In the most non shocking vote ever, last years CWS MVP was voted Sun Belt Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

2017 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Baseball Team
Andrew Beckwith (Coastal Carolina, Starting Pitcher, Senior)
Evan Challenger (Georgia Southern, Starting Pitcher, Redshirt Senior)
Gunner Leger (Louisiana, Starting Pitcher, Junior)
Dylan Moore (Louisiana, Relief Pitcher, Junior)
Brady Cox (UTA, Catcher, Senior)
Ryan Cleveland (Georgia Southern, First Base, Senior)
Jonathan Ortega (Texas State, Second Base, Sophomore)
Drew LaBounty (South Alabama, Shortstop, Redshirt Junior)
Seth Lancaster (Coastal Carolina, Third Base, Junior)
Dalton Thomas (Little Rock, Outfield, Senior)
Billy Cooke (Coastal Carolina, Outfield, Junior)
Travis Swaggerty (South Alabama, Outfield, Sophomore)
Steven Sensley (Louisiana, Designated Hitter, Junior)
Joe Robbins (Louisiana, Utility Player, Senior)

2017 Preseason Player of the Year
Dalton Thomas (Little Rock, Outfield, Senior)

2017 Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Andrew Beckwith (Coastal Carolina, Starting Pitcher, Senior)

The unusual part of the All Conference list is how few teams are represented by players. UL, CCU, USA, and Georgia Southern take up all but 3 spots on the team.

Troy, ULM, App, Georgia State, and AState all do not have anyone on the team.

(02-02-2017 01:00 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  The unusual part of the All Conference list is how few teams are represented by players. UL, CCU, USA, and Georgia Southern take up all but 3 spots on the team.

Troy, ULM, App, Georgia State, and AState all do not have anyone on the team.

Sounds like good motivation to me! Cant wait for the season to start! Welcome aboard CCU! I believe this is the season that all SBC fans have been waiting for!

We are about to make a little more noise this year!

Will be interesting to see what the coach's poll looks like.

I've got no real complaints, save maybe for the lack of players total. Hard to argue with the defending NCAA champs landing players. Hard to argue with Louisiana, as they have been at the top of the SBC for a few years for a reason. Georgia Southern's number was a bit of a surprise, but find me some players on other teams that are unquestionably better.

As for UTA, Cox is not just one of the best catchers in conference, but in the NCAA. Surprised he made it to a senior year. He belongs. Surprised Kadon Simmons was not on the list, but I wouldn't say he is better than any other starter on the list.

Two more weeks...

(02-02-2017 10:06 PM)FoUTASportscaster Wrote:  I've got no real complaints, save maybe for the lack of players total. Hard to argue with the defending NCAA champs landing players. Hard to argue with Louisiana, as they have been at the top of the SBC for a few years for a reason. Georgia Southern's number was a bit of a surprise, but find me some players on other teams that are unquestionably better.

As for UTA, Cox is not just one of the best catchers in conference, but in the NCAA. Surprised he made it to a senior year. He belongs. Surprised Kadon Simmons was not on the list, but I wouldn't say he is better than any other starter on the list.

Two more weeks...

My argument is that the team is not big enough. We do a single All Conference preseason team, and multiple postseason.

I mean, only 3 starting pitchers made the team, in a league with Andrew Beckwith, Gunner Leger, and Evan Challenger. There are several great pitchers capable of getting on the team, but as long as only 3 are taken, there's no chance at beating out those guys.

Here's my prediction of what the coaches poll will look like

EAST
Coastal
South Alabama
Georgia Southern
Troy
Georgia State
App

WEST
Louisiana
UTA
Little Rock
Texas State
Arkansas State
ULM

We'll see.....

one of Apps 2017 signee was just named preseason first team high school all American. From what I hear the new HC is going to be really good, things are starting to look brighter on the mountain.

(02-03-2017 12:51 AM)moehler Wrote:  one of Apps 2017 signee was just named preseason first team high school all American. From what I hear the new HC is going to be really good, things are starting to look brighter on the mountain.

A bit too soon to think we will be anything but a bottom feeder this year. I do think we have the right guy in place to at least make us competitive down the road.

The good thing for App is that Matt Brill is returning from missing all last season and is throwing 97-99.

Bad news is that there was literally no recruiting class and promising players like Mann-Fix, Schoch and Gorham (Saturday starter who won at the Tigue) all transferred. This is going to be a MASH unit year. Making the tournament would be an accomplishment.

never said we we're going to contend, or even be competitive, just said things are getting better, any time you can land a first team all American, that's a good thing.

Just watch out for the draft. UTA lost a HS recruit to the first round a couple of years ago.