First off, I'd like to apologize for the dreadfully delayed sequel to the season outlooks. Thank you for your patience. Contrary to popular belief, I was not pulling an all-nighter preparing for an online final in fair and balanced journalism 101 with professor Dan Rather.
Actually, before you read the outlook, I must mention this excerpt from Perfect Game Crosschecker's Illinois/Indiana preview :
Best Raw Power Hitter: Willie Argo, of, Illinois/Alex Dickerson, of, Indiana.
...So, let's call it a tie. ;)
Also, I did a full season preview for IU in the IDS, so that's why they're not included below. And, fellow IDS baseball beat writer Geoff Miller breaks down the San Diego series this weekend, so be sure to read his preview and pick up the baseball-packed hard copy of the IDS sports section.
Now, without further babbling:
Penn State Nittany Lions
2009 Record: 25-26 (8-7 Big Ten)
Key Players Returning: 3B Jordan Steranka (.365/.391/.536), *OF Blake Lynd (.350/.437/.356), LHP David Lutz (3.38 ERA, 31 K/16 BB, 42.2 IP, .247 BAA), RHP Ryan Ignas (5.31 ERA, 19 K/15 BB, 39 IP, .277 BAA)
Key Players Lost: RHP Paul Cianciolo (4.34 ERA, 31 K/15 BB, 58 IP, .313 BAA), RHP T.J. Macy (4.95 ERA, 91 K/40 BB, 76.1 IP, .263 ERA)
Key Incoming Freshmen: SS Luis Montesinos (Miami, Fla.), OF Steve Snyder (West Chester, Pa.)
Season Outlook: The Nittany Lions lose three starting pitchers to graduation, but should still be in good shape with Mike Wanamaker and Calvin Grumley. The bullpen will remain a strong point, as Lutz returns as a versatile option for Coach Wine's late inning eaters. *Lynd, who finished second on the team with a .365 average, will redshirt in 2010 due to injury. Look for Snyder to get some playing time. He's a clone of Lynd, and has game-changing speed. Overall, the Nittany Lions have a decent group of good role-players and are definitely a possibility for the Big Ten Tournament.
Purdue Boilermakers
2009 Record: 25-26 (11-12 Big Ten)
Key Players Returning: INF Eric Charles (.369/.461/.500), RHP Matt Morgan (4.64 ERA, 61 K/22 BB, 77.2 IP, .295 BAA), RHP Matt Bischoff (5.54 ERA, 80 K/21 BB, 91 IP, .287 BAA)
Key Players Lost: OF Brandon Haveman (.422/.465/.616), 1B Dan Black (.310/.518/.667), OF Alex Jaffee (.333/.441/.464), INF John Cummins (.400/.465/.536)
Key Incoming Freshmen: LHP Pat Gannon (Evergreen Park, Ill.), C Kevin Plawecki (Carmel, Ind.)
Season Outlook: The most patient team in the conference from last year loses the second most patient hitter in the country in Black, as well as Haveman and Jaffee, who were vital cogs in one of the better offensive teams in the Big Ten in 2009. This years line-up won't come close to matching the production from last, but they do return all three weekend starters, including Bischoff, who has received All-Big Ten honors in each of his first three seasons. Coach Schreiber will have to be creative this year on how to maximize offensive production to be a contender in the Big Ten.
Michigan State Spartans
2009 Record: 23-31 (13-11 Big Ten)
Key Players Returning: OF Eli Boike (.310/.420/.480), RHP Tony Bucciferro (3.55 ERA, 61 K/12 BB, 71 IP, .315 BAA), RHP A.J. Achter (3.76 ERA, 57 K/56 BB, 81.1 IP, .250 BAA)
Key Players Lost: RHP Nolan Moody (4.53 ERA, 57 K/41 BB, 93.1 IP, .273 BAA), IF/C Eric Roof (.345/.440/.525)
Key Incoming Freshmen: RHP Andrew Waszak (Rochester Hills, Mich.), C/OF John Martinez (Auburn Hills, Mich.), RHP Chase Rihtarchik (Rochester Hills, Mich.)
Season Outlook: Losing Roof hurts, as he led the team in nearly every offensive category, but MSU returns the bulk of its' starting line-up. Offensive production could be as scarce as 2009. The Spartans finished second to last in both runs and hits last year. Both Bucciferro and Achter will spearhead the top of the rotation, and will have an excellent defensive team to back them up. As with most teams, MSU coach Jake Boss Jr. is searching for arms to fill the later innings.
Iowa Hawkeyes
2009 Record: 16-35 (4-19 Big Ten)
Key Players Returning: OF Ryan Durant (.370/.429/.481), 2B Mike McQuillan (.363/.451/.513), LHP Jarred Hippen (4.87 ERA, 50 K/29 BB, 68.1 IP, .274 BAA)
Key Players Lost: MIF Justin Toole (.346/.420/.481)
Key Incoming Freshmen: LHP Matt Dermody (Norwalk, Iowa), RHP Rick Sandquist (Fort Dodge, Iowa)
Season Outlook: After an injury-plagued 2009 season, UI coach Jack Dahm seems to be on the right track after a very solid recruiting class. Like IU, Iowa has a very tough non-conference schedule that includes match-ups against Texas and Kansas. With only one senior on the team, they are still looking for its' identity, and hoping the freshman/sophomore dominated squad will handle the adversity and learn from it.
Northwestern Wildcats
2009 Record: 14-35-1 (5-17 Big Ten)
Key Players Returning: CF/DH Ken Avila (.298/.388/.331), 3B Chris Lashmet (.296/.363/.438), LHP Joe Muraski (5.20 ERA, 65 K/32 BB, 81.1 IP, .276 BAA), LHP Eric Jokisch (5.48 ERA, 57 K/32 BB, .307 BAA)
Key Players Lost: C Tony Vercelli (.258/.306/.511)
Key Incoming Freshmen: OF Arby Fields (Alta Loma, Cal.), Colby Everett (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Season Outlook: There's bad news and even more bad news for NU coach Paul Stevens' squad. The bad news is they return its' entire weekend rotation most of the bullpen arms from 2009, who finished second to last in team ERA. The even more bad news is that they also return most of their line-up, as well. The Wildcats hit a measly .264/.333/.382 as a team last year and lost its' home run and RBI leader in Vercelli. Arby Fields is slated to hold down the center field job as a freshman, and he will need to be the catalyst to a weak offense.
