By: Aaron Kirby
College Baseball Daily for the second straight season will be putting out a weekly Mid-Major Poll throughout the season. Leading the pack this year is the Stetson Hatters. The “mid-major” rankings consist of teams out side of the “Big 6” conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big West, CUSA, Pac 10 and SEC.
Stetson returns the majority of a club which went (43-20) and won the A-Sun regular season by 4 games and went 2-2 in the Columbia Regional beating NC State twice. The Haters return their top 12 pitchers and 42 of 43 wins including A-Sun pitcher of year RHP Kurt Schluter (8-0, 1.40). At the plate they return 6 of top 7 hitters from 2011 including first team A-Sun SS Mark Jones (.333, 79 H, 12 2B, 17-19 SB).
Remaining top 10 including top players…
TCU comes in at #2 after a (43-19) 2011 and is led by All American catcher Josh Elander (.333, 11 2B, 5 HR, 38 RBI) and sophomore RHP Andrew Mitchell (6-1, 2.84, 76.0,10 GS, 2 SV)………..#3 St Johns (36-22 in 2011) had an up and down 2011 season but returns 6 starting position players and all 4 starting pitchers including 2 legit All-American candidates in JR OF Jeremy Balz (.311, 12 2B, 6 HR, 60 RBI) and JR RHP Kyle Hansen(8-7, 3.09, 107.2, 106 K)……….#4 Texas St (41-23) lost All American RHP Carson Smith but returns two other weekend starters and 6 position starters including 1B Casey Kalenkosky (.327 AVG,21 HR,17 2B,69 RBI)……….#5 Louisville (32-29) struggled to score runs in 2011 and will need to do so in 2012 if wants to return to postseason but certainly has the talent. The Cardinals return one of top starters in country in JR RHP Justin Amlung (10-2, 2.31, 105.0, 80 K, .206 avg, 15 GS)…………#6 Georgia Southern (36-26) returns 2 of the most talented kids in country in JR OF Victor Roache (.326, 30 HR, 84 RBI) and JR RHP Chris Beck (9-5. 3.23, 103.0, 109 K 19 GS) both could be taken in 1st round to go along with SR SS Eric Philips ( .390, 98 H, 14 2B, 39 RBI, 26 SB)………..#7 Troy (43-19) also have 2 studs in SR 3B Tyler Hannah (.370, 87 H, 27 2B, 7 HR, 53 RBI) and SR RHP Tyler Ray (12-0, 2.39, 116.2 IP, 3 CG, 16 GS)………..#8 Dallas Baptist (42-20) won the Ft Worth Regional last year before losing to Cal in Super Regional and returns all american candidate SR OF Landon Anderson (.356, 89 H,7 HR,58 RBI)……….#9 Jacksonville (37-24) received and at-large bid last year and returns one of the most talented kids in country in JR 1B Adam Brett Walker (.409 ba, 13 HR, 75 RBI) and SR RHP Steven Eagerton (9-0,4.09,83.2 IP,14 GS)………#10 Kent St (45-17) made it to the Austin Regional finals unbeaten before getting beat by Texas 2 games and returns another very solid team to make another run. SR LHP David Starn ( 9-3, 2.18, 107.1, 117 K, 16 GS) and SR C David Lyon (.315,75 H,7 3B,9 HR,53 RBI).
