Who wins the starting left field job?

Nicholas Badders

Tracy Smith says Trevor Hauver is starting opening night. I don’t think he has the starting job locked down though and it likely won’t be locked down until Pac-12 play begins. Once that comes around, I would expect Taylor Lane to be there consistently. I think his veteran presence brings a lot to the team, but more importantly he showed flashes of success with his bat last year and offense, is ultimately what Skip is looking for. That gives him an edge over Myles Denson, who has a bit of progression still to make and I think Hauver as well.

Karli Matthias

I think that Myles Denson will win the starting left field job. Trevor Hauver will definitely give him a run for his money, but Denson has so much potential to be a great hitter, he just has to prove himself.

Bobby Kraus

I think that Myles Denson will eventually grab hold of the position. The sophomore showed flashes last season while appearing in 27 games, tallying five RBI, including starting on Opening Night. It will be an indefinite amount of time into the season before Smith makes any decision on solidifying his left fielder, and has said that offense will be the determining factor in who seizes the role.

Scotty Gange

Taylor Lane

Lyle Goldstein

Spencer Torkelson. If he can prove himself on defense he’ll lock it down. His offensive skillset and raw power is off the charts. Maybe the best on the team next to Hunter Bishop

Justin Toscano

Trevor Hauver

Rob Werner

Well it’s not a secret that freshman Trevor Hauver will start in left field on Opening Night but I think that freshman power-hitter Spencer Torkelson will get the most starts in left field of any Sun Devil this season. I think senior Taylor Lane will be in the mix too and get spot starts in left.

Jacob Janower

I’m going to go with Taylor Lane. He was much improved in the second half of last season, showing the extra base power that he is capable of. I think experience will also prevail in this situation, as candidates like Trevor Hauver and Gage Workman may have a little longer adjustment period.

Josiah Destin

Taylor Lane. He’s a senior. He’s got power. He will have to hit much better than .262 (last year’s avg.) to win the spot, but has potential to lock that spot up.

Alec Henden

Myles Denson, Skip will go with his most experienced option for his Opening Night starter. Denson isn’t the best bat on the roster but regular at-bats could lead to improved results.

Joe Jaquez

I think early on it will depend on matchups. Smith said there are five guys that can start and will get playing time. It is hard to say who will stand out until the games begin but it will be one of the main storylines to watch during the non conference season.

Michael Baron

I’m going to say Myles Denson and I based this on experience. Denson appeared in 27 games last season and, especially early on this season, I would not be surprised if Smith goes with him. That being said, I would put an asterisk by Denson’s name because in the early stages of this season, I think Smith will see how each contender performs under real-game pressure and in-game scenarios. It’s entirely possible someone else takes the spot, but I’ll stick with Denson because he has the in-game experience, versus both non-conference and conference foes.

Carson Field

I think Denson gets the nod to start the year. He has more experience than anyone else vying for the position. However, if he struggles to start the year, that position can easily be stolen by Scott Mehan, who reached base on half of his plate appearances his senior season of high school.

T.J. Mathewson

As of now, no one, but my best guess would be Taylor Lane. Another name to look for, pending development, is Myles Denson, who got some starts toward the end of last year.

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What would be your Opening Day lineup? How will this differ from what you think Smith actually puts out?

Badders

I think the 4-6 spots that I listed above can be moved around, same with 7-9. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Swift hit elsewhere, either leadoff or lower in the lineup. Maybe he or Bishop leads off? I don’t know, I would expect to see tons of different lineups this season.

1. Gage Canning RF
2. Drew Swift SS
3. Hunter Bishop CF
4. Lyle Lin C
5. Spencer Torkelson DH
6. Carter Aldrete 3B
7. Alika Williams 2B
8. Jeremy McCuin 1B
9. Trevor Hauver LF

Matthias

Mine:

1. Canning RF
2. Bishop CF
3. Lin C
4. Aldrete 3B
5. Swift SS
6. Williams 2B
7. Torkelson DH
8. Denson LF
9. McCuin 1B

1. Canning RF
2. Swift SS
3. Lin C
4. Aldrete 3B
5. Bishop CF
6. Williams 2B
7. Torkelson DH
8. Hauver LF
9. McCuin 1B

Kraus

Tracy Smith announced earlier this week that at least for Opening Night, Trevor Hauver would be his starter in left. The various inter-squad games seem to suggest that Smith might run out something very similar to this in terms of the other eight positions. However, I would not be shocked at all to see Swift and Williams fluctuate all throughout the lineup before their spots are determined.

