Feb. 16, 2011

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 Summit League (four of eight coaches responded).

The team to beat is: *Oral Roberts

Rank the top three starting pitchers: Mark Guest, Oral Roberts; Blake Treinen, South Dakota State; Bryce Smolen, Oral Roberts

The top closer is: *Trever Vermeulen, South Dakota State (pictured right)

The pitcher you least want to face is: Trever Vermeulen, South Dakota State

The most underrated pitcher is: Seth Lugo, Centenary

The best defensive catcher is: *Bennett Pickar, Oral Roberts

The best catcher arm is: *Bennett Pickar, Oral Roberts

The best defensive infielder is: Brett Sowers, Oral Roberts

The best infield arm is: Brett Sowers, Oral Roberts

The best defensive outfielder is: Nick Baligod, Oral Roberts

The best outfield arm is: Chris Elder, Oral Roberts

Rank the three best pure hitters: *Nick Baligod, Oral Roberts (pictured right); *Jesse Sawyer, South Dakota State; (tie) Eric Cain, South Dakota State; and Zach Wentz, North Dakota State

Rank the three biggest power threats: *Jesse Sawyer, South Dakota State; Nick Baligod, Oral Roberts; Eric Cain, South Dakota State

The hitter you least want to face is: Nick Baligod, Oral Roberts

The toughest hitter to strike out is: no player received more than one vote

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

The best base-runner is: Joey Winiecki, Oral Roberts

The best game coach is: *Rob Walton, Oral Roberts

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: Ryan Folmar, Oral Roberts

*unanimous selection

(photos courtesy of SDSU & ORU Media Relations Offices)