DII Baseball Top 10 Preseason Rankings

It’s time for DII baseball. The road to Cary, North Carolina, that iconic battleground for the national championship, is officially underway. We're talking January 31st, a flurry of teams kicking off their campaigns, and right off the bat, we've got a heavyweight clash at the Houston Winter Invitational in Minute Maid Park. Central Missouri and Ashland, perennial Power 10 contenders, throwing down in a big league setting. Is this a preview of Cary? We'll see. But one thing's for sure: the buzz is real.

Last year, Tampa and Angelo State were the final two teams standing, and guess what? They're your preseason number one and two. Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, a quick word on how these Power 10 rankings shake out. This poll has been created from a culmination of fall reports, coach conversations, spreadsheet wizardry, and a whole lot of stats. It's an analysis, plain and simple. So, get ready to agree, disagree, and everything in between.

Number one, the Tampa Spartans. Fresh off their ninth national title, tying the DII record, Joe Urso's got them primed for another run. Nineteen new faces? Doesn't matter. Urso's got a knack for finding those impact transfers. And with reigning national pitcher of the year Skylar Gonzalez back on the mound and an offense Urso's calling potentially "one of the most powerful lineups in the country," well, number ten is looking mighty tempting.

Coming in at number two, the Angelo State Rams. These guys are a force. Four straight trips to Cary, back-to-back championship game appearances, and a title in '23. Kevin Brooks has a roster loaded with postseason experience, and he's added some serious arms, including my LSC newcomer of the year, lefty Ryan Free. In the stacked South Central region, depth is key, and the Rams have it.

Third, the Augustana Vikings. If it weren't for Tampa and Angelo State's dominance, these guys would be top dog. National player of the year Jack Hines is back, along with NSIC pitcher of the year Ashton Michek. The Central Region is a gauntlet, but Augustana's got the talent to navigate it.

Number four, the North Greenville Trailblazers. New name, same powerhouse. Landon Powell's got a squad that's been to Cary twice in the last three years, winning it all in '22. Six players from that championship team are still in the mix, and Powell's calling this his best transfer class yet, headlined by Conference Carolinas newcomer of the year, Rocko Brzezniak.

Rounding out the top five, the Central Missouri Mules. Chase Heath, preseason MIAA player of the year, leads a potent offense, but the pitching staff is what's got me buzzing. Four returning starters and a lockdown bullpen? These guys are stacked. They could lose everyone and still be a top 25 team.

Number six, the Catawba Indians. Remember that offensive explosion in Cary? Dylan Driver and Sam Hunter are back, along with a loaded pitching staff led by my SAC pitcher of the year, Payne Stolsworth. The SAC is a battleground, but Catawba's ready to rumble.

Seventh, the Point Loma Sea Lions. Repeating in the Wild West is a tall order, but Jake Entrekin and a solid pitching staff are ready to roll. Point Loma's consistency is their strength.

Eighth, the Southern New Hampshire Penmen. They're going to Cary, folks. I'm calling it now. Four straight trips to the DII finals, five in the last six years. They just find a way.

Number nine, the Colorado Mesa Mavericks. They lose some bats, but they always reload. Kolby Felix and Paul Schoenfeld are ready to step up, and transfer Cameron Cartwright, RMAC newcomer of the year, adds firepower. Plus, the pitching depth is looking elite.

And finally, number ten, the West Chester Golden Rams. Yes, Indiana (PA) had a Cinderella run, but West Chester's pitching staff is loaded. The PSAC is deep, but West Chester's got the arms to make a serious push.

That's your preseason Power 10, folks. The road to Cary is long, but the journey is going to be electric!