Feb. 6, 2012

CollegeBaseballInsider.com asked college coaches around the country to preview the 2012 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 Great West (four of eight coaches responded).

The team to beat in your conference is: Utah Valley

Rank the top three starting pitchers: Jeremy Gendlek, Utah Valley; Mark Leiter Jr., NJIT; Tripp Davis, NJIT

The top closer is: Ryan Dillabough, NYIT (right)

The pitcher you least want to face is: Tripp Davis, NJIT

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

The best defensive catcher is: Mike McCarthy, Texas-Pan American

The best catcher arm is: Mike McCarthy, Texas-Pan American

The best defensive infielder is: Kai Hatch, Utah Valley

The best infield arm is: Kai Hatch, Utah Valley

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

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

Rank the three best pure hitters: Angel Ibanez, Texas-Pan American; Mike McCarthy, Texas-Pan American; Robbie Buller, Houston Baptist; Austin Heaps, Utah Valley

Rank the three biggest power threats: Robbie Buller, Houston Baptist; Austin Heaps, Utah Valley; Vincent Mejia, Texas-Pan American

The hitter you least want to face is: Robbie Buller, Houston Baptist

The toughest hitter to strike out is: (tie) Kai Hatch, Utah Valley; and Angel Ibanez, Texas-Pan American

The most underrated hitter is: Mike McCarthy, Texas-Pan American

The best base-runner is: Ali Rodriguez, NYIT

The best game coach is: Eric Madsen, Utah Valley

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: Dave Carter, Utah Valley

(photo by Marcello Cutti Jr.)