Another week, another Picks and Previews for college baseball. This week is the classic special, featuring four different “classics” and a couple of huge series, as well as some midweek games to top it off.
Note: We are using our own Top 25 for team rankings, not national ones. You can check out those rankings here
Leaderboard:
Anthony Franco: 21
Peter Flaherty: 21
Matt Powers: 18
Tom Mussa: 15
Week 3 Series:
Long Beach St - No.7 Mississippi State
It was a good weekend for Mississippi State as they took down an Oregon State team that flashed some interesting pitching 2-1. The Bulldogs battled on Friday and then took over the game from the jump on Saturday. However, an embarrassing 8-4 loss to an at-the-time winless Texas Southern on Tuesday clouds over the weekend and their bounce-back win on Wednesday against Alcorn State.
For Mississippi State to get back to their normal selves, the Bulldogs will need to hit to stay competitive. Led by a red hot Justin Foscue, Jordan Westburg, and Rowdey Jordan, who has been the catalysts of the Bulldog offense and will need to show up this weekend. As shown in a grinder of a game last Friday, Mississippi State had a little trouble against a fantastic performance from Oregon State’s Christian Chamberland while pitching has been a major strength for Long Beach this year.
The Dirtbags have been one of the best pitching teams this year allowing only 14 earned runs over eight games. LHP Adam Seminaris will return to his Friday night role, and LHP Alfredo Ruiz will get the ball on Saturday of the series. Ruiz has been amazing this year having yet to allow a run and only four hits in 14 innings, meanwhile punching out 14 batters this year. Seminaris looked good in his first start of the year as well against Cal striking out 11 in six innings allowing just three hits.
Tom Mussa: MSU 2-1
Peter Flaherty: MSU 2-1
Matt Powers: MSU 3-0
Anthony Franco: MSU 2-1
No.4 Georgia - No.20 Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech silenced some of the question marks about their teams last week as they swept Ohio State. Tech then went on to win on Tuesday against Gardner-Webb. Tech won three out of their four games with double-digit runs, with the only loss against draft prospect Seth Lonsway. Georgia Tech’s lineup is strong, headed by Michael Guldberg, Drew Compton and Luke Waddell. Guldberg and Compton are the hottest of the three with a combined .993 BA, 26 H,13 RBI, and 9 BB.
Georgia has been one of the quieter teams in the Top 25 this year. 8-1 so far on the year, Georgia in some polls, has been near the Top 10 but this weekend is their first real test of how good this Bulldogs team can be. The two biggest names returning for Georgia are MLB prospects, Emerson Hancock and Cole Wilcox. Hancock, who was getting nods at a potential 1.1 spot this year, started the year slow against Richmond but picked it up against Santa Clara last weekend. As for Wilcox, he’s been his normal self for the most part. Georgia’s lineup has been a major question mark going into the year after losing Aaron Schunk and LJ Talley to the draft. However, a two-way stud is appearing by the name of Tucker Bradley. Bradley who is already hitting .485 with 4 HR in 33 AB, meanwhile making appearances out of the pen for Georgia allowing just one hit in 3.1 IP with five punch outs on the year.
Tom Mussa: Georgia 2-1
Peter Flaherty: Georgia 2-1
Matt Powers: Georgia Tech 2-1
Anthony Franco: Georgia 2-1
Frisco College Baseball Classic
The first of four classics taking place this weekend is the Frisco College Baseball Classic. Featuring in this tournament is UCLA, Illinois, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma St. UCLA leads the pack with a young team led by the resurgence of Matt McLain and JT Schwartz. Where McLain is hitting .387 with 10 RBI and two homers in 31 AB, and Schwartz hitting .424 with five runs on the year and 17 total bases in 33 AB.
Texas A&M is another interesting team to watch with arguably one of the best pitchers in the nation in Asa Lacy. Who started the year off well so far with 22 strikeouts in just 11 innings pitched. In the field is mega hitter Zach DeLoach who had one of the best summers on the cape, is now on a 10-game hitting streak with a stunning .586/.675/1.103 with four homers in just 29 AB this year.
It hasn’t been the best of seasons so far for the Fighting Illini, but a good weekend in Frisco can kick start Illinois into better play. Friday night RHP Ty Weber has been good for Illinois once again, with Garrett Action as one of better closers in the Big Ten close things out.