Breakdown by conference:
A-Sun-3
Big East-3
Missouri Valley-3
Southern-3
Big 10-2
Sun Belt-2
Atlantic 10-1
America East-1
Big South-1
Colonial-1
Mid American-1
Mountain West-1
Southland-1
WAC-1
Independent-1
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-
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#1
Stetson (43-20)
2011 Postseason 2-2 Columbia Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost
8
3
Jones .333, 12 2B, 5 HR, 37 RBI, 17 SB
Crews .332, 12 2B, 4 HR, 39 RBI, 10 SB
Carhart .323, 81 H, 10 2B, 7 HR, 63 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
5
0
Schluter(RHP) 8-0, 1.40, 57.2, 10 GS
Boyd (RHP) 9-1, 2.93, 61.1, 63 K, 6 SV
Dorsey(RHP) 7-6, 4.52, 83.2, 15 GS
#2
Texas Christian (43-19)
2011 Postseason 1-2 Ft Worth Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost
5
4
Elander(C)-.333, 11 2B, 5 HR, 38 RBI
Jantzen(INF)-.331, 21 2B, 4 HR, 45 RBI
Coats(OF)-.325,16 2B, 8 HR,56 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
1
4
Mitchell(RHP)-6-1, 2.84, 76.0,10 GS, 2 SV
Crichton(RHP)-6-3, 1.98, 50.0 IP,2 GS, 5 SV
Frey(RHP)-1-0,3.45,28.2 IP, 4 GS
#3
St. John’s (36-22)
2011 Postseason 1-2 Charlotsville Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost
6
3
Baltz(OF) .311, 12 2B, 6 HR, 60 RBI,
Brennan(OF) .282, 3 HR, 21 RBI
Wessinger(2B) .273, 15 2B, 6 HR, 42 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
4
0
Hansen(RHP) 8-7, 3.09, 107.2, 106 K
Hagan(LHP) 7-2, 4.05, 66.2, 56 K, 8 GS
Lobban(LHP) 6-2, 4.22, 85.1, 16 GS
#4
Texas St. (41-23)
2011 Postseason 1-2 Austin Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost
6
2
Kalenkosky,.327 AVG,21 HR,17 2B,69 RBI
Sibly.340 AVG, 6 HR, 12 2B,37 RBI,20 SB
McVaney.319,76 H, 11 2B,10 HR, 47 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
2
1
Turner,LHP-9-2, 4.33 ERA,87.1 IP,72 SO
Pitts, Mitchell(RHP) 6-3, 3.66, 105.2, 16 GS
McVaney, Jeff(LHP) 1-3, 2.08, 26.0, 9 SV
#5
Louisville (32-29)
Position Starters Returning/Lost
3
3
Ijames .247, 8 2B, 11 HR, 45 RBI
Seiz .234, 8 2B, 2 HR, 16 RBI
Chittenden .233, 3 2B, 1 3B, 16 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
2
1
Amlung(RHP) 10-2, 2.31, 105.0, 15 GS
D. Self 3-3(RHP), 2.26, 75.2, 1 SV, 6 GS
M Koch(RHP) 5-5, 3.48, 67.1, 11 GS
#6
Georgia Southern (36-26)
2011 Postseason 0-2 Columbia Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost
7
2
V. Roache(OF) .326, 10 2B, 30 HR, 84 RBI
Phillips(SS) .390, 98 H, 14 2B, 39 RBI, 26 SB
Burruss .300, 82 H, 11 2B, 5 3B, 46 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
2
1
Beck(RHP) 9-5. 3.23, 103.0, 109 K 19 GS
Adams(RHP) 9-6, 4.79, 71.1, 13 GS
Middour 3-1, 5.09, 40.2, 5 GS, 2 SV
#7
Troy (43-19)
2011 Postseason 1-2 Nashville Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost
8
5
Hannah .370, 87 H, 27 2B, 7 HR, 53 RBI
Pierce .235, 13 2B, 4 HR, 43 RBI
Martz .234, 7 HR, 40 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
