Duke (2018 Record: 45-18, 18-11)
It was a banner season for Duke as they won 45 games and advanced to the super regionals for the first time in school history.
Returning Players
First baseman Joey Loperfido will return after a great freshman season in which he hit .315 (team high) with 45 runs scored, 11 doubles, 3 triples, 6 home runs, 43 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. Outfielder Kennie Taylor will join him in the lineup after hitting .283 a season ago with 36 runs scored, 13 doubles, 4 triples, 6 home runs, and 36 RBI. DH Chris Crabtree hit .457 last year in 35 at-bats with a couple of home runs and will likely take on a bigger role in the offense.
Adam Laskey could lead the weekend rotation after posting a 5.47 ERA last year in 75.2 innings pitched with 61 strikeouts. Graeme Stinson is one of the top MLB prospects after posting a 1.89 ERA last year in 62 innings with 98 strikeouts. He will likely move to a weekend rotation spot. Bryce Jarvis had a 2.45 ERA in 47.2 innings pitched with 67 strikeouts and a save.
Outlook for 2019
Duke loses six of its top eight hitters from last year, and that production will not be easily replaced. They also lose two weekend starters from last year, but there should be enough pitching depth to be just as good if not better there.
Georgia Tech (2018 Record: 31-27, 14-16)
It was a decent season for Georgia Tech in 2018 as they finished fourth in the Coastal. But they went 0-2 as the eight seed in the ACC Tournament.
Returning Players
Outfielder Chase Murray will try to lead the offense in 2018 after batting .343 last year with 47 runs scored, 11 doubles, 6 home runs, and 39 RBI. Third baseman Oscar Serratos hit .311 a season ago with 3 home runs in just 119 at-bats. Tristan English is also back after hitting .279 in 2018 with 33 runs scored, 17 doubles, 6 home runs, and 60 RBI. Kyle McCann will take over behind the plate with the departure of Joey Bart in the MLB Draft.
Connor Thomas should be back in the weekend rotation after posting a 3.34 ERA in 2018 over 97 innings pitched with 106 strikeouts. Xzavion Curry will join him in the rotation after posting a 4.18 ERA in 92.2 innings pitched last year with 101 strikeouts. English (4.11) and Brant Hurter (6.04) combined to make 20 starts last year and should figure into the weekend rotation as well.
Newcomers
Freshman left-handed pitcher Luke Bartnicki is a player that Georgia Tech is very high on. His fastball tops out at 95 and he already possesses a plus breaking pitch. He could see significant innings this year. Amos Willingham is a transfer who will add some depth in the bullpen and could be a midweek starter.
Outlook for 2019
Georgia Tech is a sexy pick in the ACC this year, and it’s warranted with all the talent they have coming back. They believe they’ve added depth to the bullpen for 2019. They lose a lot of power from last year with Bart and Wade Bailey gone to the MLB, but they believe they can score runs in different ways this season. Another point of emphasis this offseason for Georgia Tech has been cleaning up its infield defense. Look for them to make a big jump up in 2019.
Miami (2018 Record: 28-26, 16-13)
Despite finishing the season with a winning conference record, Miami missed the postseason after going 1-1 in the conference tournament. The Hurricanes won just 11 out-of-conference games, which came back to haunt them.
Returning Players
Shortstop Freddy Zamora will be an intrigual part of this lineup in 2018 after being named a Freshman All-American a year ago when he hit .303. Infielders Willy Escala (.280) and Alex Toral (.161) are expected to be key pieces in the lineup this year. Outfielders Dylan Cloonan (.289) and Tony Jenkins (.218) will also play a big role in the offense. Miami played a lot of freshman last year who they hope will take big steps forward as sophomores.
All-ACC right-hander Evan McKendry is expected to lead the pitching staff after posting a 3.52 ERA last year in 87 innings pitched with 114 strikeouts. Daniel Federman was solid mostly out of the bullpen last year with a 2.25 ERA in 60 innings pitched with 54 strikeouts. Greg Veliz (3.12) and Chris McMahon (4.44) are expected to have bigger roles in the pitching staff this year.
Newcomers
Adrian Del Castillo was selected in the 36th round by the White Sox and is a big power bat that will hit in the middle of the order. Del Castillo is a catcher but can also play first base and will see time at DH. The left-handed hitter was the MVP of the Orange & Green World Series this fall. Chad Crosbie is a JUCO transfer who will have a chance to start in the outfield.
