2012 USF Baseball Prospectus

(Picture: www.gousfbulls.com)

After going through the entire 2012 roster, it is time to take a look at the season in general. USF is coming off of a very disappointing 2011 campaign and is looking to rebound and start fast with the Big Ten/Big East match-up to start the season. Here is our 2012 USF baseball prospectus.

The Bulls enter the 2012 season with a lot of optimism after coming off of a disappointing end to the 2011 season. USF finished 25-29 (13-14), their second straight losing season and missed the Big East tournament (which is held right in the bay area). The Bulls struggled to find consistency in the starting rotation (lost Andrew Barbosa at the start of the season) and failed to consistently score runs during each game, leading to a rough year and a lot of frustration for players and fans alike.

However, there is reason for hope. USF is entering their second season in their new ballpark, they return key players from last year's club (a few that were injured the entire year are back as well), and return coach Lelo Prado after he signed an extension, giving the Bulls continuity in the dugout. The Bulls were picked to finish 4th in the league, but will have to find playmakers in order for that to happen.

So what can we expect from this team in 2012? For starters, the Bulls lost a lot of key players to the MLB draft, including Jonathan Koscso and Kevin Quackenbush, both key parts to the success over the past few seasons. Losing such key players at big time positions, it will be hard to replace them. Yet with that said, the Bulls return several players from last year's team such as Andrew Longley, Alex Mendez, Todd Brazeal, Daniel Rockhold, James Ramsay, Kyle Parker, Matt Reed, and Andrew Barbosa, who will all have to step up their performance this year to help carry the team as the younger players that were recruited by Prado learn in their first season.

The USF schedule is a little easier this season (at least on paper). They open the season with the Big Ten/Big East Challenge and will have to face Ohio State and others to open it up. They also face Florida, so it could be a rough stretch to open the year, but the Bulls have a 20-game home stretch (yes, it's crazy) in which they should be able to rack up some wins against beatable foes. The Big East is a tough conference with powers like UCONN and Louisville at the top, but there are a lot of teams that will be rebuilding this season, so USF should do well in conference play. The Bulls also play the Yankees in a friendly exhibition game, so that is another game the fans can put on the schedule.

The Bulls loaded up on some talented pitching in the recruiting process (especially right handed pitchers), but lost out on some bats like Roderick Shoulders who went to the Cubs in the draft (Rock Shoulders, if only had had come here). The Bulls have a lot of fast players, players that can put the ball in play, cover round, and manufacture runs, but they have not shown a lot of power in the past two years. Alex Mendez is one of these players that can do a lot of damage at the top of the batting order. Chad Taylor is another solid contact hitter that can move runners and get things going on the bases. The Bulls also lacked consistent power last season, but return key hitters like Todd Brazeal, Daniel Rockholad, James Ramsay, and Andrew Longley who will all have to step up and become consistent threats in the heart of the batting order.

The Bulls also have a lot of questions with their pitching staff. Losing arms like Randy Fontanez and Kevin Quackensbush, hurt the rotation and bullpen and with several arms coming off of surgery, the Bulls will need everyone to be healthy. Andrew Barbosa, the team's number two pitcher from last season returns, but after major shoulder surgery, there are questions on how much he can pitch this season. Derrick Stultz, another key member to the staff, is coming off of surgery that held him out all of last season, so he will have to be monitored at the start of the season. Pitchers like Matt Reed and Kyle Parker will need to have strong seasons to help anchor the rotation and bullpen as the Bulls look to get back to their winning ways.

Prediction on the season: This is what most fans hate to hear, it's going to be another tough year for the Bulls. USF lost a tremendous amount of talent after last season, either to graduation or to the MLB draft, leaving the team with unproven talent and young players that will be getting their first real taste of Division I baseball. With the Big East schedule and the tough non-conference opponents to start the year, the Bulls could struggle early and often, but a 20-game home stand could help them out as well. I'm predicting this team wins between 20-25 games this season, a low projection, but after the losses last year, it's hard to tell what kind of team this one will be. If the "stars" are not able to perform like they need to, it could be a long season. If Barbosa is healthy and the Bulls can find some offense, they could beat my prediction and I hope they do.