Black College Nines (BCN) predicts the large school order of finish for the 2022 Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) baseball season. We examine both the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) reviewing what teams need to reach the top of their respective conferences.
Could the 2022 season bring three HBCU baseball programs into the NCAA Division I postseason regionals; two coming from the SWAC?
The large school 2022 season opens again in New Orleans the weekend of February 18-20 with the Andre Dawson MLB Classic.
Black College Nines presents its predictions for the HBCU large school conferences and ball players who can help their teams reach the top:
2022 Predicted Order of Finish
(Overall won-loss records from the 2021 season are indicated)
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
- Delaware State 15-28
- Coppin State 10-29
- University Maryland Eastern Shore 0-0 (Did not play in 2021)
- Norfolk State 25-28
MEAC Preview:
The MEAC is in a bit of a turmoil. Down to only four teams after North Carolina A&T moved to the Big South, both Bethune Cookman and Florida A&M defected to the SWAC, North Carolina Central dropped its baseball program, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore returns after a two-year Covid hiatus. The bigger picture will there be a conference? Now down to four baseball-playing members, two less than required for an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional Tournament. If the MEAC committee can’t find its sixth member before the conclusion of the 2022 regular season, the league will lose its automatic bid status.
Delaware State
Offensively, Delaware State has a good core of veteran players. So expect these guys to contribute right away. If they can play clean baseball, avoid mental and physical errors, the Hornets should have a competitive team this season. Overall, they have a talented team with depth. The biggest question mark coming into 2022 is how well they can pitch in a tight ballgame. If pitchers develop, Delaware State has a chance to do some good things this spring. Key players to watch include UT Trey Paige, RHP Cole Bates, INF John Weglarz, 1B/RHP Krew Bouldin, OF Marl Herron, RHP Cole Bates, RHP Chandler Fitzgerald, RHP Michael Carrington, and OF Tyler Cunningham.
Coppin State
This year Coppin will rely on pitching. They brought in a pro-style pitching program that has produced instant success in the areas of arm care and performance development. A talented offense will return for the 2022 season. The outfield remains talented with all three 2021 starters returning. The offense will add power at the plate to put pressure on defenses. Key players include OF Marcos Castillo, RHP Tim Ruffino, RHP/UTL Jordan Hamburg.
University Maryland Eastern Shore
The 2022 Maryland Eastern Shore baseball program did not field a team last year because of COVID concerns. The team is back for the 2022 season and will have solid starting pitchers with a couple relief pitchers who will help with stability on the hill. Key players include pitchers Derrick Rabb, Evan Nibblett, Cameron Bratton, Noah Covington, Alec Green Blatt, and Blake Rebstock.
Norfolk State
Offensively, 2022 appears to be a rebuilding year after four hitters from 2021 departed. But Norfolk State has a core of returning players in OF/1B Jacob Council (.311 bat avg in 2021), Dionte Brown (.307 bat avg in 2021), designated Hitter Korey Singh, and transfers outfielder Tanner Brandon (Bluefield State grad) and third baseman Tommy Woods all will contribute to the Spartan offense. Key Returning Players: LHP James Deloatch will have mound presence.
Black College Nines’ Pre-Season Elites selected from the MEAC:
First Team
Large School Division (DI)
3B Jared Weber (Florida A&M University)
OF LJ Bryant (Florida A&M University)
P James DeLoatch (Norfolk State University)
P Kelyn Fox (Florida A&M University)
Second Team
2B Miguel Rivera (Delaware State University)
3B Trey Paige (Delaware State University)
OF Brian Cordell (Maryland Eastern Shore)
C Ty Hanchey (Florida A&M University)
RP Zach Morea (Florida A&M University)
2022 Predicted Order of Finish
(Overall won-loss records from the 2021 are indicated)
Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
SWAC Preview:
The SWAC has a different look in 2022 with the additions of Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M. Adding 12 teams and conference realignment will help a resurgent season in 2022. In the long term, The SWAC could send a second or third team to the NCAA Regionals
East Division
- Alabama State 23-19
- Jackson State 34-9
- Florida A&M 22-34
- Bethune-Cookman (Did not play in 2021)
- Alabama A&M 9-20
- Mississippi Valley State 0-20
West Division
- Prairie View A&M 14-18
- Southern 20-30
- Grambling State 17-27
- Alcorn State 7-20
- Texas Southern 12-35
- Arkansas Pine Bluff 7-31
East Division Preview:
Alabama State
Alabama State returns all of its position players. The Hornets will be a veteran ballclub built around pitching and defense. Offensively, the Hornets return 8 out of 9 starters from last year with the addition of several JUCO standouts that look to get into the mix. Trent Jamison leads the charge, coming back after a superb sophomore year in which he batted .390, 8 HR’s, 43 RBI and was named to the Rawlings All-Region Team. Seniors Cristopher DeGuzman and JaBronski Williams will hit in the top of the order. Key returning players include RHP Breon Pooler, LHP Jeremy Rivera, LHP Osvaldo Mendez, OF Trenton Jamison, INF Cristopher DeGuzman, OF JaBrosnki Williams, Catcher Hunter May, INF Christ Lewis, and RHP Payton Harris.
