Today, it was announced that Illinois baseball was picked as the third best team in the Big Ten by conference coaches bested only by Minnesota and Michigan.
From FightingIllini.com, here is how the top teams fared in the coaches poll:
2019 Big Ten Preseason Poll (top six teams and ties)
1. Minnesota
2. Michigan
3. Illinois
4. Indiana
5. Ohio State
6t. Nebraska
6t. Purdue
As I’ve said before, I’m a bit leery of preseason picks and predictions in the college arena which are popular this time of year. However, these choices come from the personnel who see the game the closest (including our own Coach Dan Hartleb). Their perspective does not come from behind a keyboard but rather an up close and personal point of view and that has to mean something.
And from what I know of our 2019 Illinois baseball team, I can only gather that we are facing a tough Big Ten conference. I think that is a good thing because that shows we are growing as a conference in the sport of baseball.
Even better, I know that our boys are setting their sights high. They are looking for the #1 spot.
The coaches poll also chose a Preseason Honors list for the 2019. With 98% of Illinois’ pitching starts returning from last year, it’s no surprise that two pitchers were chosen.
LHP Andy Fisher and RHP Quinn Snarskis were the two in addition to Michael Massey who has been racking up plenty of preseason awards of his own.
P Quinn Snarskis
P Andy Fisher
Illinois begins their 2019 baseball season this Friday against Georgetown at Wake Forest.