3
0
T. Ray(RHP) 12-0, 2.39, 116.2, 16 GS
Hodgskin(LHP) 3-7, 4.68, 77.0, 16 GS
Sorce(LHP) 5-5, 5.57, 63.0, 12 GS
#8
Dallas Baptist (42-20)
2011 Postseason 3-1 Ft Worth Regional 0-2 @ Cal SR
Position Starters Returning/Lost
6
3
Anderson(OF).356,89 H,7 HR,58 RBI
Behmanesh(UTL).318,18 2B,4 HR,51 RBI
Hutter(INF).303, 70 H,15 2B,9 HR,50 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
1
2
Will Lane(RHP)3-1,4.58,37.1, 6 GS
Aaron Gilbreath(LHP)1-1, 4.60, 31.1, 6 GS
Jordan Staples(RHP).6-2, 5.27, 54.2, 10 GS
#9
Jacksonville (37-24)
2011 Postseason 1-2 Gainsville Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost
6
4
Walker (IF/Jr.).409 ba, 13 HR, 75 RBI
Gulbransen (OF/Jr.).370 ba,18 2B,52 RBI
Lehane .318, 11 2B, 8 HR, 43 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
2
1
Eagerton(RHP/Sr.)9-0,4.09,83.2 IP,14 GS
Mollica(LHP)3-4, 3.96 ERA,63.2 IP,14 GS
Anderson(RHP/Sr.)4-2,3.91 ERA,11 SV
#10
Kent State (45-17)
2011 Postseason 2-2 Austin Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost
8
2
Lyon(C).315,75 H,7 3B,9 HR,53 RBI
Campbell(INF).302,74 H,11 2B,1 HR, 39 RBI
Rider (INF).281,75 H, 16 2B, 1 HR,46 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
2
2
Starn (LHP) 9-3, 2.18, 107.1, 16 GS
Mace, Ryan (RHP)5-3, 2.67, 64.0, 10 GS
Slavik, Dan (RHP)2-1, 3.80, 23.2, 3 GS
#11
College of Charleston (39-22)
Position Starters Returning/Lost
3
6
Aldrich-.347,17 2B, 22 HR,73 RBI
Gantt-.329, 15 2B, 3 3B,7 HR,44 RBI
Harding .289, 7 2B, 15 RBI,
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
5
0
Powell-8-1,3.09 ERA,81.2 IP,12 GS, 63 K
Renfro-9-3,3.66 ERA,96.0 IP, 77 K,15 GS
Peterson-5-6,4.52 ERA,87.2 IP,56 K,15 GS
#12
Charlotte (43-16)
2011 Postseason 1-2 Tempe Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost
5
4
GR(C)R. Steedley.342, 9 2B, 2 HR,31 RBI
Jr.(3B)Basen .298, 17 2B, 35 RBI, 15 SB
RSr. SP Joe Yermal 6-3, 3.06 ERA, 61.2 IP
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
4
1
Sr. (SP)Smith 10-4,1.81,109.1 IP,92 K
So. (SP)Barnette 9-2, 2.29 ERA, 90.1 IP
Jr.(SP)C. Roberts 7-3, 3.23, 78.0 IP, 71 K
#13
Samford (37-23)
Position Starters Returning/Lost
7
3
Ervin (OF).371,79 H,15 2B, 4 HR, 41 RBI
Butler(1B).355, 81 H, 26 2B, 9 HR, 61 RBI
Brandon Miller (C).270, 16 HR, 43 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
3
1
Basford (RHP)7-4, 2.45, 88.0, 15 GS
Kyle Putkonen(RHP)7-2, 3.25, 80.1, 13 GS
Rutledge (LHP) 5-6, 3.71, 63.0, 79 K, 12 GS
#14
Florida International (40-20-1)
2011 Postseason 0-2 Chapel Hill Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost
5
4
Bermudez .373, 87 H,16 2B,5 HR, 37 RBI
Martinez .294, 16 2B, 15 HR, 60 RBI
Flores .291, 21 2B, 8 HR, 52 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
2
2
Fondon 6-6, 3.05, 97.1, 16 GS
Fitzpatrick 7-2, 2.83, 60.1, 9 GS
McVay 1-1, 3.56, 30.1, 27 APP
#15
Mizzo St (33-23)
Position Starters Returning/Lost
8
1
