College baseball has played a key role in the background of many of the 2017 World Series players and coaches … although you wouldn’t know it simply by listening to the various television broadcasts during the past few weeks of postseason play.

A lean and lanky Justin Verlander (three-time World Series pitcher with Tigers & Astros), shown here during his college career at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.

(Full/obvious disclosure: this site is focused on college baseball, and yes I was a college baseball SID for nearly 20 years before covering the sport for the past 10 … but it’s not too much too ask for the networks to share important/basic biographical  information about these players’ backgrounds. Viewers literally can count on one hand, often one finger, the number of college baseball references during any of these three-hour, or five-hour, broadcasts. In many cases, we have gone several weeks through the postseason now with NO mention of the college background for numerous players during these assorted broadcasts.)

** Note: scroll throughout this page for historical photos of 30 different Astros & Dodgers players/coaches who played college baseball (some are included at bottom of the page).

>> CLICK HERE for a similar CB360 breakdown of the 2016 MLB All-Star Game and its connections to college baseball.

Dave Roberts (Los Angeles Dodgers manager) in his playing days at UCLA. Current Dodgers reserve second baseman Chase Utley (former World Series champ with the Phillies) also played collegiately at UCLA and is pictured near the bottom of this page.

As detailed below, and by various measures, the number of college baseball products scattered throughout the Astros and Dodgers rosters significantly dwarfs the number of players who entered pro ball directly from high school (on average, by a ratio of 2.5-to-1 but often closer to 3-to-1). This lopsided comparison holds true for the coaching staffs as well, led by two former conference rivals (Pac-10, now Pac-12) who are managing these World Series teams: Houston’s A.J. Hinch (Stanford) and L.A.’s Dave Roberts (UCLA). Not surprisingly, the overwhelming majority of each of their coaching staffs all played college baseball back in their early playing days – including Astros bench coach/soon-to-be Red Sox manager Alex Cora (Univ. of Miami).

Astros centerfielder George Stringer, shown taking a rip a few years ago during his career at the Univ. of Connecticut.

College baseball – particularly during recent years – has proven to be an excellent venue for preparing players for their often quick journey to the Major Leagues (with many, including former LSU standout Alex Bregman, rapidly transitioning to the big leagues). Equally important, the college baseball student-athlete experience provides countless intangible benefits to each player, impacting his life both on and off the field. And most will forge lifelong friendships from those college years, with athletes and non-athletes alike.

A svelte and clean-shaven Justin Turner (current Dodgers third baseman), back in his his playing days at nearby Cal State Fullerton.

The combined 25-man World Series rosters for the Astros and Dodgers include nearly three times as many college baseball products (28) as players who entered pro ball directly from U.S. state-based high schools (10). The other 12 World Series players include four from Puerto Rico and two each from Cuba, Japan and Venezuela (plus one each from Curacao and the Dominican Republic).

• 2017 WORLD SERIES ROSTERS
(25-man; Astros & Dodgers)
> 28 College Baseball Products
(21 DI; one D2, one D3, one NAIA, 4 JC)
… 2–Arizona State, Arkansas, CS Fullerton, Georgia, LSU & Virginia
… 1–Cal, UConn, Miami, Mich., Neb., ODU, Rice, Texas A&M & UCLA
… D2: Texas Permian Basin; D3: Berry GA; NAIA: St. Xavier IL
… JC: Middle Georgia St, Yavapai AZ, Palm Beach FL St, Lamar TX
12 from outside mainland U.S.
… 4–Puerto Rico; 2–Cuba, Japan & Venezuela;
1–Curacao & Dominican Republic
10 direct-from-high school
… 2–CA, GA & NC; 1–AZ, CT, FL & TX

Former LSU shortstop Alex Bregman has sparkled for the Astros throughout the postseason, with both his bat and his glove while manning the hot corner at third base,

