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The Sun Devil baseball season is right around the corner and there are plenty of fresh faces featured on the 2013 club. Gone are starters Joey DeMichele, Abe Ruiz, Deven Marerro, Brady Rodgers and Andrew Aplin, as ASU may have as many as five new players in their opening day lineup.
Past seasons have shown that sophomore year is the breakout season for Sun Devil baseball players. Sophomore season is when Marrero won Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, and DeMichele won the Pac-10 batting title. Last year as a sophomore, Trevor Williams boasted a 2.05 ERA and was the only 12-game winner in the Pac-12.
With so many new faces, there are many players that are primed for a breakout 2013. Here is the list we have assembled.
Drew Stankiewicz - SS
Stankiewicz appeared in 31 games last season, hitting .265 and driving in seven runs. Like Marrero, the sophomore shortstop is known for his glove, as Stankiewicz has good range to both his right and left and shows a good arm in the middle of the diamond. He will be the replacement for Marrero this season in the Sun Devil infield.
Stankiewicz's father is the head baseball coach and Grand Canyon University and he was taken in the 40th round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies. It is difficult to determine where Stankiewicz will hit in the lineup, however he walked 10 times in 68 at bats last season and has a knack for getting on base.
Adam McCreery - LHP
McCreery might have had a breakout 2012 if not for an early season injury. McCreery was slated as the team's Sunday starter before getting injured after his first start of the season. The sophomore left-hander finished 2012 with a 1.32 ERA in 13 2/3 innings of work.
Look for McCreery to start on Saturday's as the team's No. 2 starter. He has the size (6-8, 220) and the velocity (mid-90's) to be a force on the mound. Baseball America ranked him as the Pac-12's third ranked draft prospect for the 2014 draft.
Jake Peevyhouse - OF
Peevyhouse is a sophomore out of Pinnacle High School in Phoenix. As a freshman in 2012, Peevyhouse it .095 with four RBI's in 21 at bats. With the departure of Andrew Aplin, there is a gaping hole left in centerfield both offensively and defensively. Peevyhouse is the favorite to replace Aplin in centerfield and in the Sun Devil lineup.