RIVERSIDE – Troy Percival found himself in unfamiliar territory last year. After decades competing at the highest level of baseball, Percival became a student.

The first-year UC Riverside head coach, who always had a no-nonsense approach once he stepped between the lines at the major league level, had to learn the college game. He had to learn patience when he took over a program essentially in rebuilding mode. It took time to find out what worked and what didn’t in the always-competitive Big West Conference.

The end result was a program-worst 4-20 conference record and last-place finish. Injuries and a young, inexperienced lineup played a key role in the team’s performance, but Percival and his staff had their sights set on a quick turnaround.

As the Highlanders get set to open the 2016 season on Friday, Percival said that turnaround is complete.

“This program’s expected to win right now,” he said recently as the team prepared for an afternoon practice. “There’s no rebuilding anymore. Last year I didn’t even consider it rebuilding for me. It was a learning year. I had to learn a lot about college baseball. I had to watch the other teams and see what type of players they had on the field and how could I combat that? How can I get the right type of players to beat what the other schools are throwing at us?

“In my opinion, we had to be bigger and more physical and play smart.”

Meet the 2016 team. There are 17 new players, including a host of junior college transfers expected to contribute right away. Players who missed last season because of injury are back. Bigger and more physical? Check.

“UCR baseball used to have the guys that could walk up to the dish and hit a three-run bomb and win ballgames for you,” said second baseman Drake Zarate, who missed most of last season because of injury. “There were guys at the back of the bullpen that could throw 94-95.

“Now I feel this is the year that we’re getting back to UC Riverside baseball. The physicality. We have guys that can come to the dish and hammer in runs for us. We’re going to have a back of the bullpen that’s throwing 90-plus every day. We’re going to have a physical ball club.”

Percival said the focus during recruiting was finding not only big and physically gifted players, but also the type who fit his style.

“These are guys I put my eyes on,” Percival said. “I talked to them. They have the right mentality for what we’re doing … That’s what I wanted.”

Only outfielder Vince Fernandez returns as an everyday starter. He led the team last year with seven home runs and 34 RBI and also hit .316. Thomas Walker was an all-conference player in 2014 before missing last season because of a shoulder injury. The Highlanders also picked up left-hander Austin Sodders, who was highly sought after at RCC and drafted by the Pirates.

“You’d like to look at (this year) as a clean slate because we have so many new faces,” Walker said. “For me as someone who sat through last season and watched it, it hurt …

“We made a decision to leave the past in the past and look forward to the future that we have.”

Percival said he’s more relaxed this season and confident in the foundation of the program.

“I didn’t feel like last year’s team was my team,” he said. “This is my team. If we don’t win, this one’s on me … We’ve rebuilt. This is where we’re at. I can’t imagine I could have gone out and put together a more competitive team in one year.”

Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the team.

Pitching: The Highlanders finished last in the Big West with a 5.59 ERA and first in walks and last in strikeouts. Lefty Austin Sodders might have been the biggest signee this offseason. He finished 7-1, with a 2.03 ERA for RCC. Angel Landazuri was the team’s No. 1 last season before becoming ineligible and has proved he can go deep into games. Richard Delgado (6-3, 215), out of Delta College, is a sinkerball pitcher who could be a weekend starter. Alex Fagalde (6-3, 220) out of Cuesta College, can start or fill any bullpen role, Percival said. Jacob Worrell (6-4, 225) comes off Tommy John surgery but could add another power arm to the rotation by conference play. The bullpen is expected to have more depth than a year ago. Keaton Leach is a reliever who was pushed into a starting role at times last season and freshman Jason Montville adds a lefty into the mix. Matthew Ellis and Ryan Lillie are both converted catchers who will close.

Catcher: Drake Zarate was injured most of last season and moves to second base this year. Casey Worden, a UCLA bounceback who played at Saddleback College, takes over behind the plate after a productive fall.

First base: Thomas Walker, an all-conference player in 2014, missed last season with a shoulder injury, but is back and will see time at first base, designated hitter and left field. Aaron Cisneros, a power hitter out of San Bernardino Valley, will split time at first.

Second base: Zarate played the position early on at Norco High. He and Thomas both practiced this summer while getting healthy.

Shortstop: Colby Shultz, out of Saddleback, hit .315 last year and could strengthen the defense up the middle.

Third base: Michael Farris, a transfer from Golden West before last season, missed 2015 but could be another key defensive piece.

Outfield: Vince Fernandez was one of the lone bright spots last season and will start in center and hit third. Walker will see time in left, as will Mark Contreras. Sophomores A.J. Sawyer, Austin Colvin and freshman Matt Hardy will also play.

Freshmen to watch: Cameron Haskell out of Temecula Chaparral is a left-handed hitter who can play all four infield positions. Yeager Taylor is an infielder out of Hemet High.

Contact the writer: asteele@pe.com