This is part three of our collegiate preview series:
This week we turn our focus on the Midwest, to preview the tightly contested Big Ten.
Projected Standings
Michigan
It would be an understatement to say last year was magical. A group of players that were overlooked by the majors, a former football player, and one of the best rotations in the nation last year lead the Michigan Wolverines to a CWS final. Sadly, Michigan wasn’t able to pull out the title but gave one hell of a fight.
Now, Michigan is a name that will stay in the back of college baseball fans all year. Although Michigan lost some star players in Tommy Henry, Karl Kauffman, and Jordan Brewer, there’s still plenty of talent left on this team to make another run to Omaha. Jeff Criswell will lead the pitching staff that still has solid arms including Isaiah Paige, Willie Weiss, and Ben Dragani who is returning after missing all of last year. Expect redshirt-freshman, Steven Hajjar to make a push into the rotation as he has been very impressive recently. Meanwhile, big-bopper Jordan Nwogu will be looking to a promising follow up on his breakout season last year. Joining him in the lineup is Jesse Franklin, Joe Donovan, and Jack Blomgren. Look for the Wolverines to impress again.
Outside of Michigan, it starts to get very close between ball clubs in the Big Ten.
Ohio State
After making another regional appearance last year, Ohio State is once again poised to make another postseason appearance. Although Ohio State lost its best player in Dominic Canzone, Ohio State brings back its entire starting rotation and the best catcher in the conference in Dillon Dingler. Joining Dingler in the field is a veteran squad of Connor Pohl, Noah West, Matt Carpenter, and Zach Dezenzo. On the mound for the Buckeyes will be Garrett Burhenn, the promising Seth Lonsway, and Griffan Smith. Ohio State will have heavy expectations for themselves but have the squad to compete for a tightly contended Big Ten.
Minnesota
Minnesota will be coming into the year hoping to improve after last year didn’t bounce the way the Golden Gophers wanted. Led by the consensus number one prospect in the Big Ten, The Gophers are relying on Max Meyer’s high 90s fastball and a true wipeout slider to lead the rotation. Behind him on the mound is former freshman All-American, Patrick Fredrickson. Fredrickson struggled last year but has impressed over the time he spent at the Cape this summer. At the plate will be the cast of Jack Wassell, Jordan Kozicky, and Northwoods League All-Star Zack Raabe. If Minnesota wants to return to a regional, they’ll need their two aces to be on their game.
Indiana
Indiana was one of the best power-hitting clubs in the nation last year, smashing 95 long balls over the walls at the hitter-friendly Kaufman Field. However, replacing 39 of those and the entire weekend rotation will be a difficult task for the Hoosiers. Although under the defending Big Ten Coach of the Year Jeff Mercer, anything is possible. The bats are headlined by OF Elijah Dunham and big hitter 3B Cole Barr. With some solid talent and experience behind them with Grant Richardson and Drew Ashley. As well as some young blood ready to make their statement in Ethan Veccrumba and Brant Voth. The rotation will feature Gabe Bierman and Tommy Sommer as the likely candidates for the Friday-Saturday roles with Connor Manous to take up the closer role in the bullpen.
Maryland
I’m most likely the highest on Maryland this year than others, but I personally love what they’re building in College Park. Headlined by Big Ten Freshman of the Year Maxwell Costes and veteran Randy Bednar, as well as arguably the best recruitment classes in school history. I believe that Maryland can do some serious business in shaking up the Big Ten this year. Joining Costes and Bednar in the lineup is a talented group of freshman OF Tucker Flint, OF Troy Schreffler Jr, and OF Bobby Zmarzlak. Although the key to Maryland’s success will be their arms. The weekend rotation consists of Tyler Blohm, Trevor LaBonte and Zach Thompson. However, expect freshman Nick Dean, Sam Bello, and Dave Falco, as well as redshirt freshman Sean Burke to push for weekend spots, as all of them have been intriguing going into the season.
Illinois
The Illini have had some hype going into this year as it feels like yet another year that Illinois has a team that can compete at the top of the conference. Even with them having to say goodbye to pitching coach Drew Dickinson to Virginia, as well as two key pieces of their infield in Michael Massey and Ben Troike, Illinois still has the talent to compete. Leading them in the field is breakout candidate Cam McDonald, who is a bit of power away from becoming one of the best in the conference. Joining him is Branden Comia, and Kellen Sarver, both coming off of decent seasons. The Illini will have to depend on a talented group of additions to come in the clutch as well, with Brody Harding and Xavier Watson being impact freshmen. On the mound returning for the Illini is Ty Weber, with the likely Saturday starter of Jimmy Burnette. To close out games for the Illini is defending All-Big Ten First Team RP Garrett Action.
