CONFERENCE PREVIEWS

ACC
ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE PROJECTED STANDINGS (2022 RECORDS)
1. Louisville (42-21-1, 18-11-1)
2. Miami (40-19, 20-10)
3. Wake Forest (41-19-1, 15-14-1)
4. Virginia Tech (45-14, 19-9)
5. Virginia (39-19, 17-13)
6. North Carolina (42-22, 15-15)
7. Florida State (34-25, 15-15)
8. North Carolina State (36-21, 14-15)
9. Georgia Tech (36-24, 15-15)
10. Duke (22-32, 10-20)
11. Clemson (35-23, 13-16)
12. Notre Dame (41-17, 16-11)
13. Pittsburgh (29-27, 13-16)
14. Boston College (19-34, 5-25)
TOP 10 DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR 2023
1. Rhett Lowder, RHP, Wake Forest
2. Yohandy Morales, 3B, Miami
3. Brock Wilken, 3B, Wake Forest
4. Kyle Teel, C, Virginia
5. Travis Honeyman, OF, Boston College
6. Jake Gelof, 3B, Virginia
7. Jack Hurley, OF, Virginia Tech
8. Teddy McGraw, RHP, Wake Forest
9. Carson Montgomery, RHP, Florida State
10. Wyatt Crowell, LHP, Florida State
TEAM TO BEAT: LOUISVILLE
After reaching a super regional in 2022, Louisville retained most of the talent on that roster. Led by an offensive core of Christian Knapczyk, Jack Payton and Isaac Humphrey and a lot of returning talent on the mound, the Cardinals are poised to make another deep postseason run. Gavin Kilen and Tucker Biven lived up to their lofty expectations in the fall and each will play major roles for Dan McDonnell’s club. Louisville looks to have another exciting freshman as well in two-way player Patrick Forbes, who will be a key factor in the back end of the bullpen and on the dirt. Sophomore Eddie King Jr. will be thrust into a starting outfield role after missing the 2022 season, but he took home MVP honors of the Prospect League last summer and had a strong fall. On the mound, Louisville will rely on the dynamic duo of Riley Phillips and Tate Kuehner, each of whom will be a part of the weekend rotation.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: YOHANDY MORALES, 3B, MIAMI
Morales was an all-ACC selection in 2022 after hitting an impressive .329 with 18 home runs and 59 RBIs in 60 games, earning himself an invitation to USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team training camp. He has power to all fields and is a sure defender at third, with his long levers enabling him to cover a lot of ground in either direction. Morales has added physicality to his frame that should translate to even more thump in his bat.
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: RHETT LOWDER, RHP, WAKE FOREST
Last year’s ACC pitcher of the year, Lowder will once again headline the Demon Deacons’ rotation after a stellar 2022 season in which he posted a 3.08 ERA with 105 strikeouts to 26 walks in 99.1 innings pitched. He runs his fastball up to 97 mph and supplements the pitch with a plus changeup and an above-average slider. Lowder comes into this season as one of the best pitchers in the country and has top 10 overall pick potential.
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: CAMERON SMITH, 3B, FLORIDA STATE
A physical monster at 6-foot-3, 221 pounds, Smith has made his presence felt on Link Jarrett’s squad since the first day of fall practice. He has a well above-average arm at third and has shown the ability to drive the ball to all fields with authority. What might be most impressive is his mature approach at the plate. Smith shortens up with two strikes and has demonstrated above-average pitch recognition. He will be the Seminoles’ everyday third baseman and projects to have a major impact with both his bat and glove.
NOTABLE STORYLINES
There will be some new faces on the ACC coaching scene in 2023 as Erik Bakich (Clemson), Link Jarrett (Florida State) and Shawn Stiffler (Notre Dame) are all at new homes. Bakich comes to Clemson after a successful 10-year head coaching stint at Michigan, including being named the 2019 national coach of the year after he led the Wolverines to the College World Series finals. Jarrett made the intra-conference jump after a successful run of his own at Notre Dame, most notably knocking off No. 1 Tennessee in last year’s Knoxville Super Regional to propel the Irish to their third CWS appearance. Stiffler made the jump from the Atlantic 10 to the ACC after establishing Virginia Commonwealth as a perennial A-10 power, winning 34 or more games in each of the last eight seasons, including back-to-back regional appearances in 2021 and 2022.
