Miami Hurricanes
Overall Rank: #22
Conference Rank: #6 ACC
Miami Team Page
The Miami Hurricanes made their 41st consecutive appearance in the postseason in 2013, and with a strong nucleus of returning players joined by one of the top recruiting classes in the country, they will be hopeful of further success this year. Eliminated last year in the Louisville Regional, the Hurricanes will look to be far more consistent on the field this time around, especially after enjoying a number of successes in the ACC Championship in 2013. One of the elite baseball programs in the country, the Hurricanes have not appeared in the College World Series since 2008 and will be desperate for a return.
2013: 37-25, 14-16
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jim Morris
Field Players:
Four of Miami’s incoming field players were selected in the 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft: Willie Abreu (OF) by the Cincinnati Reds; Derik Beauprez (1B/P) by the Boston Red Sox; Zack Collins (C) by the Reds and Jacob Heyward (OF) by the Atlanta Braves. This goes some way to showing the talent at the Hurricanes’ disposal this year in the field, led by senior second baseman Alex Hernandez who was one of their best at the plate last year. With two senior outfielders in Tyler Palmer and John Lawroski and the experienced Brad Fieger manning the infield, there is a good mixture of youth and experience for Miami across the field.
Pitchers:
The Hurricanes have a deep pitching staff, but their undoubted leader this year will be Bryan Radziewski, a left-handed junior. Chris Diaz also returns to the Miami pitching staff, with freshmen like Danny Garcia and Derik Beauprez in the perfect position to stake their claim for a regular spot. If senior AJ Salcines can continue his dominance from out of the bullpen, the Hurricanes could be in for a successful season.
Who to Watch:
Last year’s leader in wins and strikeouts, left-handed pitcher Bryan Radziewski is highly rated and is being projected to have a very successful junior season with the Hurricanes. A Second-Team All-American in the Louisville Slugger preseason teams, Radziewski was ranked among the best in ACC pitchers last year after an ERA of just 1.78 for the Hurricanes.
Final Projection:
The Hurricanes need to find some consistency in their play if they are to challenge in the final stages of the NCAA Tournament or even return to the College World Series for the first time since 2008. Miami has recruited well and have a good group of freshmen joining a solid nucleus of returning players. And if all those pieces can come together effectively they could be a force both in the ACC and nationally.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Alex Hernandez, 2B, 225
Hits: Alex Hernandez, 2B, 60
Home Runs: Garrett Kennedy, C, 3
RBIs: Brad Fieger, IF, 34
Runs: Alex Hernandez, 2B, 42
Stolen Bases: Dale Carey, OF, 12
Wins: Bryan Radziewski, P, 9
Innings Pitched: Chris Diaz, P, 109.2
Strikeouts: Bryan Radziewski, P, 109
Saves: AJ Salcines, P, 2
Madness 2014 Baseball Recruit Rankings:
#6 Zack Collins
#16 Derik Beauprez
#17 William Abreu
#23 Dylan White
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