Iowa
Iowa was sitting right on the edge of being able to make the tournament for the majority of the year, but fell short at the end. However, head coach Rick Heller is confident in the squad he has for 2020. Iowa’s strongest position group will be on the mound this year led by a fully healthy Jack Dreyer back from missing almost all of last season. Followed by Grant Judkins on Saturdays and Cam Baumann fresh off of a stint in the Cape is likely to start on Sundays. Meanwhile, the pen for Iowa will be headlined by Grant Leonard, who set a school record in saves in a single season. As well as a couple of other guys ready to take the next step are Trace Hoffman and Drew Irvine. Irvine has been very impressive in his improvements in the fall and could battle for the third spot or even a midweek start.
The field will be the real question marks for Iowa this year. Coach Heller will have to find space for multiple first basemen and catchers whose bats are worth the multiple different lineups. Izaya Fullard is likely to see the majority of his time at second this year after being mostly at first, with the very impressive freshman Peyton Williams manning first. Meanwhile behind the plate will be mostly Austin Martin getting the time although Brett McCleary has been one of the best hitters throughout the fall and winter for the Hawkeyes. Coach Heller mentioned Martin and McCleary getting some work in the corner outfield in case they need to get both in-game or face a good lefty arm. As Tanner Padgett seems to be pegged as DH only for the year. The left side of the field will be manned by transfer 2B/SS/RHP Dylan Nedved and SS/3B Brendan Sher. The outfield will feature Ben Norman, Justin Jenkins, Connor McCaffery, and Zeb Adreon.
Nebraska
The Cornhuskers enter this year coming off of a regional appearance but will be without head coach Darin Erstad after he stepped down. However, Nebraska still has plenty of talent to potentially get another regional bid this year. Although Nebraska doesn’t have many big names on their roster, they are a ball club of players that know their role and it meshes together for a good team. The Cornhuskers’ best hitter in Aaron Palensky fresh off of an All-Big Ten Second Team nod last year is back. In addition to a pair of impressive sophomores Spencer Schwellenbach and Cam Chick. Behind them are a group of experienced role players of Joe Acker, Mojo Hagge, Jackson Hallmark, Luke Roskam, and Gunner Hellstrom. Leading the Huskers on the mound will be the former closer and exciting prospect Colby Gomes. Gomes is a true flamethrower hitting mid-90s and with three other pitches to rely on. However, the fastball is good enough to pay off the majority of the time. Behind him will be a mixture of Max Schreiber, Cade Povich, and Gareth Stroh.
Rutgers
This could be a year of improvements for Rutgers. After years of being near the bottom, there is legitimate talent that could have Rutgers fighting in the middle of the pack. Led by the talented 1-2 punch of Harry Rutkowski and Tevin Murray, Rutgers will have a shot to be in any game. Rutkowski is fresh off of an appearance in the Cape where he shined and earned an all-star nomination. Meanwhile, Murray is no slouch either having been solid the past two years for Rutgers. It’ll come down to the lineup featuring Mike Nyisztor, Kevin Welsh, transfer Sam Owens, and Dan DiGeorgio to give them proper run support in games. The bullpen will be Steven Acosta, Tommy Genuario, and Garrett French with Acosta looking like the favorite to be the main closer.
Purdue
Purdue is one of the programs trying to get back to its former glory. After a very disappointing 2019, Purdue will need the luck of first-year coach Greg Goff to battle with the heavily contested Big Ten. Purdue will look to a pair of seniors OF Skylar Hunter and C Zac Fascia to drive the offense. As well as junior OF Ben Nisle and 1B Mason Gavre will be key in expanding the offense. On the mound will be former closer Bo Hofstra as the favorite to take the Friday night spot in the rotation. Hofstra was one of the better closers in the Big Ten last year earning him an All-Big Ten Third team nod. Keep an eye on Matt Moore out of the pen as he had a fantastic summer earning an All-Star selection at the Cape last year and is poised to breakout.
Michigan State
Michigan State will be one to watch this season. Built on a core of young prospects and talent that will grow throughout the season, there might be something real arising in East Lansing. Zaid Walker is primed for a breakout season after showing real bat speed and good potential. Joining him is freshman Jack Frank who has really impressed this fall as well as is one of the best impact freshman this season. As well as freshman Dillon Kark who will have a spot open for himself at the six spot. The very speedy Bryce Kelly is also one to watch, as the senior is one of the best bag-swipers in the conference only 15 away from breaking the school record in a collegiate career. One the mound for the Spartans will be Mason Erla, who didn’t have his best year in 2019 but could get back to his impressive 2018 ways.
