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In the rankings.

NCBWA has A&M at #28
USA Today has A&M at #29
Collegiate Baseball has A&M at #29
Rival's College Baseball has A&M at #29

Baseball America has A&M unranked but...

Aaron Fitt: Yes, after placing five teams in the top 25 last year, the Big 12 had just one this year. I just think that league is wide open after Texas - there are a bunch of teams that have a lot of questions to answer. Texas A&M was probably the closest to the top 25, but I could see Kansas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State being in the mix also.

Fitt's questions will be answered by Fleece, Loux, Stilson, Stripling and Hinojosa on the mound. No one in 2007 besides Childress thought that Kyle Nicholson and Newmann could go 24-3 between them.

Fitt's questions will be answered by Juengel, Collazo, Hinojosa, Naquin or Wood in the field. No one outside the program thought Hicks, Stouffer, Dalton, Anders, Stinson, Feltner, Brown or Greene would hit above .300 either.

This coaching staff's track record is much deeper than the offense struggling with RISP last year and the pressure it put on the coaching staff. It has been low key around here, but "Team No Name" will have everyone knowing how good they are very soon.

Here is a position by position look at the Aggies with less than two weeks to go before the regular season opens against Seton Hall on February 19.

2 Gregg Alcazar C JR-TR 5-11 195 R/R Galveston, Texas/O'Connell/San Jacinto College
10 Kevin Gonzalez C JR-2L 5-10 195 R/R Houston, Texas/Mayde Creek
30 Parker Ray INF/C FR-HS 6-0 180 R/R Katy, Texas/Katy

Kevin Gonzalez is one of, if not the best catcher in the Big 12 this season when you consider his defense, throwing ability and his consistent improvement at the plate. One of the few players that are certain to start this year, Gonzo should even be better this season with quality backups behind him that can give him a chance to rest and not wear down at the end of the season. That was the key factor in bringing Gregg Alcazar to campus to compete with Gonzalez. The defensive player of the year last year in the Texas JUCO circuit, Alcazar's hitting was better than advertised during the fall. Parker Ray is a redshirt candidate and the former infielder is learning the position.

1 Caleb Shofner INF JR-2L 6-0 185 R/R Hewitt, Texas/Midway
3 Joe Patterson 1B/C SR-1L 6-0 215 L/R Tulsa, Okla./Owasso/Seminole College

Caleb Shofner was the surprise of the team last year and was in the top two in hitting all season long while starting at third base. He can play any of the infield spots except shortstop and could return to starting at third this year. Shofner has worked hard to learn the position and should be an A+ plus defender. Also working to learn the position this fall was Joe Patterson, and he improved each and every day. Patterson has a way to go to have as good a glove as Shofner, but he needs a position to play if a position player turns out to be a closer.

6 Andrew Collazo INF JR-TR 5-11 180 R/R Paterson, N.J./Paterson Catholic/Howard College
14 Scott Arthur INF/OF SO-1L 6-2 185 R/R Spring, Texas/Klein Oak

After playing on the JUCO national championship team at Howard JC last year, Andrew Collazo was a spark plug this fall for the Aggies. He showed a great glove up the middle and is a natural at turning the double play. He looks to bat near the top of the Aggie lineup and though he might not steal bases at the same clip he did at Howard, he does have enough speed to cause headaches for the opponents. Despite being overshadowed by Collazo, Arthur had a great fall and is one of the best athletes on the team. His ability to also play in the outfield gives him a chance at early playing time.

12 John Stilson P/INF SO-TR 6-3 195 R/R Texarkana, Texas/Texas/Texarkana College
20 Adam Smith INF SO-1L 6-3 200 R/R Spring, Texas/Klein

Adam Smith was the first freshman to start at shortstop for the Aggies since Tom Chandler was the head coach, and his growing pains at the plate and in the field only never overshadowed his tremendous talent. Many scouts think his future is on the mound with as strong an infield arm as in college baseball and his 10 HR (excuse me-- the inside the park homerun to beat Texas was called an out so nine dingers) showed just the tip of the offensive iceberg in 2009. His improving plate discipline led to fewer strikeouts this fall. John Stilson will have a key role for the Aggies on the mound this spring, but his ability to play shortstop gives the coaches a solid second option at the infield's most important position but he is a pitcher first.

5 Kenny Jackson INF JR-TR 6-4 195 L/R Corpus Christi, Texas/Carroll/Alvin College
33 Matt Juengel INF SO-TR 6-3 170 R/R Houston, Texas/Clear Brook/Panola College

Two Texas JUCO transfers are battling Shofner for the third base position. Juengel's offensive potential assures him a spot somewhere in the lineup. While offense is his strong suit, he is a solid third baseman and after playing third base all last year for Panola JC, he has experience making all the plays. Kenny Jackson can play any spot on the infield after starting two years at shortstop at Alvin JC and spending the fall playing both first and third base during the fall scrimmages. Jackson's ability in the field might get him on the field as a defensive substitution in plenty of games this year.