• ASTROS World Series Roster (25-man)
> 13 College Baseball Products
(7 DI; 1 D2, 1 D3, 1 NAIA, 3 JC)
… 2–LSU; 1–Ark., Fullerton, UConn, ODU & UVa
… D2: Texas Permian Basin; D3: Berry (GA); NAIA: St. Xavier (IL)
… JC: Middle Ga. St, Yavapai AZ, Palm Beach FL St
7 from outside mainland U.S.
… 3–Puerto Rico; 2–Venezuela; Cuba & & D.R.
5 direct-from-high school (CA–CT–FL–GA–NC)

• DODGERS World Series Roster (25-man)
> 15 College Baseball Products (14 DI; 1 JC)
… 2–Arizona State & Georgia
… 1–Ark., Cal, Fullerton, UGa, Miami, Mich., Neb., Rice, Texas A&M, UCLA & UVa
… JC: Lamar (TX)
5 from outside mainland U.S.
… 2–Japan; 1–Curacao, Cuba & Puerto Rico
5 direct-from-high school (AZ–CA–GA–NC–TX)

Rich Hill – one of the three lefthanders in the Dodgers postseason 4-man starting rotation – pictured during his college days at the University of Michigan.

• World Series Starting Lineups – Both of Houston’s top starting pitchers – RHP Justin Verlander (Old Dominion) and LHP Dallas Keuchel (Univ. of Arkansas) – are college baseball alums, as are two members of the Dodgers postseason starting rotation: LHPs Rich Hill (Univ. of Michigan) and Alex Wood (Univ. of Georgia).

When looking at the nine position players who typically have started for each World Series team (18 total), eight of them are college baseball players (including the regular CF and 3B for both teams) while six others are from foreign countries (or Puerto Rico), and only four entered pro ball directly from a stateside high school.

Current Astros DH/catcher Evan Gattis has an amazing story tracing his path to the big leagues. That journey included benefitting from the college baseball experience, at the (D2) University of Texas-Permian Basin (pictured).

The Astros regular starters who played college ball include Bregman (LSU), CF George Springer (Univ. of Connecticut), RF Josh Reddick (Middle Georgia JC) and DH/C Evan Gattis (Texas-Permian Basin). Catcher Brian McCann is the only Astros regular position player who entered pro ball directly from a U.S. high school baseball background, with the other Houston regular starters hailing from Cuba, Venezuela (2) and Puerto Rico.

• • •

Current Astros centerfielder Chris Taylor converted to the outfield earlier this season, after playing previously in the middle infield (including in college, as the starting shortstop while at the University of Virginia, pictured).

The Dodgers regular starting position players have included four college baseball products, three direct-from-high-school, and two players from outside the continental U.S. Both of LA’s catchers – Austin Barnes (Arizona State) and Yasmani Grandel (Univ. of Miami) – spent their formative years in college baseball, as did 3B Justin Turner (Cal State Fullerton), CF Chris Taylor (Univ. of Virginia) and infielder Logan Forsythe (Univ. of Arkansas).

> 2017 WORLD SERIES STARTERS <
Starting Rotations:
4 College Baseball Products (all DI)
Justin Verlander (Astros; Old Dominion)
Dallas Keuchel (Astros; Arkansas)
Rich Hill (Dodgers; Michigan)
Alex Wood (Dodgers; Georgia)

3 Direct-from-High School Products
Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers; attended HS in Texas)
Lance McCullers (Astros; HS in Florida)
Charlie Morton (Astros; HS in Connecticut)

1 Foreign Player – Yu Darvish (Dodgers; Japan)

Current Dodgers utility infielder Logan Forsythe played collegiately at the Univ. of Arkansas (pictured), where his teammates included current Astros ace lefthander Dallas Keuchel (pict. below).

Starting Position Players (including DH); 18 total:
8 (9) College Baseball Products (6/7 DI + D2, JC)
3B Alex Bregman (Astros; LSU)
CF George Stringer (Astros; UConn)
RF Josh Reddick (Astros; Middle Georgia St JC)
DH/C Evan Gattis (Astros; Texas–Permian Basin/D2)
C Austin Barnes (Dodgers; Arizona State)
… or Yasmani Grandal (Miami)
2B Logan Forsythe (Dodgers; Arkansas)
3B Justin Turner (Dodgers; CS Fullerton)
CF Chris Taylor (Dodgers; Virginia)

