2023 College Top 25 Preview: No. 16 Maryland

Last season: 48-14 (18-5 in Big Ten), lost in regional final
Final ranking: No. 18
Coach (record at school): Rob Vaughn (141-96, five seasons)

The good news: Maryland last year had its most successful regular season ever. It won a program-record 48 games, hosted a regional for the first time and won the Big Ten title, its first conference championship since 1971. While the Terrapins ultimately were upset in a thrilling College Park Regional final by Connecticut, they now return the bulk of that team and can look to build on 2022’s success. Six regulars are back in the lineup, including catcher Luke Shliger and the double-play combination of second baseman Kevin Keister and shortstop Matt Shaw, a projected first-round pick. On the mound, Maryland returns starters Nick Dean and Jason Savacool and top reliever David Falco Jr.

The bad news: Maryland lost from its lineup All-American outfielder Chris Alleyne, who hit 24 home runs and stole 24 bases, as well as first baseman Maxwell Costes and outfielder Troy Scheffler Jr. That trio combined for 50 home runs, a significant total even for a team that ranked second in that nation with 137 home runs. Maryland’s high-octane offense will turn to transfers as it looks to reload, including outfielder Matt Woods, who last season was named Northeast Conference player of the year at Bryant. Fellow transfers Eddie Hacopian (junior college) and Elijah Lambros (South Carolina) also project to move into the starting lineup in their first year in College Park.

Player to know: Matt Shaw, SS.

Shaw last season took over as Maryland’s shortstop and earned all-Big Ten honors as he hit .290/.381/.604 with 22 home runs and 12 stolen bases. He enters the season projected to be the first Terrapin drafted in the first round since 2002 and he could become the highest drafted player in program history. His combination of power, defense and feel for hitting make him one of the most exciting players in the country and the focal point of the lineup, particularly with Alleyne now in pro ball.

Path to Omaha: Maryland will be hard pressed to repeat last year’s phenomenal regular season, but the experience it got during the title run and then in the postseason will be valuable in 2023. Maryland has a strong core on the mound, a quality defense and a potent offense. The Terrapins have everything they need to make a postseason run and having played in back-to-back regional finals, it’s only a matter of time before they break through. With a star like Shaw leading the way, Maryland is well positioned to take the next step in the postseason.

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