Cincinnati (2018 Record: 28-28, 12-12)
Cincinnati was about as mediocre as you can be in 2018 with a .500 overall record and a .500 conference record. They were the sixth seed in the AAC Tournament where they went 0-2.
Returning Players
The Bearcats lose their top three hitters from last year’s team. First baseman Eric Santiago will try to hold the offense together after hitting .275 a season ago with 3 home runs in just 47 games. Outfielder AJ Bumpass hit .249 in 2018 with 29 runs scored, 6 home runs, and 27 RBI. DH Cole Murphy will need to step up as well after hitting just .197 last year with 9 home runs and 33 RBI.
Cincinnati also loses its top two starters from 2018 in JT Perez and Cam Alldred. Nathan Kroger will need to take a huge step forward after posting a 5.17 ERA in 62.2 innings (12 starts) last year with 41 strikeouts. Clayton Colvin could be the team’s closer after posting a 3.94 ERA in 29.2 innings pitched last year with 38 strikeouts and 2 saves.
Outlook for 2019
Cincinnati will need to fill some major holes both on offense and in the starting rotation this year. It could be a difficult start to the season until roles become defined.
UConn (2018 Record: 37-22-1, 14-10)
It was a very good year for UConn in 2018 as they made their way to the AAC Tournament championship game before losing 4-3 to ECU. They picked up a couple of wins in the regionals but lost twice to Washington.
Returning Players
Shortstop Anthony Prato will try to lead the offense in 2019 after hitting .324 last year with 42 runs scored, 11 doubles, 2 home runs, 23 RBI, and 18 stolen bases. John Toppa will help out as well after hitting .283 a season ago with 34 runs scored and 11 stolen bases.
Mason Feole returns as one of the best pitchers in the country after posting a 2.50 ERA in 2018 over 100.2 innings pitched with 120 strikeouts. Jake Wallace could be the team’s closer after posting a 3.95 ERA last year in 43.1 innings with 63 strikeouts and 3 saves.
Newcomers
Freshman Pat Winkel and Kyler Fedko (INF) will look to make an immediate impact for the Huskies in 2019.
Outlook for 2019
“Offensively we feel we could be more balanced, hoping we can keep the pitching up to a high level.” – Pitching Coach Josh MacDonald
East Carolina (2018 Record: 44-18, 14-10)
The Pirates had another very strong season finishing with over 40 wins and winning the AAC Baseball Tournament. That was good enough for them to host the Greenville Regional, but they went 1-2 and were eliminated.
Returning Players
East Carolina returns the AAC Player of the Year from 2018 in Bryant Packard. He hit .406 last year with 51 runs scored, 16 doubles, 14 home runs, and 50 RBI. Spencer Brickhouse will be back at first base after hitting .298 with 10 home runs and 50 RBI last year. Second baseman Brady Lloyd was a 1st Team All-Conference player last year after hitting .322 with 16 stolen bases. Shortstop Turner Brown is back after playing most of last year with an injury, but he should be 100 percent healthy for this season. The Pirates count on him to play stellar defense up the middle. Jake Washer should be back behind the dish after hitting 6 home runs with 40 RBI last year.
East Carolina is loaded with talented pitching this year with Trey Benton, Alec Burleson, Jake Agnos, and Tyler Smith coming back. Agnos posted a 4.10 ERA last year in 63.2 innings pitched with 86 strikeouts. Benton had a 3.13 ERA in 69 innings pitched with 68 strikeouts. Smith should return as a weekend starter after posting a 1.78 ERA last year in 60.2 innings pitched with 34 strikeouts. Burleson is one of the best two-way players in the country, but was more effective as a pitcher posting a 3.33 ERA in 54 innings pitched with 49 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Christian Jayne comes to East Carolina after being drafted in the 27th round of last year’s MLB Draft. He is a left-handed hitter capable of playing all three outfield positions as a plus runner. Christian Smallwood is a JUCO transfer with power that could also see time in the outfield. Thomas Francisco is a freshman with a good bat that could see time on the infield.