My Opening Night lineup would be:

1. SS Drew Swift
2. 3B Carter Aldrete
3. RF Gage Canning
4. CF Hunter Bishop
5. C Lyle Lin
6. DH Spencer Torkelson
7. LF Myles Denson
8. 1B Jeremy McCuin
9. 2B Alika Williams

Gange

I would definitely put Lane in left over Hauver, and Gage Canning in center.

Goldstein

Mine:

1. Swift (SS)
2. Canning (RF)
3. Bishop (CF)
4. Lin (C)
5. Aldrete (3B)
6. Torkelson (LF)
7. McCuin (1B)
8. Lane (DH)
9. Williams (2B)

Skip’s:

1. Bishop (CF)
2. Canning (RF)
3. Lin (C)
4. Aldrete (3B)
5. Swift (SS)
6. McCuin (1B)
7. Torkelson (DH)
8. Williams (SS)
9. Hauver (LF)

Toscano

It’s difficult to predict because this group has never played together. I assume he’ll tinker with the lineup a ton as the season progresses.

1. Gage Canning RF
2. Hunter Bishop CF
3. Lyle Lin C
4. Spencer Torkelson DH
5. Carter Aldrete 3B
6. Drew Swift SS
7. Alika Williams 2B
8. Jeremy McCuin 1B
9. Trevor Hauver LF

Werner

Mine:

1. Gage Canning
2. Drew Swift
3. Hunter Bishop
4. Spencer Torkelson
5. Carter Aldrete
6. Lyle Lin
7. Trevor Hauver
8. Jeremy McCuin
9. Alika Williams

Tracy Smith’s:

1. Hunter Bishop
2. Gage Canning
3. Carter Aldrete
4. Lyle Lin
5. Spencer Torkelson
6. Jeremy McCuin
7. Trevor Hauver
8. Drew Swift
9. Alika Williams

Janower

I think this will look very similar to Smith’s Opening Day lineup. He has said through various hints that this will more than likely be the group. For Hauver, it’s more of an audition than a statement that he earned the job. I can see Swift being moved down in the lineup until he proves himself and Aldrete hitting second.

1. RF Gage Canning
2. SS Drew Swift
3. CF Hunter Bishop
4. 3B Carter Aldrete
5. C Lyle Lin
6. DH Spencer Torkelson
7. 2B Alika Williams
8. 1B Jeremy McCuin
9. LF Trevor Hauver

Destin

It’s tough to tell if how well Drew Swift or Alika Williams can hit. I’ll let Skip decide that.

1. RF Canning
2. 3B Aldrete
3. C Lin
4. CF Bishop
5. DH Lane
6. LF Hauver
7. 1B McCuin
8. SS Swift
9. 2B Williams

Henden

My opening day lineup gives Swift the nod in the leadoff spot, Skip might prefer to give an upperclassman the leadoff spot. McCuin ahead of Torkelson might not last long, especially if Torkelson develops a consistent power stroke.

1. Swift SS
2. Canning CF
3. Lin C
4. Bishop RF
5. Aldrete 3B
6. McCuin 1B
7. Torkelson DH
8. Williams 2B
9. Denson LF

Jaquez

This is my best guess. It is hard to predict a lineup.

1. Alika Williams
2. Drew Swift
3. Lyle Lin
4. Gage Canning
5. Hunter Bishop
6. Carter Aldrete
7. McCuin/Torkelson (1B)
8. Trevor Hauver
9. Workman (DH)

Baron

Here’s how I see the lineup for opening day: Spencer Van Scoyoc will lead the Sun Devils into the 2018 season on the mound. Lyle Lin will catch for him. My opening day infield looks like this: Jeremy McCuin at first, Alika Williams at second, Carter Aldrete at third, and Drew Swift at shortstop. And for the outfield: Myles Denson in left, Hunter Bishop in center, and Gage Canning in right field.  I think Smith could very easily go with someone else in left field. Smith has stated many times the competition is ongoing. I think the competition will continue into the season and Smith will rotate through prospective left fielders until he finds one that works best.

