You can follow college baseball managing editor Kendall Rogers on Twitter @KendallRogersPG and can join the Perfect Game College Baseball Facebook page. Fans also can subscribe here to receive the college baseball ultimate ticket.
Like the college baseball content we provide at Perfect Game? If so, get the ultimate college baseball experience by subscribing to the College Baseball Ticket for just $7 monthly or $60 annually ($24 yearly savings). If you're interested in subscribing to the CBT, Click Here.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Discuss the Pac-12 program rankings
The Pac-12 started the realignment saga that now has captured many headlines around the country.
There were plenty of rumors last summer that Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma would join the Pac-10. However, those four schools never did and the conference extended invitations to Colorado and Utah.
Both the Buffaloes and Utes accepted and now are members of the league. Though Utah is coming off a solid campaign in the Mountain West, Colorado is the only Pac-12 institution without a baseball program.
Even with the addition of a new program, the Pac-12 hierarchy isn’t expected to change anytime soon with Arizona State and UCLA leading the charge.
The Sun Devils reached an NCAA Super Regional last season, while the Bruins won the Pac-10 title and hosted an NCAA Regional. They also made a huge splash two seasons ago with a trip to the national title series.
We rank the Pac 12 programs.
NEXT UP: ACC
STAR RANKING SYSTEM
***** -- Elite
**** -- National contender
*** -- Making strides
** -- Work to be done
* -- Searching for answers
1. Arizona State
2011 star ranking: *****
Where the program stands: The Sun Devils haven’t skipped a beat since coach Tim Esmay took over the program. The Devils reached the College World Series and won the conference two seasons ago before compiling another solid overall record and reaching an NCAA Super Regional in 2011. There’s a good chance the NCAA won’t allow the Sun Devils to play in the postseason in ’12. But no matter what happens in the spring, the program remains in strong hands.
2. UCLA
2011 star ranking: ****
Where the program stands: Before the last two seasons, the Bruins certainly carried the label of a program that couldn’t find success in clutch situations. However, things have changed the past two campaigns. UCLA reached the national title series in the College World Series two seasons ago before winning the Pac-10 title and earning an NCAA Regional host last season. Though the Bruins are now without stud starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer, the program’s future remains bright with plenty of young talent.
3. Oregon State
2011 star ranking: ****
Where the program stands: The Beavers narrowly reached the NCAA postseason two seasons ago, but got back to business last season with a strong Pac-10 finish and an NCAA Super Regional appearance. They finished the campaign with a solid 41-19 overall record. The Beavers will remain one of the nation’s better programs as long as coach Pat Casey is leading the charge.
4. Stanford
2011 star ranking: ****
Where the program stands: The best may be to come for the Cardinal. They reached an NCAA Regional two seasons ago with a 31-25 overall record. Last season, they put together a respectable overall record, a solid Pac-10 finish and reached the Chapel Hill Super Regional. Now, with several key cogs back this fall and Brett Mooneyham returning from an injury, the Cardinal should take another step forward in 2012. Getting to Omaha will be the expectation.
5. California
2011 star ranking: ****
Where the program stands: What a past couple of seasons it has been for the Golden Bears. They reached an NCAA Regional two seasons ago, and found out later that year the program was getting eliminated. The Bears entered ’11 believing it would be their final campaign. However, the program was reinstated and they ended the campaign with a magical trip to the College World Series. Though Cal has work to do from a recruiting standpoint, it still is in good shape.
6. Arizona
2011 star ranking: ***
Where the program stands: The Wildcats continue to be a consistent NCAA postseason contender. They reached an NCAA Regional two seasons ago before putting together a solid overall record and reaching another NCAA postseason last season. The Wildcats will be a very interesting team to watch in 2012, as they welcome back several key cogs from a club that went 39-21. Omaha will be the expectation in ’12.
7. Washington State
2011 star ranking: **
Where the program stands: The Cougars certainly took a step back in ’11, but what coach Don Marbut has accomplished the past few seasons is impressive considering his program’s disadvantages. The Cougars reached the NCAA postseason and finished high in conference in ’09 and ’10. Last season, though, they went 26-28 overall and missed an NCAA Regional. It’ll be important for the Cougars to bounce back during the upcoming campaign.
8. Oregon
2011 star ranking: **
Where the program stands: There’s little doubt the Ducks eventually will establish consistency with coach George Horton at the helm. However, last season was a huge disappointment for the program. The Ducks made a statement two seasons ago with an NCAA postseason berth and a 40-24 overall record. But in ’11, the Ducks went 33-26, 11-16 in the Pac-10, and failed to reach an NCAA Regional. The ’12 campaign will be extremely important.
9. USC
2011 star ranking: ***
Where the program stands: The Trojans should be able to admit they screwed up when they ran off long-time coach Mike Gillespie, who now is at UC Irvine. Gillespie won a national title with the Trojans, while Chad Kreuter, his replacement, immensely struggled. Now, new coach Frank Cruz, who had the interim tag removed this year, hopes to turn the tide. The Trojans finished Cruz’s first season with a 25-31 overall record, but there was at least some progress.
10. Washington
2011 star ranking: *
Where the program stands: Chances still are good coach Lindsay Meggs and his staff eventually get things turned around at UW, but it won’t come without some grueling work. The Huskies finished Meggs’ first campaign with a .500 record, but took a step back last season with a last-place finish in the Pac-10 and a dismal 17-37 overall record. The good news is the Huskies only have one direction to go, and that of course, is up.
11. Utah
2011 star ranking: ***
Where the program stands: The Utes could be in the process of making some serious strides. The program didn’t experience a wealth of success as a member of the Mountain West Conference. But now that the Utes are in the Pac-12, coach Bill Kinneberg is confident the program only will improve after a couple of seasons of recruiting in their new league. Utah’s confidence level has increased after last season’s solid campaign, but we’ll see how it does in the Pac-12.
Kendall Rogers is the college baseball editor for Perfect Game USA and has covered the sport for over 10 seasons. He can be reached at kendall@perfectgame.org