10 players to watch in college baseball in 2016 – USA TODAY
Here are 10 players to keep an eye on this college baseball season:
Carmen Benedetti, IF/OF/LHP, junior, Michigan: Two-way player batted .352 and led Big Ten in doubles (25) and RBIs (71). Had 29-game streak in which he reached base. Had 1.84 ERA with 23 strikeouts and three saves in 14 2-3 innings in first year as a college pitcher.
Joe DeMers, RHP, freshman, Washington: The 6-foot, 240-pounder is centerpiece of Huskies’ pitching staff. DeMers was 2015 California high school player of the year and three-time gold medalist on USA national teams. He touches mid-90s with fastball and can throw three pitches for strikes.
TOP 25: Preseason baseball poll
KJ Harrison, IF/C, sophomore, Oregon State: Pac-12 freshman of year started all 58 games, batted .309 and led Beavers with 10 HRs and 60 RBIs. He’ll spend most of his time at first base but could fill in at catcher and third base.
Jacob Heyward, OF, junior, Miami: Younger brother of Chicago Cubs’ Jason Heyward was hottest 9-hole hitter in country at end of 2015, leading Hurricanes with .355 batting average in nine NCAA Tournament games and team-best .455 in three games at College World Series.
Ryan Howard, SS, junior, Missouri: Committed just seven errors on 243 chances last season and had his best season offensively with .308 batting average, five homers and 39 RBIs. He started at shortstop on USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team and batted .310 with five extra-base hits.
Alex Lange, RHP, sophomore, LSU: Went 12-0 with 1.97 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 114 innings and named national freshman pitcher of year. Threw complete game with 10 Ks against Cal State Fullerton in College World Series. Mixes low 90s fastball with power slider.
Kyle Lewis, OF, junior, Mercer: A first-time starter last season, he committed no errors, batted .367 to lead the Southern Conference and was seventh in the nation with 17 home runs. His .677 slugging percentage topped his conference and was eighth in the country.
A.J. Puk, LHP, junior, Florida: Gators are so deep on the mound that Puk isn’t even the Friday night starter — it’s Logan Shore — but the 6-7, 230-pounder could be the No. 1 pick in the draft. He leaned on mid-90s fastball for 104 strikeouts in 78 innings.
Corey Ray, OF, junior, Louisville: Followed his breakout college season with outstanding summer that saw him bat .355, hit safely in 15 of 16 starts and stole 10 bases in 16 starts for USA Collegiate National Team. Batted .325 for Cardinals with 11 HRs and ACC-leading 34 steals.
Garrett Williams, LHP, junior, Oklahoma State: Emerged nationally in 2007 at the Little League World Series when he struck out 17 in a game. Battled some control problems in college but still projects to be high draft pick. He can build off last season, when he struck out 25 in 18 1-3 innings mostly out of the bullpen.
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