The 2010 season is officially underway with practice in full swing as the defending Big Ten champions prepare to defend their crown while also looking to take the next step on a national level.
With the season opening in 16 days as the Buckeyes take on North Florida to kick off one of their most highly anticipated seasons in recent years, there is plenty of time to preview and dig into the 2010 version of the Scarlet & Gray.
For now lets recap all of the preseason buzz...
All-Americans
When you capture Big Ten Player and co-Pitcher of the year as sophomores you'll have a spotlight on you entering your junior season. When you spend your summer perfecting your craft in the Cape Cod League and prove to be among the best at your position, that spotlight only gets brighter.
The junior battery of RHP Alex Wimmers and C Dan Burkhart picked up a few preseason honors headed into that all important junior season.
First the National College Baseball Writers Association, selected both Wimmers and Burkhart to their second-team All-America squad.
The honor was followed by Wimmers being named a second-team Louisville Slugger All-American.
With Ping! Baseball tabbing Wimmers as a first-team AA selection, while Burkhart once again receives a second-team mention.
Preseason polls
2010 will not be a season Ohio State sneaks up on anyone.
As the six major preseason polls were released, the Bucks found homes in five of them, barely missing a ranking in Baseball America's top 25.
The high water mark was set by Collegiate Baseball who penciled the Buckeyes in at 14th.
The Coaches in their ESPN/USAToday Poll determined the Buckeyes to be the 21st best team entering the new year.
Kendall Rogers of Rivals.com/Yahoo Sports gave the Bob Todd and his team a 22nd ranking.
The NCBWA were right in line with the previous two polls, slotting the Scarlet & Gray at 23rd.
Ping! rounds out the quintet of rankings, as they gave the Bucks a preseason ranking of 24 in their 30 team poll.
Now what?
As previews start to be released nationally, some with more insight and value say College Baseball Today than others I'll keep you in formed on that.
Otherwise I'll start previewing the Bucks as they enter 2010 with one word on their mind: Omaha. Over the next two and a half weeks.
Showing posts with label Collegiate Baseball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Collegiate Baseball. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Preseason honors and rankings
As we figured, coming off of 2009 success with just three seniors being lost due to graduation, 2010 was to be a year of high expectations. What we knew in Columbus has made its way around the college baseball world and is starting to be reflectedin various publications.
Rankings
In the first two preseason rankings, the Bucks crack both top 25s and are in very welcoming company.
Ping!Baseball released its preseason list first and slotted the Bucks at 24th which you can see here.
Ping!'s write-up on the Bucks:
While the Big 10 isn't much of a baseball power conference these days, it hasn't always been that way. Up until the mid 80's a Big 10 representative was often in Omaha . Yet for Ohio State , the layoff has been even longer. The Buckeyes made it to the Series three times in the 60's (including winning the title in '66), but haven't visited since. This year's team is hoping to end that streak and is in good position to do so. Dan Burkhart (.354, 10, 62) will be looking to parlay last season's success with a fine Cape showing to lead the offense which returns almost its entire startling lineup. Alex Wimmers (9-2, 3.27, 136 Ks in 104.2 IP) is a dandy of a Friday nights starter, but the rest of the rest of the arms will have to turn it up a notch if team is going to make it out of Regionals.
Where Ping! set the bar College Baseball News put it on an entirely different level. A week later Collegiate Baseball ranked the Bucks preseason #14. The CBN's poll is here.
Myself personally, I feel you split the difference and at #19 is about where the Bucks should be.
Kendall Rogers thoughts
Rogers has made no secret his thoughts and opinions of the Buckeyes and continue to group Ohio State and Omaha in the same sentence.
In his storylines to watch in 2010, the Buckeyes make a cameo with this write-up:
Ohio State has talent and experience to reach College World Series
It’s not often a Big Ten team is expected to compete for a CWS berth. But Michigan a couple of seasons ago and Ohio State this season are the exceptions.
The Wolverines fell short of meeting their goals despite hosting a regional two seasons ago. OSU, though, hopes to turn the tide for the conference.
The Buckeyes welcome back several key hitters from a lineup that finished last season with a solid .328 batting average. The offense is expected to emulate that production this season.
