Cal State Fullerton Titans
Overall Rank: #4
Conference Rank: #1 Big West
Cal State Fullerton Team Page
The Cal State Fullerton Titans appeared in the NCAA Super Regional last year, eliminated by eventual champions UCLA and missing the College World Series for the fourth year in a row. However, they will be encouraged after returning 19 players from last season’s roster, combined with a strong recruiting class that sees the Titans welcome 11 newcomers. The Titans are still a force to be reckoned with in college baseball, especially in the Big West conference where they have been dominant for years. And with a deep squad of players at their disposal, they are promising great things in 2014.
2013: 51-10, 23-4
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Rick Vanderhook
Field Players:
J.D. Davis and Matt Chapman both enjoyed very productive seasons at the plate last year, and both return to lead a deep set of position players. Despite the loss of some key seniors, the Titans have plenty of cover across all positions and will hope for similar offensive output to that they received in 2013.
Pitchers:
Both weekend starting pitchers return for this year, as Thomas Eshelman and Grahamm Wiest come off stellar campaigns in 2013 to lead the staff in 2014. All-American Justin Garza also returns to the hill in what is a strong stable of pitchers for the Titans.
Who to Watch:
Infielder Matt Chapman enjoyed a stunning 2013, and was rewarded by being named on the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team’s final roster. He is highly-ranked both offensively and defensively, and if he is able to replicate the form he found as a sophomore last year, he will have quite a year.
Final Projection:
A talented Titans roster will expect to go far, especially after their experience of the NCAA Super Regional last year and falling just short of the College World Series. Fullerton has a very talented and deep roster at their disposal in 2014, so will be hopeful of going even further this year and should be a force in the postseason.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: J.D. Davis, 1B/P, 211
Hits: J.D. Davis, 1B/P, 67
Home Runs: Matt Chapman, IF, 5
RBIs: J.D. Davis, 1B/P, 50
Runs: Matt Chapman, IF, 41
Stolen Bases: Austin Diemer, OF, 8
Wins: Thomas Eshelman/Justin Garza, P, 12
Innings Pitched: Thomas Eshelman, P, 115.2
Strikeouts: Justin Garza, P, 95
Saves: J.D. Davis, 1B/P, 4
Madness 2014 MLB Draft Rankings:
#29 Matt Chapman
#37 J.D. Davis
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