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)