BB: SCIAC: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[SoCalSoxFan]

Cal Lu is on a mission this year.  They are taking two trips this year -- one to Texas and one to Arizona in order to  increase their strength of schedule, just in case they have to rely on an at large bid again to get them to the regionals.   They feel as though strength of schedule is what did them in last year -- besides, of course, dropping the conference championship game to La Verne.   Finding a starting catcher will be the key for them and having some new members of the pitching staff step up.

Agree with SluggerDad.   CLU looking to eliminate SOS as a barrier to selection.    Their key departure is the catching and one starting pitcher.
CLU hitting should be strong again this year, again.   Their undergrad pitchers ended last year strong.  If they all returned Kiyabu, Peterson, Pautsch and Werner should be key contributors.
I haven't heard how the Transfers look.  I believe Slimak focused on adding a pitcher and replacing the two catchers that graduated. 

[Sluggerdad]

 I gather 4 or 5 frosh and at least one JC transfer were brought in to compete at catcher.  There are also two returning catchers, one whom is last year's number 2 starter.   You would think they should be able to find a credible starter from that crew, though maybe not one up to the one they lost.

[Purple Heys]

El Nino may reek some real havoc here in SoCal this season... 

[Bishopleftiesdad]

welcome to spring baseball as the rest of the Country, knows it. I hope it is not bad thoigh. It is always tough fof the seniors, when weather plays havoc on tjeir last season.

[Purple Heys]

welcome to spring baseball as the rest of the Country, knows it. I hope it is not bad thoigh. It is always tough fof the seniors, when weather plays havoc on tjeir last season.

Well played, sir.   

[Jack Parkman]

No SCIAC Pre-Season AA's this year but plenty of guys that will have an impact.  Thought's on who the top guys are returning?  I'll post my All SCIAC Pre-Season team later tonight or tomorrow.

[Jack Parkman]

As I have said before, I think this is going to be a dogfight for the top 4 spots in the SCIAC this year.  There are a lot of very good returning players but with no rosters it's kind of tough to know exactly who will be where and if more guys left than expected.  These are the official (VERY UNOFFICIAL) players that make up my pre-season all SCIAC team.  Feel free to give me your thought.

IF- Kyle Sanchez- CLU
IF- Tyler Cook- Chapman
IF- Ben White- ULV
IF- John Wiehe- Chapman
OF- Tanner Nishioka- Pomona
OF- Ramsey Abushala- CLU
OF- Trey Smith- CMS
OF- Forrest Wiederman- Chapman
C- Evan Opperman- CMS
P- Matt Smith- Chapman
P- Feliz Minjarez- Redlands
P- Nick Byrd- ULV
P- Brett Early- ULV
UTIL- Simon Rosenbaum- PP

I saw the chatter about the catcher position earlier but didn't think much of it until I started looking deeper.  Yikes, there are some big holes to fill!

I'm sure there are some names that should be on here but these are the guys I really see having good years.

[Westside]

Love the list.

I don't follow the SCIAC as closely, but the only person I would add would be Tanner Nishioka from PP. His numbers jump off the page and his invite to the Cape Code League seem like an official stamp of legitimacy. I expect him to have a huge junior season.

2015 - .329 BA, 5 HR, 39 RBI, 22 SB
2014 - .399 BA, 6 HR, 38 RBI, 40 R

Which four teams are you expecting to contend for the top spots? ULV, CLU, Redlands, Chapman?

[Jack Parkman]

Love the list.

I don't follow the SCIAC as closely, but the only person I would add would be Tanner Nishioka from PP. His numbers jump off the page and his invite to the Cape Code League seem like an official stamp of legitimacy. I expect him to have a huge junior season.

2015 - .329 BA, 5 HR, 39 RBI, 22 SB
2014 - .399 BA, 6 HR, 38 RBI, 40 R

Which four teams are you expecting to contend for the top spots? ULV, CLU, Redlands, Chapman?

Crud, I meant Nishioka and not Okuma (fixed it).  Okuma was a senior in 2015.

