PERFECT GAME: Conference Preview: Pac-12 - Oregon (5 photos, article)
Conference Preview: Pac-12
01/19/2021
Oregon: The 2021 Ducks offer a nice blend of veteran talent around the diamond, as well as a few young, exciting players who look to make their impression on the program right away.
It’s more than fair to start with slugger Kenyon Yovan, one of the top power threats in the Pac-12, as he’ll be instrumental in the Ducks success this spring offensively, returning not only experience but potential two-way ability with a power arm from the right side.
Aaron Zavala, like Yovan, was hitting north of .400 prior to last spring’s shutdown and possesses one of the purer hit tools on the team, showing a smooth and fluid left-handed stroke.
The corner infield will be anchored by a pair of experienced bats in first baseman Gabe Matthews, an advanced defender with impact juice, and Nick Bellafronto, a grad transfer from Stanford who shows solid tools across the board.
Jack Scanlon will get the start behind the dish and provides intriguing juice, partnering with true freshman Josiah Cromwick, who shows power of his own, in splitting catching duties.
Make sure to pay close attention to second year shortstop Josh Kasevich and outfielder Anthony Hall, who is ready to break out in a big way this spring.
The coaching staff has plenty of options heading into the spring for their rotation with Robby Ahlstrom, Cullen Kafka, who features one of the bigger arms on staff, and Brett Walker, who all started in 2020. Both Hunter Breault and Caleb Sloan feature big-time fastballs and should provide stability out of the ‘pen while true freshmen Isaac Ayon and Rio Britton have the chance to be high-round picks in three years.