4 Direct-from-High School Products
C Brian McCann (Astros; high school in GA)
1B Cody Bellinger (Dodgers; HS in AZ)
SS Corey Seager (Dodgers; HS in NC)
OF/DH Joc Pederson (Dodgers; HS in CA)

6 Foreign Players (incl. Puerto Rico)
1B Yuli Gurriel (Astros; Cuba)
2B Jose Altuve (Astros; Venezuela)
SS Carlos Correa (Astros; Puerto Rico)
LF Marwin Gonzalez (Astros; Venezuela)
OF Yasiel Puig (Dodgers; Curacao)
OF/DH Kike Hernandez (Dodgers; Puerto Rico)

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Current Astros reliever Chris Devenski is one of three former Cal State Fullerton players associated with the 2017 World Series teams, along with Dodgers standout third baseman Justin Turner and Astros reserve infielder J.D. Davis (part of Houston’s lateseason 40-man roster).

• World Series Reserves –In addition to the 13 players referenced above, there are 15 other members of the World Series teams who are college baseball products. These 15 (mostly DI, plus a D3, NAIA & three JC players) are primarily bullpen pitchers, plus a couple reserve position players:

2B Chase Utley (Dodgers; UCLA)
OF Andre Ethier (Dodgers; Arizona State)
OF Derek Fisher (Astros; Virginia)

RHP Chris Devenski (Astros; CS Fullerton)
RHP Will Harris (Astros; LSU)
RHP Collin McHugh (Astros; Berry (GA)/D3)
RHP Luke Gregerson (Astros; Saint Xavier (IL)/NAIA)
RHP Ken Giles (Astros; Yavapai (AZ) JC)
RHP Brad Peacock (Astros; Palm Beach (FL) St JC)

Former University of California pitching standout Brandon Morrow (a type-1 diabetes inspiration story) has been a workhorse out of the Dodgers bullpen and could become the second pitcher (first in 44 years) to pitch in all seven World Series games. Interestingly enough, the record-holder (Brandon Knowles; Oakland A’s 1973) crossed paths with Morrow a few years back, as Knowles was the Toronto Blue Jays rehab pitching coordinator when Morrow was in that organization/often-injured  from 2011-14.

LHP Tony Cingrani (Dodgers; Rice)
RHP Josh Fields (Dodgers; Georgia)
RHP Brandon Morrow (Dodgers; California)
RHP Ross Stripling (Dodgers; Texas A&M)
LHP Tony Watson (Dodgers; Nebraska)
RHP Brandon McCarthy (Dodgers; Lamar (TX) JC)
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• Extended Rosters (40-man & DL) – Finally, the Astros and Dodgers expanded late-season rosters (40-man, plus some 60-day DL players) include 20 more former college baseball players (16 of the 20 played on the DI level, with only one JC):

C Kyle Farmer* (Dodgers; Georgia)
IF Tim Locastro (Dodgers; Ithaca/D3)
IF Rob Segedin (Dodgers; Tulane)
OF Curtis Granderson* (Dodgers; Illinois-Chicago),
OF O’Koyea Dickson (Dodgers; Sonoma State/D2; 60-day DL)
OF Andrew Toles (Dodgers; Tennessee; 60-day DL)
* = played in earlier postseason rounds/25-man roster

IF J.D. Davis (Astros; CS Fullerton)
IF Tony Kemp (Astros; Vanderbilt)
IF Colin Moran (Astros; North Carolina)
IF A.J. Reed (Astros; Kentucky)
IF Tyler White (Astros; Western Carolina)
OF Preston Tucker (Astros; Florida)

Current Dodgers reserve outfielder Curtis Granderson, who played earlier in the 2017 postseason and has been a three-time all-star during his 14-year MLB career, played collegiately at the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC; pictured).

