Feb. 11, 2011

click here for coaches' Pac-10 preseason poll

CollegeBaseballInsider.com asked college coaches around the country to preview the 2011 college baseball season by sharing their insights on the teams and players to watch in their conferences. CBI compiled their answers to provide a sneak peek for the season ahead. click here for CBI Conference Previews

Today, we take a look at the Pac-10 (five of 10 coaches responded).

The team to beat is: *UCLA

Rank the top three starting pitchers: *Gerrit Cole, UCLA; *Trevor Bauer, UCLA; *Tyler Anderson, Oregon

The top closer is: Adam Conley, Washington State (pictured right)

The pitcher you least want to face is: Brett Mooneyham, Stanford

The most underrated pitcher is: Kurt Heyer, Arizona

The best defensive catcher is: (tie) Steve Rodriguez, UCLA; and Andrew Susac, Oregon State

The best catcher arm is: (tie) Jett Bandy, Arizona; and Andrew Susac, Oregon State

The best defensive infielder is: Deven Marrero, Arizona State

The best infield arm is: Kenny Diekroeger, Stanford

The best defensive outfielder is: no player received more than one vote

The best outfield arm is: (tie) Steve Selsky, Arizona; and Austin Wilson, Stanford

Rank the three best pure hitters: Zack MacPhee, Arizona State; Jett Bandy, Arizona; (tie) Derek Jones, Washington State; and Tony Renda, California

Rank the three biggest power threats: *Ricky Oropesa, USC (pictured right); Derek Jones, Washington State; Steve Selsky, Arizona

The hitter you least want to face is: Ricky Oropesa, USC

The toughest hitter to strike out is: Zack MacPhee, Arizona State

The most underrated hitter is: no player received more than one vote

The best base-runner is: no player received more than one vote

The best game coach is: George Horton, Oregon

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: Rick Vanderhook, UCLA

*unanimous selection

(photos courtesy of WSU and USC Media Relations Offices)