Field

I think this is identical to what Smith will put out except for left field because I think he will play Denson. My starting lineup would be:

• P Lingos
• C Lin
• 1B McCuin
• 2B Williams
• SS Swift
• 3B Aldrete
• LF Mehan
• CF Bishop
• RF Canning

Mathewson

Mine:

1. Swift
2. Canning
3. Lin
4. Bishop
5. Aldrete
6. Torkleson
7. McCuin
8. Lane
9. Williams

Skip’s:

1. Bishop
2. Canning,
3. Lin
4. Aldrete
5. Torkleson
6. Swift
7. McCuin
8. Lane
9. Williams

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Where do you have ASU ranked in the Pac-12 to start and end the season?

Badders

I think D1 Baseball has it right with them being eighth. Maybe an argument for them to  be seventh, but after last season, there’s a lot more to prove. I think they end up with a better record, in general and in conference play than Oregon and maybe Washington, so let’s say sixth or seventh at the end of the season? The Pac-12 is just really good.

Matthias

I think ASU is going to start at eighth in the Pac-12, but I think ASU is going to shock most and end up finishing third in the conference.

Kraus

I have ASU slotted sixth in the Pac-12 to begin the year, behind Oregon State, Stanford, Arizona, UCLA, and California. I think this team has the talent to finish the year amongst the top three if everything went well, but this conference is talented enough to see them finish in the bottom three if their young talent struggles early on.

Gange

7th, 5th

Goldstein

Due to their down year in 2017, I think they will start the year ranked 10^th in the conference. But I think this team has much more in store than people away from the valley are giving them credit for. I think they finish 4^th in the conference, behind Oregon State, UCLA, and Stanford.

Toscano

I think the team will finish at No. 5 in the conference. They’re talented, but the lack of experience will be too difficult to overcome when trying to fight to the top of the conference.

Werner

I have ASU as the fifth-ranked team in Pac-12 to start the season behind Oregon State, UCLA, Stanford, and Arizona. I think the team will finish fourth in the conference behind Oregon State, UCLA and Stanford.

Janower

Seventh preseason, fifth at the end. I think ASU will surprise some people this season, but there is good reason to put them towards the bottom half of the preseason conference rankings. The pitching is too much of a question mark of a question mark. Oregon State, UCLA, Stanford, and Arizona are all formidable contenders, but improvement in the pitching staff can lift the Sun Devils up a few notches by season’s end.

Destin

 7

Henden

I believe ASU should be ranked at eighth in the Pac-12 heading into the season. After the worst season in program history the expectations from outside the program will be low. Tracy Smith brought in another strong recruiting class, and the new guys will be asked to produce a lot in order for the team to be successful. I believe by season’s end the team will ranked sixth in the conference, but the question will be if Smith’s job is safe after marginal improvement.

Jaquez

Start: 7th, End: 6th

Baron

This season should have more upswing than last. That being said, since we have not seen this group yet in action on the field and how this unit reacts to real-game pressure situations, I’m a bit hesitant to place them higher than ninth in the Pac-12 to begin the season. By the time the season is over, however, I think the Devils make a modest improvement in the Pac-12 Conference around sixth or seventh.

Field

While they were tied for last in 2017, I think they have only improved with experience. With some of the youngsters from last year a year more experienced, I see ASU as more of a middle of the pack team. I have them at sixth in the conference behind Oregon State, UCLA, Stanford, Arizona and Washington.

Mathewson

8^th, that’s about right for preseason rankings. Banking on improved seasons from Spencer Van Scoyoc, Hunter Bishop and others, I could see this team finishing in the top half of the Pac-12. Their ceiling for this year would probably be around 4^th.

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Who gets the most midweek starts this season?

Badders

Boyd Vander Kooi. It sounds like it’s between him and Jake Godfrey for the Sunday starter spot, I think Godfrey wins that battle and Vander Kooi becomes a consistent midweek guy. Keep an eye on Ryan Hingst though, also Chaz Montoya.

Matthias

I think Ryan Hingst will have the most midweek starts this season. Hingst started a handful of games last year and was a frequent starter in the fall/preseason scrimmages. I think they’ll lean on the senior for a lot of those games.