4 Brodie Greene OF/INF SR-3L 6-1 195 S/R Bullard, Texas/Bullard
8 Brandon Wood OF FR-HS 6-4 195 R/R Sugar Land, Texas/Clements
11 Joaquin Hinojosa P/OF JR-TR 6-0 185 R/R McAllen, Texas/McAllen/Texarkana College
18 Tyler Naquin OF FR-HS 6-0 165 L/R Spring, Texas/Klein Collins
42 Brett Parsons OF/1B JR-1L 6-4 215 L/R The Woodlands, Texas/High/Navarro College

Brodie Greene has started on both the infield and outfield in his career but this year he will captain the outfield and replace three-plus year starter Kyle Colligan. Greene has the speed to make all the plays defensively, and the second half of the season he was as clutch a hitter as the Aggies had in the lineup. Joaquin Hinojosa transferred in and will play a key role in the outfield as well as the pitching mound as a late game reliever. He has surprising power, he tied for the TCL lead in homeruns despite having limited at-bats, and of course a great arm while playing the game with the same kind of passion that Will Bolt had under Coach Childress at Nebraska. Two freshmen showed tremendous skill and potential in the fall and look to be stars in the future. Brandon Wood, bouncing back from a senior season that didn't live up to many's expectations, is an elite athlete who will be a star in the future. He played centerfield this fall but will battle for a corner spot this spring. Tyler Naquin showed flashes at the plate that had him as one of the top players in Greater Houston the last three years. He is a star defensively and has an outfield arm that is reminiscent of Cory Patton, Daylon Holt and Johnny Hunter. Brett Parsons played first all summer for the Brazos Bombers and is competing with Hinojosa in left. His powerful bat could earn him significant playing time if he can make constant contact. Other players that could see time in the outfield include Arthur and even Patterson (who saw limited action last year when Brooks Raley was on the mound).

11 Joaquin Hinojosa P/OF JR-TR 6-0 185 R/R McAllen, Texas/McAllen/Texarkana College
12 John Stilson P/INF SO-TR 6-3 195 R/R Texarkana, Texas/Texas/Texarkana College
13 Clayton Ehlert RHP SR-3L 6-1 195 R/R Orange, Texas/Little Cypress-Mauriceville
16 Shane Minks RHP SR-3L 6-3 215 R/R West Columbia, Texas/West Columbia
21 Denny Clement RHP SO-1L 5-11 190 R/R Bartlesville, Okla./Cascia Hall Prep
22 Jake Feckley RHP FR-HS 6-0 190 R/R Wylie, Texas/Wylie
24 Nick Fleece RHP JR-2L 6-3 220 R/R Fort Worth, Texas/Boswell
32 Kyle Martin RHP FR-HS 6-6 205 R/R Austin, Texas/St. Michael's
34 Corey Brooks RHP FR-HS 6-4 200 R/R Mesquite, Texas/Dallas Christian
36 Ross Stripling RHP SO-1L 6-3 190 R/R Southlake, Texas/Carroll
38 Michael Wacha RHP FR-HS 6-6 195 R/R Texarkana, Texas/Pleasant Grove
45 Steven Martin RHP JR-1L 6-6 225 R/R Brenham, Texas/Brenham/Seminole State College
50 Barret Loux RHP JR-2L 6-5 220 R/R Houston, Texas/Stratford
55 Rafael Pineda RHP FR-HS 6-6 200 R/R Fort Worth, Texas/Crowley

Nick Fleece was recently added to the NCBWA "Stopper of the Year" award list but has moved into a starter's role and should continue to flourish after a terrific year in the bullpen for the Aggies. He has improved his off speed pitches, and his hard cut fastball will create many ground balls. Barret Loux is completely recovered from the bone spurs in his elbow that sapped him of his tremendous fastball but is pitching better than ever headed into spring practice. Ross Stripling's complete game in the Fall World Series pushed him up the ladder, and he will start plenty of games this year (either on the weekend or in midweek). His curveball is a huge weapon at the college level. John Stilson, despite logging plenty of innings last spring and this summer, showed why he was the nation's top JUCO pitching prospect during a dominating fall. His performance this spring will have the Aggies exceeding the preseason projections, and his versatility could have him close games if he is not in the starting lineup. After a solid sophomore season, Clayton Ehlert won his first five decisions last year and will want to forget his two losses in the post season. When pitching with confidence, he is a great at keeping the ball low in the zone and getting ground ball outs.

