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College  | Rankings  | 1/20/2016

2016 College: Teams 26-40

Patrick Ebert      Jheremy Brown      Mike Rooney      Andrew Krause     
Photo: Greg Fiume/Maryland Athletics




Preseason College Top 25 | Preseason All-American Team | 2016 College Baseball Preview Index


Rk. Team Conf.
Rk. Team Conf.
Rk. Team Conf.
26 Maryland Big Ten
31 Georgia Tech ACC
36 Texas Big 12
27 Rice Conf. USA
32 Cal State Fullerton Big West
37 Missouri State Missouri Valley
28 Southern California Pac-12
33 Indiana Big Ten
38 Illinois Big Ten
29 Mississippi SEC
34 Kentucky SEC
39 Wake Forest ACC
30 Arkansas SEC
35 Iowa Big Ten
40 Nebraska Big Ten


The first three detailed capsules of the college baseball teams ranked 26-40 are available for free. The remaining reports can be viewed with a College Baseball Ticket (CBT) subscription. To learn more about the College Baseball Ticket and to sign up today please visit this link.


26. Maryland

Head Coach: John Szefc
Conference: Big Ten
2015 Record: 42-24 (14-10 Big Ten)
2015 Finish: Charlottesville Super Regional

Right on the cusp of the top 25, Maryland offers something only a handful of teams across the country can match: A bona fide Friday night ace in Mike Shawaryn. Behind Shawaryn, the Terrapins should have a very good shot to start every weekend series 1-0, which is quite the advantage to be sure. Beyond that Friday night advantage, the Terps bring back several key offensive components, including Nick Cieri, who should hit in the middle of the order, Kevin Smith, arguably the best shortstop in the conference, and Justin Morris, an outstanding defensive catcher. The coaches are also excited about true freshman infielder Nick Dunn, who could contribute right away.


27. Rice

Head Coach: Wayne Graham
Conference: Conference USA
2015 Record: 37-22 (22-8 C-USA)
2015 Finish: Houston Regional

The Owls have been remarkably consistent under Wayne Graham, advancing to a Regional in 21 straight seasons. Yet Rice has not been to Omaha since 2008 when the program had been to the CWS in three straight seasons. The 2016 unit has significant question marks but plenty of upside to be part of the final eight teams in Omaha. Lefthander Blake Fox is back for senior year after a down 2015 and righthander Jon Duplantier missed all of last season will a shoulder impingement.  If Fox and Duplantier return to their elite form of 2014, then Rice will have a one-two punch at the front of their rotation that will rival anyone. Righthander Glenn Otto is an intriguing Sunday candidate and he was dominant last year with a ridiculous 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings and .142 opponent’s batting average.  Ford Stainback (50 runs scored) and John Clay Reeves (55 RBI) are big losses but Rice does return six starting position players. Charlie Warren, Hunter Kopycinski, Ryan Chandler and Connor Tekyl all hit .291 or better in 2015 and these four will need to lead the offense.  Rice fielded an uncharacteristic .965 last season and the shortstop battle between Tristan Gray and Ford Proctor will be a key to solidfying that spot.


28. Southern California

Head Coach: Dan Hubbs
Conference: Pacific 12
2015 Record: 39-21 (18-12 Pac-12)
2015 Finish: Lake Elsinore Regional

USC is another team with Omaha upside but question marks nonetheless. The entire rotation of Kyle Davis, Mitch Hart and Brent Wheatley is back although all three finished with an ERA over 4.00 in 2015.  Davis, who finished third in the nation in ERA in 2014, can be dominant at times but he has struggled to stay healthy in his career.  Middle-of-the-order mainstay Jeremy Martinez moves to full-time catcher and he will have big shoes to fill as the departed Garrett Stubbs was the Johnny Bench Award winner last year.  The uber-athletic Timmy Robinson is back for his senior year after a breakout 2015 in which he compiled seven home runs, 53 RBI, and 19 stolen bases.  This is an older roster with six seniors who will play prominent roles and if these upperclassmen can put it all together then the Trojans will be a factor in June.


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