The first weekend didn’t have a ton of great match-ups, and this weekend the match-ups are actually a bit worse. Still, there’s some good series taking place, including another Stanford challenge to open the year.

Also, I’ve eliminated most of the double images, but there’s still a few more left. Hope you guys are enjoying the new look.

Texas at Stanford – Two straight top ten tests for Stanford to open the year. Texas is a good program — and their pitching staff is teh best in the Big-12 — but this is the type of lineup that Mark Appel should be dominating. Not that his first effort was terrible by any means, but it didn’t answer the questions about his strikeout totals, either. Stanford also features Stephen Piscotty, who is red-hot to start the year, and Kenny Diekroeger, who needs to have a big season to get into the first-round. For Texas, keep an eye on Hoby Milner and Corey Knebel, the later being one of the top relief prospects for 2013.

TCU at Cal-State Fullerton – There’s not a lot of star power in terms of draft prospects on these two squads, but there’s plenty of talent for two of the better programs of the last decade. The Titans are led by Michael Lorenzen and Dylan Floro, both of whom were named to the top 50 for the Golden Spikes award list. The Horned Frogs feature Josh Elander, who could go in the late-first to sandwich round if teams believe he can stick behind the plate. TCU also has one of the better freshman in the country in former Mariner third-round pick Kevin Cron, brother of 2011 first-round pick, C.j.

Baylor at UCLA – The Bruins seemed to be pitching loaded every year, and 2012 is no exception. UCLA’s best prospect is sophomore Adam Plutko, a top five candidate for 2013. The Pac-12 power also feature sophomore Zach Weiss, and junior closer Scott Griggs, who profiles as an above-average reliever but has the stuff to be a back-end starter. Baylor’s likely a tournament team, with two middle-round picks in left-handed pitcher Josh Turley and first-baseman Max Muncy. I wouldn’t expect the Bears to make many more WTWF’s, but in a down weekend, this is one of the better match-ups.

Others to watch:

William & Mary at Florida

Auburn at Arizona

Florida International at Florida State

Ohio State at Georgia Tech

Monmouth at Virginia — I’ll be at the game on Friday to see Monmouth’s Pat Light, a candidate for the top 50. If you’re in the area, come say hi.