The Big Ten has released the 2012 Preseason Poll today, picking Nebraska to finish fourth in the league. The conference's baseball coaches voted on the top six teams and also selected three players from their own squads to a Players to Watch list.
Michigan State gets the top pick to win the Big Ten this season. Unfortunately, Nebraska won't play the Spartans in a series this year. Go figure.
2012 BIG TEN BASEBALL PRESEASON POLL (top six teams)
1. Michigan State
2. Purdue
3. Minnesota
4. Nebraska
5. Ohio State
6. Illinois
Nebraska's three players to watch include pitchers Travis Huber and Tom Lemke and the best name in the Big Ten first baseman/designated hitter Kash Kalkowksi.
Full Players To Watch list after the jump!
2012 BIG TEN BASEBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH
Willie Argo, Sr., CF, Illinois
Brandon Hohl, Jr., 3B, Illinois
Kevin Johnson, Jr., SP, Illinois
Micah Johnson, Jr., 2B, Indiana
Chad Martin, Sr., SP, Indiana
Dustin DeMuth, So., SS, Indiana
Jared Hippen, Sr., SP, Iowa
Matt Dermody, Jr., SP, Iowa
Mike McQuillan, Sr., 2B, Iowa
Patrick Biondi, Jr., OF, Michigan
Michael O'Neill, So., OF, Michigan
Brandon Sinnery, Sr., SP, Michigan
Torsten Boss, Jr., CF/3B, Michigan State
Tony Bucciferro, Sr., SP, Michigan State
Ryan Jones, Jr., 2B, Michigan State
Kyle Geason, Sr., 3B, Minnesota
TJ Oakes, Jr., SP, Minnesota
Tom Windle, So., SP, Minnesota
Travis Huber, Jr., SP, Nebraska
Kash Kalkowski, Jr., 1B/DH, Nebraska
Tom Lemke, Jr., SP, Nebraska
Zach Morton, Jr., UT, Northwestern
Paul Snieder, Sr., 1B/P, Northwestern
Trevor Stevens, Sr., IF/OF, Northwestern
Josh Dezse, So., 1B/RP, Ohio State
Kirby Pellant, Jr., SS, Ohio State
Brett McKinney, Jr., SP, Ohio State
Steve Hill, Jr., SP, Penn State
Elliot Searer, Jr., SS, Penn State
Jordan Steranka, Sr., 3B, Penn State
Kevin Plawecki, Jr., C, Purdue
Cameron Perkins, Jr., 3B, Purdue
Nick Wittgren, Jr., RP, Purdue
0 recs | 10 comments
If we finish 4th
Fire Erstad. That’s all.
jdhusker - February 14, 2012
I'm excited!
Word from the ballpark is that the Huskers are going to play with a lot of hustle, grit, and intensity. I hope that is what we see. That’s why Van Horn’s teams were so fun to watch. Biggest adjustment is going to be the weather this year. Talking to parents of a couple of former B1G players, it can be miserable. It won’t be like trips to Waco, Lubbock, and even Stillwater and Manhattan. Of course, a hustling, gritty, intense team won’t notice. It will just be us fans all bundled up!
Todd Wolverton - February 14, 2012
I'm just upset I won't be able to go to their games.
Stupid Wisconsin sent their team into purgatory and now I think they’re D2 at best.
Salt Creek and Stadium - February 14, 2012
We had a crappy finish
to football. A WTF men’s basketball team. My young women’s basketball team (49% of playing time has been filled by freshmen) taking a late-season nose-dive. Softball starting 3-3. Wrestling not living up to what we thought.
I am so ready for the unveiling of Erstad’s shiny new product. And I hope we all welcome it with a modicum of patience. Good luck, coach!
redvalley - February 14, 2012
Prep the flamethrowers, just in case.
We can’t bring any bad juju into fall.
Salt Creek and Stadium - February 14, 2012
Flamethrowers at the ready, sir.
Just awaiting your order to fire.
redvalley - February 15, 2012
and,
please don’t tell me we need permission from General Johnston. I don’t think he’s bought into this whole bad juju thing yet.
redvalley - February 15, 2012
Maybe not General Johnston but one of the commanding officers has to sign off on the Cornnation Flambe.
Salt Creek and Stadium - February 15, 2012
General???
I like it.
so… what you think you’re going to fry?
Jon Johnston - February 15, 2012
Cornnation.
There’s some bad juju around here.
Salt Creek and Stadium - February 16, 2012
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