The Big Ten has released the 2012 Preseason Poll today, picking Nebraska to finish fourth in the league. The conference's baseball coaches voted on the top six teams and also selected three players from their own squads to a Players to Watch list.
Michigan State gets the top pick to win the Big Ten this season. Unfortunately, Nebraska won't play the Spartans in a series this year. Go figure.
2012 BIG TEN BASEBALL PRESEASON POLL (top six teams)
1. Michigan State
2. Purdue
3. Minnesota
4. Nebraska
5. Ohio State
6. Illinois
Nebraska's three players to watch include pitchers Travis Huber and Tom Lemke and the best name in the Big Ten first baseman/designated hitter Kash Kalkowksi.
Full Players To Watch list after the jump!
2012 BIG TEN BASEBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH
Willie Argo, Sr., CF, Illinois
Brandon Hohl, Jr., 3B, Illinois
Kevin Johnson, Jr., SP, Illinois
Micah Johnson, Jr., 2B, Indiana
Chad Martin, Sr., SP, Indiana
Dustin DeMuth, So., SS, Indiana
Jared Hippen, Sr., SP, Iowa
Matt Dermody, Jr., SP, Iowa
Mike McQuillan, Sr., 2B, Iowa
Patrick Biondi, Jr., OF, Michigan
Michael O'Neill, So., OF, Michigan
Brandon Sinnery, Sr., SP, Michigan
Torsten Boss, Jr., CF/3B, Michigan State
Tony Bucciferro, Sr., SP, Michigan State
Ryan Jones, Jr., 2B, Michigan State
Kyle Geason, Sr., 3B, Minnesota
TJ Oakes, Jr., SP, Minnesota
Tom Windle, So., SP, Minnesota
Travis Huber, Jr., SP, Nebraska
Kash Kalkowski, Jr., 1B/DH, Nebraska
Tom Lemke, Jr., SP, Nebraska
Zach Morton, Jr., UT, Northwestern
Paul Snieder, Sr., 1B/P, Northwestern
Trevor Stevens, Sr., IF/OF, Northwestern
Josh Dezse, So., 1B/RP, Ohio State
Kirby Pellant, Jr., SS, Ohio State
Brett McKinney, Jr., SP, Ohio State
Steve Hill, Jr., SP, Penn State
Elliot Searer, Jr., SS, Penn State
Jordan Steranka, Sr., 3B, Penn State
Kevin Plawecki, Jr., C, Purdue
Cameron Perkins, Jr., 3B, Purdue
Nick Wittgren, Jr., RP, Purdue