Kraus

Chaz Montoya. The sophomore left-hander saw time in the rotation and as the closer in 2017, however I think he is best suited in the rotation. Montoya finds himself in a three-man battle for two remaining starting roles, with senior Jake Godfrey and freshman Boyd Vander Kooi. Taking experience and past results into account, I think Montoya can give the Sun Devils a jolt every Tuesday he trots out.

Gange

Boyd Vander Kooi

Goldstein

This position is always filled by someone unexpected at the beginning of the season. Last year Zach Dixon was in line to be the midweek starter, look how that turned out. I think freshman right-hander Drake Davis has a chance to emerge midseason and take over the midweek role. Davis was the No. 4 ranked player in Colorado coming out of high school.

Toscano

Jake Godfrey

Werner

I think that senior Jake Godfrey will be featured most in the midweek matchups. The senior right-hander has said he hasn’t been as healthy as he currently is in over two years and if that remains I think he could have a breakout year. Godfrey has the type of bulldog presence on the mound, where you don’t feel he will back down from any hitter. He has excellent movement and command of his pitches but his durability has and will be the question in 2018. If he cannot stay healthy, I think sophomore Chaz Montoya could potentially step into that role after a solid freshman year.

Janower

Jake Godfrey. I think Boyd Vander Kooi will win the battle for the Sunday starter spot, but Godfrey, who is been lauded as much-improved by the coaching staff, will get the lion’s share of midweek starts. He is a high-upside pitcher who will benefit from a fully healthy season.

Destin

Boyd Vander Kooi

Henden

Boyd Vander Kooi will receive the most weekday starts. Vander Kooi was a big recruit for the program and the star local product has big potential. He projects as a future weekend starter, and will be given his opportunity to show his talents.

Jaquez

Boyd Vander Kooi

Baron

Chaz Montoya. Last season, Montoya had his share of struggles as the freshman left hander went 4-4 with a 5.31 ERA. Montoya did, however, work 59.1 innings, third most among Sun Devil pitchers in 2017, trailing only Eli Lingos (87.2) and Eder Erives (59.2). Montoya was also second on the team for games started and tied for second in appearances. Montoya has experience under his belt, but a big key for him, as well as the rest of the pitching staff, will be consistency. I’m not sure I see Montoya as a weekend starter, but I think he could find a fit in weekday games.

Field

I see Boyd Vander Kooi getting his fair share of midweek starts this season. While he has no collegiate experience, he was a stud in Arizona high school ball and was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year. Look for him to get plenty of innings despite his year.

Mathewson

Whoever doesn’t get the Sunday starting job, between Vander Kooi and Godfrey. I’ll go with Godfrey for most midweek starts.

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How does ASU do in non-conference play? What is their record?

Badders

Uh… 12-5 before Pac-12 play begins? 18-7 if we count the ones in between conference games. I think they win 5-7 of the first 7 games, battle tough with LBSU and OSU, then come back strong before Pac-12 play begins.

Matthias

ASU should do really well in non-conference play. Fullerton and Long Beach State are always tough competitors, but the Devils should be able to hold their own. OK State will definitely be tough for ASU, as it has been in recent years, but besides the Pokes, ASU should be the favorite to win most of non-conference. I think ASU will have a strong 19-6 non-conference record.

Kraus

Of their 25 non-conference games, I see ASU emerging with a 17-8 record. With tough, familiar foes on the schedule like Oklahoma State, Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State, along with new challenges in the form of UNC-Wilmington and Pacific, ASU will have no easy task in their march to the postseason.

Gange

They do very well, 11-5

Goldstein

To reiterate again. This team is much stronger than that of last year’s, and I think they will match up well against some of their non-conference opponents, especially considering teams such as Miami (OH) and UNC Wilmington are no juggernauts by any means. They also have just one non-conference series on the road. I believe they will go 10-6 in non-conference play.

Toscano

11-5

Werner

ASU will have an extremely strong showing in non-conference play, better than when the team went 15-10 in the non-conference slate a season ago. I think the Sun Devils will go 19-6 in their non-conference games in 2018 due in large part to a much-improved pitching staff led by new pitching coach Mike Cather and a significantly better defensive unit than in 2017.

