In a year that will include a lot of first time experiences for us here at NAIA Ball, this was the first tall task we’ve had to conquer. A usual component of this is myself and Cody going back and forth on who we believe are the nations best players. This year Conner has had to step up and assume that new role of being a piece of the decision making team here. With that being said I will say something that I don’t think I’ve said publicly before….I think the All-American committee did a pretty solid job at getting this preseason team “right”. But I say “right” because in no circumstance will a preseason team ever be perfect, there are too many variables that can happen within a season. So with that we give you our best shot at the 2023 ‘All-NAIABall’ preseason team!
Catcher- University of the Cumberland’s (KY)- Charlie Muniz
59 games played, .418avg, 19HR, 66RBI, 92H, 21 Doubles.
Muniz began his season with 10 straight multi-hit performances, in fact he wouldn’t be held hitless till March 11th vs Cumberland. A 21 game hitting streak to open the year set an impressive tone to what would turn out to be a great season. Now a sophomore heading into 2023, Muniz will play a big role in a UC team that’s looking to break its way into Lewiston.
When to watch- February 3rd & 4th vs Olivet Nazarene
1st Base- Tabor College (KS)- Cody Moore
57 games played, .374avg, 16HR, 63RBI, 86H, 56R
Between March 26th and April 30th Cody Moore had a hit in every game he played in for 19 straight games. Moore also posted almost equal home and road splits in the KCAC for 2022. Tabor went 38-19 in 2022, and is in the midst of winning 30+ games every year dating back to their last losing season in 2009 (2020 is not counted as the season was not played to completion). Cody Moore will look to continue to do damage at the plate for Tabor in 2023, in a KCAC that feels like it is a lot more open for business as of late.
When to watch- February 10th & 11th in the Cajun Collision presented by NAIA Ball.
2nd Base- College of Idaho- Jonah Hultberg
57 games played, .426avg, 12HR, 48RBI, 100H, 174 Total Bases.
Hultberg ran out the gates quickly in 2022 with 16 hits and 12RBI’s in a two week span. The College of Idaho lineup staple was in the top 10 nationally in over 8 categories, and at no point during the season did he have a month where he hit below a .400 batting average. The “Yotes” were 30-27 last year and fell to British Columbia twice in the Cascade Conference tournament, Hultberg led the team in 10 offensive categories.
When to watch- February 24th-26th at Lewis-Clark State
3rd Base- Indiana Southeast- Trevor Campbell
55 games played, .412avg, 10HR, 53RBI, 93H, 25SB
Holding down the hot corner is Grenadier third baseman Trevor Campbell who put together an impressive 90 plus hit campaign in 2022. Campbell had hits in games versus some of the nations top competition including a multi-hit performance against Southeastern. IUS is two years removed from a deep 4 game run in the World Series, and coming off a 40 win performance in 2022. Campbell will play a key role in a lineup where he led the team in hits, doubles, runs, stolen bases, and average.
When to watch- February 17th-19th at the Southeastern Rumble vs Taylor, Reinhardt, and Faulkner.
Shortstop- Central Methodist (MO)- Robbie Merced
57 games played, .444avg, 24HR, 86RBI, 76H, .977slg%
Robbie Merced broke onto the scene in 2022 in a big way, coming out in his first series with an 8 hit, 3 homer, and 10RBI weekend. Merced had 23 multi-hit performances and 5 multi-homerun outings in the spring of 2022 making him dare I say he is the preseason front runner for the NAIA Ball Lou Brock Award given to the best position player in the nation. CMU is quickly making itself into a powerhouse after playing for a national title in 2021, the Eagles will also boast a new ballpark in 2023.
When to watch- February 9th, 10th, and 11th in the Cajun Collision presented by NAIA Ball.
Outfielder- Bellevue University (NE)- Kanta Kobayashi
65 games played, .439avg, 5HR, 42RBI, 107H, 88R
The nations leader in hits is back for another season in Bellevue, Nebraska and the Gonzaga transfer by way of Tokyo will look to continue to make a difference for a team seeking back to back appearances in the pacific northwest. 33 multiple hit games including 17 three plus hit games in 2022 (while still searching for that elusive 5 hit performance). Kobayashi did everything right in 2022 at the plate clearly but he was also solid in the field for Bellevue.
