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Perfect Game Preseason Baseball Rankings 26-40
26 UCF
27 Southern Miss
28 Auburn
29 West Virginia
30 Vanderbilt
31 Virginia
32 Dallas Baptist
33 South Florida
34 Louisiana
35 Missouri State
36 South Carolina
37 Arizona
38 UConn
39 South Alabama
40 Cal Poly
38. Connecticut
Head Coach: Jim Penders
Conference: American Athletic
2017 Record: 33-25 (14-10 American)
2017 Finish: Did not play in postseason
UConn has some interesting talent scattered across their roster, with a pair of promising starters and two key pieces up the middle on defense. The weekend staff has three lefthanders, the first two of which are highly-touted prospects for both this year’s draft and next. Tim Cate will go Fridays, with very good command of a fastball/curveball 1-2 punch, and his curveball is one of the single best pitches available in this year’s draft class. Sophomore Mason Feole will go on Saturdays, armed with a 1-2 punch on his own that includes a changeup. The third lefty is Chase Gardner, a 6-foot-6, 240-pound transfer that went 7-1 with a 2.56 ERA in 14 starts at Marin last spring. P.J. Poulin, who made 19 appearances a year ago, including five starts, is expected to be the team’s closer this year. Shortstop Anthony Prato and catcher Zac Susi are the top returning position players for the Huskies, and the coaching staff is predicting a big season out of Susi after he stood out on the Cape last summer. The team has returning players at nearly every position other than third base, a position previously occupied by three-year starter Willie Yahn.
Who do you think will get first shot at 3b and DHOf course, aside from Prato, Susi, and Feldstein, many of these returning players didn't do too much hitting last season. Some of these players such as Winkel need to take a great leap forward with the bat. If they do, it could be quite a year.
Who do you think will get first shot at 3b and DH
Thanks for providing some hot stove UCONN baseball.I really have no idea, but if forced to guess, I would say the junior transfer Mike Woodworth at 3B, although I doubt that is set in stone. Fedko and Moriarty (whoever isn't starting at 2B) would seem to be next in line. I would also guess that fellow JUCO Thad Phillips will get time at either DH or 1B when he isn't backing up Susi at catcher. Given what he did with his bat during the summer and the homer he hit at the alumni game in the fall, I'd like to see Ben Maycock get a chance at DH. To be honest, there seem to be a number of players who could end up at DH.
This team is as versatile as it gets. Between Fedko, Woodworth and Moriarty I’d expect a lot of platooning early in the season. Winkel is getting reps in the OF and 1st. Thad can catch and play first. I’ve heard Susi and Feldstien have taken reps at first, which is a great coaching move considering how last year Frenchy not being able to play first created a log jam late in the year. Beyond player versatility, team versatility is very good too. There is a ton of pop on the team this year compared to last. I expect the team batting average to increase from last year’s number. There are quite a few burners as well. This is only the position players, the pitching staff may be even more versatile. All the versatility on this team will make things very easy for Penders to mix and match his lineup based on the opponent that week.Who do you think will get first shot at 3b and DH
This team is as versatile as it gets. Between Fedko, Woodworth and Moriarty I’d expect a lot of platooning early in the season. Winkel is getting reps in the OF and 1st. Thad can catch and play first. I’ve heard Susi and Feldstien have taken reps at first, which is a great coaching move considering how last year Frenchy not being able to play first created a log jam late in the year. Beyond player versatility, team versatility is very good too. There is a ton of pop on the team this year compared to last. I expect the team batting average to increase from last year’s number. There are quite a few burners as well. This is only the position players, the pitching staff may be even more versatile. All the versatility on this team will make things very easy for Penders to mix and match his lineup based on the opponent that week.
Don't count out frosh Andy Hague at 2B. It may take some time for his bat to come around, but his glove might get him some defensive innings.I really have no idea, but if forced to guess, I would say the junior transfer Mike Woodworth at 3B, although I doubt that is set in stone. Fedko and Moriarty (whoever isn't starting at 2B) would seem to be next in line. I would also guess that fellow JUCO Thad Phillips will get time at either DH or 1B when he isn't backing up Susi at catcher. Given what he did with his bat during the summer and the homer he hit at the alumni game in the fall, I'd like to see Ben Maycock get a chance at DH. To be honest, there seem to be a number of players who could end up at DH.
Don't count out frosh Andy Hague at 2B. It may take some time for his bat to come around, but his glove might get him some defensive innings.
Moriarity could be a dark horse. He flashed last year -- especially early -- and if he becomes more consistent, he could be a quality bottom of the order bat.
UConn Baseball @UConnBSB 4h4 hours ago
King of the North! Fun Fact: The Huskies 292 wins since 2010 is the most by any team in the Northeast region (including Maryland & West Virginia)! #UConnNation #18Days
@dbmill, do you remember at around what time last winter the updated roster came out? Starting to get a little antsy here...