College Baseball: A Look at Omaha

By Andrew Musur on June 16, 2015

College baseball is entering its most exciting time of the season. Eight teams are headed to Omaha, Nebraska to battle for the College World Series.

Although my beloved Illinois Fighting Illini were knocked out of the 64 team tournament against Vanderbilt in the Super Regionals, I am still very excited to see what this year’s College World Series brings.

Let’s take a look at the top five players that will be participating in Omaha.

No. 1) Dansby Swanson, SS, Vanderbilt

Dansby Swanson was recently picked as the #1 player in the 2015 MLB Draft, and let me tell you something about Swanson, he is the real deal. I had the pleasure of watching Swanson in the Champaign Super Regional last weekend and he did not disappoint. The 6-foot-1 junior has dominated opposing pitchers all year, and he will be a huge part of Vanderbilt’s attempt to win their second consecutive national title.

Swanson has been an over 300 hitter his whole college career and he knows how to get on base. Swanson won last year’s College World Series Most Outstanding player. The Georgia native has impressed all year and when the pressure is on I know he will deliver.

No. 2) Alex Bregman, SS, LSU

Alex Bregman was the second pick of this year’s MLB Draft, who some say is a more complete player than Swanson. Bregman is a guy that can hit the long ball, but can also do the small things. The junior stole 37 bases this season and knocked in 49 RBIs. When it comes to elite shortstops, it doesn’t get much better than Bregman.

LSU was a team that ran through the SEC and spent most of the year ranked inside the top 2. Bregman will have to continue to do what he has done his entire career, if the Tigers hope to take down seven of the toughest teams in college baseball. The New Mexico native has all the skills necessary to make his mark on this year’s College World Series.

No. 3) Carson Fulmer, RHP, Vanderbilt

If there was one thing I will always remember from the Champaign Super Regional, it will be the amount of talent that was on display. Illinois and Vanderbilt combined to have 18 players drafted, including three in the top 10 picks. Fulmer went #8 to the Chicago White Sox.

The right hander was marvelous in the Super Regional, and he will really have to bring his stuff if the Commodores hope to repeat as national champions. Fulmer has been a K machine this year striking out 152 batters; the Florida native has some filthy pitches that make batters look foolish. Though the junior struggles with his control at times and has a tough time of getting the first strike, Fulmer will play a vital role in Vanderbilt’s run for the national title.

No. 4) Alex Young, LHP, TCU

Alex Young has been one of most interesting stories this college baseball season. Young was a reliever turned starter, and that move couldn’t have ended up any better for the Horned Frogs. Young has an unbelievable 91:22 strikeout to walk ratio and has kept batters from getting any runs with his 2.31 ERA.

Young was drafted 43rd overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and will join Dansby Swanson next season in the pros. TCU weaseled their way into the College World Series, and will really have to show what they are made of if they want to be headed home with any hardware.

No. 5) David Thompson, 3B, Miami

David Thompson has been one of the most powerful hitters this entire baseball season. The third basemen has hit 19 homers this season, and driven in a staggering 87 runs. For a kid with so much power, it was surprising to see him fall so far in the draft. Thompson was picked by the Mets with the 119th selection in this year’s draft, but he still has some work to be done with this year’s Miami team.

Thompson can make any pitcher nervous when he steps up to the plate, and he will have to use his mighty swing to get the Hurricanes past some stiff competition.

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