Connor Strain

Strain is a redshirt senior. He had an outstanding start to the 2016 season--going 3-1 with a 0.68 ERA and 26 strikeouts and six walks in 26.1 innings before his season ended due to injury. He came back healthy this spring and was effective but a bit wild. Strain has a whip-quick arm and his fastball bumped 95 mph as a starter this season. Strain's slider flashes average and he uses it as a strikeout pitch, while he tends to generate ground balls with his fastball. He's likely to move to the bullpen at the professional level, where his stuff could tick up and he may have more impact as a reliever.