COLLEGE BASEBALL 2008
TOP 100 TEAMS
Showdown Looms In Talent-Rich Arizona
Arizona-Arizona State Ranked 1-2 in Top 100
It’s been 22 years since a team from Arizona won the College World Series, but that
drought could come to a screeching halt this season as Arizona is ranked No. 1 in
Perfect Game Crosschecker’s pre-season ranking of the nation’s Top 100 college teams,
while arch-rival Arizona State is hot on its heels at No. 2. Both teams have power-packed
lineups and could easily produce 25 draft picks between them in June, including
numerous early-round selections.
Before the state’s recent dry spell, the Wildcats and Sun Devils were two of the
dominant programs in college baseball, winning eight national titles between them
from 1965 to 1986. The Arizona-Arizona State rivalry was also the best in college
baseball during that span and it’s possible the Arizona schools could not only reassert
their dominance on the college baseball landscape this season, but rekindle their
once-fierce rivalry.
From No. 1-ranked Arizona to No. 100-ranked Richmond, PG Crosschecker has ranked
the nation’s top 100 Division I college teams to kick off its coverage of the 2008
college baseball season, which begins with a new Feb. 22 uniform starting date.
That list of 100 teams is attached, and we’ll provide you with a thorough analysis
of what’s to like about each team in early February.
In addition to a brief team overview and X-Factor (a key, yet subtle development
that might significantly impact a team’s fortunes), we’ll identify each team’s top
prospects. We’ll also include projected starting lineups along with a ‘best tools’
breakdown in a number of batting, fielding, base running and pitching categories.
While this additional insight will be provided at a later date, we’ve provided a
sneak preview of No. 1-ranked Arizona to give you an idea of the depth of coverage
we’ll provide.
PG Crosschecker is the on-line scouting wing of Perfect Game USA, the world’s largest
independent baseball scouting service. Crosschecker will continue to stay abreast
of the nation’s top Division I college teams throughout the 2008 season by providing
weekly rankings of the top 50 teams, beginning Feb. 25.
TOP 100 TEAMS
Compiled by Allan Simpson/Jeff Simpson
2007 record noted (click Arizona to see a sample of upcoming previews that will
be "Insider Level" content)