Janower

17-8. ASU’s non-conference schedule seems to be less challenging than in year’s past, with a two-game series against Long Beach State and a three-game set against Oklahoma State looking like the toughest bouts. With where the team is at, a two-win improvement in non-conference seems like the minimum expectation.

Destin

10-6

Henden

I can see Arizona State ending conference play with a record of 16-9. Their biggest challenge will be a home weekend series against Oklahoma State, it will be critical for the Sun Devils to start fast before the gauntlet of Pac-12 play begins.

Jaquez

I think ASU will win the majority of the games in non-conference play. A bunch of home games. Their mindset will be right. Record: 10-6

Baron

I see ASU finishing around .500 in the non-conference portion of their schedule. They will see plenty of challenges in non-conference play, which can be a valuable learning experience for the underclassmen on the roster. I see around a 13-11 or a 12-12 non-conference record when it’s all said and done.

Field

The Sun Devils will take care of business against the small opponents (i.e. Miami U, Pacific, St. Mary’s), but they’ll struggle against the powerhouses. The Sun Devils will be lucky if they can take any games from Long Beach State, Oklahoma State and Cal State Fullerton. My non-conference record prediction for them is 16-8.

Mathewson

14-10 record

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Does ASU eclipse 30 wins and do they make the postseason? If so, how far do they go?

Badders

They’ll win 30 games. I think a regional is realistic. There will be a lot of regional teams from the Pac-12 this year. For extremes, I think they finish in the bottom three of the Pac-12 or loose in super regionals. Realistically, I see them as a 3 or 4 seed in a regional though.

Matthias

I definitely think that ASU will eclipse the 30-win mark. ASU has all the right factors to be a great team and make a run in the postseason. I think the Devs will sneak their way into a super regional.

Kraus

I believe so. I think that there is enough influx of freshman talent with veteran leadership to make up seven wins, and possibly a few more than that. I see this team making the NCAA tournament and winning a regional for the first time under Tracy Smith. 54 out of 55 30-win seasons is nothing to sneeze at either.

Gange

I do not see them winning 30 games this year

Goldstein

I think the Devils have the talent and renewed team chemistry to put last year’s season in the rearview mirror. I believe they will win 35 games and make it to the regional round of the postseason, but no further. This team is still very young and will have some growing pains. I think they are a year away from being fully polished and ready to make a deep tournament run.

Toscano

Yes, they eclipse 30 wins. They will go to a Regional, but they won’t get out. I think they could, but it’s such a difficult thing to do with a young team. Who knows? Maybe they prove us wrong.

Werner

ASU does eclipse 30 wins and makes the postseason, advancing to a Super Regional.

Janower

Yes, I think the season will turn out similar to the 2016 campaign, in which the Sun Devils struggled to be the season before gaining their footing and turning it on towards the end of conference play. I think much like that season, they will get a No. 3 seed in regionals, but won’t make it any further.

Destin

Team doesn’t make the tournament, but they win 30 games.

Henden

I do believe that ASU will eclipse 30 wins this season. The non-conference schedule sets up well for them, and I think they will do a better job of defending home field this season. If they play around .500 in conference play that will put them in position to make the tournament. I see their season ending in a weekend regional.

Jaquez

I do not they will eclipse 30 wins but they will improve their record from last year and get 29.

Baron

I do not think ASU reaches 30 wins in 2018, but they get close. I believe the Sun Devils will finish around .500, but just miss the postseason. If they do make the postseason, it would likely be by the skin of their teeth, but I don’t see the Devils advancing far in the tournament. Last year may very well have been a fluke, but I’m not expecting a major turnaround in just one season. That does not typically happen, especially considering ASU’s competitive non-conference and Pac-12 schedule.

Field

ASU will get exactly to 30 wins. No more, no less. While it would be a big improvement from last year, I don’t think it will be enough to get the Sun Devils back to postseason play with likely five other Pac-12 teams to eclipse 30 wins this season.

Mathewson

That’s a safe bet, judging that they have done it 54 of the last 55 years. I’ll say yes to 30 wins, but probably just miss out on the postseason. By a game or two.

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Series of the season you are most looking forward to?

