2,082 MLB PLAYERS | 14,476 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
College  | Story  | 7/3/2017

Eight for Omaha 2018

Mike Rooney     
Photo: TCU Athletics
 



Final 2017 College Top 25 | McKay leads '17 college awards | College All-Americans | Freshmen All-Americans

2017 was an Omaha for the ages. TD Ameritrade Park yielded more home runs than ever and we had brand name programs throughout the field. And LSU’s presence in Nebraska is always a boon to the local economy.

At first glance, 2018 has the potential to be quite a bit different from this season. While the list of teams below is a strong one, there are more vulnerabilities for these clubs than we usually see on this list. The net result should be a good year for “Cinderella” programs to make a run to Omaha.

One final thought: the July 15 signing deadline for MLB draftees can change everything. For example, Fullerton’s trip to the CWS in 2017 probably doesn’t happen without shortstop Timmy Richards deciding to return for his senior season.


The Eight:

Florida
2017 Record: 52-19
2017 Finish: National Champions

The Gators have been to Omaha in six of the last eight seasons. That statistic may be even more remarkable than their National Championship this year. Skipper Kevin O’Sullivan will not be leaving for the South Carolina job so that was a great start to 2018 for the Gators.

A rotation of Brady Singer, Jackson Kowar and Tyler Dyson will be one of the best in the country, and the same is true with Michael Byrne as the team’s closer. It appears that J.J. Schwarz will be returning and that is an experienced middle-of-the-order bat. Look for Austin Langworthy and Jonathan India to take big steps forward as well. 

The losses of Dalton Guthrie, Mike Rivera, and Alex Faedo are massive. That said, Florida looks primed for another great season.

Arkansas
2017 Record: 45-19
2017 Finish: Fayetteville Regional

While Dave Van Horn did lose blue chip recruiter Tony Vitello (now the head coach at Tennessee), the draft was quite kind to the Razorbacks. It appears that Luke Bonfield and Blaine Knight will be back in 2018 so that gives Arkansas a strong foundation in the middle of the order and at the front of the rotation respectively.

Shortstop Jax Biggers should return also and he is chronically underrated. Catcher Grant Koch could be the most offensive catcher in the SEC and Dominic Fletcher has big offensive upside as well. Incoming freshman Cole Turney is a lefthanded bat to keep an eye on as he offers as much raw power as anyone in his class.

Oregon State
2017 Record: 56-6
2107 Finish: College World Series

Pat Casey’s program is coming off of a historic season in 2017 yet the losses of Jake Thompson, Drew Rasmussen and K.J. Harrison are significant. That said, the Beavers returning nearly everyone else and they continue to recruit at a high level.

Nick Madrigal and Cadyn Grenier may be the nation’s very best middle infield so that is a great place to start. It looks like veterans Michael Gretler and Jack Anderson will also return not to mention the fact that Adley Rutschman looks like a future first rounder at catcher. The rotation will be the main question mark but the majority of the bullpen will be back and several of those arms could help there. The other possible answer would be the return of Luke Heimlich if that were to happen.

Florida State
2017 Record: 46-23
2017 Finish: College World Series

The Seminoles should return three players who have ACC Player of the Year upside: Tyler Holton, Jackson Lueck, and Drew Mendoza. That trifecta of players will need to continue to step forward as the loss of mainstays Taylor Walls, Dylan Busby, and Quincy Nieporte will leave a huge offensive hole to fill.

Catcher Cal Raleigh and weekend starter Cole Sands are two extremely talented players who had very average years in 2017. If Raleigh and Sands can tap into their talent at a higher level, they could be game changers for the Seminoles. 

Mike Martin will be sweating the signing deadline as much as any coach in America as Holton and fellow pitchers Drew Carlton, Cobi Johnson, Alec Byrd and Andrew Karp were all drafted in the 29th round or later.

Texas Tech
2017 Record: 45-17
2017 Finish: Lubbock Regional

In very short order, Tim Tadlock has turned the Red Raiders into a machine. Texas Tech returns an outstanding pitching staff from a team that was a Top 8 National Seed in 2017.

Steven Gingery and Davis Martin will pitch in the weekend rotation for the third straight season. Also, last year’s freshman class was highly productive and look for two-way talent John McMillon and position players Grant Little and Josh Jung to take on bigger roles next year.

Texas Christian
2017 Record: 50-18
2017 Finish: College World Series

The only thing not to like about the Horned Frogs right now is the law of averages. In today’s college baseball can a program really go to Omaha in five straight seasons?

Luken Baker returns in 2018 and he may be the scariest hitter in the country. Assuming Sean Wymer moves to a starting role, a weekend rotation of Jared Janczak, Nick Lodolo, and Wymer (with Durbin Feltman closing) is more than formidable.

One thing to keep an eye on is the incoming group. TCU was scorched in the draft losing all three of their Perfect Game All-American recruits: Tyler Freeman, Jacob Gonzalez, and Shane Baz.

Stanford
2017 Record: 42-16
2017 Finish: Palo Alto Regional

Is it possible for a first-year head coach to take his new program to Omaha? Jay Johnson did it with Arizona in 2016 and look for David Esquer to do the same thing with Stanford in 2017. The rotation will be outstanding with the return of first round talent Tristan Beck and then two lefthanders in Kris Bubic and Erik Miller, who combined for 28 starts this year.

The lineup will lose several key veterans but Daniel Bakst looks like a potential star. Nico Hoerner and Duke Kinamon also put together very strong campaigns in 2016. If high pedigree players like Mikey Diekroeger and Bryce Carter can elevate their performances then this offense could be a good one.

North Carolina
2017 Record: 49-14
2017 Finish: Chapel Hill Regional

North Carolina will lose three star players in Brian Miller, Logan Warmoth and J.B. Bukauskas. While that is more than a little daunting, Mike Fox has a chance to return nearly all of the rest of the roster. And despite their Regional upset loss to Davidson, the Tar Heels were clearly one of the top three teams in the country in 2017.

Rising sophomores Luca Dalatri, Tyler Baum and Austin Bergner could make for a very strong weekend rotation. The bullpen should be excellent once again with Josh Hiatt and Rodney Hutchison leading the way. Ashton McGee has big upside in the lineup and he hit third for most of the year as an early enrollee true freshman.


Four More to Consider:

Ole Miss
The Rebels lose their best hitter (Tate Blackman) from a very average offense but the pitching staff could be elite.

UCLA
The freshman position player group in Westwood showed flashes of brilliance but Kyle Molnar’s healthy return from Tommy John surgery may be the key to the 2018 season.

Clemson
Seth Beer and Logan Davidson will lead what should be a very good offense but questions remain on the pitching staff.

South Florida
Billy Mohl will take over as the head coach and the Bulls rising junior class has high upside led by potential first rounder Shane McClanahan.
PG Special Events
Travel, Lodging, Entertainment
PG Partners
Recommended
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2024 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.