After 11 straight regional appearances, Clemson has failed to make the Field of 64 since it last appeared in 2019. However, the Tigers now have Bakich at the helm and return an exciting core of shortstop Blake Wright (.349/.397/.602), catcher Cooper Ingle (.351/.449/.526) and two-way player Caden Grice, who possesses some of the best raw power of any hitter in the country. Supplemented by an experienced middle of the infield with Benjamin Blackwell and Michigan transfer Riley Bertram, the Tigers have an intriguing lineup that should be able to produce at a respectable clip. With some added experience on the mound thanks to Willie Weiss, Clemson is in prime position to return to a regional.
If it weren’t for North Carolina State’s Tommy White taking home Freshman of the Year honors last season by hitting .362 with 27 home runs, North Carolina center fielder Vance Honeycutt likely would have received the award. He had a fantastic 2022 season in which he hit .296 with 25 home runs and 29 stolen bases. Honeycutt will once again hit at the top of the lineup for the Tar Heels, and after a fall that saw him refine his approach and cut down on his swing-and-miss, Honeycutt could be in store for a historic season. While it is unfair to ask anyone to replicate a 25-25 season, Honeycutt could have even more in the tank, and a 30-30 season is not out of the question. He will be one of the most exciting players to watch in the ACC this season. —Peter Flaherty
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1675784356/articles/cqHzJbIeC1676607302723/7232631466.jpg]
BIG 12
BIG 12 CONFERENCE PROJECTED STANDINGS (2022 RECORD)
1. Texas Christian (38-22, 16-8)
2. Oklahoma State (42-22, 15-9)
3. Texas Tech (39-22, 15-9)
4. Oklahoma (45-24, 15-9)
5. Texas (47-22, 14-10)
6. West Virginia (33-22, 14-10)
7. Kansas State (29-29, 8-16)
8. Kansas (20-35, 4-20)
9. Baylor (26-28, 7-17)
TOP 10 DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR 2023
1. Brayden Taylor, 3B, Texas Christian
2. Tanner Witt, RHP, Texas
3. Marcus Brown, SS, Oklahoma State
4. Juaron Watts-Brown, RHP, Oklahoma State
5. Nick Goodwin, SS, Kansas State
6. Roc Riggio, 2B, Oklahoma State
7. Nolan McLean, RHP/OF, Oklahoma State
8. Cam Brown, RHP, Texas Christian
9. Ben Hampton, LHP, West Virginia
10. Lucas Gordon, LHP, Texas
TEAM TO BEAT: TEXAS CHRISTIAN
In his first year at the helm, Kirk Saarloos guided TCU to its second straight conference regular season title. The Horned Frogs were a model of consistency under former coach Jim Schlossnagle, and not much has changed in Fort Worth. This year, TCU returns the heart of its lineup, alongside several impact transfers and a strong recruiting class, setting the stage for another excellent campaign. Third baseman Brayden Taylor, one of the top players in the country, anchors a Horned Frogs lineup alongside key bats such as Elijah Nuñez, David Bishop and West Virginia transfer Austin Davis. On the mound, Cam Brown and Kansas transfer Ryan Vanderhei headline a rotation that pairs nicely with TCU’s veteran arms in the bullpen. The pieces are there for yet another strong regular season.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: BRAYDEN TAYLOR, 3B, TEXAS CHRISTIAN
After Taylor’s dynamic Big 12 freshman of the year season in 2021, the Horned Frogs slugger made a rousing encore by finishing fifth in the conference in on-base percentage (.454), third in OPS (1.030) and fourth in walks (55). Taylor hit .314/.454/.576, clubbed 13 home runs, drove in 50 and swiped 10 bases. With a career .450 on-base percentage across 117 games, Taylor is as consistent as they get and his power numbers have stayed steady.
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: JUARON WATTS-BROWN, RHP, OKLAHOMA STATE
With Texas righthander Tanner Witt expected to be sidelined for much of 2023 following Tommy John surgery, the top arm in the conference is arguably Watts-Brown, Oklahoma State’s impact transfer. The Long Beach State transfer immediately fills the hole left by Justin Campbell in the Cowboys’ weekend rotation. Watts-Brown totaled 111 strikeouts in 73.1 innings for the Dirtbags in 2022, posting a 3.78 ERA and tossing a no-hitter in the process. He impressed on the Cape last summer with a four-pitch mix and could climb draft boards rapidly.
