University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Baseball Picked Second in Preseason Pac-12 Coaches Poll
February 06, 2020 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES – UCLA has been picked to finish second in the 2020 Preseason Pac-12 Coaches Poll, it was announced by the league on Thursday morning. The poll is voted on by all 11 head coaches in the conference.
The Bruins, who won the Pac-12 Championship in 2019 after posting a school-record 24 wins in league play, received four of 11 first place votes and received 89 points overall.
Arizona State was tabbed to finish first in the league, receiving seven first place votes and 96 points overall. The top-five was rounded out by Stanford (81 points), Arizona (70), and Oregon State (66).
They were followed in succession by Washington (49), California (45), USC (45), Oregon (35), Utah (16), and Washington State (13).
UCLA, which is ranked as high as No. 8 in national preseason polls, is coming off a historically successful 2019 campaign. Besides winning the league title, the Bruins won a program-record 52 games, had their best winning percentage (.825) in the modern era, were ranked No. 1 in the country for 12 consecutive weeks, received the No. 1 National Seed in the NCAA Tournament, and had a school-record 13 players selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft.
The Bruins have a strong group of returners in 2020. All-American center fielder Garrett Mitchell, All-Pac-12 catcher Noah Cardenas, and 2018 MLB First Rounder Matt McLain headline the position player side, while Preseason Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year Zach Pettway and 2019 breakout Nick Nastrini anchor the rotation. Reigning Stopper of the Year Holden Powell and Kyle Mora – who led the NCAA with 47 appearances last year – lead one of the top bullpens in the country. In addition, the Bruins brought in the No. 5-ranked recruiting class this year.
UCLA officially opens the 2020 season at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Feb. 14 by hosting UC Riverside. Single-game and season tickets for the upcoming campaign are now available, and can be purchased by calling 310-UCLA-WIN or clicking HERE.2020 Pac-12 Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Rank | Team (1st place votes) | Points |
| 1. | Arizona State (7) | 96 |
| 2. | UCLA (4) | 89 |
| 3. | Stanford | 81 |
| 4. | Arizona | 70 |
| 5. | Oregon State | 66 |
| 6. | Washington | 49 |
| T-7. | USC | 45 |
| T-7. | California | 45 |
| 9. | Oregon | 35 |
| 10. | Utah | 16 |
| 11. | Washington State | 13 |