When to watch- March 4th-6th vs St. Thomas (FL) in neutral site action.
Outfielder- Taylor University (IN)- TJ Bass
58 games played, .366avg, 23HR, 94RBI, 78H. 41BB
TJ Bass finished the 2022 season 2nd in runs batted in and top 10 nationally in homeruns. By my count Bass has over 40 career homeruns and has gotten better and better each season as a multiple year letterman at Taylor. Bass exploded in April 2022 with 12 homeruns and 41RBI’s in an absolutely insane 30 hit month. While Bass has made a lasting impact at Taylor, he too has a chance to set his name apart nationally at the plate with a big season and could be someone to watch come award season.
When to watch- April 14th & 15th at Indiana Wesleyan
Outfielder- Reinhardt University (GA)- Tucker Zdunich
59 games played, .379avg, 17HR, 67RBI, 74H, .744slg%
Zdunich was one of the nations most walked players in 2022 and despite that he still put up very large numbers at the plate. Tucker Zdunich was a dangerous man for Reinhardt last year and led the team in RBI by 28 over the closest teammate. Reinhardt is coming off back to back 30+ win seasons and looking to make it three straight in 2023. Zdunich was more than comfortable at home hitting .436 with a slugging percentage of .851.
When to watch- April 14th & 15th at Tennessee Wesleyan
Outfielder- Indiana Wesleyan- Evan Salmon
54 games played, .355avg, 24HR, 71RBI, 70H, 160 total bases
In 2021 Evan Salmon saw just 4 at-bats in two games played for Indiana Wesleyan. In 2022 he announced his presence with a top 5 season nationally in homeruns and an average north of .350. Indiana Wesleyan feels like a team that can play into May with a Crossroads run into a national playoff appearance, this team has really not had any offensive issues the last few years. Salmon will anchor a lineup where you can pitch to him or you can pitch to Lucas Goodin but either way they’re both tough outs.
When to watch- April 14th & 15th vs Taylor
Utility- Southeastern (FL)- Isaac Nunez
62 games played, .385avg, 10HR, 71RBI, 89H, 28 stolen bases
Nunez will likely spend the 2023 season at more than one infield spot for the reigning national champions in Lakeland, Florida. At the World Series Nunez started the series 0-8 with 4 strikeouts, and then found a grove finishing 10 for 18 with a homerun, double, 7RBI, and 3 stolen bases. SEU will likely be good at baseball again this year and their non-conference schedule is easily one of the best in the nation (lucky for them the conference they play in isn’t very “good”). Expect Nunez to hit the ball well and even more so at home where he hit nearly .450 average last season in Lakeland.
When to watch- February 1st-4th East/ West Challenge vs Arizona Christian, BenU-Mesa, LCSC, and Vanguard
Designated Hitter- Southeastern (FL)- Gary Lora
61 games played, .388avg, 20HR, 67RBI, 94H, 74R
Stop me if you’ve heard this before but Southeastern is good at baseball and Gary Lora is another example of that. On March 9th Lora was held hitless for the first time in 2022 after a 24 game hit streak to open the year. Lora had 13 hits in the World Series including a homerun when it mattered most in the winner take all national title game. With Lora and Nunez back on offense this Southeastern team looks primed to make another run.
When to watch- February 1st-4th East/ West Challenge vs Arizona Christian, BenU-Mesa, LCSC, and Vanguard
Starting Pitcher- Oklahoma City University- Eli Davis
10-1, 1.45era, 11.5 k/9, 74.1ip
The left handed pitcher from Shawnee, Oklahoma was great in 2022 finishing 2nd in the nation in earned run average amongst qualified players. Davis held a1.75era at home in Jim Wade stadium which is not the easiest place for pitchers but he was lights out for 51+ innings at home. Things will be different for the first time in a long time at Jim Wade stadium, Keith Lytle assumes the helm for the late great Denney Crabaugh who he was with for 34 seasons. But with Davis on the mound the Stars have to like their chances against anyone in the nation. An anchor on the bump and in the watch for NAIA Ball Pitcher of the year.