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: JALIN FLORES, 3B, TEXAS
There’s a Texas-sized hole in the Longhorns lineup after departures. Flores, a 6-foot-2 infielder out of San Antonio, is one of several names tasked with filling them. Slotting in at third base to step in for Skyler Messinger, Flores has great bat speed, can hit to all fields and fits in well with Texas’ history of developing hitters. In the last few years, the Longhorns have seen excellent firstyear campaigns from Mitchell Daly, Eric Kennedy, Zach Zubia and David Hamilton. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Flores join that group.
NOTABLE STORYLINES
The Big 12 had a bevy of aces in 2022, but Oklahoma’s Cade Horton, Jake Bennett and David Sandlin, Oklahoma State’s Justin Campbell and Texas’ Pete Hansen are now all in professional baseball. With that many innings departing the Big 12, quite a few pitchers are being asked to assume bigger roles. While the most high-profile returnee is arguably Texas’ Lucas Gordon, keep an eye on names like Texas Tech’s Mason Molina and Texas Christian’s Luke Savage, as well as transfer arrivals at Oklahoma (Kale Davis), Oklahoma State (WattsBrown, Janzen Keizel) and West Virginia (Blaine Traxel).
Saarloos stepping into Schlossnagle’s shoes at TCU last year marked the first coaching change in the Big 12 since 2018, when Pete Hughes took the Kansas State job. That consistency was further disrupted this offseason. The tenures of Kansas’ Ritch Price and Baylor’s Steve Rodriguez came to an end after the duo combined for just 11 conference wins in 2022. Price retired, while Rodriguez resigned and joined the staff at Texas, setting the stage for two new head coaches in the league for the first time since Tim Tadlock (Texas Tech) and Josh Holliday (Oklahoma State) assumed their current positions in 2013. Former Louisiana State assistant Dan Fitzgerald takes over at Kansas, while Mitch Thompson—a former Baylor assistant— returns after winning the 2021 junior college national championship with McLennan. Both programs have piled up newcomers and feature quite a bit of turnover that will be interesting to watch.
The Big 12 sent two representatives to the 2022 College World Series—Texas and Oklahoma—and the Sooners reached the finals before falling to Mississippi. While more than half of the conference finished the year ranked in the Top 25, it felt poetic that the two which made it the furthest are departing for the Southeastern Conference in a few years. The Longhorns are the only team to claim a national title since the conference was founded, while Oklahoma and Texas combine for all three of the conference’s appearances in the CWS championship series. Oklahoma and Texas don’t depart until 2025, and with those two programs expected to have relative down years, the rest of the Big 12 has a chance to make it more about them. —Bradley Smart
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1675784356/articles/cqHzJbIeC1676607302723/7666746466.jpg]
BIG TEN
BIG TEN CONFERENCE PROJECTED STANDINGS (2022 RECORDS)
1. Maryland (48-14, 18-5)
2. Iowa (35-18, 17-7)
3. Rutgers (44-15, 17-7)
4. Indiana (27-32, 10-14)
5. Nebraska (23-30, 10-14)
6. Illinois (30-22, 17-7)
7. Michigan (34-28, 12-12)
8. Ohio State (21-30, 8-14)
9. Penn State (26-29, 11-13)
10. Northwestern (23-27, 10-14)
11. Purdue (29-21, 9-12)
12. Minnesota (16-36, 6-18)
13. Michigan State (24-30, 8-16)
TOP 10 DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR 2023
1. Matt Shaw, SS, Maryland
2. Mitch Jebb, SS, Michigan State
3. Max Anderson, 2B, Nebraska
4. Ryan Lasko, OF, Rutgers
5. George Klassen, RHP, Minnesota
6. Luke Shilger, C, Maryland
7. Ty Langenberg, RHP, Iowa
8. Kade Kern, OF, Ohio State
9. Keaton Anthony, RHP/OF, Iowa
10. Jason Savacool, RHP, Maryland
TEAM TO BEAT: MARYLAND
The Terrapins had a banner 2022, going 48-14, hosting regionals and winning the Big Ten for the first time since they joined the conference in 2015. While they must replace several key contributors from that team, including All-America outfielder Chris Alleyne (.331/.422/.673, 24 home runs, 24 stolen bases) and lefthander Ryan Ramsey (11-1, 3.22), there is a strong returning core to build around. Righthanders Jason Savacool and Nick Dean (6-2, 4.57) should be the best 1-2 punch in the conference, and freshman lefthander Kyle McCoy is ready to slide into the rotation. Shaw, second baseman Kevin Keister (.317/.420/.582, 11 homers) and catcher Luke Shliger (.353/.495/.602, 12 homers) keep Maryland strong up the middle. Improving on last year’s accomplishments won’t be easy, but the Terrapins again look like the class of the Big Ten.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: MATT SHAW, SS, MARYLAND