A couple of freshman right-handed pitchers who will pitch right away are Carter Spivey and Ryder Giles. Giles is a two-way player who could see some time on the infield as well but will mostly be used as a pitcher out of the bullpen.
Outlook for 2019
East Carolina won their conference tournament last year and hosted a regional, but with all they have coming back they hope to win the regular season title this year as well and go even further in the postseason.
Houston (2018 Record: 38-25, 16-8)
The Cougars missed out on some high RPI out-of-conference games last year but bounced back to finish as the regular season AAC champ. They tried to fight out of the loser’s bracket in the AAC Tournament but lost in the semifinals. They beat Purdue in the NCAA Regionals twice, but also lost to North Carolina twice.
Returning Players
Joe Davis returns to lead the offense after hitting .318 last year with 40 runs scored, 13 home runs, and 62 RBI. He has a chance to be one of the most decorated hitters in Houston baseball history. He also won the National Baseball Congress Home Run Derby this past summer. Lael Lockhart is a two-way player, but he’ll most likely have a bigger impact on the lineup after hitting .297 last year with 43 runs scored, 3 home runs, and 44 RBI as a utility player. Jared Triolo will be back at third base after leading the team with a .344 average last to go along with 45 runs scored, 5 home runs, and 28 RBI. He was a Cape League All-Star this past summer.
Houston loses its top two starters from last year, but Ryan Randel should be back after starting 13 games a year ago with a 4.58 ERA. Carter Henry was a big part of the bullpen last year with a 2.09 ERA in 47.1 innings pitched with 51 strikeouts and 6 saves.
Newcomers
Freshman second baseman Brad Burkel will have a chance to receive some playing time this season. Fellow infielder, Kobe Hyland, is a JUCO transfer who could help give the lineup a boost.
Devon Roedahl and Sean Bretz are both transfers that will try to help with all the losses to the pitching staff. Freshman Tristan McDonough was the second-best prospect in Maryland, and he could see significant innings as well.
Outlook for 2019
Houston baseball has seen a great run of success with five championships in the last five seasons. This year could be a challenge as they lose their top two weekend starters from 2018, as well as one of their best bullpen arms. They also will have to replace both middle infielders. But Houston has proven themselves a winner over the years, so I don’t expect anything different from them in 2019.
Memphis (2018 Record: 20-36, 5-19)
Memphis played 14 games against ranked teams last year and won just two of them. They only won five conference games in a deep AAC and failed to make the conference tournament.
Returning Players
The good thing is that Memphis returns almost all of its offense, led by senior third baseman Cale Hennemann who hit .299 a year ago with 27 runs scored and 20 RBI. Nick Vaage is also back as the team’s designated hitter. They are hoping shortstop Alec Trela continues to improve after leading the team with 7 home runs and 39 RBI last year.
On the pitching staff, left-handed pitcher Hunter Smith will most likely be the team’s Friday night starter in 2019 after posting a 3.08 ERA last year in 64.1 innings pitched with 63 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Hunter Goodman is a freshman catcher who they expect to see immediately playing time and have an impact. Landon Kelly is a two-player who transferred from Austin Peay where he hit .264 with a couple of long balls, while posting a 3.45 ERA in 28.2 innings pitched with 18 strikeouts back in 2017.
Outlook for 2019
“We need to really improve our overall offense. We hope that with a lot of experience that we can do that. We also hope to improve our bullpen this year.” – Assistant Coach Clay Greene
South Florida (2018 Record: 36-22-1, 14-9-1)
It was a very strong season for the Bulls as they finished second in the AAC and made it to the semifinals of the AAC Tournament. In the regionals they couldn’t get by Oklahoma State as they lost to them twice.
