Missouri State Bears
Overall Rank: #25
Conference Rank: #1 Missouri Valley
Missouri State has absolutely dominated the Missouri Valley Conference lately. Last year they went 18-3 in conference play following an 18-1 campaign in 2017. The Bears have some big shoes to fill this year with the loss of Hunter Steinmetz, Jeremy Eierman, Matt Brown and ace Dylan Coleman, but Coach Keith Guttin has reloaded in the past and will do so again in 2019.
2018: 40-17, 18-3
2018 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Keith Guttin
Key Departed Players:
Hunter Steinmetz, OF, .307 BA, 5 HR, 37 RBI
Jeremy Eierman, IF, .287 BA, 10 HR, 49 RBI, 21 SB
Matt Brown, IF, .241 BA, 14 HR, 41 RBI
Dylan Coleman, P, 3.77 ERA, 10-2 W/L, 102.2 IP, 129 SO
Key Returning Players:
Drew Millas, C, .321 BA, 7 HR, 61 RBI
Ben Whetstone, IF, .278 BA, 9 HR, 39 RBI
Jack Duffy, OF, .271 BA, 3 HR, 30 RBI
John Privitera, IF, .247 BA, 20 RBI, 11 SB
Logan Wiley, P, 4.13 ERA, 7-6 W/L, 85.0 IP, 68 SO
Ty Buckner, P, 4.81 ERA, 7-4 W/L, 76.2 IP, 60 SO
Connor Sechler, P, 2.98 ERA, 7-1 W/L, 54.1 IP, 59 SO, 8 SV
Projection:
The pitching staff is in decent shape with Logan Wiley, Ty Buckner, Tyler McAlister and Connor Sechler returning. Wiley and Buckner combined to start 26 games last season and they will form the heart of Missouri State’s rotation. Sechler is the Bears top relief pitcher. He recorded eight saves last season and made 30 appearances. Catcher Drew Millas figures to be the new star of the batting order. The junior hit .321 with seven homeruns and 61 RBIs. Ben Whetstone belted nine homeruns and 39 RBIs as a sophomore and he should be ready to play a larger role now. Jack Duffy, John Privitera and Logan Geha, who started 37 games behind the plate, are all returning starters. Senior Brooks Zimmerman has some power to his bat. He hit six homeruns despite starting just 26 games. Zimmerman also saved his best for last and earned All-MVC tournament accolades. Once again Missouri State should dominate the MVC, but a few new faces need to step up if the Bears hope to make a deep NCAA Tournament run in 2019.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