(1B)Brock Chaffin.344,13 2B, 6 HR, 37 RBI
(C)Luke Voit.286, 13 2B, 6 HR, 35 RBI
(3B)Brent Seifert.289,16 2B, 9 HR, 43 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
2
2
(RHP)Petree 9-2, 2.81, 96.0, 81 K, 11 GS
(RHP) Johnson 6-5, 4.76, 75.2, 72 K, 10 GS
(RHP)Gordon 4-2, 4.66, 56.0, 74 K, 7 SV
#16
Connecticut (45-20-1)
2011 Postseason 3-1 Clemson Regional 0-2 @ SC SR
Position Starters Returning/Lost
4
5
JR-Mazzilli(2B).338,93 H,23 2B,3 HR,32 RBI
SR-Fuller (1B).316,77 H,27 2B,6 HR,58 RBI
SR-Martin(3B) .298, 4 HR, 29 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
1
4
(RHP)-Oberg Jr.5-2, 1.94, 46.1*2010
(RHP)-Fischer Sr.2-1,2.20,2 SV,49.0 IP
(LHP)-Brian Ward So.6-1,3.28, 60.1 IP
#17
Stony Brook (42-12)
Position Starters Returning/Lost
6
3
Carmona(INF).357,27 2B,6 HR,40 RBI
Jankowski(OF).355, 2 HR,38 RBI,30-34 SB
Nivins(OF).313, 14 2B, 2 HR, 35 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
3
1
Johnson(RHP) 9-3, 2.30, 78.1, 13 GS
McNitt(RHP) 7-3, 2.03, 79.2, 3 SV, 10 GS
Stecko-Haley(RHP) 3-0,1.95, 32.1, 5 GS
#18
Coastal Carolina (42-20)
2011 Postseason 1-2 Clemson Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost
5
5
Witten(1B).300,70 H,18 2B,6 HR,51 RBI
Bowman .277, 67 H, 14 2B,12 HR, 59 RBI
Frawley .234, 30 H, 5 2B, 1 HR, 15 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
1
3
Conway(RHP) 8-2, 2.69, 77.0, 12 GS
Connolly(RHP) 0-1, 2.79, 42.0, 3 SV
Burke, Aaron(RHP) 0-2, 3.15, 34.1 IP
#19
Fresno State (40-16)
2011 Postseason 0-2 Los Angeles Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost
4
5
Judge(OF).358,2 HR,12-2B,30-RBI,11-SB
Wynns(C) .326,2-HR,9-2B,21-RBI
Hutcheson(OF) .314,1-HR,8-2B,17-RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
1
4
Harlan(LHP)5-3, 3.84,63.1 IP, 45 K,12 GS
Linehan(LHP) 5-2, 4.27, 46.1 IP, 42 K, 8 GS
Garrison(RHP) 2-2, 1.32, 34.0 IP, 42 K, 3 SV
#20
Michigan St (36-21)
Position Starters Returning/Lost
7
2
Boss(3B).370 AVG, 17 2B, 7 HR, 59 RBI
Jones(2B).344 AVG, 62 R,81 H,18 2B,29 RBI
Jared Hook(DH).341 AVG, 7 2B, 30 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
4
1
Bucciferro(RHP)8-3, 3.38 ERA, 101.1 IP
Wieber(RHP)5-0, 8 SV, 3.64 ERA, 42.0 IP
Garner(RHP)5-4, 1 SV, 4.62 ERA, 60.1 IP
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#21
Creighton (45-16)
2011 Postseason 1-2 Corvallis Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost
7
2
Staehely(INF).285,23 2B,3 HR,36 RBI
Gerber, Mike(OF).280, 7 HR, 23 RBI
Thornburg, Scott(C) .274,13 2B, 16 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
1
2
Blach(LHP)10-3,2.65,102.0,100 K,18 GS
Spomer, Kurt(RHP)3-4, 2.22, 48.2, 13 SV
McGraw, Reese(RHP)6-1, 3.00, 42.0, 5 SV
#22
UNCW (31-28)
Position Starters Returning/Lost
6
2
Pope(OF).396,80 H,13 2B, 5 HR,46 RBI
Ridge(IF).354,84 H,17 2B,9 HR,60 RBI
Campbell(IF).337,86 H,15 2B,6 HR,26 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
3
2
McSwain (RHP) 5-5,4.97,87.0,14 GS