In the bullpen, Joaquin Hinojosa closed for Will Bolt last year at Texarkana and again during the summer for the Brazos Bombers. He is a solid pro prospect, and his performance will give the Aggies a bulldog in the pen. Shane Minks turned down an opportunity to sign this summer to return and will have a big role in relief. His arm slot gives the righties fits. He is a senior leader for the young bullpen and effectiveness against the southpaws will get him more innings. Denny Clement looked like a freshman at times last year, but after a successful summer closing games he has his confidence back and is ready to blossom. Steven Martin missed the fall after summer surgery, but his work during conditioning drills this spring has him back on the mound and impressing Coach Childress. Jake Feckley closed all fall long and looks to compete with Clement and Martin for innings this spring. If he can be as consistent in the spring as he was in the fall, he should get a great chance to contribute. Four towering freshmen hold important keys to future success of the program. Michael Wacha, Kyle Martin and Rafael Pineda look more like basketball players than baseball players, and Corey Brooks was a three-sport star in high school. Wacha had tremendous success his junior and senior years and pushed his team to the state final four each year. He pitched very well this fall, and he will compete for a starter role this spring. Brooks and Martin pitched in private schools and have a big adjustment to Big 12 baseball, but their abilities just need to be combined with experience. Pineda is also a raw prospect but he already showed flashes of his talent this fall.

28 Ross Hales LHP SO-1L 6-3 195 L/L Baytown, Texas/Barbers Hill
31 Dylan Mendoza LHP FR-HS 5-10 175 L/L Lake Travis, Texas/Lake Travis
35 Estevan Uriegas LHP SO-1L 5-9 175 L/L Round Rock, Texas/Westwood
37 Tyler Dyer LHP SR-1L 5-10 180 L/L Deer Park, Texas/Deer Park/San Jacinto College

It was great news for the program with the continued speedy recovery of Ross Hales from summer surgery. He showed his pitching ability all last season, but his 3-0 shutout over the 'Horns was a highlight. He should be ready to pitch in conference play, and the coaches will have to watch his workload leading to May and beyond. Estevan Uriegas, ticketed for a situational role, was a surprise last year in his ability to get right-handed hitters out which earned him an expanded role on the mound. He has improved over last year after a solid summer pitching in Alaska. Dylan Mendoza is a young player that I am very excited about. He already has command of a breaking ball to get right hander hitters out and pitches with tremendous confidence. After replacing a MLB prospect, he was the best player in central Texas last year. Tyler Dyer could see more time on the mound this year with fewer LHP on the staff, but he will have to improve to leap over Uriegas and Mendoza.

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Allows just one hit in two victories

The Cavalier baseball team was red hot at the end of the regular season, undefeated in district play and hadn’t lost a game since March 28.

Then the season was suspended because of the Swine Flu outbreak, and there had to be a few people wondering if it would cool Lake Travis (29-3) off at the wrong time.

But after two rounds of playoff baseball, the Cavaliers have scored 34 runs, their opponents have scored three and ace Dylan Mendoza has allowed exactly one hit.

It’s safe to say the break didn’t faze them.

Lake Travis topped Lanier, 7-0 and 12-3, in the bi-district championship last weekend, and then toppled New Braunfels Canyon Tuesday night in a one-game series for the area championship, 5-0.

Even when facing that one-game series against the Cougars, the Cavaliers weren’t nervous.

“I was pretty relaxed. I mean, I’ve been here before because of the experience and tradition we have,” Mendoza said. “So I was pretty relaxed coming in.”

Mendoza went the distance, fanning 14 Cougars and allowing one hit in a game that never felt like it was in doubt once Lake Travis was on the board.

Even Lake Travis head coach Roy Kinnan, who notoriously hates one-game playoff rounds, felt like his team was in good shape coming into the game.

“You know, this is a different team, I’ve got a lot of confidence in them, and they’ve got a lot of confidence in themselves,” he said. “I felt good about the game coming out. We were swinging the bat well in batting practice, and I just felt good about it.”

Lake Travis broke a scoreless tie in the third inning, scoring four runs on three hits. Kevin Conroy led off the frame with a double to center field, and Cody Gruber followed with a single to put runners at first and second. Brad Kuntz hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Conroy for the first run. Andy Holt doubled, putting runners at second and third, and Wyatt Church doubled to bring home both runners. Cohl Walla hit a rocket to deep right-center field, but it was snagged by the center fielder. Church moved to third on the fly, and then scored on a wild pitch, making it 4-0.

The Cavaliers tacked on another run in the fifth inning when Church hit a grounder to short that was misplayed and allowed Gruber to score from third.

