There are no seniors on this year's BYU baseball roster that returns five starters and 17 lettermen.
This is a strong foundation from which to build, yet several challenges remain for BYU coach Vance Law.
Among the challenges will be the development of seven returned missionaries headed by Sean McNaughton. McNaughton was a Freshman All-American as a second baseman before he left to serve in Washington, D.C. Also returning from missions include Bryce Ayoso (Houston), Andrew Law (London), Brandon Relf (South Africa), Blake Torgerson (St. Louis), Kevin Sloan (Italy), and Jake Drzayich (South Korea).
Three underclassmen were lost to the draft and six players left to serve two-year Church missions from last year's second place team which posted a 37-20 overall record and 17-7 in the Mountain West Conference. MWC Pitcher of the Year Jesse Craig (graduated) leaves a huge void and as do juniors J.D. Stambaugh, a reliever, and outfielders Leon Johnson and Collin Fanning who turned pro.
Anchoring the outfield is speedy junior All-America candidate Kent Walton, who started the bulk of BYU's games last year at second base. Walton was among the NCAA leaders in triples last season and was two-time MWC Player of the Week. McNaughton, a sophomore, will be moved to left field and start alongside Walton in center. Both players could be drafted this season. Joining them in the outfield will be sophomore Jonathan Cluff, another high school draftee, who has recovered from a foot injury that sidelined him mid-way through last season.
"I believe we have one of the strongest outfields in the conference if not the entire western part of the United States. They have the ability to put up huge offensive numbers and are versatile enough where they can hit in any spot in the order," said Coach Law.
Projected starters in the infield include sophomore third baseman Steve Parker, juniors Daniel Vargas at short and Kasey Ko at first. Andrew Law, Brandon Relf, or JC transfer Kiko Hermosillo, all solid players, are competing for the second base slot. J.C. Leach, a juco transfer can spell either Parker or Ko at the corners.
Parker, the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American, will be another weapon in the Cougar arsenal.
"Steve (Parker) has worked very hard to become a more complete hitter. He will provide needed power and run production and will hit in the middle of the order as well as provide solid defense at third base," said Coach Law. "Daniel Vargas may be the best defensive short stop BYU has ever had by the time his career is over. He just needs to gain more confidence and consistency at the plate."
Juniors Jake Wortham and Jordan Muir, a lefthander and righthander, respectively, lead the Cougar pitching fortunes. Both of them earned MWC Pitcher of the Week honors last season.
Other possible starters include redshirt freshman Nelson Castleberry, newcomer Sean Amerson, a JC transfer, and returned missionary Blake Torgerson, who pitched well for the Cougars prior to his mission. Another transfer looking to make a mark with the Cougars is pitcher Jared Miller from Cal State Northridge.
Only two relievers return from last year's squad, submariner Michael Ward and southpaw Brandon Michon. Michon is one of five lefties on the team, joined by Wortham, Miller, true freshmen Daniel Welch, and walk on Eric Judd. Tyler Westensee and Justin Shutt round out the staff as incoming freshmen.
"Last year's staff is a tough act to follow after setting the conference's lowest ERA record. But I have a lot of confidence in our young pitchers and their desire to develop into a unified pitching staff. Coach (Bobby) Applegate will continue to lead them in the right direction to give our team a chance to win," said Coach Law.
J.T. Musso returns at catcher where he was a solid receiver and is being pushed by returned missionary and probable DH Ayoso and true freshman Chad Nacapoy.
"I am proud of the effort, the character, and the execution that we have seen out of our players to this point and look forward to another great season. After three seasons in a row losing on championship Saturday, it is time to move forward."
Highlighting the non-conference schedule is two-time defending national champion Oregon State coming to Provo for a two-game series in March.