Jackson State
The Tigers posted a 34-9 overall and 24-0 in conference last season and return seven position players including Black College Nines Freshmen Player of the Year Chenar Brown. The HBCU Baseball National Champions will be solid defensively. Key players to watch include RHP Nikelle Galatas, INF Ty Hill, INF Chenar Brown, and OF Jatavious Melton.
Florida A&M
The Rattlers pitching rotation will be its strength in conference play. The returning quality arms in the pen will be a big boost. At the plate with OF LJ Bryant and INF Jared Weber, as well as the addition of transfer Ty Hanchey FAMU should be able to produce runs. Key returning players include RHP Jeremiah McCollum, Ben Krizen, Zach Morea, Joseph Pierini, and Kelyn Fox.
Bethune-Cookman
After not playing baseball during the 2021 season, Bethune-Cookman landed the 2021 48th ranked JUCO class in the country. The Wildcats inked 18 Junior-College players who arrived on campus this fall. The coaching staff is very excited about JUCO recruiting class as they transition into the SWAC.
Alabama A&M
The baseball staff took advantage of the transfer portal to strengthen recruiting outcomes. Coaches were also able to successfully tap into JUCOs and high schools to find the perfect mix of talent for the season. The Bulldog offense has a mixture of returning players like sophomore Janmikell Bastardo, sophomore Jalen Ford, junior Trevor Berkemeyer and senior Teddy Bridges. Pitching has strong arms for the 2022 season. Players to watch include RHP Jose Figueroa, OF Brandon Moore and INF Trevor Berkemeyer OF Teddy Bridges, Janmikell Bastardo, Jose Torres, Evan Crenshaw, Dustin Hernandez, Demetrice Rudolph, and Jason Marono.
Mississippi Valley State
New Mississippi Valley State head coach Stanley Stubbs has also brought in a group of young, talented transfers in the form of Darian Chapman, Dreyland Holmes, and Maurey Weaver, who are looking to make an immediate impact in the infield. Stubbs also recruited two fleetfooted freshmen outfielders this year. Jose Salazar and Narvin Booker have a load of athletic ability. JUCO transfers, Calvin McClendon and Dylan Whitfield, will look to be run stoppers on the pitching staff.
West Division Preview:
Prairie View A&M
Prairie will have a host of pitchers who will make strong contributions to this year’s team. The PVAM baseball team will be more athletic, returning position players who are projected to start this season. This team will be faster and more aggressive on the base paths. Last season, PVAM won the SWAC Western Division. Players to watch are Demarie’ Smith, Brayden Johnson, freshman Gilbert Gonzales and Cannon Berry, and JUCU transfer Zackary Turner. My pick to click in the West.
Southern University
Southern, last season, made a run through the SWAC championship and into back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances. This season, the Jags return nearly every starter. This team can hit for power, is aggressive on the base paths and has depth and experience. They will be gunning for a third straight SWAC championship. Players to watch are OF Tremaine Spears, INF O’Neill Bugos, Catcher Taj Porter, and RHP Joseph Battaglia.
Grambling State
Grambling’s new head coach Davin Pierre is extremely happy how the team worked and played this fall, and the team is hungry. The team will be a lot more athletic and expect to play faster and defend better. The new starting rotation is ready to step up and get the job done. Key Returning Players include Cameron Bufford, DH/INF Keylon Mack, RHP Corben Peters, RHP JC Bonilla, and RHP Emir Garrett.
Alcorn State
New head coach Reginald Williams is excited about the upcoming season as the Braves compete for a SWAC Championship. Alcorn State’s current schedule list 40-games which features conference matchups, will open the 2022 campaign against McNeese State February 25-27 then open SWAC play visiting HBCU national champions Jackson State (March 4-5). Alcorn’s first ten games are on the road. Besides McNeese they will face Ole Miss (March 9).
Texas Southern
Things are quiet in Houston which is a sign that Texas Southern will be sneaking up on teams in the second half of the season. Several JUCO players will play key roles in the Tigers offense this year. Several freshman are expected to play this year as well who might contribute to a surprise the SWAC West Division.
Arkansas Pine Bluff
Arkansas at Pine Bluff baseball in 2022 has another loaded schedule of a full 56 games and includes 28 home contests. The Golden Lions will open the season in the MLB Andre Dawson Classic held in New Orleans, LA, February 18-20 against the University of New Orleans, Prairie View A&M, and Grambling State. The Golden Lions then will travel Tuesday, February 22, to Starkville, MS. to take on No. 3 Mississippi State and Arkansas St. (Feb. 25-27) in Jonesboro, Arkansas. in a three-game series.
Black College Nines’ Pre-Season Elites selected from the SWAC:
Large School Division (DI)
First Team
1B Chenar Brown (Jackson State University)
SS Cristopher DeGuzman (Alabama State University)
UTL Ty Hill (Jackson State University)
OF Trenton Jamison (Alabama State University)
C Hunter May (Alabama State University)
DH Teddy Bridges (Alabama A&M University)
P Nikelle Galatas (Jackson State University)
RP Steven Davila (Jackson State University)
Second Team
1B Keylon Mack (Grambling State University)
SS Cameron Buford (Grambling State University)
UTL Ty Hill (Jackson State University)
OF Dreylin Holmes (Mississippi Valley State University)
OF Tremaine Spears (Southern University)
DH Brayden Johnson (Prairie View A&M University)
P Breon Pooler (Alabama State University)
P Victor Mendoza (Prairie View A&M University)