Analyzing Baseball America's Early 'Road to Omaha' Projections
- Charles Mays
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Projections Already?
As March draws to a close, Baseball America has initiated its early projections for the NCAA Baseball Tournament's "Road to Omaha." Currently, they rank Clemson at No. 7 nationally and project the Tigers as the seventh overall seed, potentially hosting a Regional that includes Mississippi State, College of Charleston, and East Tennessee State University (ETSU). Clemson currently holds a 23-4 record overall and (4-2 ACC) with a current Perfect Game College Baseball Top 25 ranking of No. 3 in the nation. Let's take a look into the current seasons and statistical standouts of these prospective opponents.
Mississippi State Bulldogs:
The Bulldogs hold a 16-9 overall record as they prepare for an upcoming series against SEC rival LSU Tigers. Mississippi State has faced challenges against top-tier competition this season, reflected in their RPI of 53 and a 1-5 record in conference play. Notably, they were swept by Texas and secured only one win over the Oklahoma Sooners.
Statistical Standouts:
Batting Average: Noah Sullivan has a .395 average with a 1.171 OPS.
Home Runs: Ace Reese has hit 8 home runs.
RBIs: Ace Reese tops the team with 34 RBIs.
Stolen Bases: Ross Highfill has 8 stolen bases on 10 attempts.
ERA: Pico Kohn boasts a 2.52 ERA with a 4-0 record.
Strikeouts: Kohn also leads with 53 strikeouts.
College of Charleston Cougars:
The Cougars have compiled a 14-9 overall record with a 2-1 mark in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play. Their performance includes a home record of 12-7 and a 2-1 record on the road. Recent games saw them clinch a series against Elon, winning two out of three games. In the CAA standings, Charleston is tied at the top with several teams, all holding a 2-1 conference record.
Statistical Standouts:
Batting Average: Brent Gibbs leads with a .421 average with a 1.034 OPS.
Home Runs: Avery Neaves has hit 5 home runs.
RBIs: Ethan Plyler tops the team with 24 RBIs.
Stolen Bases: Dariyan Pendergrass has 20 stolen bases on 21 attempts.
ERA: Alex Lyon holds a 2.52 ERA with a 4-1 record.
Strikeouts: Jake Brink leads with 27 strikeouts.
East Tennessee State University Buccaneers:
ETSU boasts an impressive 18-5 overall record, including a 2-1 start in Southern Conference (SoCon) play. The Buccaneers have been dominant at home with a 17-3 record, though they are 1-2 in away games. A highlight of their season is a 7-6 victory over No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers on March 18, 2025. Additionally, they secured a series win against Samford, taking two out of three games.
Statistical Standouts:
Batting Average: Lenny Montesano leads with a .422 average
Home Runs: Grant Gallagher has hit 12 home runs.
RBIs: Cody Miller tops the team with 27 RBIs.
Stolen Bases: Cody Miller has 12 stolen bases on 15 attempts.
ERA: Carter Fink boasts a 3.42 ERA with a 4-0 record.
Strikeouts: Jace Hyde leads with 32 strikeouts.
While it's still early in the season, these projections offer insight into potential matchups for Clemson. The Tigers, under the leadership of Erik Bakich, may face a challenging Regional with these formidable opponents. As the season progresses, performances will further shape the tournament landscape, but early indications suggest that Clemson's path could be both competitive and compelling.
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