Badders

UNC Wilmington will be cool. They don’t play many East Coast teams, so that’ll be fun. Hosting Cal to end the season will also be very interesting.

Matthias

I’m most looking forward to the series at UCLA. I think these two are pretty evenly matched as far as talent goes, so it’ll be a battle the whole way through.

Kraus

The midweek trip to Long Beach State at the end of February will be the first true test of 2018 for Arizona State. The two teams met for three games just prior to conference play in Phoenix last season, with ASU securing three walk-off victories.

Gange

Oregon State

Goldstein

The road series in Corvallis against the Beavers. While ASU won’t be favored, it will be their greatest test to see how much they have improved in a season. The Sun Devils got swept at home by Oregon State last year and winning a game in Corvallis could be huge for their resume builder for them at that point of the season.

Toscano

Other than the games against Arizona, which should be exciting, the three against Oklahoma State should be fun.

Werner

I’m most looking forward to the series in Corvallis, Oregon from April 27-29 when the Sun Devils will compete against 2017 Pac-12 champion Oregon State. The Beavers advanced to the College World Series a season ago, led by undoubtedly the best pitching staff in college baseball and in my opinion have the best player in college baseball in shortstop Nick Madrigal. It’ll be very interesting to how well ASU can compete against that talented squad, especially this late in the season.

Janower

The easy answer here would be Oregon State, but I’ll say a two-game non-conference matchup against Cal State Fullerton. The Titans outscored the Sun Devils 23-8 in two games that were frankly not close last season in Tempe, and will serve as ASU’s best opportunity this year to see how they stack up out of conference.

Destin

Believe it or not, Miami. I’m excited to see what this looks like from the get go.

Henden

The series I’m most looking forward to is Oklahoma State. None of the three-preseason ranked Pac-12 teams will travel to Tempe, and besides one home against Arizona this will be the Sun Devils biggest challenge at Muni.

Jaquez

Any series against Oregon State will be ASU’s toughest test. The Beavers are bringing back their best players from a historic season last year.

Baron

I think a default answer could be ASU and U of A because of the historic rivalry and the fact it is within Pac-12 Conference play, but I’m actually going to go outside the Pac. Looking at the schedule, as Pac-12 competition is in full swing, ASU has two non-conference games versus Cal State Fullerton in early April. The Titans have been a historically consistent team and, with this two-game series being at home, it should be interesting to see how the Sun Devils match up against a strong non-conference opponent later in the season after battling within the Pac-12. My close No. 2 choice is the ASU-Stanford series in California.

Field

I am intrigued to watch the series against UNC Wilmington. This series follows the six-game stretch which includes two games against Long Beach State, three against Oklahoma State and one against Pepperdine. After that, the Sun Devils will likely be exhausted from playing top-tier opponents, so it will be interesting to see how they do against a UNC Wilmington team that is always quietly good.

Mathewson

Oregon State

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Bold prediction?

Badders

They’ll finish with a sub-four ERA. If there were to be a conductor for the Mike Cather train, it’d be me. He’s the right man for the job and I think he’ll do some incredible stuff with the pitching staff. If we want to go super bold, Connor Higgins loses the closer job and Grant Schneider becomes an all-conference closer. Okay, maybe not all-conference. And maybe not Grant. Perhaps a Zane Stand, Dellan Raish or Sam Romero fill that role. Or Chaz Montoya. I don’t know. My point still stands. The sub-four ERA is what I’ll count, the rest of this is just something for me to look back on.

Matthias

My bold prediction is that ASU will struggle to find a third starter, paving the way for Connor Higgins to leave the bullpen to take over a spot in the weekend rotation.

Kraus

Carter Aldrete will challenge for Pac-12 Player of the Year. Aldrete hit .270 and led the team in RBI (31), while starting 55 games at three different positions in 2017. Having a set position coming into 2018, albeit at third base for the natural shortstop, can only positively impact him. Aldrete has put an emphasis on himself this season to “… not give away at-bats,” and improve his strikeout/walk ratio at the plate. He seems as poised as any member of this team to take a massive step forward in 2018.

Gange

ASU beats OSU in a 3 game series

Goldstein

Zane Strand will end up closing by the end of the season. The kid has electric stuff and hasn’t got the chance to show for it yet after missing almost all of 2017. I think the ASU bullpen will have a similar format to the Cleveland Indians by mid-April, with Connor Higgins taking over the dominant multi-inning lefty role and Strand slamming the door in the 9^th.