Tart, Blaze(RHP) 2-0,3.24,33.1, 5 SV
Bradley, Travis(RHP) 2-5, 3.96,50.0, 8 GS
#23
Wichita St. (39-26)
Position Starters Returning/Lost
6
3
Coy .274, 17 2B, 7 HR, 59 RBI
Lambert .259, 12 2B, 5 3B, 30 RBI, 20 SB
K. Hall .254, 13 2B, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 24 SB
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
1
3
Josh Smith 7-4, 3.00, 78.0, 15 GS
Cale Elam 4-1, 1.23, 44.0, 5 SV
McGreevy 0-1, 2.13, 50.2, 2 GS, 3 SV
#24
Belmont (38-26)
2011 Postseason 2-2 Nashville Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost
5
4
BRODY(INF).315,20 2B,7 HR,38 RBI
CRAIG, Dylan(OF).311,1 HR,35 RBI
AKERS, Judah(OF).296,7 HR,31 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
3
1
HAMANN(RHP) 9-2, 2.81, 86.1, 9 GS
BROOKSHIRE(LHP) 6-4, 3.33,102.2 IP,15GS
BUCKELEW(LHP) 2-7, 5.40, 68.1 IP, 12 GS
#25
Purdue (37-20)
Position Starters Returning/Lost
8
1
Eric Charles(2B).351,79 H, 3 HR, 39 RBI
Cameron Perkins(3B).349, 81 H,8 HR, 53
Kevin Plawecki(C).341, 72 H, 2 HR, 39 RBI
Starting Pitchers Returning/Lost
3
1
Joe Haase(RHP) 6-4,3.39, 82.1, 13 GS
Calvin Gunter(LHP) 5-3, 6.75, 45.1, 8 GS
Robert Ramer(RHP) 5-0, 4.91, 40.1, 6 GS
Other teams under consideration: James Madison (42-19) San Jose St (35-26) Maine (33-24) S.E. Louisiana (35-22) San Diego (22-31) Gonzaga (32-19) Oral Roberts (39-22) San Francisco (32-25) Hawaii (34-25) Nebraska (30-25) Cal. St. Bakersfield (33-22) Elon (36-21) Illinois (30-27) Illinois St (36-18) Seton Hall (34-25) Western Kentucky (33-24) Florida Atlantic (32-25) Texas A&M CC (37-24) Louisiana-Lafayette (31-27) Marist (35-17) Liberty (35-24) -
| “Mid-Major” 2012 Preseason All-American Teams | |||||||||||||||
| First Team | |||||||||||||||
| POS | PLAYER | SCHOOL | CL | W | L | ERA | G | GS | CG | SV | IP | H | BB | ||
| RHP | Tyler Ray | Troy | JR | 12 | 0 | 2.39 | 16 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 116 | 103 | 16 | ||
| LHP | David Starn | Kent St | JR | 9 | 3 | 2.18 | 17 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 107 | 91 | 24 | ||
| RHP | Justin Amlung | Louisville | JR | 10 | 2 | 2.31 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 105 | 78 | 27 | ||
| RHP | Andrew Smith | Charlotte | SR | 10 | 4 | 1.81 | 16 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 109 | 83 | 26 | ||
| RP | Michael Schum | Wright St | SR | 9 | 2 | 1.37 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 52 | 42 | 6 | ||
| POS | PLAYER | SCHOOL | CL | AVE | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | ||
| C | Josh Elander | TCU | JR | 0.333 | 171 | 38 | 57 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 38 | 28 | 36 | ||
| 1B | Adam Brett Walker | Jacksonville | JR | 0.409 | 242 | 65 | 99 | 23 | 2 | 13 | 75 | 35 | 63 | ||
| 2B | Ross Heffley | Western Carolina | SR | 0.419 | 229 | 52 | 96 | 18 | 2 | 11 | 65 | 30 | 22 | ||
