Feb.
5,
2013
Inside: With Louisville's Dan McDonnell
Cincinnati's Brian Cleary: Ambassador of the Game
Louisville looks to lead the pack in the Big East
CollegeBaseballInsider.com
surveyed college coaches around the country to preview the 2013
college baseball season by sharing their thoughts on the teams
and players to watch in their conferences. CBI compiled their
answers to provide insight on the upcoming season.
click
here for CBI Conference Previews
Today, we take a look at
the Big East (eight of 11 coaches responded).
No changes in membership from 2012
The
team to beat: Louisville
The top starting pitchers:
Jon Prosinski, Seton Hall; Jeff Thompson, Louisville; Sean
Hagan, St. John’s; Jared Ruxer, Louisville
The top closer: Dan
Slania, Notre Dame
The pitcher you least want to face:
Jon Prosinski, Seton Hall
The most underrated pitcher:
Pat Connaughton, Notre Dame
The best defensive catcher:
Jeff Melillo, Rutgers; Elvin Soto Pittsburgh
The best catcher arm:
Elvin Soto, Pittsburgh
The best defensive infielder:
Sean O’Hare, St. John’s; Giuseppe Pappaccio, Seton Hall
The best infield arm:
Giuseppe Pappaccio, Seton Hall
The best defensive outfielder:
Adam Engel, Louisville
The best outfield arm:
James Ramsay, USF
The
best pure hitters: L.J. Mazzilli,
Connecticut (right); James Ramsay, USF; Justin Glass, Cincinnati
The biggest power threats:
Trey Mancini, Notre Dame; Eric Jagielo, Notre Dame; L.J.
Mazzilli, Connecticut
The hitter you least want to face:
Eric Jagielo, Notre Dame; L.J. Mazzilli, Connecticut; James
Ramsay, USF
The toughest hitter to strike out:
Nick Ratajczak, Louisville
The most underrated hitter:
Justin Glass, Cincinnati; Sean O’Hare, St. John’s
The best baserunner:
Adam Engel, Louisville
The best game coach:
Ed Blankmeyer, St. John’s; Lelo Prado, USF; Rob Sheppard, Seton
Hall
The assistant coach most ready for a
head-coaching job: Phil Cundari, Seton
Hall; Mike Hampton, St. John’s; Chris Lemonis, Louisville
(photo courtesy of UConn Athletic
Communications) |