RHP Walker Buehler (Astros; Vanderbilt)
RHP Brock Stewart (Astros;  Illinois State)
LHP Grant Dayton (Astros; Auburn; 60-day DL)
LHP Adam Liberatore (Astros; Tenn. Tech; 60-day DL)

LHP Tony Sipp (Astros; Clemson)
RHP Mike Fiers (Astros; Nova Southeastern/D2)
RHP James Hoyt (Astros; Palomar JC)
RHP Brady Rodgers (Astros; Arizona State; 60-day DL)

Former University of Arkansas ace lefthander Dallas Kuechel has assumed the same role with the Houston Astros (while adding his distinctive beard), winning the 2015 AL Cy Young Award and helping lead Houston to the 2017 World Series.

> 2017 WORLD SERIES TEAMS <
(40-man rosters + 60-man DL; 91 players, Hou. 43/L.A. 48)
• 48 College Baseball Products (37 Division I; 3 D2; 2 D3;
1 NAIA; 5 JC)
• 25 outside mainland U.S.
(9–D.R., 5–Ven., 4–P.R.,
2–Cuba/Japan,
1–Curacao/Mexico/S.K.)
• 18 direct-from-high school
(7–CA, 2–AZ/FL/GA/NC/TX, 1–CT)
… The Astros full breakdown (from the above grouping) includes 23 former college players among the 43 total, plus 12 foreign-based players and only eight direct-from-high school (ratio of 2.9 college-to-HS).
… the Dodgers full 40-man + DL similarly includes 25 total former college players, 13 from outside the mainland U.S. and only 10 direct-from-HS (2.5 ratio).
•

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Many baseball managers are former catchers and that is the case with current Astros skipper A.J. Hinch, who was a starting catcher at Stanford (pictured) during his collegiate career.

• World Series Coaching Staffs – When looking at the Astros and Dodgers combined 16 primary coaches, exactly two-thirds of them (12) played college baseball back in their formative years, including both managers, all four of the pitching/hitting coaches and one of the bench coaches (see below).

Current Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt was a standout two-way players at the University of Tennessee (first base/pitcher), where he won a Southeastern Conference batting title (.404) before embarking on a 21-year Major League Baseball pitching career.

Seven of the eight primary members of the Astros coaching staff are former college baseball players, led by the manager Hinch (Stanford) and bench coach Cora (Miami), plus both pitching coach Brent Strom (USC) and hitting coach Dave Hudgens (Arizona State). Another USC baseball product, Rich Dauer, is the Astros first base coach, while Gary Pettis (Laney (CA) JC) mans the third-base coaching box for Houston. Bullpen coach Craig Bjornson (Nicholls State) rounds out the seven members of the Astros core coaching staff who are college baseball alums (six of the seven played DI).

The 2017 World Series coaching staffs include two current managers (Hinch & Roberts) who are former college baseball players, plus soon-to-be Red Sox manager Alex Cora, the current Astros bench coach and a former college player at the University of Miami.

Five of the Dodgers eight primary coaches are college baseball products, most notably the manager Roberts (UCLA), pitching coach Rick Honeycutt (Tennessee) and hitting coach Turner Ward (South Alabama) – along with bullpen coach Josh Bard (Texas Tech) and third base coach Chris Woodward (Mt. San Antonio JC, in Walnut, CA).

Both of the Dodgers bullpen catchers – Rob Flippo (Univ. of the Pacific) and Steve Cilladi (Kansas Wesleyan) – played college baseball, as did one of the Astros bullpen catchers (Carlos Munoz/Alvin JC).

________________________

Photos of additional 2017 World Series players/coaches who are college baseball products included below:

Dodgers LHP Alex Wood (Univ. of Georgia)

Dodger catcher Austin Barnes (Arizona St.).

Astros outfielder Derek Fisher (University of Virginia)

Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley (UCLA)

Astros RHP Will Harris (LSU)

Dodgers veteran outfielder Andre Ethier (Arizona State)

Dodgers LHP Tony Watson (Univ. of  Nebraska)

Dodgers RHP Ross Stripling (Texas A&M)

Dodgers RHP Josh Fields (Univ. of Georgia)

Dodgers LHP Tony Cingrani (Rice)

Astros pitching coach Brent Strom (USC; University of Southern California)

Dodgers hitting coach Turner Ward (University of South Alabama)

Astros first base coach Rich Dauer (USC; University of Southern California)

Dodgers bullpen coach Josh Bard (Texas Tech catcher)