(12-19-2017 03:09 PM)BeagleUSM Wrote:  Checking in at #25 in CBNewspaper preseason poll.

Full top 40: http://baseballnews.com/collegiate-baseb...-12-19-17/

Couple thoughts on that poll. Just commenting on teams that I feel I know a little about.

I think they’re overrating us. Our offense should still be pretty good, but we lost a bunch of innings from 2017. Ostrander should be an improvement over Fed, but I still think it’s going to be a little bit of a struggle for us on the mound, especially with our weekend rotation.

- Ole Miss is very underrated in that poll. With that 2016 class now sophomores, I expect them to be a top 15-20 team.

- ULL is overrated in the poll. They had a pretty anemic offense in 2017 and they lost most of their run producers to graduation. Their rotation should be pretty good with Hogan Harris and Nick Lee, but Gunner Leger is going to be out all for at least half the year (possible that he just sits out the year and takes a redshirt).

- South Alabama is about right at #17. Typically 1 or 2 teams from the AAC/CUSA/Sun Belt will emerge as a host, and I think this is the team that could take them to the next level. Their offense is going to be one of the best in the nation (Swaggerty, Donovan, Hardy, Davis, etc.). If they get any pitching at all, they’re going to win a bunch of games. We’ll find out what they’re like early with the Coastal tournament then a 4-game series at Texas Tech.

- I can’t figure out Mississippi State. I sorta think they might be the reverse of their 2017 team (which was good offensively, but struggled on the mound because of injuries). Pilkington is awesome, and JP France should be a serviceable #2/Saturday starter. Self/Price are quality bullpen arms and they also get a bunch of guys back from TJ surgery. But if I’m a State fan, I worry about their offense without Rooker + Brown and Gridley. Mangum is really good, but he’s kind of a singles hitter. Not much a power threat which Rooker and Brown brought. I do expect them to kick our ass again opening weekend, because we have a mental block when we play them for whatever reason.

The Ole Miss ranking is really strange. I don't think you will see them ranked that low in other polls. Probably the most talented team Bianco has had, especially on the mound. Whether they put it together remains to be seen. Kendall Rogers said in the fall that he expected them to go to Omaha. Probably should be around #12 going into the season.

Not sure about ULL....but their hitting was awful last year and I did not realize they lost an many players as they did.

USA: They were really light on pitching last year and that was with Randy Bell (who graduated). As you said, if they are average on the mound, they should be pretty dominant in Sun Belt play. I just don't see them bringing in the arms that they need to be much of a postseason threat. Fun team to watch with a lot of talent on offense and in the field...but I would have them around 23-25. Hope they prove me wrong.

State: One of those teams that has a high ceiling and probably a pretty low floor. A lot of promising pitchers that missed last season but those guys don't have much experience. Are they ready to step up? And even if they are...like you said, where is the offense coming from? If last year is any indication, Cannizaro is going to wring every last win out of those guys, though. I wouldn't be surprised if they made it to Omaha. I wouldn't be surprised if they did even make it to Hoover. I'd split the difference and guess another regional appearance.

As for us: There's usually not much difference between 20 and 35 or so. I would say that 25 may be a little generous with our pitching questions. What's the word on potential rotation to start the season?