Maryland baseball: new names to know in 2024

After finishing 42-21 (17-7) in 2023, Maryland baseball reloaded through the offseason into Matt Swope’s first season as head coach. Maryland was picked to finish third in Baseball America’s preseason conference rankings behind Iowa and Indiana, but who are the new names to know inside The Bob in 2024? With the season opener set for Feb. 16 vs. Georgia Southern, we take a look:

#4 Jordan Crosland – Freshman – UTL – Suffolk, VA

Expect Crosland to play a big role as a freshman. He is one of Maryland’s most highly-rated recruits for the class of 2023. Perfect Game ranked him as the number-one shortstop prospect from Virginia and the tenth overall. He’s likely Maryland’s shortstop of the future. For now, he will likely get a fair amount of playing time in the outfield.

#9 Sam Hojnar – Graduate Student – INF – Naperville, IL

After two seasons at Iowa, Hojnar will start at second base for the Terps this season. Hojnar spent one season each at Southern Illinois and Heartland Community College before his two seasons in Iowa City. Last season he started 57 games, while finishing second on Iowa in RBIs and third in home runs.

#10 Chris Hacopian – Freshman – INF – Potomac, MD

The younger brother of Maryland first baseman Eddie Hacopian, Chris is likely to spend a lot of time at the other corner for the Terps this season. A local product from Winston Churchill High School, Hacopian was Perfect Game’s 6th-ranked prospect from Maryland in the Class of 2023.

#13 Logan Koester – Graduate Student – RHP – Merrick, NY

Before coming to College Park, Koester spent the last four seasons at George Washington. He assumed the role of Friday night starter for the Revolutionaries last season. He made 14 starts and even through a complete game, while leading the team with six wins. He has pitched two very solid seasons back-to-back for GW and should slot his way into the weekend rotation for Matt Swope.

#14 Trystan Sarcone – Fifth Year – LHP – Greenwich, CT

Another impact pitching addition from the transfer portal, Sarcone is now in his sixth season of college baseball. Sarcone threw 57.2 innings over 12 starts for the Big Green last season. He was one of the best pitchers in the Ivy League in 2022 earning All-Ivy League Second Team honors, while leading the league in walks per nine (1.97), and was second in strikeout to walk ratio (3.77).

#15 Alex Calarco – Junior – C/INF – Wilmette, IL

Calarco comes to the Terps from Northwestern. After having surgery in the offseason, Calarco will be limited to a DH role to start the season, and should be able to play in the field towards the middle of the season. He started 47 games for the Wildcats last season while hitting .287.

#16 Garrett French – Redshirt Senior – RHP – Red Bank, NJ

French might be a familiar name to Maryland Baseball fans. He spent the last four seasons in Piscataway pitching for Rutgers. He was a serviceable bullpen arm for the Scarlet Knights and should serve in a similar role for the Terps.

#17 Omar Melendez – Junior – LHP – Carey, Puerto Rico

Melendez is another veteran pitcher brought in by Matt Swope via the transfer portal. He was borderline dominant at Alabama State last season. In his sophomore season, Melendez went 12-0 over 15 starts while tossing four complete games, and compiling an outstanding 2.52 ERA.

#31 Brayden Martin – Freshman – UTL – Bowie, MD

Bowie native Brayden Martin is in line for a substantial role in the outfield for Matt Swope. Martin was the 7th-ranked prospect from Maryland in the Class of 2023, according to Perfect Game. Martin attended nearby St John’s College High School in DC.

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May 2, 2024