The Dedeaux Download podcast, part of the Peristyle Podcast family of shows, is back with Shotgun Spratling and Jack Smith returning with another episode in our four-part season preview, leading up to the start of the 2025 USC baseball season.

In part two of the season preview series, Prep Baseball vice president of scouting Shooter Hunt joins the show to break down USC's freshman class and what kind of impact the first-year Trojans could have this season. He also discusses the reputation of the USC coaching staff on the recruiting trail and why the Trojans have struggled to consistently lock up big-name talent over the last 15-20 years under previous coaching regimes. Hunt also talks about the impact NIL is having on the college baseball game and the potential impact other changes that could be coming to the sport could have.

After a break, USC senior right-handed pitcher Caden Aoki then joins the Dedeaux Download to chat about the mentality the team has this season after falling just short of making the NCAA tournament each of the last two years. Aoki also discusses his role as a veteran and leader on the team this year and where he's seen the team make strides this offseason. He gives his picks for freshmen pitchers to watch out for and which returners he's seen make the biggest jumps from last year to now.

Aoki also discusses the move to the Big Ten Conference and the extra travel the team will have to face this season and gives his impressions of new pitching coach Sean Allen.

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