Team Outlook
2023 was a year of transition for Stanford, who had seen their entire rotation graduate after the 2022 season. Growing pains, injuries, and rain-outs never allowed the team to reach their potential and the results were disappointing for a program that has seen so much success in recent memory. 

Stanford is primed to come back stronger than ever in 2024 and is on the Road to Illinois, looking to deal with the unfinished business of their 2022 postseason run where they fell one game short of making nationals. The squad has retained the majority of its offensive core from that season, with a Murderer's Row featuring the veteran bats of Donnie Raymond, Caden Denning, Evan Schieber, and Cameron Vaughan. The arm barn, led by team ace and dictator Gabe Seir, is fresh and rejuvenated with young bucks and wiley vets alike. These arms create a buzzsaw for opposing hitters, who will be left dazed and confused by the different looks and flavors of this pitching staff.

This collection of talent means a Stanford team that can win in every way possible. They have an offense that can overpower opponents and a pitching staff that can keep them in any low-scoring affair. They can win with power, win with speed, win with the fundamentals, or win through sheer force of will. All that is left to do is execute.


Players to Watch:
Donnie Raymond is a donkey. The 2022 1st Team All-American will once again be a two-way player for the Cardinal this year after returning from an elbow injury. He brings a low to mid 80s fastball with a wipeout sweeper that will have opposing hitters looking like they are swinging an oar. Getting back on the mound will once again make him one of the most valuable players in the NCBA. His pitching excellence is an add on to one of the fiercest bats in the league, a bat that led the entire NCBA in OPS at 1.597 in 2022. 

Caden Denning is the definition of a five-tool player. The 2022 2nd Team All-American hits for power like a corner infielder with the contact skills and speed of a rangy outfielder. In the field, Denning has the rare ability to play plus defense at two of the games hardest positions – catcher and center fielder. Denning's cannon-like arm allows him to gun down runners who are stealing or trying to go for the extra base, and his quick reflexes allow for great decision making behind the plate and great jumps of sinking line drives. 

Gabe Seir is the player you want on the mound when you need a big performance. The team's ace took a massive step forward in 2023 after Stanford graduated its entire starting rotation, putting together a season that even Stanford Club legend Ben Caven would be jealous of. Seir features a mid-80s fastball with three different offspeed pitches that keep hitters guessing. His large repertoire allows him to pitch deep into games consistently and always give the team a chance to win with the bats. The Gabe Seir bumpday enjoyer fan club will surely grow in 2024. 

Evan Schieber brings grit and gumption to the field. This lunch pail guy brings a constant and steady presence to the diamond. The 2022 1st Team All-Region catcher and third baseman is known for working counts and slapping singles and doubles to all fields. Schieber also brings stability behind the plate with high quality game calling and good control of the running game. Together, Schieber and Denning are potentially the most lethal catching tandem in the NCBA. 

Elijah Meltzer, a rookie last year, helps fortify the rotation for the Cardinal and is looking to take a step forward this year. Meltzer is a harder throwing righty with the ability to blow hitters away or break them down with his plus breaking ball. 

New additions: Nikhil Kothari, Angel Villeraldo Amador, Grant Fisher, John Paul Aguilar, Tristan Malhotra, Justin Ferguson

Returning Past All Region/NCBA All American Award Winners: Donnie Raymond - 2022 1st Team All-American and 2022 1st Team All-Region, Caden Denning - 2022 2nd Team All-American and 2022 1st Team All-Region, Cameron Vaughn - 2022 3rd Team All-American and 2022 2nd Team All-Region, Evan Schieber - 2022 1st Team All-Region. 

*NCBA has released previews for all Pacific Conference Teams. To view, visit div2.clubbaseball.org.