Feb. 17, 2011

click here for coaches' WCC 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 WCC (four of eight coaches responded).

The team to beat is: (tie) Portland and San Diego

Rank the top three starting pitchers: *Kyle Kraus, Portland (pictured right); Kyle Barraclough, Saint Mary’s; Owen Jones, Portland

The top closer is: *Chris Dennis, Portland

The pitcher you least want to face is: *Kyle Kraus, Portland

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

The best defensive catcher is: Trent Diedrich, Pepperdine

The best catcher arm is: Trent Diedrich, Pepperdine

The best defensive infielder is: Shon Roe, Loyola Marymount

The best infield arm is: Shon Roe, Loyola Marymount

The best defensive outfielder is: Kevin Muno, San Diego

The best outfield arm is: no player received more than one vote

Rank the three best pure hitters: Troy Channing, Saint Mary’s (pictured right); Brian Humphries, Pepperdine; Curtis Wagner, Santa Clara

Rank the three biggest power threats: *Troy Channing, Saint Mary’s; *Stephen Yarrow, San Francisco; *Matt Koch, Loyola Marymount

The hitter you least want to face is: Troy Channing, Saint Mary’s

The toughest hitter to strike out is: Jonathan Johnson, Loyola Marymount

The most underrated hitter is: Patrick Wisdom, Saint Mary’s

The best base-runner is: *Kevin Muno, San Diego

The best game coach is: Nino Giarratano, San Francisco

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: Danny Evans, Gonzaga

*unanimous selection

(photos courtesy of Portland & Saint Mary's Media Relations Offices)