Although the Cardinal’s unexpected postseason run came to an end at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. less than a month ago, it’s not too soon to start thinking about what the club will look like next year. With the likely departure of plenty of big contributors, there can be little doubt that, for better or worse, big changes will be afoot for Stanford baseball.

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Alex Oppenheimer

As a true-freshman in 2008, Jake Schlander was lauded for his tremendous glove-work at shortstop all year long. But as the postseason rolled around, Schlander’s bat started to come alive as well. Schlander’s emergence into a dominant all-around player could play a key role in a Cardinal run back to Omaha in 2009.

It is a fact in collegiate sports, where players have at most four full years of eligibility, that teams are constantly in need of new talent to move to the forefront when the established leaders graduate or move on to professional athletics. And this need is especially great after a successful season fueled by a talented group of upperclassmen — as was the case with the Cardinal’s 2008 season.

It is too early to know if every player drafted last month will sign a professional contract rather than return to the Farm, but if they all do, the Cardinal will be without rising seniors Jason Castro (C), Cord Phelps (2B), Sean Ratliff (CF), Jeremy Bleich (LHP) and Austin Yount (RHP/DH), in addition to graduated seniors Brendan Domaracki (OF), Randy Molina (1B/DH), Erik Davis (RHP), Rex Petrill (RHP) and David Stringer (RHP). Castro, Yount and Phelps have all already signed their first professional contracts with the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians, respectively.

To put the possible departure of these 10 players in perspective, they accounted for 56 percent of the team’s hits (401 of 715), 51 percent of the at bats (1220 of 2392), 68 percent of the home runs (55 of 81), 59 percent of the total bases (673 of 1141), 55 percent of the runs (278 of 504) and 59 percent of the RBIs (278 of 470). From the mound they represented 44.3 percent of the innings pitched (267.1 of 603.1), 49.1 percent of the strikeouts (216 of 440) and 53.7 percent of the wins (22 of 41).

Of course, whoever Stanford turns to would make up some of this production, and the bumper crop of young players growing on the Farm looks fully capable of keeping the Cardinal competitive next season. And the experienced players remaining on the team just add more reasons for optimism.

The infield looks to be in good shape despite losing Phelps, Molina and Castro. Rising sophomores Zach Jones and Jake Schlander played nearly every inning on the left side of the infield and should only improve both in the field and at the plate with experience. Schlander’s defense at short drew especially rave reviews as the season went on. Other rising sophomores who did not have as much experience last season but look to be fixtures in the infield include Ben Clowe, who hit a monstrous home run in the Cardinal’s last-gasp effort against Georgia in Omaha, Colin Walsh and Jonathon Kaskow. Also returning will be rising senior J.J. Jelmini and rising junior Adam Gaylord, who should provide leadership.

The outfield will be full of experience with rising seniors Joey August and Jeff Whitlow and rising junior Toby Gerhart, all of whom are solid fielders and capable of chipping in quality at-bats. Junior Wande Olabisi, who was primarily used as a pinch-runner last season, can also play in the outfield. Also emerging to help out will be rising sophomores Dave Giuliani, Kellen Kiilsgaard and Kellen McColl.

But perhaps most significant for the continued health of the Cardinal lineup is the return of rising senior Brent Milleville. Milleville was a key contributor down the stretch for Stanford — as the team’s most dangerous right-handed bat, he often hit fourth in the lineup, protecting the left-handed batting Castro. After surprisingly going undrafted in June, Milleville, and his .593 slugging percentage, should give the Cardinal at least one key cog for the heart of the order next season, and could even be called upon to catch more often for the team in 2009.

The bullpen looks to be in good shape, especially considering true freshman Drew Storen’s emergence last season as the closer. If he stays in a bullpen role as a sophomore, he will be joined by rising senior Blake Hancock, as well as several sophomores who played key roles as freshmen last season: Michael Marshall, Alex Pracher and Danny Sandbrink.

Given Sandbrink’s success in the rotation in the postseason, however, he could be lifted into the starting rotation, where he would join rising senior Jeffery Inman (the only veteran starter on the 2009 roster). Max Fearnow, also a rising senior, struggled as a starter last season but is one of most experienced starting pitchers on the team and should get a chance to play a key role. Another candidate for the rotation is rising sophomore Cory Bannister (the younger brother of Kansas City Royals pitcher Brian Bannister).

Of course, there will be plenty more opportunities for pitchers both in the bullpen and in the rotation, especially with the condensed schedule instituted last year that gives more opportunities for midweek starters. Just like last season, there should be a range of incoming freshmen and sophomores with limited experience emerging in relief roles and getting opportunities to start.

With this mix of upcoming players and experienced upperclassmen, Stanford should be able to stay competitive and avoid too much of a letdown after last season’s great run. And, because of the overall youth of this team, the Cardinal has a real chance to field an excellent squad in 2010.