Feb. 1, 2013

CollegeBaseballInsider.com surveyed college coaches around the country to preview the 2013 college baseball season by sharing their thoughts on the teams and players to watch in their conferences. CBI compiled their answers to provide insight on the upcoming season. click here for CBI Conference Previews

Today, we take a look at the Atlantic Sun (eight of 10 coaches responded).

Additions – Northern Kentucky

Departures – Belmont

The team to beat: Mercer, USC Upstate

The top starting pitchers: Ricky Knapp, FGCU (right); Tyler Moore, UNF; David Roseboom, USC Upstate

The top closer: Chad Sobotka, USC Upstate

The pitcher you least want to face: Ricky Knapp, FGCU

The most underrated pitcher: David Randall, Mercer; Kyle Westwood, UNF

The best defensive catcher: Mike Reeves, FGCU

The best catcher arm: Mike Reeves, FGCU

The best defensive infielder: Brandon Bednar, FGCU

The best infield arm: Chesny Young, Mercer

The best defensive outfielder: Gaither Bumgardner, USC Upstate

The best outfield arm: Gaither Bumgardner, USC Upstate

The best pure hitters: Nick Backlund, Mercer; Clinton Freeman, ETSU (right); Gaither Bumgardner, USC Upstate

The biggest power threats: Nick Backlund, Mercer; Clinton Freeman, ETSU; Tyler Marincov, UNF

The hitter you least want to face: Nick Backlund, Mercer

The toughest hitter to strike out: Nick Backlund, Mercer; Gaither Bumgardner, USC Upstate, Chesny Young, Mercer

The most underrated hitter: Clinton Freeman, ETSU

The best baserunner: Andrew Green, ETSU

The best game coach: Pete Dunn, Stetson

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job: Tim Montez, Jacksonville

(photos courtesy of FGCU & ETSU Media Relations Offices)