| 3B | Tyler Hannah | Troy | SR | 0.370 | 235 | 62 | 87 | 27 | 2 | 7 | 53 | 38 | 27 | ||
| SS | Bo Cuthbertson | Southern Utah | SR | 0.432 | 192 | 51 | 83 | 20 | 7 | 5 | 47 | 27 | 33 | ||
| OF | Victor Roache | Georgia Southern | JR | 0.326 | 230 | 58 | 75 | 10 | 2 | 30 | 84 | 37 | 42 | ||
| OF | Daniel Aldrich | CofC | SO | 0.347 | 222 | 43 | 77 | 17 | 2 | 22 | 73 | 18 | 59 | ||
| OF | Thomas Pope | UNCW | SR | 0.396 | 202 | 48 | 80 | 13 | 2 | 5 | 46 | 32 | 29 | ||
| DH | Brad Zebedis | Presbyterian | SO | 0.425 | 212 | 47 | 90 | 23 | 0 | 13 | 57 | 16 | 22 | ||
| Second Team | |||||||||||||||
| POS | PLAYER | SCHOOL | CL | W | L | ERA | G | GS | CG | SV | IP | H | BB | ||
| RHP | Ty Blach | Creighton | JR | 10 | 3 | 2.65 | 19 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 102 | 94 | 29 | ||
| LHP | Marco Gonzalez | Gonzaga | SO | 11 | 2 | 2.57 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 105 | 83 | 21 | ||
| RHP | Chris Beck | Georgia Southern | JR | 9 | 5 | 3.23 | 20 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 103 | 79 | 40 | ||
| RHP | Kurt Schluter | Stetson | JR | 8 | 0 | 1.40 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 48 | 18 | ||
| RP | Todd Hornsby | Jacksonville St. | JR | 5 | 4 | 2.01 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 58 | 49 | 24 | ||
| POS | PLAYER | SCHOOL | CL | AVE | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | ||
| C | Ronnie Freeman | Kennesaw St | JR | 0.392 | 217 | 49 | 85 | 20 | 0 | 10 | 51 | 37 | 31 | ||
| 1B | Jake Hibberd | Wright St. | SR | 0.407 | 236 | 42 | 96 | 21 | 0 | 9 | 56 | 14 | 25 | ||
| 2B | LJ Mazzilli | UCONN | JR | 0.338 | 275 | 48 | 93 | 23 | 5 | 3 | 32 | 21 | 28 | ||
| 3B | Kris Bryant | San Diego | SO | 0.365 | 197 | 57 | 72 | 17 | 1 | 9 | 36 | 33 | 55 | ||
| SS | Eric Phillips | Georgia Southern | SR | 0.390 | 251 | 62 | 98 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 39 | 28 | 20 | ||
| OF | Landon Anderson | Dallas Baptist | SR | 0.356 | 250 | 72 | 89 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 58 | 22 | 23 | ||
| OF | Jeremy Baltz | St Johns | JR | 0.311 | 209 | 42 | 65 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 60 | 42 | 47 | ||
| OF | Pablo Bermudez | FIU | SR | 0.373 | 233 | 63 | 87 | 16 | 2 | 5 | 37 | 51 | 49 | ||
| DH | Trenton Moses | S.E. Missouri St. | SR | 0.395 | 177 | 44 | 70 | 14 | 1 | 11 | 53 | 28 | 22 | ||
21 comments
Aaron:
Looking forward to your mid major coverage this year, this is a nice addition to CBD.
Thanks UVA. Brian probably sick of me sending him 98 copies a day. LOL
Speaking of Virgina, what do you know of kid name Bradley Strong from Richlands HS? Ive been hearing really good things about this kid for last couple years and he will probably start year at 3rd or somewhere in lineup. Not your typical 3rd baseman 5′-8″ 165 but looking forward to seeing him play.