Toscano

This team will be top 3 in the Pac-12 in home runs, despite the lengthy Muni fences

Werner

I believe this ASU team is largely different than last year’s squad not just in the overall talent, but the chemistry of the group as well. I think a season after failing to reach the 30-win clip for the first time in 54 years, this team will win 40 games in 2018.

Janower

Spencer Van Scoyoc keeps the Friday night starter role the entire season. A lot was expected from the left-hander last year, but he has impressed the coaching staff after a command-plagued freshman campaign. Van Scoyoc is coming off of an impressive summer in the Cape Cod Baseball League and has the stuff and makeup to hold down the “ace” role.

Destin

This team makes the tournament.

Henden

I believe by the beginning of conference play Eli Lingos will regain the Friday starter’s job. Lingos had an up-and-down season in 2017, but I believe his experience and results will be the reason Smith starts him on Fridays in conference.

Jaquez

ASU goes from last to top four in the PAC-12 in fewest errors committed.

Baron

Eli Lingos wins 10 (or more) games this season. Lingos went 6-7 last year with a 4.21 earned-run average. With an improved defense behind him, the senior left-hander could very well the double-digit plateau by season’s end. The Sun Devils will win more games this season as Lingos should be a mainstay within the starting rotation.

Field

While I don’t see a tournament run in the cards this year, that’s not to say it won’t be a successful season. Fans will see great improvement from the team this year, and I expect ASU to take a series from either Oregon State, Stanford or UCLA.

Mathewson

Hunter Bishop finishes first-team all Pac-12

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Offensive MVP?

Badders

Hard to argue against Gage Canning. He led the team in nearly every offensive stat last season and I’d be shocked if he didn’t do it again this year. Lyle Lin and Hunter Bishop aren’t to be slept on though.

Matthias

My offensive MVP is Hunter Bishop. Bishop already showed how good of a player he can be last year. He was just scraping the surface of his potential, so now with a season and a summer in the Cape under his belt, I think Bishop will go out there and dominate.

Kraus

Gage Canning. Coming off a year in which he hit .332 and led the team with 120 total bases (no one else had more than 78), Canning should be the calming force for this Sun Devil lineup full of potential.

Gange

Carter Aldrete

Goldstein

Gage Canning. Simple answer but he is the best and most complete hitter on the team. He’s in line for another strong season.

Toscano

Gage Canning

Werner

Sophomore Hunter Bishop is just starting to scratch the surface of how talented he is. Bishop admits that he struggled immediately at ASU but he’s improved immensely and I think we’ll see the 6-foot-5 center fielder hit over 15 home runs in addition to batting over .325. I also think Bishop will begin stealing bags at a much higher rate in 2018.

Janower

Gage Canning. He did it all for ASU last season and there is reason to believe he will do the same in 2018. He led the team in home runs, stolen bases, and batting average while starting all 55 games, and will be looked at once again as one of the top bats in the conference.

Destin

Gage Canning

Henden

Lyle Lin, he was the most consistent bat for the team in 2017. The experiment of him as a first basemen appears to be over and I see him settling in as the everyday catcher. This will lead to an increase in production at the plate, and perhaps a power increase.

Jaquez

Gage Canning

Baron

Gage Canning. The offense last year started and ended with this guy. Canning had a .332 batting average with 74 hits, 12 doubles, eight triples and six home runs, all of which either outright lead the team or were tied for team lead. With another year of experience under his belt, Canning looks prime to once again lead the Sun Devils offensively against a difficult road to postseason play.

Field

Sophomore slump is always something to consider, but Lyle Lin will be the team’s star on offense this year. I expect Lin to hit above .300 and add on a couple dingers to his 2017 total of two.

Mathewson

Gage Canning

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Pitching MVP?

Badders

My gut tells me Connor Higgins will be the glue of this staff. Even though he’s at the back end of the bullpen, he’ll be an important stopper all season long. Eli Lingos could also step up big though.

