Programs covered: Maryland, Arizona State, Kentucky, Duke, Florida State, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Washington, Oregon State
Nothing restarts college baseball fever quite like reports from fall practices and scrimmages. This notebook kicks off the beginning of our annual weekly look at fall baseball with an emphasis on new faces to college baseball and veterans who look poised for breakthrough 2018 seasons.
Maryland
The Terps new skipper Rob Vaughn was one of the region’s most highly regarded recruiters and his get of new pitching coach Corey Muscara was massive. Muscara did an outstanding job at St. John’s and this staff has a noticeable energy and enthusiasm to it.
Second baseman Nick Dunn is the household name in this lineup but two “recruits” could make this an elite middle of the order. Canadian shortstop Taylor Wright is a lefthanded hitter with size (6-foot-3, 190-pounds) and athleticism who could end up being a good draft pick in June. Wright was Perfect Game’s No. 4 ranked prospect in the West Coast League this summer and posted huge numbers (.337-11-54) before even making it to campus.
Although not technically a recruit, at least not a new one, outfielder Marty Costes elected to return for his junior season after being selected in the 25th round by the Astros last June. Costes is an explosive athlete and he looks to build on his 13 home run season of a year ago.
Arizona State
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