I would expect Strong to be a very good “top of order guy” with plus speed and excellent home to first times from the left side. He swings to contact well with a very compact swing and should have a high OBP if he can stay selective at the plate and get deep into counts. On defense, he is does not have your typical left side arm yet but has a good glove, he should do well at third this year, but will need some time to adjust, with an anticipated move to 2B after this year. Has CF speed but will probably stay in the IF due to an overall lack of quality IFs everywhere.
since when did the big 10 become a mid major?
The “mid-major” rankings consist of teams out side of the “Big 6″ conferences: ACC, Big 12, Big West, CUSA, Pac 10 and SEC
Good question but WI has no baseball program and no legitimate contender in Omaha comes from the Big Ten. Nobody really thinks of the Big Ten as fielding quality baseball teams.
Excellent response and pretty much my response too…
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“Nobody really thinks of the Big Ten as fielding quality baseball teams.” No quality teams? Really? Outside of the “Big Six”, the B10, Big East and Sun Belt have fielded the most Super Regional participants. I agree the Big 10 is not a “major”, but to say they don’t field quality teams is nonsense.
Has everyone forgotten it’s now the Pac-12??
It is just habit to call it the Pac-10!
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The SoCon goes through Elon. Ga Southern & Charleston have star power, but don’t be surprised if comes down to Elon and Samford this year.
Watch out for the Catcher at Western Carolina…he sneaked away in Summer up to Alaskan League and won the Home Run Derby Contest…write this name down…Adam Martin…6’3″ 225lb frame like a stone wall, gun of an arm, and Power not matched by many. Nice little secret Moranda has in Cullawee for those unsuspecting teams coming in….
Where do you see Kennesaw State at this year as far as contending for the Atlantic Sun?
Kennesaw should be pretty good this year and so should the A-Sun. They did not lose very much at all from last year and had a nice recruiting class. Could have one of top catching tandoms in country with Freeman and Pentacost kid drafted in 7th round last year. The only really big loss you could say was Blough who was in the wkend rotation. Kennesaw and Belmont should be battling for 3rd place behind Stetson and Jacksonville.
Rob’s got another talented squad at Oral Roberts– maybe his best all around. I’m bias, since I played for him and Sunny, but just can’t bet against him.
Oral Roberts was one of the last cuts to not make top 25. They were like a number of teams this year. They lost alot of offense but return very good pitching. Doing the preseason part is very hard and there will be alot of movement in the first 3-4 weeks before it settles down and see just how good teams really are.
Don’t sleep on the MN Gophers. Starting staff is very good. Oakes and Windle can deal and Lubinsky is very solid. Middle relief will be the key to how far Coach Anderson can take this year’s club. Very favorable “SEC like” schedule. 39 home games!
Liberty really should have made this list. They had a great season last year with a lot of young talent. they won 12-0 against Richmond yesterday, 8-0 against Towson this morning and they are up 7-1 against Towson right now. I think the Big South will surprise a lot of people this year.
Liberty is on the bubble sheet with about 20 other teams. I try to keep track of around 50 teams each week. Right now they probably around 35 or so. Heck Florida Atlantic is on the bubble sheet and they have won first 2 games at Alabama.
The first few weeks are very hard to tell who is legit and who is just beating up on cupcakes. But will take them little longer to get in beating Richmond and Towson. I know Liberty is good club just have other guys in front of them right now. Coastal lost 2 of 3 this weekend and this might be good year for Liberty to step up in Big South. Elon is also on there and they beating up on Akron and George Mason. I get alot of crap for not giving Elon enough credit but they havent passed my eye test since 2009 but they continue to win so?
So far teams on the bubble that have had good wins. FAU 2 at Alabama, San Fransico at San Jose St, San Diego at Sam Houston St, and Hawaii vs Oregon.
If Belmont loses to St Louis tomorrow they will be out.
Liberty just hit 2 out triple with bases loaded in top 9th to score all 3 and take 10-9 lead on Citadel. Now its 11-9 btm 9th and Liberty scored 7 runs in top 9th
Any help you may need with the A-10, Big East or Ivy let me know. I cover LaSalle, Temple, Villanova, St. Joseph’s and Penn with my work at the Philadelphia Baseball Review.
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