The Buckeyes also welcome back one of the nation’s best pitchers in starter Alex Wimmers. Drew Rucinsky and Eric Best also are key returning pitchers. However, the bullpen is a huge concern and could keep OSU from reaching its goals.
Ohio State’s success this season could be huge for northern baseball.
In his Big Ten snapshot, this quick hit and run statement was thrown to the public:
Ohio State
2009 record: 42-19
Top returning player: P Alex Wimmers
What needs to improve: The Buckeyes know what could keep them from reaching their big goals this season. The Buckeyes welcome back several talented hitters from a lineup that finished last season with a .328 batting average. However, the pitching staff is a concern. The Buckeyes have one of the nation's best in Alex Wimmers, but the rest of the weekend rotation must be better. Also, the bullpen was unimpressive last season and is without top arm Jake Hale. Ohio State will be an Omaha contender if the pitching staff rises to the occasion.
I do think Rogers is underappreciating the staff as a whole. More insight and knowledge about the pitching would realize that Wolo and Rucinski pitched way better than their numbers. A healthy Best and Armstrong will mean the world to Ohio State, as well as Oltorik. With perhaps the biggest wild card being freshman Brett McKinney, who has a very reasonable chance to nail down a weekend rotation spot.
All-Americans
The last bit of news to compile would be the releasing of two All-American lists. First the National College Baseball Writers Association released their 2010 preseason AA team
The Buckeye battery of Alex Wimmers and Dan Burkhart were both selected second-team preseason All-Americans. Respectively the two are reigning Big Ten Pitcher and Player of the years.
College Baseball News released its preseason All-America team where Wimmers received third-team honors.
With practice beginning in less than four weeks, it is time to gear up and get ready for the upcoming season.
Rankings
In the first two preseason rankings, the Bucks crack both top 25s and are in very welcoming company.
Ping!Baseball released its preseason list first and slotted the Bucks at 24th which you can see here.
Ping!'s write-up on the Bucks:
While the Big 10 isn't much of a baseball power conference these days, it hasn't always been that way. Up until the mid 80's a Big 10 representative was often in Omaha . Yet for Ohio State , the layoff has been even longer. The Buckeyes made it to the Series three times in the 60's (including winning the title in '66), but haven't visited since. This year's team is hoping to end that streak and is in good position to do so. Dan Burkhart (.354, 10, 62) will be looking to parlay last season's success with a fine Cape showing to lead the offense which returns almost its entire startling lineup. Alex Wimmers (9-2, 3.27, 136 Ks in 104.2 IP) is a dandy of a Friday nights starter, but the rest of the rest of the arms will have to turn it up a notch if team is going to make it out of Regionals.
Where Ping! set the bar College Baseball News put it on an entirely different level. A week later Collegiate Baseball ranked the Bucks preseason #14. The CBN's poll is here.
Myself personally, I feel you split the difference and at #19 is about where the Bucks should be.
Kendall Rogers thoughts
Rogers has made no secret his thoughts and opinions of the Buckeyes and continue to group Ohio State and Omaha in the same sentence.
In his storylines to watch in 2010, the Buckeyes make a cameo with this write-up:
Ohio State has talent and experience to reach College World Series
It’s not often a Big Ten team is expected to compete for a CWS berth. But Michigan a couple of seasons ago and Ohio State this season are the exceptions.
The Wolverines fell short of meeting their goals despite hosting a regional two seasons ago. OSU, though, hopes to turn the tide for the conference.
The Buckeyes welcome back several key hitters from a lineup that finished last season with a solid .328 batting average. The offense is expected to emulate that production this season.
The Buckeyes also welcome back one of the nation’s best pitchers in starter Alex Wimmers. Drew Rucinsky and Eric Best also are key returning pitchers. However, the bullpen is a huge concern and could keep OSU from reaching its goals.
Ohio State’s success this season could be huge for northern baseball.