A couple of freshman pitchers could have an immediate impact as well in Slade Cecconi and JP Gates. Cecconi was drafted by Baltimore and has a powerful arm with advanced secondary stuff. Gates had an excellent fall both on the mound and at the plate. JUCO transfers Tyler Keysor and Mark Mixon will help add depth in the Miami bullpen.
Outlook for 2019
Miami obviously had a very young lineup last year that seemed to get better as the season went on. They are hoping that talent and experience carries over into 2019. The additions of Del Castillo, Crosbie and freshman Anthony Vilar will help as well. Defensively the Hurricanes have been one of the best in the country in years past, and they hope to get back to that this season with a more experienced lineup. That will help what should be a strength of their team in the pitching staff.
North Carolina (2018 Record: 44-20, 22-8)
It’s no surprise that North Carolina had another fantastic season winning over 20 conference games and reaching the College World Series. They even beat the eventual champs in their opening game, but the Beavers got their revenge by eliminating the Tarheels.
Returning Players
Michael Busch will return at first base to lead this offense after hitting .317 last year with 70 runs scored, 10 doubles, 13 home runs, and 63 RBI. Shortstop Ike Freeman was third on the team in hitting last year at .305 and will play a huge part in the lineup this year. In limited time last year, Ben Casparius was very impressive as he finished with a .316 average. Ashton McGee and Brandon Martorano where bottom of the order guys last year that will need to take a step up. Dallas Tessar also had over 100 at-bats last year and could become a big part of the lineup.
After an injury riddled 2018, Gianluca Dalatri hopes to come back in healthy in 2019 to lead the Tarheel rotation. He posted a 3.33 ERA last year in 27 innings pitched with 31 strikeouts. Austin Bergner should also be a part of the weekend rotation after posting a 4.25 ERA in 82.2 innings pitched last year with 84 strikeouts.
Newcomers
A couple of freshman who could see playing time right away are infielders Danny Serretti and Aaron Sabato. Dylan Harris is a JUCO transfer who could also help out in the lineup right away.
Outlook for 2019
The expectations for this team are always high, and that will be no different in 2019 as they have plenty coming back in the lineup and in the pitching staff to make another run at the College World Series.
Pittsburgh (2018 Record: 29-26, 11-19)
Pitt snuck into the ACC Tournament as the 12-seed last year but made a run by winning their two pool play games. But the fairy tale ended with a loss to Louisville in the semifinals.
Returning Players
Ron Washington, Jr. had a very solid freshman season by hitting .284 with 6 home runs and 33 RBI. Shortstop David Yanni hit .231 in 2018 with 36 runs scored, 5 home runs, and 36 RBI. Alex Amos and Chris Cappas were solid contributors last year as well and should be back in the lineup.
Derek West could lead the weekend rotation this season after posting a 3.24 ERA in 2018 over 50 innings with 47 strikeouts.
Outlook for 2019
Pittsburgh has some exciting young talent on their team, but they’ll need those players to take a huge step forward in 2019 to make noise in the ACC.
Virginia (2018 Record: 29-25, 12-18)
It was a down season for Virginia as they finished fifth in the Coastal, went 1-1 in the ACC Tournament, and failed to reach the NCAA Tournament.
Returning Players
Shortstop Tanner Morris had an excellent freshman season in 2018 hitting .298 with 39 runs scored and a pair of home runs. Nate Eikhoff hit .290 a season ago with 28 runs scored, 3 home runs, and 36 RBI. He’ll likely play a corner infield position this season. Outfielder Alex Tappen hit .262 as a freshman last year with 4 home runs and 36 RBI. Cameron Simmons should return to the outfielder after missing 2018 with an injury. He was drafted in the 15th round of the 2018 MLB Draft.
Bobby Nicholson was solid last season with a 2.70 ERA in 40 innings pitched with 34 strikeouts. He could move into the weekend rotation with Derek Casey and Daniel Lynch
Newcomers
– RHP Mike Vasil – Withdrew name from 2018 Draft despite first round projections; 2017 Massachusetts Player of the Year; Went 22-4 with a 1.06 ERA in 191 innings pitched while striking out 217 in his prep career
– RHP/SS Zack Gelof – 2018 Delaware Gatorade State Player of the Year; Graduated as the state’s all-time leader in runs scored (103) and stolen bases (81), second in career hits (105)
Outlook for 2019
Virginia had a very young roster last year and I expect them to be much better in 2019. Look for this team to get back to the postseason if they can solidify the weekend rotation.
