Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Overall Rank: #17
Conference Rank: #4 ACC 
The NCAA Tournament was not the same last year with Miami. The Hurricanes had reached 44 straight NCAA Tournaments. And then in 2017 the Hurricanes went 32-27 overall and 16-13 in ACC action. Miami hopes to start a new streak this year, but 2018 also marks the end of an era. After 25 years, Coach Jim Morris is retiring at the conclusion of this season. You can be sure Miami wants to send him out with one more trip to the tournament.
2017: 32-27, 16-13
2017 Postseason: None
Coach: Jim Morris
Key Departed Players:
Carl Chester, OF, .281 BA, 4 HR, 30 RBI
Johnny Ruiz, IF, .255 BA, 4 HR, 23 RBI
Key Returning Players:
Romy Gonzalez, IF, .265 BA, 11 HR, 38 RBI
Michael Burns, OF, .247 BA, 4 HR, 32 RBI
Jeb Bargfeldt, P, 2.28 ERA, 7-3 W-L, 87.0 IP, 61 SO
Andrew Cabezas, P, 2.15 ERA, 5-3 W-L, 62.2 IP, 80 SO
Gregory Veliz, P, 3.38 ERA, 6-4 W-L, 61.1 IP, 66 SO
Projection:
Reaching the tournament should not be much of a problem. Miami certainly does not lack on talent, but now they have experience too, especially on the pitching staff. Jeb Bargfeldt is back for his senior season after going 7-3 in 15 starts with a 2.28 ERA. Gregory Veliz, Evan McKendry and Michael Mediavilla also have starting experience and performed relatively well in 2017. Add reliever Andrew Cabezas to the staff and this group should be much improved and one of the best in the ACC. It was at the plate where Miami really struggled last year, ranking 13th in the ACC with a mere 4.6 runs per game. Romy Gonzalez is the team’s top power hitter. He belted 11 homeruns with a team high 38 RBIs and Michael Burns added four homeruns with 32 RBIs. Those two have experience, but Miami must find a few more consistent hitters or it will be another long, long season.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