[Jack Parkman]

Which four teams are you expecting to contend for the top spots? ULV, CLU, Redlands, Chapman?

That's a very tough one right now as I think there are a lot of question marks for everyone in the SCIAC.  I do think CLU will be the most "rounded" team with a very good offense.  I think ULV saved a good time to have a great weekend in the SCIAC tourney and they lost 4 key parts of their offense.  Chapman just isn't the same as they once were but this year could be different.  They were very young last year.  Redland's should be a VERY tough team to get past with a few really good arms leading the way.  Pomona should be solid but they lost some key guys as well.  If I had to take a shot at the final regular season standings heading into the SCIAC Tourney I would line them up like this...

1. Redlands
2. CLU
3. La Verne
4. Pomona
5. Chapman
6. OXY
7. Claremont
8. Whittier
9. Catech

[Sluggerdad]

As I have said before, I think this is going to be a dogfight for the top 4 spots in the SCIAC this year.  There are a lot of very good returning players but with no rosters it's kind of tough to know exactly who will be where and if more guys left than expected.  These are the official (VERY UNOFFICIAL) players that make up my pre-season all SCIAC team.  Feel free to give me your thought.

IF- Kyle Sanchez- CLU
IF- Tyler Cook- Chapman
IF- Ben White- ULV
IF- John Wiehe- Chapman
OF- Tanner Nishioka- Pomona
OF- Ramsey Abushala- CLU
OF- Trey Smith- CMS
OF- Forrest Wiederman- Chapman
C- Evan Opperman- CMS
P- Matt Smith- Chapman
P- Feliz Minjarez- Redlands
P- Nick Byrd- ULV
P- Brett Early- ULV
UTIL- Simon Rosenbaum- PP

I saw the chatter about the catcher position earlier but didn't think much of it until I started looking deeper.  Yikes, there are some big holes to fill!

I'm sure there are some names that should be on here but these are the guys I really see having good years.

Kyle Sanchez left Cal Lu and is now playing for Berkeley.   

[Jack Parkman]

As I have said before, I think this is going to be a dogfight for the top 4 spots in the SCIAC this year.  There are a lot of very good returning players but with no rosters it's kind of tough to know exactly who will be where and if more guys left than expected.  These are the official (VERY UNOFFICIAL) players that make up my pre-season all SCIAC team.  Feel free to give me your thought.

IF- Kyle Sanchez- CLU
IF- Tyler Cook- Chapman
IF- Ben White- ULV
IF- John Wiehe- Chapman
OF- Tanner Nishioka- Pomona
OF- Ramsey Abushala- CLU
OF- Trey Smith- CMS
OF- Forrest Wiederman- Chapman
C- Evan Opperman- CMS
P- Matt Smith- Chapman
P- Feliz Minjarez- Redlands
P- Nick Byrd- ULV
P- Brett Early- ULV
UTIL- Simon Rosenbaum- PP

I saw the chatter about the catcher position earlier but didn't think much of it until I started looking deeper.  Yikes, there are some big holes to fill!

I'm sure there are some names that should be on here but these are the guys I really see having good years.

Kyle Sanchez left Cal Lu and is now playing for Berkeley.   

Oof!  That's a big loss for CLU.

[Purplebaseball]

Well Purple Heys Whittier has posted its 2016 roster.  What are thoughts, concerns or surprises going into the season? http://www.wcpoets.com/sports/bsb/2015-16/roster

[Purple Heys]

Well Purple Heys Whittier has posted its 2016 roster.  What are thoughts, concerns or surprises going into the season? http://www.wcpoets.com/sports/bsb/2015-16/roster

Several kids got bigger.  I hope we will be better.  Who steps it up?  Time will tell.  I know nothing about the new guys.  We need to replace Stevie...curious as to who that will be.   

[Purplebaseball]

Yes Ph I noticed that also.  Looks like some guys put on some lbs!  They added a lot of new arms and it looks like Rizzo change some of the positions the guys are playing compared to last year.  It looks like we will be a young team again this year so the returners are going to need to step it up a level or two!