Today marks just 16 days until the start of the 2019 college baseball season. The number 16 will always be synonymous with Augie Garrido but also coincides with revealing Nos. 15-19 of the Top 50 College Baseball Programs since 1975 list. Earlier this week we revealed Nos. 20-25 and prior to that the lower 24. The four lists can be found below:
Top 50 College Baseball Programs since 1975: Teams No. 20-25
Top 50 College Baseball Programs since 1975: Teams No. 26-30
Top 50 College Baseball Programs since 1975: Teams No. 31-40
Top 50 College Baseball Programs since 1975: Teams No. 41-50
The ranking methodology will be revealed when the top two teams are announced days before the 2019 college baseball season begins. And to refresh as to why we have chosen to start ranking in the year 1975 and beyond is because 1975 marks the first year the regional playoff format was implemented. If you want more explanation, visit the No. 41-50 list for more details.
Today, we reveal numbers 15-19.
15. Wichita State
16. North Carolina
17. Rice
18. Oregon State
19. Oklahoma
Just a few thoughts on some of these teams and why they landed in their respective spots.
Oklahoma – Oklahoma won the 1994 National Championship and has visited Omaha six times. Much of the Sooners success came prior to the Super Regional Era making the postseason 17 times in the 23 years from 1975 – 1998.
North Carolina – No national championships in nine College World Series appearances since 1975. Eight Super Regionals since 1999 and 29 postseason invites places the Tar Heels firmly in the No. 16 spot of the Top 50 College Baseball Programs since 1975.
Rice – The Wayne Graham era in Houston produce the Owls’ greatest success culminating in the 2003 championship. Seven visits to Omaha, 10 Super Regionals and 23 tournament appearances all coming under Graham make for big shoes to fill for Matt Bragga this season.
Wichita State – A national championship in 1989, three runner-ups and seven CWS appearances all before the tournament field expanded to 64? Nice resume for the Shockers who continued to have success into the Super Regional Era. Darren Dreifort also won the Golden Spikes Award in 1993. The Shockers would have ranked higher but WSU vacated 30 victories from the 2012 season and 39 from 2013 for players receiving “impermissible benefits”.
Oregon State – Although our scoring methodology scored the Beavers tied with Oklahoma, we give the slight nod to Oregon State for winning three national championships and being the reigning national champions. If the Beavers advance to the Super Regionals, it’s a safe bet they will reach the College World Series. The Beavers seven Super Regionals resulted in a trip to Omaha six times.