Below are HBCU players to keep an eye out for in the 2022 season. They all have the potential to be game changing, top breakout candidates to watch during the season. Black College Nines provides the scoop on which pitchers and hitters have the best shot to take the next big step in their respective careers in the coming months.
Here are our HBCU baseball breakout candidates worth watching this spring…
Nathan Harris INF – Florida Memorial University played well last season platooning in the infield. Now as a full-time starter should see plenty of action to give coach Tito Burgos options to utilize this year. Harris won the home run derby in the inaugural Black College World Series in 2021. Starter in 2022.
Peyton Winebarger LHP – North Carolina A&T University in 2021, went 3-2 in 25 appearance, 32.1 innings pitched recorded 41 strikeouts all in short relief.
Teddy Bridges – Alabama A&M University Letting Bridges run station to station will double his stolen base output of 14 last season. He finished last season recording a .308 batting average, in 104 at bats, 17 runs with 32 hits, banged 7 doubles, belted 2 home runs while driving in 14 runs. Bridges in the outfield made just one error with a .986 fielding percentage.
LJ Bryant OF – Florida A&M University has versatility and athleticism plus a live bat hitting in the middle of the lineup.
DeWayne Franklin OF – Savannah State University who was stellar during fall practice. Demonstrated great range and power at the plate where coaches expect him to continue making strong contributions at the plate and to the outfield.
Ty Hill UTL – Jackson State University who made some outstanding plays on both sides of the ball last season. Hill will continue to be a big run producer like a year ago.
Jefry Azcona OF – Lincoln University (PA) will be one of the leading hitters in the Lincoln lineup this season. Last year, Azcona was a .400 hitter after missing the early portions of the season. He played in 14 of the last 15 games with four doubles and 14 RBI.
Jeremiah McCollum, Ben Krizen, Zach Morea Florida A&M University has the top relief crop in the pen among all of HBCU baseball NCAA Division I programs. Any one of these stable mates can either be the set up or closer. One thing that is for sure is that any one of these three will factor in a win for the Rattlers.
Jose Salazar and Narvin Booker OF – Mississippi Valley State University two fleetfooted freshmen this year have a load of athletic ability. With both Salazar and Booker in the lineup, they will look to create havoc for opposing pitchers and have the green light to go station to station in a heartbeat.
Raphy Rodriguez INF – Norfolk State University as a freshman last year seized 28 starts at shortstop. Will spearhead the defense up the middle. Rodriguez has a cannon of an arm to first base.
Xavier Meachem RHP – North Carolina A&T University velocity up to 95 this fall, has a power arm, with put away stuff. As he continues to grow and mature will be an exciting arm to watch this spring.