Orange Tint to Top 25

The preseason college baseball rankings, as selected by Baseball America, featuring players who competed for county high schools and community colleges:

1. USC

Rik Currier (Capistrano Valley) was 6-1 as a freshman, started the national championship game and had a 12-strikeout performance against Mississippi State in another College World Series game. He’s projected as the Trojans’ ace this year. Brad Ticehurst (Mater Dei) and Greg Hanoian (Fountain Valley) will start in the outfield. Other possible starters are outfielder Brian Barre (Pacifica) and designated hitter Josh Townsend (Mater Dei). Steve Smyth (Cypress College) and Peter Montrenes (Ocean View) are on the pitching staff and Chris Ponchak (Fountain Valley/Orange Coast) is a reserve outfielder.

2. Long Beach State

Four returning players from the county contributed heavily to the 49ers’ run to the College World Series last year. Mike Hota (Marina) was the starting designated hitter; Curt Lee (Mater Dei/Fullerton College) was the starting second baseman for much of the season before being replaced in the Series by Scott Redfox (Canyon), who hit a game-winning home run against Florida State, and Jeff Leuenberger (Canyon) had a 6-3 record as a freshman. Others on the roster are catcher Casey Grzecka (Santa Margarita), infielder Bobby Crosby (La Quinta) and outfielder Jeff Jones (Marina/Golden West)

3. Miami

4. Florida State

5. Wichita State

6. Rice

John Lukin (Trabuco Hills/Orange Coast) is the second-string catcher.

7. Stanford

Josh Hochgesang (Sunny Hills), one of only two players on the Cardinal roster who have earned three letters, returns as the starting third baseman. Jeff Pashalides (Woodbridge) is on the pitching staff.

8. Louisiana State

Brad Cresse (Marina) led the Tigers with 29 home runs last year as a sophomore; he returns as the starting catcher.

9. Georgia Tech

10. Florida

11. Texas A&M;

Matt Ward (Irvine/Rancho Santiago), a senior left hander, likely will be one of the Aggies’ starting pitchers. Ken Sundstrom (Kennedy/Golden West) is expected to be a reserve at third base, and Erik Sobek (Irvine/Rancho Santiago) will get some time at designated hitter.

12. Arizona State

13. Alabama

14. Clemson

15. Cal State Fullerton

The Titans have a dozen home-grown players on their roster, including Ryan Owens (Sonora), who could be a standout at either shortstop or third base. He’ll be joined in the infield by second baseman David Bacani (Los Alamitos). Others include pitchers George Carralejo (Kennedy), Jordan DeJong (El Dorado), Mike Garner (Fullerton), Barry Hawkins (Cypress College) and Jason Stewart (Marina); catchers Craig Patterson (El Dorado), Russ Vanderhook (Whittier Christian) and Brett Kay (Mater Dei); and outfielders Chris Beck (El Dorado), Rod Perry (Mater Dei) and Mike Tomarelli (Canyon), who is out for season because of elbow surgery.

16. North Carolina

17. Wake Forest

Scott Daeley (Mater Dei/Cypress College), a senior, is expected to start in center field and bat leadoff.

18. Auburn

19. Texas Tech

Ryan Ruiz (El Toro/Saddleback College) returns for his second year as the Red Raider center fielder; he was second on the team last year with a .388 batting average and was a second-team All-Big 12 selection. Brennan Burns (Tustin), a third baseman, batted .354 last year and was honorable mention on the freshman All-American team.

20. Washington

Randy Vanderplow (Santa Margarita), a freshman right-handed pitcher, might be a redshirt.

21. Oklahoma State

22. Arkansas

Bo Bryant (Esperanza/Fullerton College) joins the Razorback outfielders as a junior transfer.

23. California

Jason Bell (Los Alamitos) is expected to get some starts and also work in middle-inning relief, and Eli Stokols (University) also will be in the bullpen. Sam Petke (Capistrano Valley) will be used in the outfield, at first base and as a designated hitter.

24. Houston

Bryan Moore (Westminster/Orange Coast), a 6-8 senior right-hander, is the Cougars’ closer.

25. South Carolina