10 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Carlos Rodon (6 feet, 3 inches, 234 pounds, Soph.), LHP/1B, N.C. State: Was ACC’s freshman of year and first underclassman named conference’s pitcher of the year. 2012 Stats: 9-0, 1.57 ERA, 135 Ks.

Trea Turner (6-1, 171, Soph.), INF, N.C. State: Preseason All-American led nation in stolen bases; starter at 3B in 2012 will move to SS in 2013. 2012 Stats: .336 BA, 5 HR, 43 RBIs, 72 runs.

Kent Emanuel (6-4, 225, Jr.), LHP, North Carolina: Two-time All-American pick led Tar Heels in strikeouts, career ERA sixth-best in school history. 2012 Stats: 8-4 W-L, 1.96 ERA, 100 Ks.

Colin Moran (6-3, 215, Jr.), 3B, North Carolina: Tar Heels’ leading hitter is on Baseball America’s preseason All-American team for second straight year. 2012 Stats: .365 BA, 3 HR, 35 RBIs, 30 runs.

Grayson Greiner (6-5, 215, So.), C, South Carolina: Named to Collegiate Baseball’s preseason All-American team; allowed just 25 stolen bases in 43 attempts last season. 2012 Stats: .222 BA, 6 HR, 32 RBIs, 26 runs.

Colby Holmes (5-11, 200, Sr.), RHP, South Carolina: Gamecocks’ top returning starting pitcher in both wins and ERA; on Collegiate Baseball’s preseason All-American list. 2012 Stats: 7-2 W-L, 3.05 ERA, 65 Ks.

Drew Reynolds (6-2, 181, Jr.), RHP/DH/Utility, East Carolina: Pirates closer on watch list for national Stopper of Year award; also one of ECU’s best hitters. 2012 Stats: .330 BA, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 31 runs, 10 saves, 3-0 W-L, 20 Ks.

Aaron Burke (6-0, 180, Sr.), RHP, Coastal Carolina: Chanticleers’ reliever Big South’s co-Pitcher of Year, All-American in 2012; on national Stopper of Year watch list in 2013. 2012 Stats: 10-5 W-L, 7 saves, 1.58 ERA, 40 Ks.

Preston Hatcher (6-2, 210, Sr.), RHP, Western Carolina: One of two Southern Conference players named preseason All-American, also on national Stopper of Year watch list. 2012 Stats: 6-2 W-L, 10 saves, 1.73 ERA, 55 Ks.

Steve Wilkerson (6-1, 195, Jr.), 2B, Clemson: Tigers’ switch-hitting leadoff batter an All-ACC pick last year, preseason All-American in 2013. 2012 Stats: . 295 BA, 1 HR, 31 RBIs, 49 runs.

CONFERENCE OUTLOOK

ACC

Favorite: North Carolina. Tar Heels – 46-16 last season – ranked No. 1 in Baseball America’s preseason poll, No. 4 in coaches poll.

Watch out for: N.C. State. Wolfpack finished 43-20 last season; ranked eighth by Baseball America, 11th by coaches in 2013 preseason polls.

ATLANTIC 10

Favorite: Saint Louis. Billikens return 18 lettermen, nine pitchers from team that finished 41-18, shared A-10 regular-season title with Dayton last season.

Watch out for: Rhode Island and Virginia Commonwealth. Both had 30-win seasons in 2012; finished third in A-10; VCU was fourth.

BIG SOUTH

Favorite: Coastal Carolina. Defending conference champion finished 42-19 last season; unanimous pick by league’s coaches to win South Division in 2013.

Watch out for: Liberty. Flames went 41-19 last season; coaches picked them to beat Campbell, High Point for North Division title in 2013.

CONFERENCE USA

Favorite: Rice. Owls the coaches’ pick to extend streak of winning C-USA’s regular season or tournament title for an eighth straight year.

Watch out for: East Carolina. Pirates expected to make run at first C-USA title after finishing 36-24-1 last season.

SEC

Favorite: Arkansas. Razorbacks return 15 players from last year’s College World Series semifinalists; team ranked No. 1 in preseason coaches poll.

Watch out for: South Carolina. Two-time College World Series champions, last year’s CWS runner-up open season ranked seventh in Baseball America’s preseason poll.

SOUTHERN

Favorite: Elon. Phoenix return four preseason All-SoCon team players from last year’s 33-26 team, which finished second in conference.

Watch out for: College of Charleston. was 38-22, shared SoCon regular-season title with Appalachian State and earned at-large NCAA berth in 2012.

Bill Kiser