2015 Preview: University of Miami Hurricanes Baseball

Miami held their Fanfest & Alumni Game on Saturday - They start the season on Friday against Rutgers in Coral Gables

by Jason Klenetsky | Miami SPORTS & Lifestyle

The University of Miami was ranked No. 15 in the inaugural D1-Baseball poll released last week, marking the Hurricanes' second top 20 ranking of the preseason.

Collegiate Baseball Newspaper ranked Miami No. 14 in its preseason poll released in December.

Miami, who finished 44-19 in 2014 and earned one of 16 NCAA postseason Regional host sites, ended the season atop the ACC with a 24-6 record in conference play. Head coach Jim Morris' team also took home their second ACC Regular Season Championship in program history en route to a top seed at the ACC Baseball Championship in Greensboro, N.C.

The Hurricanes, who in 2014 extended their postseason streak to a college baseball-record 42 consecutive years, return a number of key contributors from last season both on the mound and in the field.

Miami features a trio of Louisville Slugger Preseason All-Americans: first-team catcher Zack Collins, second-team ace Andy Suarez and second-team reliever Bryan Garcia. Returning 2014 All-ACC selections include Collins, Garcia and Suarez, as well as outfielder Willie Abreu.

Collins was named 2014 Baseball America National Freshman of the Year after a prolific first season, Suarez was the highest-drafted college player to return to school nationwide (second round, Washington Nationals), while Garcia earned All-America honors after delivering a dominant season as the team's closer. 

Bryan Garcia was named a Preseason All-American along with Zack Collins

 

The Hurricanes begin their season February 13th with a four game series against Rutgers.

Projected Lineup & Rotation

1.       LF- Carl Chester, Fr. (Altamonte Springs, FL)

2.       3B- George Iskendarian, Jr. (Transfer from Indian River CC)

3.       C- Zack Collins, So. (.298/ 11 HR/ 54 RBI)

4.       1B- David Thompson, Jr. (.278/ 15 RBI)

5.       RF- Willie Abreu, So. (.277/ 1 HR/ 28 RBI)

6.       DH- Jacob Heyward, So. (.205/ 4 RBI)

7.       SS- Brandon Lopez, Jr. (.233/ 29 RBI)

8.       2B- Johnny Ruiz, So. (.229/ 11 RBI)

9.       CF- Ricky Eusebio, Jr. (.263/ 7 RBI)

 

Fri- Andrew Suarez, Jr. (6-3, 2.95 ERA, 110 IP, 87K 15BB)

Sat- Derik Beauprez, So. (1-0, 0.83 ERA, 22 IP)

Sun- Enrique Sosa, Jr. (0-1, 7.04 ERA, 15.1 IP)

CP- Bryan Garcia, So. (7-4, 1.75 ERA, 51 IP, 15 SV)

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 Jason Klenetsky is a writer for Miami SPORTS & Lifestyle covering the Miami Marlins and the University of Miami baseball team. He will also be featured on Miami SPORTS & Lifestyle Radio. You can follow him on Twitter @JBird2000.