendergast is back to lead the weekend rotation after posting a 2.69 ERA in 2018 over 87 innings pitched with 67 strikeouts. Christian Stoutland had a 4.35 ERA last year in 70.1 innings with 50 strikeouts. Cooper Chandler had a 3.99 ERA as a freshman last season in 70 innings pitched with 44 strikeouts. Wil Jensen posted a 0.75 ERA a year ago in 48.1 innings pitched with 33 strikeouts, but was limited to just seven starts. Michael Mahony could be the team’s closer after posting a 1.69 ERA in 2018 over 21.1 innings pitched with 36 strikeouts and 3 saves.
Outlook for 2019
They return their entire pitching staff, as well as some key bullpen arms from last year, so they should be fine there. If they can find some players to fill the holes in the lineup, they could finish atop the conference again.
Portland (2018 Record: 23-30, 12-15)
Portland finished tied for sixth in the conference last year but did not qualify for the WCC Tournament.
Returning Players
Outfielder Cody Hawken hit .316 last season with 32 runs scored, 12 doubles, 10 home runs, and 36 RBI. Third baseman Daniel Lopez is back after hitting .224 last year with 5 home runs and 31 RBI. Jace McKinney and Matt Kelly return atop the lineup.
Eli Morse is back after a solid freshman season in which he posted a 3.62 ERA in 82 innings pitched with 71 strikeouts. Connor Knutson posted a 2.75 ERA last year in 36 innings with 41 strikeouts and 8 saves.
Outlook for 2019
They lose three of their top four pitchers from last year in innings pitched, so finding some newcomers and young guys to replace those innings will be key.
Saint Mary’s (2018 Record: 31-23, 14-13)
Because of a lost game, Saint Mary’s finished fifth in the WCC last year and missed out on the conference tournament.
Returning Players
They expect big things from Kevin Milam this year after he hit .302 last season with 31 runs scored, 12 doubles, 5 home runs, and 29 RBI. Shortstop Conor Thane returns after hitting .277 last year in just 83 at-bats. Ed Haus, Gio Diaz, Ryan Novis, Joe Vranesh, and Austin Chauvin all return as experienced players.
Ken Waldichuk returns to lead the weekend rotation after posting a 2.05 ERA last year in 92.1 innings pitched with 118 strikeouts. Michael Hobbs posted a 4.24 ERA a season ago in 34 innings pitched with 44 strikeouts. Carlos Lomeli had a 4.21 ERA last season in 36.1 innings with 23 strikeouts and a save.
Newcomers
Kyle Velazquez FR INF, Tyler Thornton FR RHP, Jack McCarthy RS SO OF (JC Transfer from College of San Mateo) & Ryan Daugherty LHP
Outlook for 2019
We have made a conscious effort to improve offensively. We expect to improve both our power numbers and overall consistency. We feel the changes that we have made will lead to more run production overall. We return one of the best pitching staffs in the country and plan to complement that with an improved offense. — Provided by Saint Mary’s Athletics Department
San Diego (2018 Record: 23-32, 12-15)
It was a disappointing 2018 for San Diego as they missed the WCC Tournament.
Returning Players
Second baseman Paul Kunst hit .299 last year with 38 runs scored, 11 doubles, and a .373 on-base percentage. Catcher Adam Kerner had a solid freshman season in 2018 hitting .338 with 31 runs scored, 15 doubles, 2 home runs, and 23 RBI.
Chris Murphy will try to lead the weekend rotation after posting a 4.20 ERA last season in 81 innings pitched with 91 strikeouts. Anthony Donatella had a 4.10 ERA last year in 48.1 innings with 42 strikeouts and 3 saves.
Outlook for 2019
They’ll need to replace four of their top five hitters from last year, including half of their home runs for 2018.
San Francisco (2018 Record: 28-30, 15-12)
They finished third in the WCC last year but went 0-2 in the conference tournament.
Returning Players
Catcher/DH Riley Helland returns after hitting .329 a season ago with 29 runs scored, 19 doubles, 2 home runs, and 34 RBI. Outfielder Jonathan Allen hit .308 last year with 46 runs scored, 16 doubles, 7 home runs, 32 RBI, and 12 stolen bases.
Riley Ornido will try to lead the weekend rotation after posting a 2.58 ERA in 2018 over 97.2 innings pitched with 95 strikeouts. Landen Bourassa posted a 3.02 ERA last year in 83.1 innings pitched 61 strikeouts.
Outlook for 2019
They have a couple of key pieces coming back in both the lineup and the pitching staff that should allow them to compete for a spot in the WCC Tournament again.
Santa Clara (2018 Record: 26-26, 12-15)
Santa Clara finished tied for sixth in the WCC and was left out of the conference tournament.
Returning Players
Jason Dicochea is back after hitting .323 last season with 35 runs scored, 14 doubles, and 25 RBI. Catcher Jake MacNichols hit .226 last year with 8 home runs and 32 RBI.
Travis Howard had a 5.03 ERA a year ago in 62.2 innings pitched with 53 strikeouts. Luke Martin-Resnick should be back after posting a 3.67 ERA last year in 41.2 innings with 31 strikeouts.
Outlook for 2019
They lose a lot of key players from the lineup and the pitching staff, so it’s hard to see them making the WCC Tournament this year.
2019 All-West Coast Preseason Team
C: James Free (Pacific)
1B: Brandt Belk (Pepperdine)
2B: Paul Kunst (San Diego)
SS: Nick Sogard (Loyola Marymount)
3B: Ernie Yake (Gonzaga)
OF: Cody Hawken (Portland)
OF: Brack Hale (BYU)
OF: Matthew Kanfer (Pepperdine)
DH: Kevin Milam (Saint Mary’s)
SP: Ken Waldichuk (Saint Mary’s)
SP: Jonathan Pendergast (Pepperdine)
SP: Jordan Wood (BYU)
SP: Riley Ornido (San Francisco)
SP: Alek Jacob (Gonzaga)
RP: Michael Mahony (Pepperdine)
RP: Connor Knutson (Portland)
Honorable Mention:
C – Riley Helland (San Francisco)
OF – Jonathan Allen (San Francisco)
SP – Mac Lardner (Gonzaga)
SP – Nick Frasso (LMU)
SP – Eli Morse (Portland)
SP – Chris Murphy (San Diego)
SP – Casey Legumina (Gonzaga)
SP – Landen Bourassa (San Francisco)
Predicted Order to Finish:
1. Gonzaga
2. Pepperdine
3. Saint Mary’s
4. San Francisco
5. Loyola Marymount
6. BYU
7. Portland
8. Pacific
9. San Diego
10. Santa Clara
