The University of Alabama released its baseball roster before beginning organized fall practice in the coming weeks, with plans for scrimmages both intrasquad and against other teams. You can view the full roster here.
The team has continuity in the field, with Tyler Gentry, T.J. Reeves, Drew Williamson, Kolby Robinson and Brett Auerbach all returning after playing at least 48 games last year, with all but Reeves starting over 50. The lineup will also return its best hitter, Sam Praytor, from injury.
The pitching is where UA will be breaking in new faces, with six of its 18 listed pitchers being newcomers: five freshmen and one from junior college, right-hander Ryan O’Connell from Wabash Community College in Illinois. Those newcomers are likely to get opportunities with UA replacing the pitchers responsible for nearly 47 percent of last year’s innings.
Baseball America had the recruiting class rated as the 15th-best in the nation, so the incoming freshmen are not expected to lack for talent.
The roster has 36 players on it, thus one cut will have to be made to reach the allowed 35-man roster before the season begins on Feb. 14.
