HBCU Baseball freshmen are off to hot starts into the 2022 season. This year’s crop has impacted their team wins this season. Black College Nines highlights “top incoming freshmen to look out for” before the start of each season. Now were are highlighting some of the standout first-year players showcasing a wealth of baseball talent during the season.
There are a lot of freshmen making big plays for their respective teams.
After looking at every HBCU first-year player this season, here are the top hot starts this season:
(All Statistical Data As of April 11)
Michael Archie – Miles College
Miles head baseball coach Ty Roberts stated before the start of the season to keep an eye on Michael Archie. He’s a redshirt freshman, but he can hit. He currently has a .384 batting average and has ten homers as well as 43 runs batted in. Archie has received SIAC Player of the Week honors.
Jamell Mitchell Jr. – Benedict College
Mitchell has made an immediate impact on the Tiger team. He was projected to perform well this season according fall ball reports and he is already living up to the hype. Hitting .312 this season in 32 games played he has stolen 45 bases so far as a true freshman.
Chase Karn – Albany State University
Karn is a strong freshman with five doubles, a triple, twelve runs batted in and a .431 batting average in 22 of the teams 28 games this season.
Miguel Oropeza – Talladega College
Head coach Marcos Dominguez has never been shy about freshmen in critical games. Talladega’s schedule of games is among the nation’s toughest in all of NAIA baseball. Starting catcher Oropeza is batting a whopping .500 which includes eleven doubles, two triples, five home runs, and 40 runs batted in. Also, the everyday starter behind the plate.
Trevor Hatton – Grambling State University
Hatton, a Texas native, is another freshman in HBCU baseball making a splash. Off to a great start so far this season, he is hitting .325 with twelve doubles including five home runs and has driven in 30 runs batted and stolen 11 bases.
Justin Johnson – Coppin State University
Johnson is the lone freshman pitcher making a name for himself. The LHP, in 12 appearances, all in relief has accumulated 27.0 innings on the mound with three saves, 1-1 record and 31 strikeouts. Johnson has won several MEAC Player of the Week awards.
Honorable Mention:
Wander Arias – Talladega College batting .310 (4) home runs (30) RBIs
Jose Santiago – Talladega College .338, (7) HR (23) RBIs
Jalik DeMar – Rust College .351 batting average
Quincy McGraw Jr. – Rust College .356