The USF baseball program has been making waves in recent years. Back in 2015, their recruiting class was ranked a remarkable third in the country, a feat that produced MLB pitcher Shane McClanahan, now an All-Star for the Tampa Bay Rays. Fast forward to 2025, and the Bulls have achieved their highest recruiting class ranking since that time, landing at the No. 25 spot according to Perfect Game. This not only places them at the top of the American Athletic Conference but also 23 spots ahead of rival ECU.

Looking Ahead to 2025

With the new head coach, Mitch Hannahs, at the helm, USF baseball is gearing up for an exciting 2025 season that kicks off on Feb. 14 against Iowa. Hannahs brings a wealth of experience, having brought home six conference titles and five NCAA Regionals from 2014 - 2024 with Indiana State. He was also named the 2023 ABCA NCAA DI Midwest Region Coach of the Year. "I wanna win for these folks," Hannahs stated at his introductory press conference. "I mean I really wanna win for these people."

Improving on the 2024 Season

The 2024 season was a mixed bag for USF baseball, with a record of 26 - 29 and a 11 - 16 record in the AAC. The team is determined to build on this and make significant improvements in the upcoming season. They will look to utilize their highly ranked recruiting class to strengthen their lineup and boost their performance on the field.

USF's Conference Record Struggles

USF baseball has faced challenges in achieving a winning conference record since their 2018 season when they went 14 - 9 - 1. The team is now focused on turning things around and establishing a more consistent winning streak in the AAC. With the addition of Mitch Hannahs and the talent of their recruiting class, there is hope that they can break this slump and start dominating the conference.

The Impact of the New Coach

Mitch Hannahs' arrival has brought a new energy and direction to the USF baseball program. His track record of success at Indiana State shows that he has the skills and leadership to guide the Bulls to greater heights. The players are responding well to his coaching style and are eager to prove themselves under his leadership. They believe that with his guidance, they can achieve their goals and make a name for themselves in the baseball world.