CollegeBaseballInsider.com surveyed college coaches around the country on the teams and players to watch in their conferences to preview the 2017 college baseball season. Coaches were asked not to vote for their own players. 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 South (5 of 10 coaches responded).
The Team to Beat: High Point
Top 3 Starting Pitchers: Matt Crohan (Winthrop), Jack DeGroat (Liberty) and Tanner Chock (Presbyterian), Zack Ridgely (Radford) and Andrew Gottfried (High Point) (Chock, Ridgely and Gottfried tied)
Top Closer: Will Sellers (Gardner-Webb)
Pitcher with the Best Fastball: Matt Crohan (Winthrop) and Tanner Chock (Presbyterian) (tie)
Pitcher with the Best Offspeed Pitch: Zack Ridgely’s change (Radford), Jack DeGroat’s slider (Liberty), Will Sellers’ change (Gardner-Webb) and Tanner Chock’s curve (Presbyterian)
Pitcher You Least Want to Face: Matt Crohan (Winthrop)
Best Catcher: No player received more than one vote.
Best Defensive Infielder: Colby Higgerson (Radford)
Best Defensive Outfielder: Chris Singleton (Charleston Southern)
3 Best Pure Hitters: Collin Thacker (Gardner-Webb)*, Joe Tietjen (UNC Asheville), Anthony Paulsen (Winthrop)
3 Best Power Threats: Cole Hallum (Campbell), Andrew Yacyk (Liberty), Joe Tietjen (UNC Asheville)
Hitter You Least Want to Face: Collin Thacker (Gardner-Webb)
Best Game Coach: No coach received more than one vote.
Assistant Most Ready for Head Coaching Job: Mark McQueen (Radford)
*unanimous choice