MWC Predicted Finish for 2018 Baseball
Now, just remember that the SF Giants were predicted to make it to the World Series in 2017. I was right there with all those predictors. We know how that went; they finished tied for the first draft pick. Ugh!
So, how about the Mountain West? I’ll start off by saying no team has drop dead gorgeous pitching but there are a few ok pitching staffs. Plenty of hitting even by the teams I feel will struggle. All the teams should score but it’s pitching that will keep you in games – always.
I’ll start by stating the predicted finished as put forth by Collegiate Baseball in their January 5th edition.
San Diego State
New Mexico
Fresno State
Nevada
Air Force
San Jose State
UNLV
They have New Mexico’s Jared Mang as POY and Fresno State’s Edgar Martinez as Pitcher. Hard to argue but I don’t really have a pitcher that really stands out. That’s my problem with the Mountain West; no standout pitchers.
And here’s mine:
San Diego State
New Mexico
Nevada
Fresno State
Air Force
UNLV
San Jose State
Here’s why I think this way:
San Diego State
The Aztecs had a highly rated recruiting class and did well last year so they’re defending. They return three .300 hitters and one All MWC player. It looks like their pitching might be the class of the conference as they have three starters under 4.00.
New Mexico
The Lobos have three good hitters and one possible player of the year (Mang). They have three young but good starters in the rotation with an experienced closer to bail them out when they get in trouble late in games.
Nevada
They have three good position players coming back. The rotation is at best ok but they are experienced. They also had a good recruiting class.
Fresno State
The mutts have two good position players returning and a freshman AA to brag about. They have one good pitcher that can go a variety of ways (and Collegiate Baseball likes him) but the rest don’t make me excited.
Air Force
The Falcons will hit as always so offense is never an issue with them. The rotation will be composed of arms with ERA’s in the stratosphere. Closer is decent.
UNLV
The Rebels are having to come back off a horrible year in 2017 but they return some good bats but pitching will be the issue with them. Geez, I could cut and paste that statement for all the programs.
San Jose State
This is always tough for me as this is the program I follow. What a year. Last in football and pretty pathetic at that. All the fans are still trying to figure out how they beat Wyoming. Basketball has been dismal this season since their best player decided to jump ship. With him they would have been a .500 team at the very least with an AA forward. Now baseball. I just read a news release that the head coach Hawkins has resigned so that make the interim coach Sanfilippo the head man for at least this season. All this turmoil is why I have them perched in the cellar. They should score runs with an experienced lineup with two power bats and a good hitter coming back after being gone for about a season and a half. Pitching is still an issue. Closer is ok but he may not get much work.
The Mountain West could be a good baseball conference but will probably only get one bid again when June rolls around; maybe two. I will beat this drum over and over, the conference needs some pitching which I don’t really see going into this weekend. Stay tuned for my preview on the upcoming weekend games.
