A year after riding dominant pitching to the best record in the league, Orleans will bring in another strong staff to lead the way in 2018.
Five to Watch
1. Sean Mooney
2. Mitchell Senger
3. Kenyon Yovan
4. Logan Wyatt
5. J.J. Bleday
Pitchers
Andrew Abbott – Virginia – Gatorade Player of the Year in Virginia starred as Cavs’ closer with 78 Ks in 51 IP, 6 saves
Kevin Kelly – James Madison – Standout reliever last year struck out 69 with 3.67 ERA in move to rotation this season
Joey Lancellotti – North Carolina – Highly-ranked out of high school, posted 2.97 ERA as a reliever in first season
Austin Manning – USC – Riding two up-and-down seasons for Trojans, with ERAs over 6 out of the bullpen
Zack Martin – Notre Dame – Pitching as starter and reliever, posted a 3.63 ERA in sophomore campaign
Sean Mooney – St. John’s – Won Big East Pitcher of the Year as a freshman last season, built on it with 2.56 ERA, 104 Ks this year
Mitchell Senger – Stetson – Also a Team USA invite, followed up quiet frosh year with huge season as Sunday starter – 9-2, 110 Ks
Shay Smiddy – Louisville – Standout reliever for two years running had 2.96 ERA with 56 Ks in 45.2 IP this year
Graeme Stinson – Duke – Shined out of bullpen for Firebirds last summer and K’d 92 in 56 IP for Duke this spring
Levi Stoudt – Lehigh – Two-year member of weekend rotation had 3.03 ERA, 67 Ks in 65.1 IP this season
Kenyon Yovan – Oregon – After saving 15 games as a freshman and playing for Team USA, pitched as starter and reliever this year to 2.98 ERA with 98 Ks, while hitting .233 in part-time role
Catcher
Phil Clarke – Vanderbilt – Providing plenty of offense from catcher spot as a freshman with .307 average, six home runs
James Free II – Pacific – Batted .283 with seven home runs on way to all-conference honors
Infielders
Carter Aldrete – Arizona State – Son of former Big Leaguer Rich hit .293 with three homers in second season with Sun Devils
Sal Gozzo – Tulane – Mainstay at shortstop the last two years hasn’t gotten bat going yet, hitting .225 this year
Jaxx Groshans – Kansas – Underrated key player for Orleans last summer hit .313 with four homers this spring
Justin Lavey – Louisville – After limited duty as a freshman, hit .248 this year with three home runs
Kevin Milam – St. Mary’s – Top hitter for Gaels batted .302 with five homers, .430 OBP
Spencer Steer – Oregon – Top run producer for Ducks batted .275 with four homers, 37 RBI
Logan Wyatt – Louisville – Delivered breakout sophomore season, batting .339 with six home runs, team-high 69 RBI
Outfielders
J.J. Bleday – Vanderbilt – Top hitter for Commodores slashing .367/.493/.500
Pat DeMarco – Vanderbilt – Batting .271 with nine homers, to go with 10 stolen bases
Matt Fraizer – Arizona – Hit .266 with two homers in first season of full-time duty
Brandon White – West Virginia – Batted .289 with a .392 OBP and stole 22 bases for Mountaineers