34. PEPPERDINE

2008 RECORD. Overall: 38-21 (Advanced to NCAA regional). Conference: 14-6 / 2^nd in West Coast Conference.

Coach: Steve Rodriguez (186-119, 6^th season).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 vs. Cal State Northridge

 

OVERVIEW: The Waves lost their only two power threats, OF Eric Thames (.407-13-59) and SS Chase d’Arnaud (.314-11-50), to pro ball but return a strong core of both hitters and pitchers—particularly on the mound. Senior RHP Nate Newman and sophomore LHP Scott Alexander are two potential aces, and the Waves have one of the nation’s top returning closers in senior RHP Nick Gaudi. A talented newcomer, freshman CF Brian Humphries, should help address an expected power shortage and be a force in the Pepperdine for at least three years. But he won’t be under pressure to carry the offensive load himself with seven juniors/seniors hitting around him.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Trent Diedrich, Jr. (.291-2-31).

1B: Ryan Heroy (4), Jr. (.309-2-39).

2B: Bryce Mendonca (1), Sr. (.332-0-24, *32 SB).

3B: Colin Rooney, Jr. (.374-3-43 at Saddleback, Calif. , CC; Nationals/45^th round)).

SS: Denny Duron, Sr. (.290-6-38).

LF: David Harris (3), Sr. (.284-4-29).

CF: Brian Humphries, Fr. (Red Sox/19^th round).

RF: Nate Simon, Sr. (.303-5-31).

DH: Aaron Gates, Fr. (Rockies/33^rd round).

1/Starter: Nate Newman, Sr. (*8-4, 3.46, *94 IP/*70 SO).

2/Starter: Scott Alexander, So. (7-4, 4.95, 73 IP/46 SO).

3/Starter: Robert Dickmann, Sr. (3-5, 5.54, 67 IP/37 SO).

Closer: Nick Gaudi, Sr. (5-1, *2.68, *15 SV, 44 IP/36 SO).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Bryce Mendonca.

Best Overall Hitter: Nate Simon.

Best Power Hitter: David Harris.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Brian Humphries.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Bryce Mendonca (6.2 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Bryce Mendonca.

Best Defender: Denny Duron.

Best Infield Arm: Denny Duron.

Best Outfield Arm: Nate Simon.

Best Fastball (velocity): Scott Alexander/Tyler Hess (94 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Nate Newman.

Best Changeup: Tyler Hess.

Best Command: Nick Gaudi.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Brian Humphries, of. Very few incoming freshmen at any school have the physical tools or ceiling of the 6-foot-2, 185-pound lefthanded-hitting Humphries. He projects as a premium defensive center fielder with power in his bat.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Scott Alexander, lhp. Alexander is close to becoming a premium 2010 draft prospect, with only command of his power stuff standing in the way. He pitches in the 90-92 mph range, touches 94 mph and has a downer curveball that paralyzes lefthanded hitters. But 56 walks and 15 hit batters in 72 innings as a freshman speak to his wildness, and is an obvious concern.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Colin Rooney, 3b. Rooney, a JC transfer who turned down an offer from the Washington Nationals to attend Pepperdine, was the Waves top offensive player during the fall and hit two home runs off Alexander during the team’s Blue and Orange World Series. He played shortstop in junior college and should be above-average defensively in his transition to third base.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Nate Newman, rhp. In the absence of RHP Brett Hunter, a first-round talent who missed most of the 2008 season with an elbow injury (but still signed a seven-figure bonus as a seventh-round pick), the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Newman won the Pepperdine pitching triple crown last spring. A Texas native who attended Tulane as a freshman before transferring to a JC close to home and eventually to Pepperdine, Newman turned down a 10^th-round offer in June from the Seattle Mariners. He has an excellent curveball and an upper-80s fastball that keeps hitters honest.

--DAVID RAWNSLEY