In his Big Ten snapshot, this quick hit and run statement was thrown to the public:
Ohio State
2009 record: 42-19
Top returning player: P Alex Wimmers
What needs to improve: The Buckeyes know what could keep them from reaching their big goals this season. The Buckeyes welcome back several talented hitters from a lineup that finished last season with a .328 batting average. However, the pitching staff is a concern. The Buckeyes have one of the nation's best in Alex Wimmers, but the rest of the weekend rotation must be better. Also, the bullpen was unimpressive last season and is without top arm Jake Hale. Ohio State will be an Omaha contender if the pitching staff rises to the occasion.
I do think Rogers is underappreciating the staff as a whole. More insight and knowledge about the pitching would realize that Wolo and Rucinski pitched way better than their numbers. A healthy Best and Armstrong will mean the world to Ohio State, as well as Oltorik. With perhaps the biggest wild card being freshman Brett McKinney, who has a very reasonable chance to nail down a weekend rotation spot.
All-Americans
The last bit of news to compile would be the releasing of two All-American lists. First the National College Baseball Writers Association released their 2010 preseason AA team
The Buckeye battery of Alex Wimmers and Dan Burkhart were both selected second-team preseason All-Americans. Respectively the two are reigning Big Ten Pitcher and Player of the years.
College Baseball News released its preseason All-America team where Wimmers received third-team honors.
With practice beginning in less than four weeks, it is time to gear up and get ready for the upcoming season.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Rankings, Polls, whatever you call them
As the regular seasons across America come to an end and we enter into the postseason, here's a snapshot at how the Buckeyes are view in the college baseball world.
After having a few weeks on the outside looking in, the Buckeyes jump back into the Collegiate Baseball top 30, sitting at 23, just barely above Minnesota at 24 by 1 point. The closeness in the poll reflects the closeness in the Big Ten Standings.
The Buckeyes are 27th in the two other polls they are ranked in.
NCBWA
ESPN/USAToday Coaches
The Buckeyes are not quite yet out of the Regional hosting picture. Though they do not hold a ton of water and weight, being ranked does add to a teams resume. The Bucks have their work cut out for them this week with the Big Ten Tournament, but don't give up on the hope just yet.
After having a few weeks on the outside looking in, the Buckeyes jump back into the Collegiate Baseball top 30, sitting at 23, just barely above Minnesota at 24 by 1 point. The closeness in the poll reflects the closeness in the Big Ten Standings.
The Buckeyes are 27th in the two other polls they are ranked in.
NCBWA
ESPN/USAToday Coaches
The Buckeyes are not quite yet out of the Regional hosting picture. Though they do not hold a ton of water and weight, being ranked does add to a teams resume. The Bucks have their work cut out for them this week with the Big Ten Tournament, but don't give up on the hope just yet.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Rankings
No change at all from the pevious weeks polls which is weird, not that the Bucks put together a week deserving of moving up or down, just weird that a team remains in the same spot in each of the 3 polls they are ranked in. They did get ranked in a poll in which there were not last week, again making an appearance in the Ping! Baseball poll, coming in at 30th, ironically tied with the Illinois Fighting Illini which hosts the Buckeyes this weekend. Anyhow if you cannot read to the right where the rankings are listed, the Bucks high ranking comes courtesy NCBWA at 25. Finshing just outside of the top 25 at 26th in the ESPN-USAToday Coaches Poll. The Buckeyes rankings are rounded out by another 27th place ranking by Collegiate Baseball.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Polls, Polls, and more Polls, or Rankings if prefer
It is Monday. And in the college baseball world every Monday from March to June is like Christmas morning. Waiting for the polls to be released to see if your team is receiving the attention, props, credit, whatever you feel they deserve. Its weird but going to a baseball game feels better when theres a little number next to your name.
We've reached the midway point of the Big Ten an the 2/3rds mark overally in the baseball season, 37 games hae been played 18 to go. So to be ranked right now is a good sign that you're having a solid season.
So lets get to them.
The Bucks high ranking this week comes from the National College Baseball Writers Association, or the NCBWA because 5 letters is easier to type than 41. Go ahead and count all 41 letters. Back to the rankings, the Bucks jumped up 3 places after a 3-1 week which saw Ohio State sweep Purdue to move atop of the Big Ten standings, after falling at home 8-7 to Kent State. Heres the entireNCBWA poll.
