Top 5 Baseball Players From 2011 Season

Who is the top player from the 2011 season? Is it Randy Fontanez?

The 2011 baseball ended just a few weeks ago for the Bulls and the results were disappointing. The Bulls opened up a new stadium and had plenty of hope and aspirations of going further this season and getting into the NCAA tournament. But a 25-29 (13-14) record left them at home for the Big East tournament and the 2nd straight losing season, the first time in 30 years of the program.

Despite the losing effort this season, the Bulls had plenty of great individual players that did everything they could to help the team get wins and make it a solid season. Here are the top five players, in our eyes, from the season. [keep reading]

5. Sam Mende - 6'3" 195-pound - short stop - junior

Sam Mende was a solid glove for the Bulls all season. He hit .263 on the season, a drop off from last season. He hit 5 home runs and 29 RBIs, adding some power and production to a rather sluggish and ineffective batting order. He was also 6 for 8 in stolen bases, showing speed and ability to move around the bases. Mende should return next season for the Bulls and will once again be a solid contributor.

4. Randy Fontanez - 6'1" 193-pound - pitcher - senior
Fontanez was suppose to be the number one player for USF all season, but he had a rough season behind a bad offense and becoming the lone ace on the staff with the injury to Andrew Barbosa at the beginning of the season. Fontanez finished 2011 with a record of 5-6, an ERA of 2.97, and held opponents to a .242 batting average against him. He pitched 95.2 innings, walking only 11 and striking out 74. He was the work horse of the staff and gave the Bulls their best chance of winning each time he stepped on the mound. He would have been higher on the list, but the 5-6 record places him at number 4 on the list.

3. Alex Mendez - 5'7" 175-pound - outfielder - sophomore
Mendez was one of the most consistent bats in the lineup for Prado all season and played a great outfield as well. Mendez hit .287 on the season, hitting one home run (a big one for the Bulls) with 11 RBI. He was consistent, always battling on the plate and getting on base. He also had 4 steals on the season, displaying speed as he continues to work hard and become a solid member of the team.

2. Kevin Quackenbush - 6'3" 195-pound - pitcher (closer) - senior
Quack was able to put his bad history behind him and had his best season as a Bull. He finished the season with a 1-2 record, but recorded 12 saves, being named 2nd All Big East. He had an ERA of just .81 (28 games he appeared in), working 33.1 innings. He allowed only 14 hits all season and struck out 45, holding opponents to a .127 batting average. Quack was lights out and made the 9th inning solid for the Bulls.

1. Jonathan Koscso - 5'11" 185-pound - 3rd baseman - senior
Coming in at the top of the list, at no surprise, is Koscso, Mr. Everything for the Bulls. He played all 54 games for the Bulls, was named 2nd team all Big East, and was accepted into the medical program at USF to begin his doctoral work. He also hit .340 for the Bulls, the only hitter over .300 all season, driving in 15 RBI as well. Koscso was everything for the Bulls and was the MVP of the team.

So there is our top five list from the 2011 season. Do you agree with our picks here? Is the ranking right or should someone else move into the list? Let us know!