The Big Ten does preseason honors on a sport-by-sport basis. In trying to see when one might expect the baseball preseason poll, as they were coming out around the country, I contacted the Big Ten. To my dismay baseball is a sport that does not do preseason honors. Lame.
Picking up the slack however is College Baseball Insider. In their season previews they contact eight of the 10 Big Ten coaches to get their thoughts on the conference’s top players. As one can expect Alex Wimmers, Dan Burkhart, Ryan Dew, and Michael Stephens are thought highly of in the Big Ten coaching circle.
Wimmers a unanimous choice in the “top three pitchers” category, received the most votes as the pitcher a coach would most like not to see on the mound.
Burkhart took the honor of being the conference’s top defensive catcher as well as being one of the top three pure hitters along with teammate Ryan Dew. Burkhart finished as the batter opposing coaches would most not want to face.
Stephens was voted as the best defensive outfielder as well as being named one of the Big Ten’s premier power hitters.
The Ohio State spotlight did not stop there as CBI discussed the long conjoined journey of Burkhart and Wimmers. From playing on the same team from age 9 up to present day being th reigning Big Ten Player and Pitcher of the Year… with the ride end with a trip to Omaha?
For the Big Ten preview where Ohio State was dubbed the team to beat click here.
For the Burkhart and Wimmers feature click here.
Filed under: Division I