Shaw has been a key contributor for the Terrapins since arriving in College Park in 2021, starting nearly every game over the last two years. Now, as a junior, he is set to become the focal point of the Maryland lineup. He hit .290/.381/.604 with 22 home runs and 12 stolen bases last year. Thanks to his combination of power, speed and defense up the middle, he projects to be the first Terrapin drafted in the first round since 2002—when the Athletics chose shortstop Josh McCurdy—and perhaps the highest drafted player in program history, a distinction held by Gene Hisler, drafted 19th overall in 1970.
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: JASON SAVACOOL, RHP, MARYLAND
Savacool earned All-America honors last year after going 8-3, 2.93 with 123 strikeouts and 28 walks in 107.2 innings. The junior is back to anchor what should be a standout rotation for the Terrapins. Savacool isn’t the most overpowering pitcher in the conference, but the 6-foot-1, 210-pound righthander has an advanced feel on the mound that has made him a stalwart for the last two years. His fastball works around 90 mph and his slider is a weapon that last year helped him lead the Big Ten in strikeouts.
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: MAXIMUS MARTIN, SS, RUTGERS
Martin was a highly regarded prep player in New Jersey and ranked No. 130 on the 2022 top 500 draft prospects list, which included all draft-eligible players. He arrived at Rutgers with plenty of expectations and tools. He’s a premium athlete with power potential and above-average speed—tools that should help him contribute right away.
NOTABLE STORYLINES
There is a trio of new coaches in the Big Ten lineup this season. Michigan, Northwestern and Ohio State all changed coaches in the offseason. At Michigan, Tracy Smith was hired to replace Erik Bakich, who was hired away by Clemson. Smith was out of coaching last year after seven seasons at Arizona State, but is very familiar with the conference, having led Indiana for nine years, a time that included back-to-back Big Ten titles in 2013 and 2014. Northwestern went through 2022 under the direction of interim coach Josh Reynolds and then following the season hired Jim Foster from Army. Ohio State fired Greg Beals after 12 seasons and hired Bill Mosiello, who has a long resume in baseball and spent the last nine years as an assistant coach at Texas Christian.
Rutgers saw its excellent 2022 season come to an early, unexpected end when it was left on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble on Selection Monday. Despite winning 44 games and finishing just 1.5 games behind Maryland in the Big Ten standings, Rutgers was left out of regionals, in large part due to a poor strength of schedule. While Rutgers still hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2007, it showed undeniable progress in coach Steve Owens’ third season. Rutgers returns an experienced lineup, led by outfielder Ryan Lasko (.349/.431/.643, 16 home runs), but it will have a new look on the mound after losing its entire rotation. If the Scarlet Knights can find the right answers on the mound, they may be able to end their postseason drought.
Iowa hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2017, but the Hawkeyes are always in the mix down the stretch. This year they have what it takes to challenge Maryland at the top of the conference. Freshman All-American Keaton Anthony (.361/.455/.678, 14 home runs) returns to the lineup and will also take on an important role on the mound, making him one of the conference’s most impactful players. Righthander Ty Langenberg is ready to take over for Adam Mazur, the Padres’ second-round pick last July, as the team’s ace, and Iowa has talented arms behind him. If exciting sophomores Brody Brecht and Marcus Morgan can take a step forward in their second season, the Hawkeyes could make some noise in 2023. —Teddy Cahill
[https://cdn.magzter.com/13986975...