D1 Baseball has been releasing their 2019 conference previews and they released the CAA preview...


Northeastern

Northeastern has a strong returning core from last year’s squad that won the regular-season CAA title and received an at-large berth. With six starting position players back along with most of the key arms, Mike Glavine’s club has a chance to build off the breakthrough 2018 campaign. The pitching staff will be led by 6-foot-4 junior lefty Sean Mellen (10-3, 2.28), who brings a low-90s fastball and a plus change. Opponents hit only .176 versus Mellen last year. Senior righty Tyler Brown (3-2, 4.68) is a pitchability high-80s guy with four pitches. Junior RHP David Stiehl (3-2, 4.58) throws his fastball 89-92 with a good slider. The staff wild card is sophomore righthander Brandon Dufault (2-1, 5.88). He has a low three-quarters arm slot with good arm-side run on a 90-95 fastball and also has a good changeup. Senior southpaw Andrew Misiaszek (2-2, 2.70, 12 saves) is an 87-90 strike-thrower with a good slider. RHP Kyle Murphy (3-3, 3.33) is another to watch out of the bullpen with his 90-93 fastball among his three pitches.

The offensive lineup will get a boost in its chase for Omaha by DH Kyle Peterson (.239/.342/.403). A lefthanded bat with some pop, he is also solid runner. Jake Farrell (.342/.425/.470) has lefthanded pop at first base and led last year’s team with eight home runs and 16 doubles. The outfield features Jeff Costello (.250/.362/.400) in center, Cam Walsh (.265/.345/.305) in left and Corey Dilorettoin right. Costello is a 6.6 runner whose plus speed makes him a strong defender in center; he also has emerging pop in his righthanded bat. Diloretto didn’t play as a freshman last spring, but he is another breakout candidate with 6.8 speed and big raw power from the right side. Look for Ryan Solomon (.238/.345/.424) to be a power bat at third base. Ian Fair (.305/.386/.418) is a long, athletic shortstop with a proven bat. Scott Holzwasser is a good runner at second base. John Mazza (.184/.246/.263) is a strong defender behind the plate.

Projected Standings

Bold indicates 2018 regional team, and records are from 2018. Teams are listed in order of projected 2019 finish.

CONFERENCE OVERALL
UNC Wilmington14-9 39-23
Elon 16-8 36-23
Northeastern 17-6 36-21
College of Charleston. 15-8 36-19
James Madison 11-13 26-26
Hofstra 12-12 23-23
Delaware 12-11 31-27
William & Mary 3-21 15-39
Towson 6-18 13-42

Projected Regional Team (1): UNC Wilmington
Player of the Year: Greg Jones, UNC Wilmington
Pitcher of the Year: Kyle Brnovich, Elon
Freshman of the Year: Brooks Baldwin, UNC Wilmington