From
D1 Preview:
Best Hitter: JT Schwartz, 1B, UCLA. Schwartz is a 6-foot-4 lefthanded hitter with an elite approach and the slugging percentage (.635) you would expect from someone of his size and skill. He has more walks than strikeouts (35 to 22) and an outrageous on-base percentage (.528). If Schwartz hadn’t missed 13 games due to injury, the Bruins are most likely a one-seed.
Best Defensive Player: Danny Serretti, SS, North Carolina. Serretti has been the everyday shortstop for the Tar Heels for three years, and that includes a 2019 team that hosted a Super Regional. Serretti is long and rangy, and his .973 fielding percentage stands out.
Best Pitcher: Austin Love, RHP, North Carolina. Love began his UNC career as a high-leverage reliever but has blossomed into a bona fide ace. His heavy fastball runs into the mid-90s and he has maintained the aggressive demeanor of a game-finishing closer.
X-Factor: Zach Pettway, RHP, UCLA. Pettway entered 2021 as a prime candidate for Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year, but his season has gone in the other direction. Pettway’s numbers are career worsts but his signature competitiveness remains. In a regional that looks to be very offensive, can the senior righthander muster up one big start?
Best Bullpen: UCLA. While the answer is UCLA, it is not for the reasons we would have though in January. Proven commodities Kyle Mora and Michael Townsend have struggled and power-armed righthander Sean Mullen did not fare well as the closer. But John Savage always seems to have pitching depth and the emergence of Adrian Chaidez (1.03, 27 appearances) and Max Rajcic (1.55, 22 appearances, 7 saves) allowed Mullen to move into the rotation where he has thrived. Townsend leads the club with 33 appearances and even an off year for him has been plenty good (3.55 ERA).
Best Defensive Team: UCLA. This has not been a vintage UCLA defensive club but they may be growing into that. Noah Cardenas is an elite defender at catcher and Schwartz is a former shortstop who has turned into an outstanding first baseman. McLain brings top shelf pedigree and athleticism but he has looked overmatched at shortstop at times. Overall, this club fits the west coast stereotype of high-level run prevention.