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 A-10 (10 of 13 coaches responded).
The Team to Beat: Rhode Island
Top 3 Starting Pitchers: Tyler Wilson (Rhode Island)*(pictured, courtesy of URI athletic communications), Keenan Bartlett (Richmond), Brandon Schlimm (St. Bonaventure)
Top Closer: Sam Donko (VCU)
Pitcher with the Best Fastball: Keenan Bartlett (Richmond)
Pitcher with the Best Offspeed Pitch: Sam Donko – cutter/slider (VCU); also watch Tyler Wilson’s curve and change (Rhode Island) and Keenan Bartlett’s slider
Pitcher You Least Want to Face: Tyler Wilson (Rhode Island)
Best Catcher: Deon Stafford, Jr. (Saint Joseph’s)
Best Defensive Infielder: Cole Peterson (St. Bonaventure), Matt Maul (Saint Joseph’s) and Robbie Metz (George Washington) (three-way tie)
Best Defensive Outfielder: Joey Bartosic (George Washington), Logan Farrar (VCU) and Jordan Powell (Rhode Island) (three-way tie)
3 Best Pure Hitters: Deon Stafford, Jr. (Saint Joseph’s), Martin Figueroa (Rhode Island), Joey Bartosic (George Washington), Chris Hess (Rhode Island) (note – Bartosic and Hess tied for third)
3 Best Power Threats: Deon Stafford, Jr. (Saint Joseph’s)*, Trent Leimkuehler (Saint Louis), Darian Carpenter (VCU), Martin Figueroa (Rhode Island) (note – Leimkuehler, Carpenter and Figueroa tied)
Hitter You Least Want to Face: Deon Stafford, Jr. (Saint Joseph’s)
Best Game Coach: Gregg Ritchie (George Washington)
Assistant Most Ready for Head Coaching Job: Ryan Wheeler (Saint Joseph’s)
*unanimous choice