TEXAS A&M AGGIES
Coach: Rob Childress (458-238-2 in 11 seasons). Conference: Southeastern. 2016 record: 49-16.
PROJECTED LINEUP
C: Hunter Coleman 1B: Joel Davis 2B: Braden Shewmake 3B: George Janca SS: Austin Homan LF: Walker Pennington CF: Nick Choruby RF: Blake Kopetsky DH: Tim Lichty SP: RHP Brigham Hill, RHP Stephen Kolek, RHP Mitchell Kilkenny RP: RHP Corbin Martin
PLAYER TO WATCH Corbin Martin, P, junior: He owned an inflated ERA last season (5.47 in 261⁄3 innings), but Martin has an electric arm and is loaded with potential out of the bullpen or perhaps as a starter. The Cypress Ranch grad was on top of his game in the Cape Cod League last summer, with a 1.14 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 152⁄3 innings.
THREE KEYS TO SEASON 1 Young lefties must step up: The Aggies are heavy on veteran righthanded pitchers and shy on experience from the other side, so they will need newcomers like LHP Kyle Richardson and a handful of others to prove their worth early. 2 Don’t get down early in SEC play: Meaning mentally. The Aggies open league play at home against Kentucky but are on the road for their next two SEC series against Vanderbilt and LSU. A&M might be 4-5 after three conference series, yet still in good shape to compete for a Western Division title. 3 Avoid TCU: A&M was thrilled last season to draw TCU at home in an NCAA super regional and had payback on their minds after losing at Fort Worth the previous year. The Horned Frogs won again to advance to the College World Series, so it likely is best for A&M to avoid top-ranked TCU on any field.
KEY SERIES At Vanderbilt, March 24-26; at LSU, March 30-April 1; vs. Mississippi State, May 4-6.