Making the Super-Regionals two years in a row is something never done at Oregon, but making the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska is the goal. I should say that I, as a fan, am targeting the CWS, but Head Coach Mark Wasikowski (Waz) has stated that Omaha and winning a ‘Natty is his ultimate goal for Our Beloved Ducks. As I pondered the line-up, I had to take a break from my fun at Crusino Casino review to share my thoughts with you about the upcoming 2025 season, and review the newbies with the Diamond Ducks.
My B1G Impressions of the Ducks…
Before I go through some tasty tidbits about many of the new players, I thought I’d first give my upfront bottom-line about Oregon’s chances this year to break through to Omaha. It is based upon results on the hitting side, but based upon hope when we get to the pitching. Frankly, when you return eight of nine starters from the last season’s final Super-Regional game and look at their experience and hitting results — my prediction of high scoring in 2025 is justified.
In both recent Super-Regionals the pitcher either got injured, or there were not enough arms that were adequate to pull the Ducks through. Coach Waz went out and recruited a ton of pitchers in the portal and high school, with some notable arms returning from last year who are bound to be improved. But that does not remove my analysis of this being one of the most inexperienced pitching staffs to start a year at Oregon, or at least the least familiar with the Ducks.
Thus, this season could be a breakthrough if the pitching turns out as hoped, and if not — any number of negative alternative results could ensue. While I am assuming the former will come true due to the experienced coaching staff, in the end it is still based upon hope. The George Horton years had three stud starters in most years, but poor hitting. Waz has solved half the puzzle, but will the pitching break through in the upcoming season that starts on Friday?
Another crushing home run by the Ducks! (Photo by Eric Becker)
Ducks Will Drive Opponents Batty…
This season will be great fun when the Ducks are at bat with all the savvy players returning, and the newbies recruited in the portal. Let’s first look at the projected starters.
There are too many stories among that lineup above to describe here, but returning the all-time home run leader at Oregon in Jacob Walsh, coupled with a pair of players who exploded in their hitting in the second half of the season, generates justified anticipation. Mason Neville was in a real slump when he came to Oregon, and frankly, started that way again. But his Top-100 talent oozed through as Coach Waz was patient, and thus the team was rewarded with the emergence of both Neville and Chase Meggers.
Burke-Lee Mabeus is a freshman from Bishop Gorman from nearby Las Vegas who hit .330 his senior year and was considered the No. 6 catcher in the nation. He’s a stud talent with obvious high upside that has shown enough in early practices to give him a chance at hitting in his first game at Oregon. Parker Stinson is a senior transfer from Indiana State, a team who made it to the final game of their NCAA Regional last year. He had 15 home runs, and a tremendous .442 on-base percentage last year, and should be fun to watch.
Grayson Grinsell has become one of the best pitchers in the west. (Photo by Deborah Mundorff)
Oregon’s Pitchers? Take Short Breaths and Gulp…
Quite a few pitchers on last year’s roster who still had eligibility departed Oregon via the portal to make way for some arms with higher upside. This is a very deep group, but so much of it is still quite inexperienced from last year, or completely new to Oregon. Yet when players transfer to Oregon their senior year — they are looking to make some noise to enhance their own MLB prospects. Let’s take a look at this massive group.
Coach Waz reported yesterday that he felt the pitching depth has improved over last year, as he has pitchers who had rough freshman campaigns who look to improve along with transfers here to make their name with the Ducks. Jason Reitz is the 6’9″ monster who Waz says has “Day 1 potential for the MLB Draft” if he can continue his growth shown last year at Saint Mary’s. Will Sanford was the No. 1 Pitcher for the San Diego area, and is reported to have four pitches mastered already. Coach Waz explained that Sanford was “a high-end talent.”
I am surprised to see Colin Clarke as a Saturday starter, and he obviously has shown great improvement in practice over last year. The four transfer pitchers are especially intriguing, as there could be upside that propels the Ducks into the CWS, in addition to some high school pitchers who show tremendous track records in their season last year. Coach Waz emphasized this is a first week lineup only, as pitchers can drift in and out of the starting lineups.
Great to see the “Pride of Sherwood, Oregon” in Ian Umlandt back as both a reliever, and potential starter. The Ducks have quite a few other freshman pitchers they brought in who are not listed above, who we may see later in the season. You can print out the lineup right here, or go to the Baseball section of GoDucks.com to pore over their bios as I did. Much more than I can list here!
These Diamond Ducks are grateful to the fans! (Photo by Molly McPherson)
My Beef With the B1G
When you look at the schedule right here, you will see that only three games are on TV? Not even on the B1G Network? Nearly all are on the B1G+ streaming service, and while I am a subscriber, I am disappointed with how that could hurt the viewing audience. Oregon is the B1G projected conference Baseball Champion, and we are on TV less than when we were in the Pac-12? I am annoyed at how this team may not get the recognition it deserves by Oregon fans, and how Baseball is a low priority with the conference.
I understand how Spring Football with 18 teams will have far more eyes watching, but this seems like a hose-job on Our Beloved Ducks once again. I would encourage everyone to please sign up right here for B1G+ to watch our Diamond Ducks, and whether it is the monthly fee of $13.00 or the annual that comes out to $7.50 per month — please support the B1G+ and Our Beloved Ducks. When you consider that you have between nine and 20 games in a month on the B1G+? That is pretty darn good entertainment for the cost. Perhaps in future years as former Pac-12 teams bring more glory in Baseball to the B1G, we will appear on television more often.
For now, do support the streaming channel, and do discuss Oregon Baseball with me on the only free, civilized, Oregon Sports Message board, the Our Beloved Ducks forum because…
“Oh, how we love to ponder about Our Beloved Ducks!”
Charles Fischer (Mr. FishDuck)
Eugene, Oregon
Top Screenshot from GoDucks.com Video
Natalie Liebhaber, the FishDuck.com Volunteer Editor for this article, works in technology in SLC, Utah.
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Charles Fischer has been an intense fan of the Ducks, a season ticket holder at Autzen Stadium for 38 years and has written reports on football boards for over 26 years. Known as “FishDuck” on those boards, he is acknowledged for providing intense detail in his scrimmage reports, and in his Xs and Os play analyses. He is single, has a daughter Christine, and resides in Eugene Oregon where he was a Financial Advisor for 36 years.
He now focuses full-time on Charitable Planned Giving Workshops for churches and non-profit organizations in addition to managing his two Oregon Football Websites, of FishDuck.com and the Our Beloved Ducks forum. He is a busy man!
He does not profess to be a coach or analyst, but simply a “hack” that enjoys sharing what he has learned and invites others to correct or add to this body of Oregon Football! See More…