Coaches picked San Diego State’s baseball team to finish third in the season that begins Friday, according to the Mountain West preseason poll.
The league’s seven head coaches voted in the poll, in which the Aztecs garnered 25 points. They trailed favorite Nevada, which received six first-place votes, and second-place UNLV, which garnered the remaining first-place vote.
Fresno State landed in the fourth spot just behind SDSU, with Air Force, New Mexico and San José State trailing the rest by a large margin.
San Diego State’s season opener vs. TCU at the MLB4 Tournament at 4 p.m. Friday will be televised nationally on MLB Network. The tournament takes place in Scottsdale.
“It’s (an absolute) win for our baseball program,” said coach Mark Martinez said this week of the network spotlight. “It’s an opportunity get our brand out there.” He also hopes more baseball fans, concerned about threats to spring training due to the Major League lockout, might tune in.
The Aztecs’ weekend continues with a 4 p.m. game Saturday against the University of Houston and a 1 p.m. Sunday game against Cal.
After a stop in Orange County to play UC Irvine, SDSU’s home opener is set for Feb. 25 against Hawaii, as part of the Tony Gwynn Legacy tournament.
In addition, right-handed pitcher Troy Melton earned a spot on the preseason all-conference team.
Last season, Melton posted a 4-5 record with a 6.14 ERA and a team-high 83 strikeouts.
The Anaheim native finished in the Top 10 in the MW in several categories, including strikeouts (second), innings pitched (fourth), opposing batting average (eighth) and wins (tied for tenth).
The Aztecs have 16 players returning from last year’s squad, which compiled a 30-16 record. The roster also features 15 newcomers. That includes 10 true freshmen, three Division I transfers and two junior college transfers.
Martinez pointed to two new additions, USC transfer Alex Rodriguez and freshman Irvin Weems as newcomers set to make an impact. Players from last year who might play a bigger role in the new season include Poncho Ruiz and TJ Fondtain, who will pitch some this year.