As for Oklahoma State, they started the year slowly losing to a series to Grand Canyon but returned to form and now stay 7-2 and the edge of the Top 25. A solid weekend in Frisco can have the Cowboys back in. An overall balanced offensive squad based around the performances from Max Hewitt, LSU transfer Brock Mathis, Alix Garcia, and Kaden Polcovich will lead the bats. Meanwhile, Parker Scott will get the ball Friday night for the Cowboys, having thrown 10 strikeouts in 6 innings against UTRGV.
No.9 UCLA - Oklahoma State
Tom Mussa: UCLA
Peter Flaherty: UCLA
Matt Powers: UCLA
Anthony Franco: Oklahoma State
No.13 Texas A&M - Illinois
Tom Mussa: Texas A&M
Peter Flaherty: Texas A&M
Matt Powers: Texas A&M
Anthony Franco: Texas A&M
No.9 UCLA - No.13 Texas A&M
Tom Mussa: UCLA
Peter Flaherty: UCLA
Matt Powers: Texas A&M
Anthony Franco: UCLA
Illinois - No.9 UCLA
Tom Mussa: UCLA
Peter Flaherty: Illinois
Matt Powers: UCLA
Anthony Franco: UCLA
Oklahoma State - No.13 Texas A&M
Tom Mussa: Texas A&M
Peter Flaherty: Texas A&M
Matt Powers: Oklahoma State
Anthony Franco: Oklahoma State
Cambria College Classic
The Cambria College Classic is the second of the classics this weekend featuring teams from both the Big Ten and ACC. The teams that will be attending are Minnesota, Iowa, Purdue, UNC, Duke, and NC State. First off for the hosts Minnesota, the player to watch this weekend will be Max Meyer. Meyer is coming off of a bit of an injured 2019 but a very successful summer with the US Collegiate National Team, and although he is only 1-1 on the year the electric righty has 17 strikeouts in 10.2 IP so far this year with a 1.03 WHIP. Easton Bertrand, Jack Wassel, and Zack Raabe will look to help give Meyer some well deserved run support.
As for Iowa, the hitting has struggled in certain situations but the 1-2 combo between LHP Jack Dreyer and RHP Grant Judkins has been promising for the Hawkeyes. Between the two they have 25 strikeouts in 22.2 innings, with a combined WHIP of 1.35. Purdue has had a good start to 2020 going 6-1, but their first test starts this week having to face three top 25 teams. Catcher Zac Fascia has been a bright spot for the Boilermakers slashing .375/.469/.667 in 24 AB so far this year.
UNC enters Minneapolis coming off of a disappointing series loss to DBU. Good news for them, however, is their star hitter, Aaron Sabato has picked it back up from where he ended this summer in the Cape. In addition to Sabato, Dylan Harris has three home runs on the year now bringing his slash up to .333/.455/.667 a team-high in OBP and SLG. As for the rotation, UNC has decided to mix it up this weekend and have Will Sandy start Friday night for the Tar Heels and have two-way Joey Lancelotti throw on Saturday instead.
However, no storyline was bigger last weekend than Duke’s Bryce Jarvis throwing a perfect game against Cornell last Friday. Jarvis struck out 15 on his way to retiring all 27 batters faced in what was Duke’s first perfect game in program history. Meanwhile, Duke has been excellent on the mound in their 7-1 start to the year, Matt Mervis has been swinging with confidence this year. He’s started the year off with 11 hits 10 runs batted in and 22 total bases leading to a team-high .393/.528/.786 and two homers in 28 at-bats for the Blue Devils.
Finally, NC State has been flying since the beginning of the year, 8-0 with double-digit runs scored in four of their eight wins. Although he will get the ball on Saturday, Nick Swiney has been lights out for NC State, punching out 22 in 13 innings pitched for the Wolfpack. Also, keep an eye out for Devonte Brown to continue his run of form. Brown already has four homers on the year batting in 16 runs with 29 total bases in 29 at-bats, and draft prospect Patrick Bailey who will most likely get back to his 2019 self.
