Losing players to Major League Baseball is an annual occurrence for the ASU baseball team. However, heading into his 12th season in Tempe, coach Pat Murphy has devised a strategy to help his team succeed when it loses its best players - reload.
With six players leaving via the Major League draft after ASU's third-place finish at the 2005 College World Series, Murphy is looking for his new additions to step up and fill the voids.
"[The newcomers] are the key in how quick they can become Sun Devils and play our way," he said.
The quicker the better, as replacing players like first-round draft pick Travis Buck and three-year starter Tuffy Gosewisch will be no small task.
"Anytime you lose a great player it's tough, but that's the tradition of this team," junior outfielder Colin Curtis said. "Every year someone new steps up, so hopefully we have some guys who can fill those shoes."
One player who will see significant playing time and look to make an immediate impact will be freshman pitcher Ike Davis.
"Ike will be in there all the time because he's a special player," Murphy said.
The lefty led Scottsdale Chaparral High School to three state championships and posted a 23-0 record as a starter.
On days when he isn't pitching, Davis is expected to be in the lineup as a designated hitter.
Another freshman that is expected to play immediately is Matt Hall. A season-ending injury to last year's starting shortstop, sophomore Andrew Romine, forced Hall into the lineup.
First baseman Brett Wallace and catcher Preston Paramore are also freshmen that can expect to see playing time during the season.
The pitching staff was hit hard when right-hander Jason Urquidez and southpaw Erik Averill were both drafted, in the 17th and 20th rounds, respectively. The duo combined for 21 of ASU's 42 wins and 248.2 innings pitched.
"Those guys were obviously our workhorses last year and they were out there everyday pitching their hardest," senior pitcher Brett Bordes said.
Last season was the first season Murphy had two starters throw more than 100 innings, and Bordes said the team has that same goal this season.
Rejoining Bordes on the pitching staff will be juniors Zechry Zinicola and Pat Bresnehan. Both won games in last year's postseason run.
Mix in Davis, and Bordes believes they have a recipe for success.
"We have a deep rotation with eight or nine guys who can come in and get outs," he said.
Curtis is the key position player returning and will step into a leadership role this season after hitting .342 in 2005 and being named to the College World Series All-Tournament Team.
"I've been working really hard and the maturity of my game has really come into its own now," Curtis said. "I feel more comfortable in every situation of the game."
Sophomore J. J. Sferra will join Curtis in the outfield for the second consecutive year after hitting .311 in 2005.
Other key returning players include sophomore designated hitter Willy Fox and junior utility man Seth Dhaenens.
Last season's national championship run gave the returning players a taste of success that they would love to savor again.
"It gives us something to roll into this season with and some experience," Curtis said. "There's always a chance that we can make it again if we play hard and play the right way at the right time."
Reach the reporter at thomas.j.kelley@asu.edu.