Matthias

My pitching MVP is Connor Higgins. To me, Higgins was by far the most talented pitcher on the staff last year. He was the only Devil drafted last June, and he was just a sophomore. With the help of Cather, he’s already shown improvements that’ll take him even farther this season. He’s really found his role as the closer, and he’s already been named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year watch list for this season. He’ll definitely be the most reliable arm for ASU this season.

Kraus

Chaz Montoya. While I do think he belongs in the rotation to be at his most effective, I think he will be used in all types of situations over the course of the season whether it be late-inning relief, spot-starting, consistent starting or situational match-ups.

Gange

Spencer Van Scoyoc

Goldstein

Boyd Vander Kooi. ASU has something special with this freshman. While it may take him a few starts to get himself in a groove and adjust to Division I baseball, he will be anchoring the staff when its all said and done.

Toscano

Connor Higgins

Werner

Boyd Vander Kooi. The freshman that has dazzled so far in the fall with his dominant presence on the mound will be well-equipped to handle Division-I pitching, especially given his 6-foot-5 frame and will comfortably slide into the Saturday slot on Mike Cather’s pitching staff.

Janower

I’ll give this one to Connor Higgins, although both Spencer Van Scoyoc and Eli Lingos are viable options. I’m thinking Higgins may end up settling into a high-pressure role rather than simply the closer, meaning he pitches in the highest-intensity situations, whether it occurs in the 7th or 9th inning. Higgins will give the Sun Devils their most overpowering option in the bullpen since Ryan Burr.

Destin

Connor Higgins

Henden

Eli Lingos, I believe Lingos is the forgotten man on the staff and will play the biggest role in ASU’s success. As Lingos goes, so does the rest of the ASU pitching staff. I’m betting on the senior to have a big season on the mound.

Jaquez

Spencer Van Scoyoc

Baron

For this question, I was contemplating going with my bold prediction as the pitching MVP, but I’ll change it up. I think Spencer Van Scoyoc has the potential for huge improvement from last season. A year ago, Van Scoyoc went 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA in 10 appearances. However, opponents were batting just .208 against him and only surrendered four doubles. With new pitching coach Mike Cather coming to Tempe to help out guys like Van Scoyoc, I look for ASU’s pitching overall to be better than in past seasons.

Field

Although he won’t be a starter, Connor Higgins will be the most valuable Sun Devil on the pitching staff. He led the team in saves last year, and he will shine in the closer role, posting a sub-3.00 ERA.

Mathewson

Eli Lingos

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Who, if anyone is drafted and in what round or range?

Badders

Gage Canning rounds 3-10, Lyle Lin rounds 6-11, Connor Higgins rounds 7-12, Eli Lingos, rounds 15-25, Jake Godfrey, rounds 30-35, Chaz Montoya 35+, Fitz Stadler 35+

Matthias

Connor Higgins rounds 3-8, Gage Canning rounds 3-10, Lyle Lin rounds 3-10, Eli Lingos rounds 15-25, Jake Godfrey rounds 25-35, Fitz Stadler 30+

Kraus

Gage Canning, 4th-8th round, Connor Higgins 6th-10th round, Eli Lingos 7th-10th round, Lyle Lin 5th-10th round, Ryan Hingst 10th-15th round

Gange

Lin: 15-20, Higgins: 20-25

Goldstein

Canning 3^rd round, Lin 8^th round, Higgins 15^th round, Van Scoyoc 22^nd round

Toscano

Gage Canning, top-10 rounds; Eli Lingos, rounds 15-20; Jake Godfrey, rounds 30+

Werner

Gage Canning sixth round, Connor Higgins 15th round, Lyle Lin 24th round, Eli Lingos 28th round, Fitz Stadler 38th round.

Janower

Higgins, Canning, Lin, Lingos. Rounds are too hard to predict.

Destin

Canning in 25th round. Higgins in 20th round. Godfrey in 25th round. Taylor Lane in 35th round.

Henden

Gage Canning, 15th round, Connor Higgins, 20th round

Jaquez

Lin goes in the third round, Canning in the sixth round and Lingos somewhere in the middle rounds

Baron

Gage Canning gets drafted in the… 15th round. I feel like I’m playing roulette

Field

Connor Higgins, 21st round; Lyle Lin, 40th round

Mathewson

Maybe Lingos, Higgins again with a good season, Canning, Lin.