2016 College Conference Preview: MAC

BA breaks down the Mid-American Conference, including our projections for player of the year, pitcher of the year and top prospects.

Baseball Members (First Year): East: Bowling Green (1952), Buffalo (2001), Kent State (1951), Miami (1947), Ohio (1946). West: Ball State (1973), Central Michigan (1971), Eastern Michigan (1971), Northern Illinois (1997), Toledo (1950), Western Michigan (1947).

Checking out: Akron (dropped sport).

Team to Beat: Kent State. The Golden Flashes suffered a relatively down year in 2015, finishing second in the regular season and going two-and-out in the MAC Tournament, ending a nine-year streak of winning either the conference’s regular-season or tournament championship. But third-year coach Jeff Duncan’s club is well positioned to return to championship form in 2016. Pitching is once again expected to be the strength of the team, as Kent State returns its entire weekend rotation from a staff that led the MAC in ERA (3.22), strikeouts (460) and opponents’ batting average (.237) last season. Junior lefthander Eric Lauer was voted second-team Preseason All-American by major league scouting directors and could be a first-round pick in June. Junior righthander Andy Ravel could also be a top-10 rounds pick and senior righthander Nick Jensen-Clagg adds experience. The offense will lean on senior first baseman Zarley Zalewski, who hit .374/.463/.483 to win the MAC batting title last year.

Player of the Year: Mitch Longo, of, Ohio. In addition to helping Ohio win the MAC Tournament last season, Longo became just the second player in school history to be named MAC player of the year. He hit .357/.421/.498 with seven home runs and 10 stolen bases. The junior is a patient hitter with a simple approach and a solid defender in the outfield.

Pitcher of the Year: Eric Lauer, lhp, Kent State. As a sophomore, Lauer went 5-4, 1.98 and struck out 103 batters in 86 innings to earn all-MAC honors. He followed that up with a strong showing in the Cape Cod League, going 4-1, 2.04 with a league-best 50 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings. The physical lefthander has a loose, easy delivery that enables him to consistently throw quality strikes with his four-pitch arsenal. If Lauer does pitch his way into the first round in June, he would be the fourth first rounder in Kent State history, joining Thurman Munson (1968), Dustin Hermanson (1994) and John Van Benschoten (2001).

Freshman of the Year: Grant Wolfram, lhp, Central Michigan. An unsigned 17th round pick of the Tigers, Wolfram has an athletic, projectable frame (listed at 6-foot-6, 210 pounds) and plenty of upside. He has a chance to develop three average-or-better offerings, though like most young pitchers, he still needs to improve his command.

Notable Storylines: The MAC is down a baseball member this year following Akron’s July decision to drop the program. The program was established in 1873 and the Zips had played in the conference since 1993, winning one championship (1996). Though it was never a baseball powerhouse, Akron did produce Athletics righthander Chris Bassitt and Kent State associate head coach Mike Birkbeck, the 2012 Assistant Coach of the Year . . . Rich Maloney is the winningest coach in Ball State history with a 359-211-1 record but has yet to reach the NCAA Tournament in 10 years of coaching the Cardinals (sandwiched around a 10-year run with Michigan, where he made four NCAA Tournaments). He has a chance to break through this year, which could be one of his best. Righthander Zach Plesac will anchor the rotation, and catcher Jarrett Rindfleisch, outfielder Alex Call and shortstop Alex Maloney (Rich Maloney’s son) should make for a formidable lineup . . . Wolfram isn’t the only talented freshman Central Michigan will add to the team that won the conference regular season title last year. Righthander Michael Brettell (a member of the Canadian Junior National Team), outfielder/righthander Dazon Cole (an unsigned 24th round pick in 2014) and outfielder Daniel Robinson are also all expected to play key roles for the Chippewas . . . Lauer carried the banner for the MAC in the Cape Cod League last summer, but several other players from the conference acquitted themselves well in the prestigious summer circuit. Lefthander Nick Deeg (Central Michigan) joined Lauer in the Cape all-star game, and lefthander Keegan Akin (Western Michigan) finished sixth in the league with 39 strikeouts in 33 innings. Akin will lead the Broncos rotation again this spring, teaming with lefthander Tanner Allison, who was the top-ranked player this summer in the Prospect League.

Conference Tournament: Eight teams, May 25-29 at All-Pro Freight Stadium, Avon, Ohio.

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TOP 10 PROSPECTS FOR 2016 DRAFT

1. Eric Lauer, lhp, Kent State

2. Mitch Longo, of, Ohio

3. Keegan Akin, lhp, Western Michigan

4. Jarret Rindfleisch, c, Ball State

5. Nick Deeg, lhp, Central Michigan

6. Andy Ravel, rhp, Kent State

7. Zach Plesac, rhp, Ball State

8. Alex Call, of, Ball State

9. Nick Jensen-Clagg, rhp, Kent State

10. Mike Kaelin, rhp, Buffalo