2015 Sun Belt Conference Coaches Preseason Poll:
- Louisiana-Lafayette (8)
- Texas State (1)
- Arkansas State
- Texas-Arlington
- Troy
- Georgia Southern
- South Alabama
- Georgia State
- Louisiana-Monroe
- Arkansas-Little Rock
- Appalachian State
UL Lafayette were pegged as the Sun Belt Conference favorite to win the 2015 title, the league office announced in a vote of the conferences 11 head coaches. Junior shortstop, Blake Trahan was selected by the coaches as the 2015 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Player of the Year.
Trahan returns to the Rajin’ Cajun lineup after a year in which he batted .355 with 12 doubles, two triples, four homers, 49 RBIs and 58 runs scored. The 2014 All-Sun Belt first teaser recorded a .455 on-base percentage and swiped 15 bags in route to a ABCA First-Team All-American selection as well as second team All-American honors from Baseball America and Perfect Game.
Texas State were selected to finish second in the conference as they received one first place vote from the Sun Belt coaches. Texas State finished last season fourth with a 16-14 Sun Belt mark and a 30-28 record overall.
The Bobcats were led by pitcher Lucas Humpal who finished with a 2.88 ERA in conference play and with 82 strikeouts in 88.2 innings pitched. Humpal has been selected by the conferences coaches as the 2015 Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Along with Humpal, utility player Cory Geisler is a 2015 preseason All-Conference selection as well.
Arkansas State were selected as the third place team in the Sun Belt Conference following a third place finish in 2014. Arkansas State went 18-12 in conference play and recorded an overall record of 32-27. Leading the 2015 Arkansas State Red Wolves are two promising juniors, (Pitcher) David Owen and (First Base) Matt Burgess. Owen went 5-6 with a 4.19 ERA in 2014 while Burgess batted .313 with 4 home runs and 58 RBIs. Both players have been selected to the 2015 Preseason Sun Belt All-Conference Team.
UT Arlington, who finished second in the league in 2014 is tabbed to finish fourth in the conference in 2015. UT Arlington returns 15 letter winners including five of nine position starters from a team that went 19-11 in league play and 33-26 overall in 2014. Leading UT Arlington is 2015 Preseason Sun Belt All-Conference Team selection, Darren McLemore. Last season McLemore batted .301 with 50 hits, 8 doubles, 4 home runs, 31 RBIs and 33 runs scored.
The Troy Trojans were selected to finish fifth overall in the 2015 Sun Belt Conference. Troy posted a 25-32 overall record and an 11-18 mark in conference play which was good for a sixth place finish. Looking to improve that record is last year’s Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and 2015’s preseason All-Conference Team selection, Mark Skinner. Skinner led all Sun Belt relievers with a 1.65 ERA, six wins and five saves in 65 innings of work. Leading the Trojans offense will be preseason All-Conference selection, David Hall. Hall finished his 2014 campaign with a .344 average, 9 home runs and 48 RBIs.
Georgia Southern received two first- place votes from the conferences 11 coaches but ultimately were picked to finish sixth in their first season as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Eagles are led by senior Aaron Mizell (.309/13/53) who was chosen as a 2015 Preseason Sun Belt All-Conference outfielder.
South Alabama were picked to finish seventh this year in the Sun Belt Conference after a down year in 2014. The Jaguars ended the 2014 season with a 22-33 overall mark and an 11-18 record in league play. This year, senior right handed pitcher Kevin Hill and senior outfielder Cole Gleason were named to the preseason All-Conference team. Hill went 4-5 with a 4.70 ERA in which he recorded 93 strike outs while Gleason batted .333 with 68 hits, 12 doubles 3 home runs and 33 RBIs in 2014.
The Georgia State Panthers return for their sophomore season in the Sun Belt in which they are slated to finish eighth in the conference. The 2014 Panthers finished the season with a powerful offense in 2014 mostly in part to juniors Joey Roach (Catcher) and Matt Rose (Third Base). Roach batted .301 with 44 hits, 8 doubles, 3 home runs and 23 RBIs. Rose accounted for 11 home runs, 34 RBI and 12 doubles while batting a respectable .312. Both Roach and Rose were named to this year’s preseason All-Conference Team.
Louisiana-Monroe and new head coach Bruce Peddie look to improve an 11-19 Sun Belt Conference season in 2014. In 2015 UL Monroe were picked to finish ninth in the league. The top returnees for UL Monroe are Keelin Rasch (Third Base), Kodie Tidwell (Shortstop), and Justin Stawychny (Outfield). Rasch batted .289 last season, Tidwell hit .284 and Stawychny batted .297.
Arkansas-Little Rock is going to be led by infielder Tanner Rockwell, first baseman Justin Steelman and outfielder Petr Sila. Rockwell batted .321 with 44 RBIs, Sila batted .288 with 5 RBIs and Steelmon ended 2014 with a .242 batting average. Pitching will have to be dominant if ALR wants to contend in the Sun Belt Conference in 2015. The top pitchers for ALR are Cam Allen who went 5-6 with a 4.07 ERA and Dyllon Brownmiller who went 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA in 2014. Rockwell will also close out games for ALR. Last season he recorded 8 saves and posted a 1.59 ERA.
Appalachian State is entering their first season in the Sun Belt Conference in which they will bring an impressive array of offensive weapons. Leading the Appalachian State offense will be power hitter Dillion Dobson. Last season Dobson belted 11 homers and batted .299 with 39 RBIs. Dobson will surely be among the league leaders in home runs and among the leagues top prospects with his extremely athletic physic and overall ability. Michael Pierson is another offensive threat to opposing pitchers with his .343 average, 7 bombs and 33 RBIs in 2014. Other hitters to watch are Jaylin Davis (.280/4/35) and Matt Brill (.306/4/20). Doing the pitching will be Dallas Devrieze (1-4/4.76), Jeff Spring (2-5/5.06) and Sean Mason (1-2/6.84). Robert Whaley (3-1/1.98) is the go-to guy out of the pen and will see a lot of innings in 2015.
2015 College Baseball Daily Conference Preseason Poll:
- Louisiana-Lafayette
- Troy
- Georgia Southern
- Appalachian State
- Arkansas State
- South Alabama
- Texas State
- Texas-Arlington
- Georgia State
- Louisiana Monroe
- Arkansas-Little Rock
