Troy Trojans
Overall rank: #33
Conference rank: #1 Sun Belt
Troy Team Page
The current players on the Troy baseball roster were either in diapers, learning to walk, or both when the Trojans last made a trip to the College World Series. Not since 1993 have the Trojans set foot in Omaha for the final tournament of the college baseball season, and that’s a string Troy hopes to break in 2012. The Trojans made their first NCAA regional appearance since 2007 and managed to win a game, and they hope for further success as the new season dawns in February.
2011: 43-19, 21-9
2011 Postseason: Eliminated in Nashville regional (beat Oklahoma State, lost to Vanderbilt and Belmont)
Coach: Bobby Pierce
Field Players:
If your first name is Tyler, chances are you landed on the Who to Watch list. Infielder Tyler Hannah is there, having been named a preseason All-America candidate. Other than Hannah, every Troy hitter with a .300 batting average or higher has graduated. The cupboard isn’t exactly bare, but close. The only home run hitter left with any pop to his bat is Blake Martz, who can play catcher or first base and serve as the designated hitter. Martz hit a cool .234 last year but managed seven homers and 40 runs batted in, numbers which are typical of a free-swinging power hitter (and yes, he struck out 50 times). Outfielder Hayden Hillyer will likely see more duty as the team needs his .294 average in just 85 at-bats.
Pitchers:
Tyler Ray is also a preseason All-America candidate, so more on him later. Ray will anchor a pitching staff that has all three regulars back in the rotation. Jimmy Hodgskin (3-7, 4.68 ERA, 54 walks, 58 strikeouts) needs to improve his control if Troy is to improve in the standings. Ryan Sorce (5-5, 5.57, 15 walks and 49 K’s) is better at control but needs to lower the earned run average to have a better chance. Fourth starter Drew Hull (4-0, 2.04) is gone, but the good news is Troy’s relief corps returns largely intact. Nathan Hill and Tyson Workman have sub-3.00 ERA’s and combined for a 10-5 record, seven saves, 33 walks and 107 strikeouts.
Who to Watch:
Infielder Tyler Hannah earned preseason All-America honors for a reason. His .370 batting average, seven homers and 53 RBIs should anchor the hitting lineup for the Trojans. He scored 62 runs and his on-base percentage of .477 was the highest on the team. Not too shabby. If pitching impresses you more, take a look at Tyler Ray’s line: 12-0 in 16 starts, 16 walks, 69 strikeouts… yes, he did allow nine home runs, but going undefeated through a short college baseball season is no mean feat. When he’s ready, major-league scouts will line up and drool… if they have not done so already.
Final Projection:
Hannah’s hitting, combined with the return of a few other regulars, should stabilize things until the newcomers develop their bats. Still, a lot of high-average hitters are gone and that could mean trouble for the Trojans until the lineup stabilizes. The good news is Troy has time. Ray’s excellent pitching, combined with the return of top relievers and what should be further development for Hodgskin and Sorce, will likely help the Trojans stay out of trouble until the season comes to a close… hopefully with another tournament appearance.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At bats: Tyler Hannah, 3B/SS, 235
Hits: Tyler Hannah, 3B/SS, 87
Home Runs: Tyler Hannah, 3B/SS, 7; Blake Martz, C/1B/DH, 7
RBIs: Tyler Hannah, 3B/SS, 53
Runs: Tyler Hannah, 3B/SS, 62
Stolen Bases: Tyler Hannah, 3B/SS, 6
Wins: Tyler Ray, P, 12
Innings Pitched: Tyler Ray, P, 116.2
Strikeouts: Tyler Ray, P, 69
Saves: Tyson Workman, P, 4
Madness 2012 MLB Draft Rankings:
#69 Tyler Ray
#75 Tyler Hannah
