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College  | Story | 2/12/2011

Big Ten preview: Michigan gives chase

Kendall Rogers

You can follow college baseball managing editor Kendall Rogers on Twitter @KendallRogersYS and can join the Perfect Game College Baseball Facebook page

HOW THEY STACK UP

1. Minnesota
2. Michigan
3. Indiana
4. Michigan State
5. Iowa
6. Purdue
7. Northwestern
8. Ohio State
9. Illinois
10. Penn State

ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

C Kevin Plawecki, Purdue
1B Jerrud Sabourin, Indiana
2B Zach Morton, Northwestern
SS Derek Dennis, Michigan
3B Torsten Boss, Michigan State
OF Alex Dickerson, Indiana
OF Willie Argo, Illinois
OF Patrick Biondi, Michigan
DH Nick O’Shea, Minnesota

SP T.J. Oakes, Minnesota
SP Jarred Hippen, Iowa
SP Phil Isaksson, Minnesota
RP Scott Matyas, Minnesota

RISING STOCK

Minnesota: The Golden Gophers got off to a slow start last season, but earned much respect at the end of the season when they reached the Fullerton Regional title game. The Gophers fell short of an NCAA Super Regional, but took a huge step forward. Now, with a solid pitching staff and decent offense back this season, they’re hoping to accomplish even more.

Indiana: After taking a step forward two seasons ago with an NCAA Regional appearance, the Hoosiers were forced to regroup last season, and finished the campaign with just a 28-27 record. The Hoosiers expect to be much improved this season with the return of experienced starting pitchers Blake Monar and Drew Leininger, and offensive cogs Jerrud Sabourin and Alex Dickerson.

Michigan State: The Spartans hope to put a full season together this year. They finished last season with a respectable 34-19 record, but went just 11-13 in conference and finished near the bottom of the Big Ten. State should be much better this spring with the return of several talented arms and position players such as Ryan Jones, Brandon Eckerle, Jeff Holm and Torsten Boss.

Iowa: The Hawkeyes hope to take another step forward this spring after finishing in the top half of conference last season. They welcome back enough key hitters to make some noise, but the return of Jarred Hippen is huge. Hippen tallied a 3.71 ERA in 99 1/3 innings last season He also struck out 71 and walked 22. Look for the Hawkeyes to have a respectable campaign.

FALLING STOCK

Ohio State: The Buckeyes hope to turn the tide this season. They were expected to compete for a College World Series appearance last season, but had a miserable campaign that ended with Bob Todd’s retirement. New coach Greg Beals has his work cut out for him with the return of few key hitters. The Bucks do welcome back a pair of seasoned starting pitchers in Drew Rucinski and Dean Wolosiansky.

Penn State: It’s surprising the Nittany Lions have been unable to establish some positive consistency the past few seasons. They call one of the nation’s best facilities home, but still are in the Big Ten cellar. PSU finished last season with a 22-30 mark and isn’t expected to fair much better this spring. Can the Lions find a way to surprise?

Illinois: It wasn’t too long ago the Fighting Illini was competing for an NCAA postseason appearance and near the top of the Big Ten. But last season, the Illini took a step back with a .500 overall record, and could have similar issues this season. The Illini have enough returning offensive cogs to make noise with Willie Argo and Casey McMurray, but have much to prove on the mound.

Northwestern The Wildcats finished in a tie for third last season, but are expected to take a step back this season with the departures of key pitchers Joe Muraski and Eric Jokisch and others. The offense will be productive with Chris Lashmet and Zach Morton leading the way, but the pitching staff must rise to the occasion to emulate last year’s in-conference success.

BEST PITCHER

RHP Scott Matyas, Minnesota: The Big Ten isn’t loaded with premier weekend starters, but the league has plenty of solid relievers with the senior right-hander leading the charge. Matyas has had an excellent career and is coming off a campaign where he recorded eight saves in 27 appearances and had a 2.19 ERA in 37 innings. Matyas also struck out 60 and walked 14. The Golden Gophers won’t lose many games in the latter innings.

BEST HITTER

OF Alex Dickerson, Indiana: The Hoosiers have a solid nucleus of returning hitters with the veteran outfielder leading the way. Dickerson is coming off a great season, where he batted a team-high .419 with 19 doubles, 24 homers and 75 RBIs. He also slugged .805 and had a .472 on-base percentage. IU expects another big-time campaign from the veteran.

POSTSEASON CONTENDERS

Omaha caliber: None
Super regional caliber: None
Regional caliber: Minnesota, Michigan

TOP PROSPECTS (2011 MLB DRAFT)

Prospect lists compiled by Allan Simpson

1. OF Alex Dickerson, Indiana
2. SS Derek Dennis, Michigan
3. RHP Kolby Wood, Michigan
4. OF Justin Gominsky, Minnesota
5. OF/1B Jeff Holm, Michigan State
6. LHP Matt Dermody, Iowa
7. C Adam Davis, Illinois
8. OF Willie Argo, Illinois
9. LHP Blake Monar, Indiana
10. RHP Tony Bucciferro, Michigan State
11. 3B/1B Jordan Steranka, Penn State
12. RHP T.J. Oakes, Minnesota
13. RHP Travis Smith, Michigan
14. RHP/2B Zach Morton, Northwestern
15. RHP Brad Goldberg, Ohio State
16. RHP Nick Brown, Iowa
17. 1B/RHP Paul Snieder, Northwestern
18. RHP Austin Lubinsky, Minnesota
19. RHP/OF Tyler Mills, Michigan
20. RHP Jack DeAno, Purdue

TOP PROSPECTS (2012 MLB DRAFT)

Prospect lists compiled by Allan Simpson

1. 3B Torsten Boss, Michigan State (FB)
2. C/OF Kevin Plawecki, Purdue
3. RHP Brad Schreiber, Purdue
4. RHP Kevin Johnson, Illinois
5. 3B/SS Micah Johnson, Indiana
6. 3B/C Cameron Perkins, Purdue
7. C/OF Danny Sheppard, Iowa
8. RHP/OF Matt Milroy, Illinois
9. 3B Brandon Hohl, Illinois
10. OF Pat Biondi, Michigan
11. 2B Justin Parr, Illinois
12. RHP Brett McKinney, Ohio State
13. SS Michael Basil, Indiana
14. RHP Billy Soule, Minnesota
15 RHP Rick Sandquist, Iowa

AROUND THE DIAMOND

• Minnesota has an exceptional ace reliever in Scott Matyas, but also keep an eye on its solid rotation with TJ Oakes, Phil Isaksson and Austin Lubinsky leading the way. Oakes had a 3.62 ERA last season, while Isaksson had a 3.72 ERA and Lubinsky tallied a 5.28 ERA in 42 1/3 innings. The Golden Gophers could find their way to an NCAA Super Regional if the offense rises to the occasion.

• Illinois has several bumps and bruises as the season nears. The Fighting Illini still aren’t sure if they’ll have projected starter at second base Reid Roper this season. Roper tore his ACL rounding second base during fall workouts and it’s still not determined if he will return to the lineup this season. The Illini will miss pitcher Bryan Roberts, who will miss the season because of Tommy John surgery, while fellow pitcher Nick Chmielewski likely will be able to pitch this season after undergoing Tommy John in April of last year.

Kendall Rogers is the managing editor of college baseball for Perfect Game USA and has covered the sport for over 10 seasons. He can be reached at kendall@perfectgame.org
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