Iowa - No.12 NC State
Tom Mussa: NC State
Peter Flaherty: NC State
Matt Powers: NC State
Anthony Franco: Iowa
UNC - Minnesota
Tom Mussa: Minnesota
Peter Flaherty: UNC
Matt Powers: Minnesota
Anthony Franco: Minnesota
UNC - Iowa
Tom Mussa: UNC
Peter Flaherty: Iowa
Matt Powers: Iowa
Anthony Franco: UNC
No.16 Duke - Minnesota
Tom Mussa: Duke
Peter Flaherty: Minnesota
Matt Powers: Duke
Anthony Franco: Duke
No.16 Duke - Iowa
Tom Mussa: Duke
Peter Flaherty: Duke
Matt Powers: Duke
Anthony Franco: Duke
Minnesota - No.12 NC State
Tom Mussa: NC State
Peter Flaherty: NC State
Matt Powers: NC State
Anthony Franco: NC State
Keith LeClair Classic
The next classic on the list is the Keith LeClair Classic featuring East Carolina, Ole Miss, Indiana, and High Point. East Carolina, similar to NC State, will be tested for the first time this year as they hosted the Keith LeClair Classic. Outside of a loss to Campbell, a 7-1 start to the year has been what they wanted in Greenville. The Pirates lineup headlined by two-way stud Alec Burleson, Bryson Worrell, and Thomas Fransico. The Pirates will have Alec Burleson, Tyler Smith, and Jack Kuchmaner on the mound for the weekend and they’ll need them to show up against a powerful hitting Ole Miss.
Ole Miss who has shown off well taking two of three from Louisville, and winning out against Alcorn St, Xavier, and Southern Miss. Ole Miss has had some stellar performances from Anthony Servideo .429/.590/.893 in 28 AB, former JUCO player of the year Cael Baker .259/.382/.741 with 4 HR in 27 AB, and freshman phenom Hayden Dunhurst. Gunnar Hoglund and Doug Nikhazy will get the ball on the mound for the Rebels as they try to continue to build their resume
Indiana will be tested again this weekend after sweeping last weekend against South Alabama, Siena, and UT Martin after losing 2 out of 3 to LSU on opening weekend. Elijah Dunham .476/.621/.762 and Grant Richardson .389/.455/.889/2 HR have been bright spots for Indiana so far this year.
Indiana - No.21 ECU
Tom Mussa: ECU
Peter Flaherty: ECU
Matt Powers: ECU
Anthony Franco: Indiana
No.11 Ole Miss - No.21 ECU
Tom Mussa: Ole Miss
Peter Flaherty: Ole Miss
Matt Powers: Ole Miss
Anthony Franco: Ole Miss
Indiana - No.11 Ole Miss
Tom Mussa: Ole Miss
Peter Flaherty: Ole Miss
Matt Powers: Ole Miss
Anthony Franco: Indiana
Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic
To finish up our list of Classics for this week of College Baseball is the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic. This tournament will arguably be the best of the weekend with Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma, Arkansas, LSU, and Mizzou. First off, Baylor is entering the weekend after the disappointing dropping of a series for the Bears against Oral Roberts. However, there are some positives to look forward to for the Bears as MLB Draft Prospect, Nick Loftin is off to a hot start slashing .333/.355/.600, as well as newcomer Jared McKenzie (1.073 OPS in 33 BA) whose .485 batting average is leading the team so far this season.
As for the SEC side of things, Mizzou has been promising this year even with a postseason ban clouding over the heads of the Tigers. However, there are some real standouts on the team such as Brant Belk .480/.600/.760/2 HR, and Mark Vierling .324/.395/.412. Our very own Anthony Franco interviewed the head skipper of Mizzou, Steve Bieser here.
Next up Oklahoma, the Sooners have been steady risers in the Top 25 polls since the first week with series wins over Virginia and Illinois State leading to a solid 7-2 record for the Sooners. The majority of that success can come down to the success of Cade Cavalli and Levi Prater on the mound for the Sooners. Cavalli so far this year has 17 Ks in 11.2 IP while Prater has 12 in 10.2 IP. However, Wyatt Olds has been fantastic for this bullpen this year gaining 15 strikeouts this year in just 9 IP. Mix that with guys like Tanner Treadway .405/.410/.811 3 3B, Peyton Graham .355/.462/.484 4 SB, and Tyler Hardman .333/.436/.667 make for a well-balanced team ready to make noise in Houston.
To finish off the Big 12 clubs at the tournament is Texas. Texas’ biggest question marks going into the year was how would their youth handle the big lights of D1 Baseball. So far they’ve had some growing pains but a good weekend against some of the best clubs in the nation could do wonders for Texas, meanwhile, the hitters are figuring out, the pitching staff is full of power arms like the stellar Bryce Elder who has 17 strikeouts in 13 IP on the year with a 0.69 WHIP.
