Fort Worth Regional
1. Texas Christian 42-16
2. Virginia 41-14
3. Dallas Baptist 40-19
4. Central Connecticut State 36-20
As they stare down the barrel of the best #2 seed in the tourney in their region, TCU is looking at doing their work without their best player, as power hitter Luken Baker is out for the entirety of the postseason. TCU’s overall depth is among the best in the country when everyone is healthy, so they’re going to lean on that depth to propel them back to Omaha for the fourth straight time.
Certainly the best #2 team in the tournament, Virginia also may have the most loaded lineup in the tourney, with three top-100 draft prospects in the lineup. The Cavaliers certainly could have a long run with a good rotation as well as their loaded lineup, especially with TCU missing arguably their best player in Luken Baker.
Dallas Baptist made the tourney on the strength of winning the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. While they would not have made the tourney without the conference tourney win, Dallas Baptist has experience in the regionals and specifically against TCU, so they won’t be intimidated in the region.
The winners of the Northeast Conference, Central Connecticut State drew a tough region in that even if they somehow pull the upset against TCU, they’re facing likely the best #2 seed in the tournament. The Blue Devils are a balanced lineup that survive mostly on their depth over star power, but that doesn’t work as well in short-series settings like this.
Top Draft Prospect
The choice here is between two teammates in first baseman Pavin Smith and outfielder Adam Haseley of Virginia. While Smith is rated higher in draft prospect rankings nearly universally, it would surprise almost no one if Haseley goes off the board first on June 12th, though both should likely be off the board by the 15th pick of the round. Haseley also offers value off the mound as a lefty arm in the Virginia rotation.
Prediction: Virginia