Returning Players
Outfielder Kyle Phillips is back after hitting .333 last year with 33 runs scored, 13 doubles, 5 home runs, and 22 RBI. First baseman Joe Genord hit .306 in 2018 with 36 runs scored, 11 doubles, 15 home runs, and 53 RBI. Second baseman JD Dutka hit .299 a season ago with 36 runs scored and 17 doubles. Tyler Dietrich should be back behind the plate after hitting .267 last year with 35 runs scored, 14 doubles, 1 home run, and 36 RBI.
Collin Sullivan will have to step up in the weekend rotation with the loss of Shane McClanahan to the MLB Draft. Sullivan had a 3.80 ERA last year in 64 innings pitched with 66 strikeouts. Baron Stuart made 10 starts this year and could be asked to take on a bigger role in 2019. Alec Wisely could take over for Andrew Perez (draft) at closer after posting a 3.61 ERA a season ago over 47.1 innings with 52 strikeouts and a save.
Outlook for 2019
South Florida should have enough coming back on offense to be a very good offensive team again. However, they are losing two really good starters from the weekend rotation, as well as a very good closer. How quickly the pitching staff comes together will determine their fate in 2019.
Tulane (2018 Record: 25-33, 9-14)
Tulane played a very difficult schedule to start the 2018 season and it showed as they were 9-13 before conference play began. They slid into the AAC Tournament as the eight seed and shocked the one seeded Houston in round one, but then lost their next two games.
Returning Players
First baseman Trevor Jensen is the team’s top returning hitter after batting .306 last year with 35 runs scored, 12 doubles, 9 home runs, and 35 RBI. Second baseman Jonathon Artigues should be back atop the lineup after hitting .303 in 2018 with 49 runs scored, 16 doubles, 3 home runs, 38 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. Third baseman Kody Hoese is also back after hitting .291 a season ago with 34 runs scored, 13 doubles, 5 home runs, and 34 RBI. DH Grant Mathews hit .347 last year in just 37 games with 4 home runs and should be a big piece of the lineup.
Keagan Gillies should be back atop the weekend rotation after posting a 3.36 ERA in 2018 over 80.1 innings pitched with 57 strikeouts. Kaleb Roper will also be back in the weekend rotation after posting a 4.48 ERA a season ago over 76.1 innings with 59 strikeouts. Josh Bates made 10 starts last year and could earn a weekend rotation spot as well. Connor Pellerin made 3 saves as a freshman last year and could be the team’s closer.
Outlook for 2019
This will be a veteran heavy group in 2019, and if they all take another step forward Tulane could be a team to watch this season in the AAC. An early season test at home against Ole Miss could determine if they get an at-large big or not.
UCF (2018 Record: 35-21, 13-10)
UCF had some big out-of-conference wins last year over Virginia, Miami, Oklahoma, and Florida (x2) that helped build their resume for the postseason. But somehow they were left out after going 0-2 in the AAC Tournament. Maybe they should just play an easier out-of-conference schedule?
Returning Players
Outfielder Tyler Osik will be back after hitting .310 a season ago with 9 home runs and 56 RBI. Center fielder Ray Alejo could be back atop the lineup after hitting .299 in 2018 with 53 runs scored, 14 doubles, 3 triples, and 34 stolen bases. Third baseman Dallas Beaver hit .284 last year with 32 runs scored, 6 home runs, and 30 RBI. Second baseman Matthew Mika hit .276 with 38 runs scored, 4 home runs, 30 RBI, and 27 stolen bases.
Chris Williams should be back for his redshirt senior season after posting a 2.81 ERA in 2018 over 93 innings with 79 strikeouts. Joe Sheridan will be a big part of the pitching staff once again after posting a 3.36 ERA last season in 56.1 innings pitched with 49 strikeouts. Garrett Westberg could take over as closer after posting a 1.12 ERA a season ago in 24 innings pitched with 31 strikeouts and 3 saves.