Virginia Tech (2018 Record: 21-33, 8-22)
John Szefc’s first year as head coach of the Hokies was certainly a rough one, but there were some highlights along the way that give the school hope for the future.
Returning Players
Virginia Tech will have a strong core of seniors back this season to hopefully stabilize their lineup. The group will be led by catcher Luke Horanski who hit .314 in just 39 games last year with 4 home runs. And then you have Nick and Jack Owens up the middle at shortstop and second respectively. Nick hit .274 last year, while Jack hit. 266 with 45 runs scored. Center fielder Nick Menken is also back after hitting .246 a year ago with 4 home runs.
Ian Seymour should be back in the weekend rotation after posting a 4.17 ERA last year in 69 innings pitched with 70 strikeouts, while being named to the ACC All-Freshman Team. Nic Enright was fourth in innings pitched for the Hokies last year with 49.2 to go along with 45 strikeouts and a couple of saves. Fifth-year senior Luke Scherzer has a chance to start some games on the weekend as well after making nine starts last year. Connor Yoder is another arm the Virginia Tech staff is excited about.
Newcomers
JUCO transfer Kerry Carpenter was one of the best hitters in the fall for Virginia Tech and will hit in the middle of the order while likely a playing a corner outfield spot. Tanner Thomas is another JUCO outfielder who could start in left field and spend some time at DH. Freshman Carson Taylor has the chance to hit in the middle of the order right away for Virginia Tech. Another freshman, Nick Biddison, could also see immediate playing time at catcher, and coaches say he is a tremendous athlete.
Freshman left-handed pitcher Chris Gerard will have a chance to start right away for the Hokies. Jack Dellinger is a JUCO transfer that will also be in the mix as a weekend starter.
Outlook for 2019
Virginia Tech is hoping to improve on their defense in 2019, while also hoping they have better depth in the lineup. They believe the pitching should be much better and deeper with some added bullpen pieces and starters to compliment Gerard.
2019 All-ACC Preseason Team
C: Patrick Bailey (NC State)
1B: Michael Busch (UNC)
2B: Jake Mueller (Wake Forest)
SS: Logan Davidson (Clemson)
3B: Drew Mendoza (Florida State)
OF: Eric Gilgenbach (Notre Dame)
OF: Kennie Taylor (Duke)
OF: Chase Murray (Georgia Tech)
DH: Logan Wyatt (Louisville)
SP: Drew Parrish (Florida State)
SP: Graeme Stinson (Duke)
SP: Evan McKendry (Miami)
SP: Gianluca Dalatri (UNC)
SP: Connor Thomas (Georgia Tech)
RP: Carson Spiers (Clemson)
RP: Andrew Abbott (Virginia)
RP: Kent Klyman (NC State)
Second Team:
C – Kyle Wilkie (Clemson)
1B – Evan Edwards (NC State)
2B – Mike Salvatore (Florida State)
SS – Will Wilson (NC State)
OF – Jake Snider (Louisville)
OF – Reese Albert (Florida State)
OF – Ron Washington, Jr. (Pittsburgh)
DH – Tristan English (Georgia Tech)
SP – Reid Johnston (NC State)
SP – Colin Peluse (Wake Forest)
SP – Xzavion Curry (Georgia Tech)
SP – C.J. Van Eyk (Florida State)
SP – Nick Bennett (Louisville)
RP – Bryce Jarvis (Duke)
RP – Jonah Scolaro (Florida State)
Honorable Mention:
C – Luke Horanski (Virginia Tech)
1B – Joey Loperfido (Duke)
1B – Bobby Seymour (Wake Forest)
SS – Tyler Fitzgerald (Louisville)
SS – Freddy Zamora (Miami)
SP – Ian Seymour (Virginia Tech)
SP – Brooks Crawford (Clemson)
Predicted Order to Finish (Coastal):
1. North Carolina
2. Georgia Tech
3. Duke
4. Virginia
5. Miami
6. Virginia Tech
7. Pittsburgh
