Butler (2018 Record: 34-20, 9-8)
Butler had a solid 2018 season with over 30 wins and a winning conference record. They entered the Big East Tournament as the third seed and won their first game, but then dropped the next two.
Returning Players
James Gargano and Harrison Freed will return to the outfield after hitting .277 and .240 respectively last year. Freed added 4 home runs with 37 RBI in just 35 games. Connor Dall and Zach Jarosz will be a big part of the infield. Dall hit .248 a season ago, while Jarosz hit .227 with 31 runs scored.
Ryan Pepiot will come back to lead the rotation after posting a 2.62 ERA last year in 75.2 innings pitched with 101 strikeouts. Sam Hubbe could also be part of the weekend rotation after posting a 3.31 ERA in 2018 over 54.1 innings pitched with 33 strikeouts. Jack Pilcher was great as the team’s closer in 2018 with a 2.75 ERA in 19.2 innings pitched with 28 strikeouts and 10 saves. Connor Schultz will have a big role in the pitching staff this year after posting a 4.46 ERA in 36.1 innings pitched last year mostly out of the bullpen with 35 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Kyle Smith and Robbie McCargar are both transfers that will have a chance to fill a couple of spots in the outfield right away. Freshman infielder Greg Gilbert will have an opportunity to come in play a lot this season.
Outlook for 2019
Butler is losing their 2-5 hitters from last year’s lineup, so they’ll need some players to step up if they are going to score runs in 2019. The Big East is filled with a lot of good pitchers this year, so runs will come at a premium.
Creighton (2018 Record: 34-16, 8-9)
Creighton was very good out-of-conference last year with some big wins, but they struggled in conference play finishing with a losing record and missing out on the conference tournament.
Returning Players
Will Robertson returns to the outfield as one of the best players in the country after hitting .333 last year with 43 runs scored, 17 doubles, 12 home runs, and 59 RBI. He also hit .300 in the Cape Cod League this past summer. Second baseman Isaac Collins hit .266 last year with 44 runs scored and 12 stolen bases, and then hit .308 in the Cape. Shortstop Jack Strunc hit .274 last year and had a strong summer. Outfielder Ryan Mantle hit .291 last year and will be back to form a solid a lineup.
Mitch Ragan should be a weekend starter again after posting a 3.74 ERA last year in 77 innings pitched with 64 strikeouts. Denson Hull will have a bigger role in the pitching staff this year after posting a 4.26 ERA in 2018 with 22 strikeouts in 25.1 innings pitched. Evan Johnson is expected to have an increased role after a solid summer in the Northwoods League.
Newcomers
JUCO transfer Jake Holton hit .386 last year with 41 RBI and could give the lineup a huge boost. Freshman Dylan Tebrake has a chance to earn some significant innings right away.
Outlook for 2019
The team is hoping to improve in Big East player this year, while making sure they finish down the stretch. They have the key pieces to be a very good team this year, and they put a challenging schedule together to prepare them for conference play. Their experience in the bullpen will be key for them this year.
Georgetown (2018 Record: 25-30, 8-9)
Georgetown finished fourth in the Big East last year and snuck into the Big East tournament where they were outscored 26-7 in two games.
Returning Players
Shortstop Eddie McCabe will try to lead the lineup in 2019 after hitting .297 last season with 29 runs scored, 12 doubles, 2 home runs, and 36 RBI. Center fielder Ryan M. Davis is back after hitting .303 a season ago with 27 runs scored, 12 doubles, 26 RBI, and 18 stolen bases. Catcher Ryan P. Davis returns after leading the team with a .311 average last year. Ryan Weisenberg is expected to play a big role in the lineup as well.
Brent Killam will likely be the Friday night guy after posting a 3.06 ERA last year in 82.1 innings pitched with 97 strikeouts. Jerry (Jeremiah) Burke could figure into the weekend rotation as well after making six starts last season with a 3.89 ERA in 39.1 innings with 23 strikeouts. Nick Morreale had a 4.69 ERA last year in 48 innings (5 starts) with 58 strikeouts. Owen Lamon and Jack Cushing have experience as starters too combining for 22 starts in 2018.
Newcomers
These freshmen could have a major impact right away this season: Carter Bosch (RHP), Andrew Marra (OF), and Anthony Redfern (RHP).
Outlook for 2019
The team would like to improve their offensive production in 2019, and that seems possible will three of their top four hitters returning. They also have plenty of experience coming back in the pitching staff.
Seton Hall (2018 Record: 30-20-1, 13-4)
It was a very solid 2018 season for Seton Hall with wins over NC State, Pittsburgh, and Oklahoma State. But after falling in the Big East finals to St. John’s it wasn’t enough for an at-large bid.
Returning Players
Casey Dana should be back at third base after hitting .225 last season with 7 home runs and 27 RBI. Outfielder Tyler Shedler-McAvoy hit .298 last year in just 38 games with 27 runs scored and 15 stolen bases. Frist baseman Matt Toke was limited to 23 games last year but hit .299 with 3 home runs. If those guys are healthy this season they will help fill the holes left in the middle of the order.
