Three Wildcats have been named in the Top 300 Prospects of 2016 by D1Baseball.com, which was released Friday afternoon.
Third baseman and pitcher Bobby Dalbec was the highest ranked Wildcat coming in at No. 18, while junior college transfer pitcher Kevin Ginkel came in at No. 155 and lastly, Cal Stevenson, who will be transferring to UA next year, at No. 223.
Dalbec can add another preseason accolade to his resume as he already was named to the Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American Second Team, as well as the Rawlings Perfect Game All-American Second Team.
Dalbec is coming off a season in which he led the Pac-12 Conference in home runs with 15 while batting .319 with 43 runs and 53 RBI. Dalbec’s 2015 efforts earned him a spot on the Pac-12 All-Conference Team, ABCA/Rawlings All-West Region First Team and also received All-Defensive honors by the Pac-12.
Dalbec kept his success rolling into the summer where he played for Team USA and the Orleans Firebirds in the prestigious Cape Cod League. He also went on to lead the Cape in home runs with 12 and was second in RBI with 30.
Dalbec is considered to be a potential first round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft in June, according to Baseball America.
BA’s scouting report on Dalbec praised his big-time power, which is a scarce asset in baseball today, but also acknowledged that he needs to cut down on his strikeouts. If Dalbec can duplicate a similar season to last year’s while managing to limit his strikeouts and put the ball in play with two strikes, look for him to go off the board early in the upcoming MLB Draft.
The second Wildcat on the list, pitcher Kevin Ginkel, is entering his first season with the Wildcats after transferring from Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California. Ginkel performed well in the closer role last season, capturing eight saves while posting a 2.67 ERA with a record of 2-1.
Ginkel is also no stranger to accolades as he was a two time Pacific Coast All-Conference Team selection during his time at Southwestern College. In addition to being named All-Conference, Ginkel was drafted in the 26th round by the Boston Red Sox in the 2015 MLB Draft, but elected to attend UA to play for Jay Johnson.
The last player named on the list is future Wildcat Cal Stevenson. Stevenson played for head coach Jay Johnson a season ago at Nevada Reno where he was second on the team in batting and hits after posting a stat line of .359 average with 78 hits, 25 RBI and 55 runs in 56 games. Stevenson will be playing collegiately at Chabot College in Californiathis season and then will transfer to Arizona next year.
Johnson must be thrilled with the talent in the Arizona program this year and many years to come. The Cats will open up the 2016 season on the road against Rice on Feb. 19, but will return for their home opener against Cal State Fullerton on March 2.
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