Northwestern
Although Northwestern may not be the best team in the conference, they still have plenty of solid pieces ready to make noise. The first of those is Shawn Goosenburg. Now moved over to shortstop for this season, Goosenburg hit a solid (.288/.338/.397) last season for the Wildcats. Another player ready to break out this year is Mike Trautwein. Trautwein was one of the better players I managed to see over the summer in the Northwoods. As well as freshman 3B Evan Minarovic, who had a promising fall camp. The weekend rotation will be a series of experienced arms but nothing really set in stone. Quinn LaVelle, Ryan Bader, Tyler Uberstine, Mike Doherty all competing for those spots.
Penn State
2019 was a season of the highest highs and then a hit right back to reality for Penn State. The majority of the Nittany Lions’ early success came from the revelation of Dante Biasi. However, with him gone Penn State will have big shoes to fill to further progress the program. The Friday night role will most likely fall to Bailey Dees with Connor Larkin right behind him. Mason Mellott has been another bright spot for Penn State and could make a transition to the rotation. In the field is All-Big Ten Freshman in 2019, Justin Williams. Williams could potentially inspire something out of this team as he will most likely have another strong year and really someone to watch throughout the rest of the year.
Projected First Team All-Big Ten
C - Dillon Dingler, Ohio State
1B - Maxwell Costes, Maryland
2B - Zach Raabe, Minnesota
3B - Cole Barr, Indiana
SS - Jack Blomgren, Michigan
OF - Jesse Franklin, Michigan
OF - Elijah Dunham, Indiana
OF - Randy Bednar, Maryland
DH - Jordon Nwogu, Michigan
SP - Max Meyer, Minnesota
SP - Jeff Criswell, Michigan
SP - Seth Lonsway, Ohio State
RP - Garrett Action, Illinois
At Large - Colby Gomes, Nebraska
Projected Second Team All-Big Ten
C - Joe Donovan, Michigan
1B - Conner Pohl, Ohio State
2B - Kevin Welsh, Rutgers
3B - Zach Dezenzo, Ohio State
SS - Spencer Schwellenbach, Nebraska
OF - Aaron Palensky, Nebraska
OF - Grant Richardson, Indiana
OF - Zaid Walker, Michigan State
DH - Cam Chick, Nebraska
SP - Patrick Fredrickson, Minnesota
SP - Tevin Murray, Rutgers
SP - Harry Rutkowski, Rutgers
RP - Grant Leonard, Iowa
At Large - Izaya Fullard, Iowa
Projected All-Big Ten Freshman Team
C - Brant Voth, Indiana
1B - Peyton Williams, Iowa
2B - Brody Harding, Illinois
3B - Evan Minarovic, Northwestern
SS - Dillon Kark, Michigan State
OF - Jack Frank, Michigan State
OF - Ethan Vecrumba, Indiana
OF - Tucker Flint, Maryland
DH - Jimmy Obertop, Michigan
SP - Sean Burke, Maryland
SP - Sam Ireland, Minnesota
SP - Nick Dean, Maryland
RP - Cameron Weston, Michigan
Top 2020 Draft Prospects
Max Meyer, RHP, Minnesota
Jeff Criswell, RHP, Michigan
Dillon Dingler, C, Ohio State
Jordan Nwogu, OF/DH, Michigan
Seth Lonsway, RHP, Ohio State
Jesse Franklin, OF, Michigan
Elijah Dunham, OF, Indiana
Randy Bednar, OF, Maryland
Patrick Fredrickson, RHP, Minnesota
Ben Dragani, LHP, Michigan
Jack Dreyer LHP, Iowa
Joe Donovan, C, Michigan
Bo Hofstra, RHP, Purdue
Jack Blomgren, SS, Michigan
Isaiah Paige, RHP, Michigan
Tevin Murray, LHP, Rutgers
Grant Richardson, OF, Indiana
Jimmy Burnette, LHP, Illinois
Harry Rutkowski, LHP, Rutgers
Sam Thoreson, RHP, Minnesota
Cam Baumann, LHP, Iowa
Cole Barr, 3B, Indiana
Aaron Palensky, OF, Nebraska
Jack Kelly, C, Minnesota
David Dunn, OF, Northwestern
Kellen Sarver, C, Illinois
Bailey Dees, RHP, Penn State
Zac Fascia, C, Purdue
Skyler Hunter, OF, Purdue
Izaya Fullard, INF, Iowa
Breakout Candidates
Zaid Walker, OF, Michigan State
Drew Irvine, RHP, Iowa
McCade Brown, RHP, Indiana
Willie Weiss, RHP, Michigan
Mike Trautwein, C, Northwestern
Cam McDonald, OF, Illinois
Matt Moore, RHP, Purdue
Image Credit: Alec Cohen/Michigan Daily