Ricky DeVito returns as one of the best pitchers in the conference after posting a 1.88 ERA last year in 62.1 innings pitched with 67 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Stephen Grober has a chance to come in and start at shortstop, while Cole Patten and Brennan O’Neill will give length to the pitching staff.
Outlook for 2019
The coaching staff said the one area they hope to improve on the most in 2019 is defense. This team losses its top four hitters from last year, two starting pitchers, and two key pieces to the bullpen. They’ll need some players to step up in order to reach last year’s numbers.
St. John’s (2018 Record: 40-17, 15-3)
It was a dominating season for St. John’s as they won 40 games, including wins over North Carolina, UConn, and Minnesota. They held off Seton Hall for the Big East Tournament title and then went 1-2 in the regionals.
Returning Players
Catcher Wyatt Mascarella hit .340 last season with 5 home runs and 29 RBI. Outfielder Mike Antico hit .308 in 2018 with 34 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. Brandon Miller (.281) and Chris Stefl (.259) will need to step up in the lineup.
Sean Mooney will lead the weekend rotation after posting a 2.56 ERA last year in 95 innings pitched with 104 strikeouts. Jeff Belge will be right there with him after posting a 2.84 ERA a season ago in 66.2 innings with 79 strikeouts. Joe LaSorsa should return as the team’s closer after posting a 2.09 ERA in 2018 over 51.2 innings with 36 strikeouts and 7 saves. Gavin Hollowell could pick up some saves too after collecting five last year with an ERA of 2.16 in 33.1 innings with 34 strikeouts.
Outlook for 2019
St. John’s loses a lot of key contributors from what was a very good lineup in 2018, but the pitching staff should be one of the best in the country again.
Villanova (2018 Record: 9-39, 1-17)
Well, at the basketball team is good.
Returning Players
First baseman Ryan Toohers will try to lead the lineup in 2019 after hitting .298 last year with 28 runs scored, 14 doubles, 5 home runs, and 31 RBI. Tyler Bruno and Chris Rotondo will need to step up offensively in the lineup.
Jimmy Kingsbury had a 5.89 ERA last year in 62.2 innings (team high) with 44 strikeouts. Jonathan Rosero made 11 starts last year and could return to the rotation. Jason Applegate was solid out of the bullpen last year with a 3.68 ERA in 22 innings pitched with 22 strikeouts and 2 saves.
Outlook for 2019
This team does have its best hitter back from last year as well as a couple of weekend starters, so there is hope they could at least improve their conference record … one would hope.
Xavier (2018 Record: 20-35, 7-11)
After winning the Big East in 2017, Xavier took a big step back last year and missed out on the conference tournament altogether.
Returning Players
Shortstop Chris Givin returns after leading the team with a .342 average last year to go along with 40 runs scored, 13 doubles, 6 triples, 4 home runs, and 45 RBI. DH Conor Grammes hit .330 in 2018 with 10 home runs and 27 RBI. First baseman Matt Warkentin hit .252 last season with 36 runs scored, 14 home runs, and 40 RBI. Outfielder Ryan Fournier figures to be a big part of the offense this season as well.
Henry Miller hopes to be ready to go this season after appearing in just five games last year (four starts) with a 3.09 ERA in 23.1 innings pitched with 17 strikeouts. Damien Richard returns for his redshirt senior season after posting a 4.47 ERA in 2018 over 64.1 innings pitched with 59 strikeouts. Matt Kent will be a big part of the pitching staff as well after posting a 4.48 ERA last year in 64.1 innings with 52 strikeouts and 3 saves. Albry Major is a two-way player who will have an impact in the lineup and in the pitching staff.
Outlook for 2019
The offense has a chance to be great in 2019 with a lot of key contributors returning. They also have a lot coming back in the pitching staff, but the key will be whether or not those players make improvements on last year’s team ERA of 6.79.
2019 All-Big East Preseason Team
C: Wyatt Mascarella (St. John’s)
1B: Ryan Toohers (Villanova)
2B: Isaac Collins (Creighton)
SS: Chris Givin (Xavier)
3B: Casey Dana (Seton Hall)
OF: Will Robertson (Creighton)
OF: Mike Antico (St. John’s)
OF: Ryan Mantle (Creighton)
DH: Conor Grammes (Xavier)
SP: Brent Killam (Georgetown)
SP: Ryan Pepiot (Butler)
SP: Ricky DeVito (Seton Hall)
SP: Sean Mooney (St. John’s)
SP: Jeff Belge (St. John’s)
RP: Joe LaSorsa (St. John’s)
RP: Jack Pilcher (Butler)
RP: Gavin Hollowell (St. John’s)
Honorable Mention:
1B – Mark Warkentin (Xavier)
SS – Eddie McCabe (Georgetown)
OF – Harrison Freed (Butler)
OF – Ryan M. Davis (Georgetown)
UTL – Allbry Major (Xavior)
SP – Mitch Ragan (Creighton)
SP – Henry Miller (Xavier)
Predicted Order to Finish:
1. St. John’s
2. Xavier
3. Creighton
4. Georgetown
5. Seton Hall
6. Butler
7. Villanova
