Scouting report from Dbaseball.com1

[Demon Alum]

• Northwestern State put together a quality 2016 campaign with a 33-24 overall record and hopes to take a step forward this spring with a postseason appearance. The Demons have some work to do offensively with few returning big-time hitters, but there’s projection throughout the lineup. For instance, center fielder Kwan Adkins is a rising prospect to watch. Adkins is a 6-foot-2, 202-pounder, who runs a 6.4 60-yard-dash. He has some work to do with the bat, but the skill set is there to blossom. Middle infielder David Fry is an intriguing player and prospect to watch. He has ability to hit to all fields will anchor the middle of the lineup, while backstop Kelsey Richard has a good plate approach and a strong arm. In terms of newcomers, SS Caleb Ricca has star potential. He hit well over .400 during fall workouts and should make an instant impact with his bat and defensive instincts … On the mound, the front-end of the rotation is in good shape with athletic righty Nathan Jones leading the way. Jones sits anywhere from 89-91 and up to 92 with his fastball, while also showing a good breaking ball. He makes the move to the starting rotation after throwing out of the pen last season. RHP Tim Winders is another 90-plus arm on this staff, and his command has greatly improved, while RHP Austin Reich on the back-end is worth watching. Reich has been known in the past as a guy who just airs it out and exclusively throws a fastball and changeup, but his stuff has gotten crisper and he will sit 90-93 and up to 94-95 with his fastball at times.

Projected Regional Teams (1): Sam Houston State



Player of the Year: Reid Russell, OF, Lamar



Pitcher of the Year: Mac Sceroler, RHP, Southeastern Louisiana



Freshman of the Year: Caleb Ricca, SS, Northwestern State



Top Prospects/Freshmen



TOP PROSPECTS, 2017 DRAFT

1 Bryce Johnson OF Sam Houston State

2 Reid Russell OF Lamar

3 Mac Sceroler RHP Southeastern Louisiana

4 Austin Lambright LHP Abilene Christian

5 Kwan Adkins OF Northwestern State

6 Jimmy Johnson RHP Lamar

7 Brandon Lambright RHP Abilene Christian

8 Carson Lance RHP Lamar

9 Cody Davenport RHP Central Arkansas

10 Ty Tice RHP Central Arkansas

11 Webb Bobo OF Southeastern Louisiana

12 Cole Stapler RHP Nicholls State

13 Tyler Gray RHP Central Arkansas

14 Kyle Knauth 1B Nicholls State

15 Heath Donica RHP Sam Houston State

16 Nkosi Dejhuti-Mets OF Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

17 Cutter McDowell OF Lamar

18 David Fry 2B Northwestern State

19 Seth Ballew LHP Sam Houston State

20 Cole Langdon RHP Northwestern State


TOP PROSPECTS, 2018 DRAFT

1 Andrew Fregia 3B Sam Houston State

2 Aaron Hernandez RHP Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

3 Nathan Jones RHP Northwestern State

4 Austin Reich RHP Northwestern State

5 Jordan Cannon RHP Sam Houston State

6 Brennan Breaud SS Southeastern Louisiana

7 Mark Pearson SS Abilene Christian

8 William Hancock C Central Arkansas

9 Nick Anderson OF Texas A&M Corpus Christi

10 Shane Selman OF McNeese State


IMPACT FRESHMEN

1 Caleb Ricca SS Northwestern State

2 Hayden Wesneski RHP Sam Houston State

3 Nick Mikolajchak RHP Sam Houston State

4 Gavin Sonnier RHP McNeese State

5 Bryce Hill RHP Abilene Christian

6 Tyler Booth LHP Southeastern Louisiana

7 Zach Langston OF Central Arkansas

8 Drew Dyer LHP Central Arkansas

9 David Anaya 3B Incarnate Word

10 Elijah Simon INF Houston Baptist

[PurpleRain]

I think we may be a little underrated and may surprise some people. There is strong potential both offensively and on the mound. May take a few games to settle in but we can make a conference run this year. Defense will be more athletic then in the past as well.

[Demon Alum]

Projected Standings



Bold indicates 2016 regional team, and records are from 2016. Teams are listed in order of projected 2017 finish.

Conference Overall


1. Sam Houston State 24-6 42-22

2. Southeastern Louisiana 22-8 40-21

3. Lamar 20-10 35-19

4. McNeese State 15-15 31-25

5.Northwestern State 20-10 33-24

6.Central Arkansas 16-14 29-27

7. Stephen F. Austin 14-16 30-30

8. New Orleans 14-16 31-26

9. Nicholls State 14-16 26-30

10. Texas A&M CC 8-20 19-32

11. Abilene Christian 8-21 16-37

12. Houston Baptist 12-18 24-29

13. Incarnate Word 5-22 13-38

[Demon Alum]

The StitchHead Preseason Top 299


97—NORTHWESTERN STATE (33-24, 20-10)

Projected Southland Finish: 6th

2016 ISR: 70

Starters Returning: 4

Weekend Starters: 1

Mid-Week Starters: 0

Key Relievers (15+inns.): 4

New head coach Bobby Barbier must uphold the three straight 30-plus win seasons. There will be plenty of holes to fill as OF Matt Valdez (.273-3-14) and 2B David Fry (.264-7-27) are the top returnees. The 3.01 team ERA may be hard-pressed to match with so much attrition from the staff. Sunday starter Evan Tidwell (5-3, 2.97) is back and saves man Nathan Jones (2-2, 3.10, 5svs) will move from the ‘pen to the Friday starter spot. RHP Austin Reich (3-2, 2.78) could be a special talent.