Utah Utes baseball: Utes' program on the map

Utah baseball coach Bill Kinneberg's office is modestly decorated. There are a few mementos on the wall, while a couple of others rest on shelves and on his desk.

On the window sill, however, sits the big prize — the Mountain West Conference tournament championship trophy. The symbol of the Utes' improbable run to the title can be seen from inside and outside of the Huntsman Center.

After reaching the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1960, Kinneberg's program is now on the map.

And the future appears bright.

"I kind of like our club's chances next year. I really do," Kinneberg said of the encore. "We want to be good. Whether that brings on more pressure, so be it."

The Utes, he added, are determined to run a quality program on and off the field. Kinneberg wants the players to have a "great experience."

They certainly did last season. Despite a losing record overall (28-31), Utah rolled through the MWC tourney and earned a trip to the NCAA regionals in Fullerton, Calif. The Utes knocked Georgia Southern and Gonzaga out before losing to the powerful Cal State Fullerton Titans for the second time.

The team's new-found momentum, Kinneberg believes, will continue into the 2010 campaign.

"I'm not so sure we are going to lose the beat going on. It's definitely not going to be a rebuilding year," he said. "Hopefully, it's a reloading and maybe a better year."

The Utes, who dropped 12 one-run games in 2009, have a lot of returnees and a talented recruiting class in the fold next season. They'll look to offset the loss of offensive standouts Corey Shimada and Austin Jones, as well as drafted pitcher Brian Budrow (28th round, Diamondbacks).

Junior pitcher Jordan Whatcott, who was taken in the 31st round by the Angels, still has the option of returning to the Utes. He has until August to make a decision.

"They're going to be big shoes to fill," Kinneberg acknowledged.

The Utes, though, do return a lot of talent.

Catcher/designated hitter C.J. Cron, who batted .337 with 11 homers and 58 RBIs, earned freshman All-American honors. Fellow freshman Tyler Yagi, who will likely play second base next season, was named MVP of the MWC tourney.

The duo headlines a cast of players who will be blended with a batch of talented newcomers. Kinneberg said left-handed pitcher Rick Anton may be the best junior college pitcher in the nation.

Others expected to make an immediate impact include right-handed pitcher/infielder Brock Duke (Spanish Fork HS) and right-handed pitcher

Kevin Ponzo (San Dimas HS, Calif.). Infielder Cam Schiller, a teammate of Anton's at Yavapai Junior College in Arizona, joins right-handed pitcher Zach Adams and infielder Tyler Wagner of Bishop Gorman High School in Nevada in rounding out Utah's original 2010 recruiting class.

"The last two recruiting classes are as good as we have ever had," Kinneberg said after letter-of-intent day last November. "We continue to make strides in our quest to be the Mountain West Conference champions."

E-mail: dirk@desnews.com