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 OVC (7 of 11 coaches responded).
The Team to Beat: Jacksonville State
Top 3 Starting Pitchers: Alex Robles (Austin Peay)*, Aaron Leasher (Morehead State), Robert Beltran (SEMO)
Top Closer: Justin Hoyt (Jacksonville State)
Pitcher with the Best Fastball: Justin Murphy (SEMO)
Pitcher with the Best Offspeed Pitch: Robert Beltran – change (SEMO); others to watch, Justin Hoyt’s curve (Jacksonville State), Clay Chandler’s slider (SEMO) and Michael Costanzo’s slider (Austin Peay)
Pitcher You Least Want to Face: Alex Robles (Austin Peay)
Best Catcher: Tyler Lawrence (Murray State)
Best Defensive Infielder: Reid Leonard (Morehead State)
Best Defensive Outfielder: No player received more than one vote
3 Best Pure Hitters: Kevin Strohschein (Tennessee Tech) (pictured, photo by Tony Marable), Clayton Daniel (Jacksonville State), Keaton Wright (SIUE)
3 Best Power Threats: Kevin Strohschein (Tennessee Tech), Tyler Lawrence (Murray State) and Brennan Washington (Belmont), Chris Osborne (SEMO) (tie)
Hitter You Least Want to Face: Kevin Strohschein (Tennessee Tech)
Best Game Coach: Jim Case (Jacksonville State)
Assistant Most Ready for Head Coaching Job: Adam Brown (Morehead State)
*unanimous choice