Outlook for 2019
After being left out of the tournament last year, this team should come back loaded and determined in 2019. They have enough coming back on offense and in the pitching staff to get it done. They have a big weekend series at home with Auburn in week two, followed by a mid-week game against Florida, that will go a long way in building their resume.
Wichita State (2018 Record: 35-21-1, 9-14-1)
Wichita State had two of the best hitters in college baseball last year in Alec Bohm and Greyson Jenista, but overall they weren’t able to do enough to earn an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament with a losing record in a difficult AAC.
Returning Players:
Luke Ritter returns to the lineup after leading the team with a .341 average last year to go along with 56 runs scored, 12 doubles, 6 home runs, and 31 RBI. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 37h round this past June but chose to come back for his senior season. Jordan Boyer and Mason O’Brien are the only other returning players that had over 100 at-bats last year. Alex Jackson, Noah Croft, Jacob Katzfey, and Paxton Wallace all receiver significant playing time though and are expected to fill in for their losses in the lineup.
Sophomore Liam Eddy could be asked to lead the rotation after a Freshman All-American season when he posted a 3.84 ERA in 65.2 innings pitched (12 starts) with 48 strikeouts. Tommy Barnhouse picked up 3 saves last season with a 2.96 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 27.1 innings pitched. Preston Snavely made 10 starts last year and could be another option for the weekend rotation. Clayton McGinness led the team with 34 appearances last year and is back. Alex Segal and Mitchell Walters are expected to play a big role in the pitching staff as well.
Newcomers
Mitchell Walters is a JUCO transfer from Weatherford CC who is expected to make an immediate impact on the pitching staff. Freshman pitchers Connery Peters (drafted out of high school), Miller Pleimann, Cal Carver, and Calvin Marley could see significant time this year.
Third baseman Jake Plastiak was drafted out of high school and could see immediate time in the lineup for Wichita State as a freshman.
Outlook for 2019
Wichita State lost 10 players to the MLB Draft in 2018, so they obviously have a lot of talent to replace – specifically in the lineup. According to Head Coach Todd Butler, “This could be the most athletic, fast team we have had.” He also mentions that pitching will be the key to their success in 2019.
2019 All-AAC Preseason Team
C: Jake Washer (East Carolina)
1B: Joe Genord (South Florida)
2B: Luke Ritter (Wichita State)
SS: Anthony Prato (UConn)
3B: Jared Triolo (Houston)
OF: Ray Alejo (UCF)
OF: Tyler Osik (UCF)
OF: Bryant Packard (East Carolina)
DH: Spencer Brickhouse (East Carolina)
SP: Jake Agnos (East Carolina)
SP: Trey Benton (East Carolina)
SP: Mason Feole (UConn)
SP: Chris Williams (UCF)
SP: Keagan Gillies (Tulane)
RP: Alec Burleson (East Carolina)
RP: Carter Henry (Houston)
RP: Jake Wallace (UConn)
Second Team
C – Tyler Dietric (South Florida)
1B – Trevor Jensen (Tulane)
2B – Jonathon Artigues (Tulane)
3B – Dallas Beaver (UCF)
SS – Alec Trela (Memphis)
OF – Kyle Phillips (USF)
DH – Joe Davis (Houston)
SP – Liam Eddy (Wichita State )
SP – Hunter Smith (Memphis)
SP – Tyler Smith (East Carolina)
SP – Collin Sullivan (South Florida)
SP – Joe Sheridan (UCF)
RP – Garrett Westberg (UCF)
RP – Tommy Barnhouse (Wichita State)
Honorable Mention
2B – Matthew Mika (UCF)
2B – Brady Lloyd (East Carolina)
UTL – Lael Lockhart (Houston)
DH – Grant Mathews (Tulane)
Predicted Order to Finish:
1. East Carolina
2. UCF
3. UConn
4. Houston
5. Tulane
6. South Florida
7. Wichita State
8. Cincinnati
9. Memphis
