19. MISSOURI

2008 RECORD. Overall: 39-21 (Advanced to NCAA regional). Conference: 16-11 / 4^th in Big 12.

Coach: Tim Jamieson (480-329, 15^th season).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 vs. Nevada at Phoenix .

 

OVERVIEW: Missouri appears to have the talent, experience and depth to make a serious run at the Big 12 title and potentially a College World Series berth. Its biggest obstacle may be just getting out of its own conference as the Big 12 has several of the nation’s top teams. RHP Kyle Gibson gives the team a stopper at the top of the rotation, but he’s the only weekend starter returning from 2008. Young, strong-armed pitchers like Nick Tepesch and Brad Buehler could be just as important as Gibson to the Tigers overall season. Junior OF Aaron Senne should be a Big 12 player-of-the-year candidate, coming off an outstanding sophomore season. C Trevor Coleman and CF Ryan Lollis are also significant returning players and provide both outstanding defense and potent bats in the middle of the field.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Trevor Coleman, Jr. (.295-4-35).

1B: Steve Gray (4), Sr. (.317-10-35).

2B: Andrew Thigpen, So. (.324-1-17).

3B: Kyle Mach, Sr. (.295-2-28).

SS: Mike Liberto, Jr. (Delgado, La., CC in 2008).

LF: Greg Folgia, Jr. (.293-5-40).

CF: Ryan Lollis (1), Sr. (.339-1-42).

RF: Aaron Senne (3), Jr. (*347-13-*67).

DH: Connor Mach, Fr. (HS—Ballwin, Mo.).

1/Starter: Kyle Gibson, Jr. (9-4, 3.84, 87 IP/96 SO).

2/Starter: Nick Tepesch, So. (1-3, 4.85, 4 SV, 30 IP/17 SO).

3/Starter: Ian Berger, Sr. (4-5, 4.54, 85 IP/68 SO).

Closer: Brad Buehler, So. (1-0, 5.52, 0 SV, 15 IP/10 SO).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Aaron Senne.

Best Overall Hitter: Aaron Senne.

Best Power Hitter: Aaron Senne.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Aaron Senne.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Ryan Lollis.

Best Base Runner: Ryan Lollis.

Best Defender: Ryan Lollis.

Best Infield Arm: Mike Liberto.

Best Outfield Arm: Ryan Lollis.

Best Fastball (velocity): Kyle Gibson / Nick Tepesch (95 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Kyle Gibson.

Best Changeup: Ian Berger.

Best Command: Kyle Gibson.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Connor Mach, 2b. Mach’s adjustment to college baseball will be eased by the presence of his senior brother, Kyle, on the roster. Mach’s big tool is his bat, especially considering he’s a middle infielder, and he will get plenty of opportunity to hit in a DH role as a freshman.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Nick Tepesch, rhp. Tepesch is the latest in a long string of top Missouri righthanded pitching prospects—and could the fourth first-rounder produced by Missouri in five years if, as projected, he becomes a first-round selection in 2010. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Tepesch was brought along slowly as a freshman, as his mid-90s fastball was his only real weapon. But he pitched well out of the bullpen and continued to improve his secondary pitches and command during the fall.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Kyle Gibson, rhp. Gibson’s name is on the short list of top pitching prospects in the 2009 draft. His long and lean 6-foot-6 frame still hasn’t fully matured, but his fastball and curve are mature pitches, as is his ability to command them. Gibson hasn’t been as consistently dominant as scouts expected—though that may be in comparison to former teammates Aaron Crow and Max Scherzer, both former first-rounders. Scouts will be looking for Gibson to step up every Friday night this year. While Gibson is clearly Missouri ’s best prospect in this year’s draft, Coleman and Senne are also potential Top 100 drafts.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Ryan Lollis, of. Lollis’ speed and defensive skills in center field play at a high level, and he’s a mature hitter who can handle the bat head. Scouts will be looking for more power from the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Texas native.

--DAVID RAWNSLEY