Next Season Starters - Fans Pick Em

As the last poll as well as the current poll on the sidebar indicates, the IU baseball fans who frequent this blog will put together what they believe should be next season starters. Although most probably haven't seen the incoming freshman play and may select the players they like/know the best, it should still be interesting to see what the results are and how closely they eventually mirror the actual starting lineup selected my the coaching staff. Once a player is voted to a position, they will not be a possible selection in the other polls for a different position. For example, since Earley has already been voted to the catcher spot, he will not be a selection in any of the other upcoming polls.

Incoming Freshman and Coach Smith quotes:
Michael Basil (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier) - "Michael is a kid who has been around baseball all of his life, with one brother playing at EKU and one at Georgia Tech, so he understands and appreciates the game. He's strong offensively, has a very good body and is going to get even stronger and he plays in a competitive conference. We're glad to add him to the Hoosier family."

Jonny Hoffman (Oceanside, Calif./El Camino) - "Jonny is one of the top guys in southern California. He throws in the high 80s to low 90s with his fastball and he has three solid pitches. He's a kid who flat-out understands how to pitch. I think he will compete for conference innings right away."

Micah Johnson (Indianapolis, Ind./Park Tudor) - "We've often preached that we want the top players from Indiana to come to IU and Micah is definitely one of top in-state guys. He'll bring some speed that we will likely need to fill next season and is a guy that is going to help us immediately offensively. He will instantly produce runs on the bases."

Jerry Kleman (Mesa, Ariz./Desert Ridge) - "Jerry is solid defensively and is a very athletic kid," Smith said. "We love his ability to move and his actions defensively. He may need some work on the offensive side, but his defense in the middle infield is certainly a strong point that should allow him to compete for playing time right away."

Mike McKinley (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) - "Mike has an outstanding breaking ball," Smith said. "I saw him in the state championships in Illinois and instantly fell in love with his `stuff.' He has a good fastball and is a competitive kid who will help us immediately on the mound."

Trace Knoblauch (Houston, Texas/Bellaire) - "He is a power hitter who can drive the ball to all fields, and with his size, he could become a big-time player in the Big Ten."

Alex Herz (Boulder, Colo./Boulder) - "Alex is going to be fun to work with in our program," head coach Tracy Smith said. "He is a smart kid with a solid work ethic. You take those ingredients and match them with a projectable body, and the sky is the limit for a pitcher like him."

Potential Walk-ons:
Greg Heban (Muncie, Indiana/Delta) - .493 BA (2009 3A All-State Outfielder)
Andy Binkley (Jasper, Indiana/Jasper) - 10-1, 1.45 ERA
Nick Stoia (Indianapolis, Indiana/Decatur Central) - .494 BA