rJR OF Joe Moroney (2015)
SR OF Connor McKay (2015)
rJR OF Steve Goldstein (2015)
SR 2B/SS Justin Protacio (2015)
JR 2B/SS Colby Wright (2015)
JR 2B/SS Tommy Mirabelli (2015)
JR 1B/3B Jacob Boylan (2015)
JR 1B/3B Ryan Pidhaichuk (2015)
SR RHP/OF Dakota Smith (2015)
JR RHP Hayden Edwards (2015)
SR RHP Drew Morovick (2015)
SO C Michael Tinsley (2016)
SO RHP Sean Rackoski (2016)
SO RHP Jon Hander (2016)
SO RHP Stephen Villines (2016)

Stony Brook transfer rJR OF Steve Goldstein’s return to the diamond will be exciting for Kansas fans to track this spring. A return to his freshman year form (.307/.388/.458 with 21 BB and 21 K in 166 AB) would get him drafted this June. He shows a lot of the traits that could make him a valuable bench outfielder if he gets back to his old ways. He’ll be joined in the outfield by rJR OF Joe Moroney (plus speed, pesky hitter) and SR OF Connor McKay (plus speed, has flashed power, as athletic as they come), two prospects who can more than hold their own as center fielders defensively. That’s a potentially excellent college outfield with three guys who at least have the chance (if you’re feeling particularly optimistic) to come off the board this June. The outfield would get another boost if SR RHP/OF Dakota Smith, a viable pro prospect both ways, continues to see time out there. He’ll be a tough player for scouts to decide on, as he’s pretty good as a position player and as a pitcher. In the former role, he’s shown the speed, range, and arm strength to play a mean center field — man, this could be an excellent defensive outfield if it all comes together — and signs of growth as a hitter (.337/.399/.460 with 13 BB and 20 K in 187 AB last season) over the past few years. On the mound he puts that strong arm to use (88-94 FB) with a good slider. That doesn’t sound like much at face value, but when you consider his relative inexperience as a pitcher (room for improvement!), lack of mileage on the arm (always a plus!), and extreme athleticism (so so so important for a pitcher), he starts to really pique one’s interest. He’s without a doubt my favorite arm on the staff and very much in the running for top position player, though it’s really hard to separate the outfielders. I think I’d rank them Smith, Goldstein, McKay, and Moroney for now, but if even two of those guys stay in those exact spots by June I’ll be surprised.

Kansas has a few middle infielders who could also get late looks — they do a great job of finding and developing patient yet powerless leadoff types in Lawrence — but the unheralded JR 2B/SS Colby Wright jumped out to me as the best potential long-term bet. All in all, this looks like a solid college team with a lot of solid college players with perhaps a future pro or three sprinkled in for good measure.