Meanwhile, Mendoza stayed hot, shutting down the Cougars five days after no-hitting Lanier in the Cavs’ 7-0, playoff-opening victory, one in which he struck out 13 Vikings. The lead was more than enough.

“I felt like even we didn’t score any more runs, we’d be fine because I was on,” Mendoza said. “Everything was working well, my fastball was on, curveball was on, slider, change, really the whole repertoire was working.”

Kinnan agreed, and couldn’t say enough about the senior gunslinger.

“His last three ballgames, I mean, he throws a two-hitter in his last district game, a no-hitter in the first round and a one-hitter tonight. He’s throwing the ball well, and he’s throwing strikes, so his pitch count is down and he’s still throwing hard in the sixth and seventh inning,” Kinnan then chuckled. “He had good stuff tonight.”

But the competition in the first few rounds typically isn’t as tough as the best teams Lake Travis has seen this year, and Canyon offered few surprises, if any.

“They were a solid ballclub, but they don’t hit one through nine,” Kinnan said. “We scouted them a little bit, and their first four hitters do most of their work. That’s where they score their runs, and after that, they struggle.”

The early lead cemented that theory.

“I think it’s important any time you can score a couple runs in a burst like that,” Kinnan said. “We talked all game about trying to score a run an inning, and trying to shut them out.”

Now, the Cavaliers turn right back around and start the regional quarterfinal round against district rival Hutto. The Hippos are no stranger to playoff baseball, and topped Boerne Champion 5-4, Tuesday night. But this is their first venture into the 4A playoffs, which should make for an interesting series.

“We beat them handily the first time, but we had to come from behind the second time, and I’m sure they feel like they can play with us,” Kinnan said. “I don’t care either way, whoever the winner is, that’s who we’ll get ready to play.”

Lake Travis won the teams’ first meeting 8-2, behind the arms of Cohl Walla, Brad Kuntz and Jack Hourin. Mendoza pitched the second meeting, which the Cavaliers came back to win 4-3, after being down 3-0 heading into the seventh inning. Mendoza struck out 11, and allowed three runs, though none of them were earned.

The playoff routine does get changed a bit with two series in one week, though.

“I think it will be good for us because we have lots of pitching, and everyone has been ready to play every day,” Mendoza said. “We’ve been really sharp.”

Kinnan agreed.

“We play it now like a regular season game, and for us, we’re set up pretty good pitching-wise because we’ll have Kuntz and Walla going in the first two games. And we can always go to Mendoza at the end because we won’t have to go again until the next Thursday,” he said. “Then I’ve got Church, Ryan Feltner, Colin Butschek and Hourin that can all go in game three if I need them to.”

Brandon Wood Honored by Houston BWAA

More than 1,100 people will be at the Hilton Americas Convention Center Hotel for tonight’s 24th annual Houston Baseball Dinner.

Slugger Lance Berkman will be presented with the Astros Most Valuable Player Award for 2008, as voted on by the Houston chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Berkman, a five-time team MVP, last year led the Astros in batting average (.312), doubles (46), homers (29), RBIs (106), on-base percentage (.420) and runs (114).

Closer Jose Valverde, who tied Brad Lidge’s franchise record with 44 saves, will be honored as Astros Pitcher of the Year, and lefthander Wesley Wright will be recognized as Astros Rookie of the Year.

Other award winners include outfielder Hunter Pence (Darryl Kile Award), first base coach Jose Cruz (Allen Russell Distinguished Achievement Award) and former Chronicle sports writer Neil Hohlfeld, who posthumously will be given the Fred Hartman Long and Meritorious Service Award.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman James Loney, a product of Elkins High school, will be on hand to accept the Houston-area Major League Player of the Year Award. The Houston Athletic Committee will present the Ray Knoblauch Award for the area’s outstanding high school coach to Bellaire’s Rocky Manuel. Rice’s Ryan Berry will be recognized as the Greater Houston Area’s Preseason College Player of the Year.

The Houston Athletic Committee also will honor its All-Greater Houston high school baseball preseason team: Tyler Duffey (Bellaire), Jonathan Dziedzic (Atascocita), Ryan Hornback (Sweeny), Jake Miller (Stratford), Tyler Naquin (Klein Collins), R.J. Perucki (Tomball), Matt Purke (Klein), Michael Ratterree (Memorial), Brady Rodgers (Lamar Cons.), Larry Rodriguez (Channelview), Ryan Sedeno (Langham Creek), Cooper Smith (Second Baptist), Andrew Stumph (Katy), Zach Thomas (Cy-Fair), Kyle Von Tungeln (Kempner) and Brandon Wood (Clements).

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