2017 College Preseason Top 25 Capsules: No. 9 Oregon State

9. Oregon State

2016 Record (Ranking): 35-19 (NR). RPI: 46.
Coach (Record at school): Pat Casey (789-440-5, 22 years).
Postseason History: 16 regionals (last in 2015), 5 CWS trips (last in 2013), 2 national titles (last in 2007).

Asked about the disappointment of getting left out of last year’s NCAA tournament, Oregon State head coach Pat Casey matter-of-factly says it’s not something he dwells on. Still, that doesn’t mean he won’t acknowledge the pain of being left at home as a motivator for his players.

“I can tell you that, for the guys that were here last year, I would hope that the disappointment would be channeled into inspiration and they would move forward and help guys realize how important (every game) is,” Casey said. “It’s a long season. . . . So I hope that that’s the one thing they understand—that it’s a grind and everything counts from start to finish.”

Oregon State missed the tournament for the first time since 2008 despite weathering a raft of injuries to tie for third place in the Pacific-12 Conference. Foremost among those lost was ace Drew Rasmussen, who went down to Tommy John surgery after six starts. The Beavers hope to get Rasmussen back at some point this spring—he’s also eligible for the 2017 draft—but will have to proceed without him again when the season starts, his return date uncertain. Fortunately, they’re not without other options on the mound.

Even without Rasmussen’s services, the Beavers managed to post the fourth-best team ERA (3.53) in the Pac-12 in 2016. Luke Heimlich and Bryce Fehmel enjoyed breakout seasons and return to form a quality one-two punch atop the 2017 rotation, both with the stuff to pitch on Fridays. Righty Sam Tweedt, who also missed last season with his own Tommy John surgery, returns to compete with veteran Jake Thompson for the third rotation spot. Talented freshman righthanders Grant Gambrell and Mitchell Verburg, part of the Beavers’ fourth straight Top 25 recruiting class, could figure in as well, either in the rotation or as factors out of the bullpen in support of returning closer Max Engelbrekt.

The offense has to replace a pair of three-year starters in catcher Logan Ice and shortstop Trever Morrison but will be looking for big things out of freshman backstop Adley Rutschman, the top-rated position player recruit in its class. The switch-hitting Rutschman, who’s also a kicker on Oregon State’s football team, shows power from both sides of the plate and should be a key part of what Casey hopes will be a more balanced attack in 2017. The Beavers hit just 25 home runs as a team last year, 17 of them by Ice and K.J. Harrison.

“I just think we’ve got a pretty good blend of athleticism that will help us become a better offensive club than we were last year,” Casey said. “I know for sure we have more diversity in guys that can play more positions than we’ve had for awhile, so I’m excited about that. I’m excited about seeing how we’ll put it together.”

The Beavers’ punch should go beyond Rutschman and Harrison, who will also spell Rutschman behind the plate when needed. Junior Michael Gretler handled himself well in a reserve role last year and should make an impact now that he’ll get to play every day. Preseason first-team All-American Nick Madrigal comes in off a Freshman All-American season, with Casey giving high marks to his leadership qualities as well as his ability to make an impact on both sides of the ball.

The Beavers are also counting on a jump in production from fellow sophomores Cadyn Grenier, the highest ranked member of their 2016 recruiting class (No. 123 on the 2015 BA500), and Trevor Larnach, who had showed the makings of being a power threat coming out of high school and put together a solid summer in the Cape Cod League. Another boost should come from the return of outfielder Elliott Cary, the team’s third Tommy John survivor who returns to the lineup after missing all of last season. The No. 135 prospect on the 2014 BA500, Cary adds more speed and athleticism to a lineup that led the nation in triples last season (32).

2017 LINEUP
Pos.	Name, Yr.	AVG	OBP	SLG	HR	RBI	SB
C	Adley Rutschman, Fr.	HS—Sherwood, Ore.
1B	K.J. Harrison, Jr.	.265	.381	.525	10	47	4
2B	Nick Madrigal, So.	.333	.380	.456	1	29	8
3B	Michael Gretler, Jr.	.339	.391	.441	1	4	2
SS	Cadyn Grenier, So.	.240	.342	.311	0	18	1
LF	Kyle Nobach, Sr.	.280	.379	.380	2	24	2
CF	Elliott Cary, R-So.	Did not play—Injured
RF	Trevor Larnach, So.	.157	.271	.176	0	3	0
DH	Christian Donahue, Jr.	.339	.393	.464	1	29	9
Pos.	Name, Yr.	W	L	ERA	IP	SO	SV
LHP	Luke Heimlich, Jr.	7	4	3.53	87	63	0
RHP	Bryce Fehmel, So.	10	1	2.31	70	51	2
RHP	Jake Thompson, R-Jr.	3	3	4.28	61	53	0
RP	Max Engelbrekt, R-Sr.	3	3	2.92	37	39	11