The Bucks are again in the top 25, coming in at 24 in two polls, College Baseball News and Ping! Baseball
Ohio States 4th and final appearance in a top 25 comes from the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll. The Buckeyes come in just above the bar at 25th. Its the second time this season the coaches across America have deemed the Bucks a top-25 caliber team.
There you have it. That is how the Bucks 29-8 season up to this point is being viewed across the college baseball landscape. I'd say the guys are doing ok.
We've reached the midway point of the Big Ten an the 2/3rds mark overally in the baseball season, 37 games hae been played 18 to go. So to be ranked right now is a good sign that you're having a solid season.
So lets get to them.
The Bucks high ranking this week comes from the National College Baseball Writers Association, or the NCBWA because 5 letters is easier to type than 41. Go ahead and count all 41 letters. Back to the rankings, the Bucks jumped up 3 places after a 3-1 week which saw Ohio State sweep Purdue to move atop of the Big Ten standings, after falling at home 8-7 to Kent State. Heres the entireNCBWA poll.
The Bucks are again in the top 25, coming in at 24 in two polls, College Baseball News and Ping! Baseball
Ohio States 4th and final appearance in a top 25 comes from the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll. The Buckeyes come in just above the bar at 25th. Its the second time this season the coaches across America have deemed the Bucks a top-25 caliber team.
There you have it. That is how the Bucks 29-8 season up to this point is being viewed across the college baseball landscape. I'd say the guys are doing ok.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Buckeyes Nationally Ranked
Three wins at the BIG EAST-Big Ten Challenge last weekend earned the Ohio State baseball team a national ranking by Collegiate Baseball newspaper and a slew of individual honors with three Buckeyes named to the 18-man all-tournament team, one selected co-Big Ten Pitcher of the Week and a fourth named honorable mention all-tourney.
Collegiate Baseball, which publishes the longest-running college baseball poll, released its first regular season poll Monday and the Buckeyes were ranked 30th nationally. The Top 30 ranking comes after Ohio State defeated three of the top six teams in the BIG EAST Conference preseason poll: 2-0 over Notre Dame, 6-4 over UConn and 6-5 over Cincinnati. The wins helped the Big Ten win the Challenge, 15 wins to nine.
The Buckeyes came through the tournament unbeaten on the strength of excellent pitching, expert fielding and competitive and opportunistic plate appearances. The pitching staff’s 3.00 earned run average and .232 opponents’ batting average were each second among the 18 teams. The Buckeye fielders led all teams with a .991 fielding percentage (one error in 110 chances). And the offense may have been in the middle of the pack in terms of batting average (.290), but the team’s leadoff hitters reached base 48 percent of the time and they drove in a runner from third base with less than two outs 71 percent of the time.
Complete Poll
Collegiate Baseball, which publishes the longest-running college baseball poll, released its first regular season poll Monday and the Buckeyes were ranked 30th nationally. The Top 30 ranking comes after Ohio State defeated three of the top six teams in the BIG EAST Conference preseason poll: 2-0 over Notre Dame, 6-4 over UConn and 6-5 over Cincinnati. The wins helped the Big Ten win the Challenge, 15 wins to nine.
The Buckeyes came through the tournament unbeaten on the strength of excellent pitching, expert fielding and competitive and opportunistic plate appearances. The pitching staff’s 3.00 earned run average and .232 opponents’ batting average were each second among the 18 teams. The Buckeye fielders led all teams with a .991 fielding percentage (one error in 110 chances). And the offense may have been in the middle of the pack in terms of batting average (.290), but the team’s leadoff hitters reached base 48 percent of the time and they drove in a runner from third base with less than two outs 71 percent of the time.
Complete Poll
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Way to Go, Wolo!
Ohio State right-hander Dean Wolosiansky was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American baseball team, Collegiate Baseball newspaper announced Wednesday. Wolosiansky, a freshman from Uniontown, Ohio, led the Buckeyes with seven wins and a 4.22 ERA in his first season. He was 7-4 overall and 5-2 with a 4.86 ERA in Big Ten Conference games. A second-team All-Big Ten selection, he also threw all three of the pitching staff’s complete games this season.
Ohio State press release
Ohio State press release
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)