Pinero, 4 Canucks on NCAA ranked teams

* SS Daniel Pinero (Toronto, Ont.) started all but one of 69 games for the Virginia Cavaliers is ready to go again this spring for the No. 2 ranked Cavs, according to the Perfect Game scouting service. ....  

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By Bob Elliott Five Canucks received special mention when Perfect Game Scouting Service ranked its top 40 teams.

After starting all but one game for the Virginia Cavilers, Daniel Pinero (Toronto, Ont.) is back at short for the No. 2-ranked Cavs as they try to for a repeat trip to the College World Series in Omaha.

Pinero was named to Canadian Baseball Network Canadian College Second Team. 

On the season he hit .261 with six doubles and 22 RBIs starting 68 of 69 games. 

Defending Canadian Baseball Network Canadian College Player of the Year Phil Craig-St. Louis (Gatineau, Que.) from Attak de Gatineau is with the 15th-ranked Oregon Ducks, while Ontario Terriers grad RHP Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.) is with the 22nd-ranked Stanford Cardinal and former Ontario Blue Jays RHP Zack Pop (Brampton, Ont.) is a freshman with the 37th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats.

Kellogg and Quantrill earned Canadian Baseball Network Canadian College First Team honors, along with Craig-St. Louis.

Kellogg was 8-3 with a 3.76 ERA in 16 starts as he earned First Team All-Pac-12 honours for the second straight year. The lefty walked 22 and fanned 77 in 103 innings, making 16 starts.

Quantrill was 7-5 record and a 2.68 ERA walking 34 and striking out 98 holding in 110 2/3 inning appearing in 18 games making 17 starts.

Craig-St. Louis hit .352 with 15 doubles, three triples, 10 homers and 49 RBIs. He had a .985 OPS and was 13-for-14 stealing bases.

The Perfect Game's top 40 teams ... with the Canucks, who received special mention ...

2. Virginia Head coach: Brian O’Connor Conference: Atlantic Coast 2014 record: 53-16 (22-8 ACC) 2014 finish: Runner-up at College World Series

Top returning hitters: 2B John La Prise (.348-1-17), OF Joe McCarthy (.301-6-49), C Robbie Coman (.283-1-15), 3B Kenny Towns (.278-2-36), C/1B Matt Thaiss (.265-0-7), SS Daniel Pinero (.261-0-22).

Synopsis: The Cavaliers also have a strong double play combo up the middle with John La Prise and Daniel Pinero (Toronto, Ont.). Pinero shows advanced tools across the board with a plus arm while La Prise hit .348 last spring while swiping five bags in six attempts.

15. Oregon Head coach: George Horton Conference: Pac-12 2014 record: 44-20 (19-12 Pac-12) 2014 finish: Regionals

Top newcomers: LHP David Peterson, C/RHP Tim Susnara, 3B Matt Eureste, IF/DH Phil Craig-St. Louis (Gatineau, Que.).

20. Arizona State

Head coach: Tracy Smith Conference: Pac-12 2014 record: 33-24 (19-11 Pac-12) 2014 finish: Regionals

Top returning pitchers: LHP Brett Lilek (4-5, 2.68 ERA, 84 IP, 79:39), RHP Ryan Burr (3-3, 3.27 ERA, 12 saves, 44 IP, 56:38), RHP Jordan Aboites (5-3, 3.30 ERA, 43.2 IP, 45:14), LHP Ryan Kellogg (8-3, 3.76 ERA, 103 IP, 66:22), RHP Seth Martinez (5-0, 4.32 ERA, 50 IP, 34:16), RHP Darin Gillies (3-4, 4.90 ERA, 71.2 IP, 50:35)

Top 2015 prospects: LHP Brett Lilek (36), RHP Ryan Burr (73), LHP Ryan Kellogg (129), 1B/RHP David Graybill (224)

Synopsis: The Sun Devils are the most experienced team on the West Coast as they return their entire weekend rotation, most of the bullpen and seven position players who made at least 24 starts in 2014. The ASU junior class is headlined by three elite arms in lefthanded starters Ryan Kellogg (Whitby, Ont.) and Brett Lilek and righthanded closer Ryan Burr. Kellogg has the most big-game experience of the three.

22. Stanford Head coach: Mark Marquess Conference: Pac-12 2014 record: 35-26 (16-14 Pac-12) 2014 finish: Super Regionals

Top returning pitchers: RHP Cal Quantrill (7-5, 2.68 ERA, 110.2 IP, 98:34), RHP Brett Hanewich (4-4, 3.17 ERA, 76.2 IP, 49:31), LHP John Hochstatter (10-3, 3.36 ERA, 80.1 IP, 38:35), RHP Marc Brakeman (1-3, 3.80 ERA, 45 IP, 41:33), LHP Chris Castellanos (0-1, 4.12 ERA, 24 IP, 15:11)

Synopsis: Stanford’s season will most certainly depend upon the production of a deep and experienced pitching staff. All 61 starts from last season return including those from Perfect Game Preseason Second Team All-American Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.). Quantrill is a bona fide ace who combines premium stuff with advanced command. If righthander Marc Brakeman can continue to harness his mid-90s fastball then he provides wipeout stuff at the back of the bullpen.

37. Kentucky Head coach: Gary Henderson Conference: Southeastern 2014 record: 37-25 (14-16 SEC) 2014 finish: Regionals

Synopsis: What sort of contribution they receive from much ballyhooed freshman Zack Pop (Brampton, Ont.) could also be a major factor in the early weeks of the season. Kentucky will be up against a buzz saw in the SEC, but the they have the high upside type talent for upward mobility.