For LSU, its another year of early miniature panic for the Tigers after a shocking loss to Nicholls St and followed by a loss to Eastern Kentucky, but all that fear can be cleared away by a nice showing in Houston this weekend. There’s no denying that the Tigers have oodles of talent, even while losing guys to draft last year the core of Saul Garza, Daniel Cabrera, and Zack Mathis is a solid core to work with. Mix in a couple of breakout stars in big hitter Cade Beloso .429/.459/.571 and two-sport athlete Maurice Hampton Jr .300/.364/.350 means that LSU can hit it with the best of them. There’s even plenty of talent on the mound for the Tigers as well with Cole Henry coming back, Landon Marceaux, and Jaden Hill.
Finally, arguably the number one team in the nation right now, Arkansas. Arkansas has been stellar so far this year but looks forward to their first test of the year after sweeping Eastern Illinois and a 4 game series with Gonzaga. It is truly insane how much talent is still on this Arkansas team, headlined by the biggest stock riser in college baseball Heston Kjerstad. Kjerstad .393/.500/.929 currently leads Arkansas with 4 homers this year and 11 RBIs. Behind him is a soon to get warm Casey Martin, who is looking to get back to his freshman year of form, even with getting walked 6 times already this year. As well as Casey Opitz .364/.462/.727, Christian Franklin .440/.531/.800, and the former top prep talents this draft before coming to campus this spring Robert Moore .375/.483/.542.
No. 2 Arkansas - No.19 Oklahoma
Tom Mussa: Arkansas
Peter Flaherty: Arkansas
Matt Powers: Oklahoma
Anthony Franco: Arkansas
No.25 Texas - No.13 LSU
Tom Mussa: LSU
Peter Flaherty: LSU
Matt Powers: Texas
Anthony Franco: Texas
No.19 Oklahoma - Mizzou
Tom Mussa: Oklahoma
Peter Flaherty: Oklahoma
Matt Powers: Oklahoma
Anthony Franco: Oklahoma
No.2 Arkansas - No.25 Texas
Tom Mussa: Arkansas
Peter Flaherty: Texas
Matt Powers: Arkansas
Anthony Franco: Arkansas
No.13 LSU - No.19 Oklahoma
Tom Mussa: Oklahoma
Peter Flaherty: LSU
Matt Powers: LSU
Anthony Franco: LSU
Baylor - No.2 Arkansas
Tom Mussa: Arkansas
Peter Flaherty: Arkansas
Matt Powers: Arkansas
Anthony Franco: Arkansas
Other Series to Watch:
Clemson - South Carolina
While this isn't the best Clemson or South Carolina team of the last decade, this is still a huge in-state rivalry and both teams are filled with talent. The pitching will be a key for both schools, as Clemson's pitching has looked even better than expected, while South Carolina has some interesting prospect arms itself. If not for this series, I would have picked Pitt and Lehigh, as it would have been an interesting chance to see Lehigh's 2021 eligible ace Mason Black face off against a solid offense and Pitt's emerging 2021 arm in the 6'9" Billy Corcoran. - Matt Powers
Cal vs. TCU
TCU's veteran lineup has them on the verge of the top 25. They've scored 5+ runs in each of their first eight games and have won a pair of weekend series against Power Five opponents (Kentucky and Minnesota). On the mound, JUCO transfer Johnny Ray looks like one of the top newcomers to the Big 12 as the Horned Frogs' Friday night starter. Cal, meanwhile, is off to a tough 3-5 start; offensively, they've got quite a bit of talent, led by third baseman Quentin Selma and second baseman Darren Baker. The Bears could use a resume-building non-conference series win. - Anthony Franco
Midweek Games To Hold You Over:
No.24 DBU - No.19 Oklahoma
Tom Mussa: Oklahoma
Peter Flaherty: Oklahoma
Matt Powers: DBU
Anthony Franco: Oklahoma
No.9 UCLA - UCSB
Tom Mussa: UCLA
Peter Flaherty: UCLA
Matt Powers: UCLA
Anthony Franco: UCLA
No.16 Arizona St - Fullerton (2 game series)
Tom Mussa: Arizona St 2-0
Peter Flaherty: 1-1 Split
Matt Powers: 1-1 Split
Anthony Franco: Arizona St 2-0
No.15 Michigan - Stanford
Tom Mussa: Michigan
Peter Flaherty: Michigan
Matt Powers: Michigan
Anthony Franco: Stanford
No.7 Mississippi State - Southern Miss
Tom Mussa: Mississippi State
Peter Flaherty: Southern Miss
Matt Powers: Mississippi State
Anthony Franco: Southern Miss