UConn projected to win the Conference and Kyler Fedko predicted to be POY.
-> Connecticut will kick off 2021 with a challenging road slate before opening up its new home, Elliott Ballpark, on March 23; their success will start with a lethal everyday lineup. Kyle Fedko continues to get better and better, as he had a big fall coming off of a big, yet abbreviated, spring (.412/.434/.627) and should power this team as one of the conference’s best prospects and overall players. Christian Fedko tied his younger brother with 12 RBIs in 2020 and will once again man second base. Behind the plate, you’ll find Pat Winkel and roaming center field will be his brother Chris, two more proven performers at key positions. First baseman Reggie Crawford is a name to remember for the 2022 draft and he hit the ground running a year ago, hitting .365/.414/.558 while leading the team in RBIs (16). A standout athlete at 6-foot-4, 235-pounds, Crawford can also contribute out of the bullpen as a lefthanded pitcher. UMass Lowell transfer Ciaran Devenney will back up Pat Winkel behind the plate and DH when he’s not, as he hit .287/.446/.566 with seven bombs in 2019. Third baseman Zach Bushling will lead off with proven on-base skills. The biggest question mark in the lineup comes at shortstop. Andy Hague is a glove-first defender at the position and enjoyed a good fall but hasn’t been especially productive at the plate to this point in his career. If he doesn’t hit, Bushling or freshman Bryan Padilla could get more looks.
UNC transfer and staff ace-to-be Ben Casparius has made the full-time conversion to pitching after beginning his career primarily as a position player and has really taken off. His fastball has been clocked at 91-95 mph with three other secondary pitches that he throws for strikes. Fellow righthander Joe Simeone is one of the key holdovers from last year’s starting staff, posting a 3.00 ERA in four starts and striking out 23 batters in 15 innings thanks to an 88-91 mph fastball, a plus changeup and an improving slider. Another transfer, 6-foot-6, 230-pound righthander Austin Peterson, uses his size well to fire 88-92 mph fastballs downhill and he could be in line for a weekend role. Jimmy Wang, who throws 90-95, could see time in both the rotation and bullpen with Kenneth Haus serving as the primary setup man for closer Caleb Wurster. Wurster is a lefthander that throws from a lower slot which makes his 88-92 mph fastball play up when it comes to missing bats.<-
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