When to watch- April 20th-22nd vs Science & Arts
Starting Pitcher- Southeastern (FL)- Robb Adams
14-2, 2.45era, 10.53 k/9, 113.2ip, 5CG
On February 4th Robb Adams allowed an earned run vs Reinhardt and did not allow another until March 26th against Warner. Adams felt most comfortable at home where he had a 0.44 earned run average in 61 innings with 86 punch outs. Adams will be a preseason frontrunner in the 2023 watch for NAIA Ball Pitcher of the year, and he is a special talent. When asked about Adams Southeastern (FL) head coach Adrian Dinkle said
“Very few times in my career where I have found such a well rounded young man leading our pitching staff. Thankful he’s on our side. “
When to watch- February 1st-4th East/ West Challenge vs Arizona Christian, BenU-Mesa, LCSC, and Vanguard
Starting Pitcher- LSU-Shreveport- Bobby Vath
12-0, 2.40era, 11.61k/9, 97.2ip, 126k
It feels like the Pilots are knocking on the door of doing something really special in 2023 after back to back World Series appearances the last two years. Vath had a monster year in 2022 with a 2.40era and going 12-0 for the pilots. He had almost identical home, road, and neutral splits as well making him one of the best well rounded pitchers nationally. The Pilots are a team to watch again and continue to reload, as this may even be their best squad yet overall. Plus having a guy like Bobby Vath on the hill can make you feel just a bit better moving forward.
When to watch- February 1st-4th East/ West Challenge vs LCSC, BenU-Mesa, Vanguard, Arizona Christian
Starting Pitcher- Ottawa University (KS)- Tyler Bryant
9-2, 2.66era, 12.44 k/9, 84.2ip, 117k
Bryant is the only returning piece from one of the top rotations in the nation in 2022. Ottawa found success last season with a 43 win campaign and experienced pitching staff. Now in 2023 Bryant is the key returner to the staff that will be under new management this year. In what seemingly feels like a wide open year for the KCAC the Braves will need Bryant to continue his domination on the mound. In 14 appearances Bryant had six 10+ strikeout games with 5 of them coming in KCAC play. It’ll be that experience that makes Bryant one of the best returning starting pitchers nationally.
When to watch- April 15th & 16th vs Kansas Wesleyan
Relief Pitcher- Mount Vernon Nazarene (OH)- Cruz McFadden
23 appearances, 15 saves, 3-0, 2.81era, 10.41 k/9, 32ip
Bullpens need more love! Having a good bullpen with relievers you can count on can make or break a season. MVNU in Ohio has one in Cruz McFadden that is undoubtedly one of the best in the nation. McFadden went 1+ innings pitched 9 times in his 23 appearances last season. He went 10 outings striking out multiple hitters, and had a longest outing of 4 innings pitched with 6 strikeouts vs Indiana Wesleyan. McFadden is back and after leading the nation in saves a sophomore will look to add to that his junior year.
When to watch- March 24th & 25th vs Taylor
A list of players to keep an eye on-
Eric Maffie- St. Francis (IL), Alec Ackerman- Bellevue (NE), Drenis Ozuna- Oklahoma Wesleyan, Luke Jepsen- Embry-Riddle (AZ), David Meech- Bluefield, Isaiah Thomas- Lewis-Clark State (ID), Michael Watson- Southwestern Assemblies of God (TX), Alan West- Central Methodist (MO), Ryan Major- LSUS, Tommy Castro- Olivet Nazarene (IL), Lukas White- Doane (NE), Will McCall- Freed Hardeman (TN), Tyner Hughes- Cumberland University (TN), and Andrew Enwiya- Mid-America Christian (OK).
Putting together a preseason list of any kind is a daunting task especially for one you’re trying to get right. The chances of getting it right are pretty tough, and there will always be misses. There will always be some players who fly under the radar, incoming transfers who will make immediate impacts, and returning starters who will become stars. As opening day is upon us, be sure to enjoy the season and get ready for it all with us here NAIA Ball.
Robby Gutierrez