By Cierra Loomis on February 17th, 2020
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Opening weekend for The University of Alabama was a time where a young rotation showed their worth both defensively and offensively. After a successful three-game sweep where the Crimson Tide demolished Northeastern University 26-3 overall, individual statistics went through the roof. Here is a statistical look of the most impressive freshmen so far at Alabama.
1. Owen Diodati
The Canadian outfielder started his true freshman season off well with a current team-high batting average of .667 and an on-base percentage of .769.
Diodati scored six runs off six hits with three home runs, two o which were in his first game and went three for three in the last game where he was just shy of a double to receive his first collegiate cycle.
He was also named SEC Baseball Co-Freshman of the Week and is the first player to have received this honor since 2016. Diodati was also drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 29th round of the 2019 MLB Draft.
2. Connor Prielipp
The left-handed pitcher and Wisconsin native received his first collegiate win after he started on the mound for Alabama.
Prielipp recorded seven strikeouts, one hit and no runs through four full innings to help lead the Crimson Tide to victory in game one of the series.
He was the 2019 Gatorade High School Player of the Year in Wisconsin, was noted to be the top left-handed pitcher and No. 2 player in the state and was selected in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox in 37th round.
3. Antonie Jean
Another Canadian and left-handed pitcher proved he could handle the tough situations on the rubber and not let it affect the rest of the game.
After Northeastern lit up Jean in the first inning and received three runs in the third game of the series, he did his job and finished strong.
Jean went to finish four innings with two strikeouts and four hits off two errors, but he proved he could handle what was being thrown at him.
He was rated the No. 5 left-hander and No. 21 player overall in Canada by Perfect Game, played in the 18U World Cup with Team Canada along with fellow teammate Diodati and was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 17th round of the 2019 MLB Draft.
Photo: Trent Spurell
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