7 Breakout Performances From NCAA Baseball Tournament So Far

The NCAA Baseball Tournament has been incredible to watch, with baseball's finest talent at the collegiate level all vying for a College World Series berth and ultimate title. While the MLB Draft dominated amateur headlines over the past few weeks, the focus has now shifted entirely to the NCAA Baseball postseason, where many players are putting up breakout performances. Let's take a look at some of these players that have been phenomenal throughout the tournament.

7. Casey Martin

Arkansas shortstop Casey Martin has put together a very solid series against Ole Miss, as he has collected four hits through 10 at-bats with three runs batted in. Arkansas plays again in a win or go home situation on Tuesday night, so they'll need Martin to continue to produce the way he has.

6. Harrison Ray

Harrison Ray may not be the star player at Vanderbilt, but he showed up nonetheless in the series against Duke. He got on base a total of eight times during the three-game series, including four hits. Ray now has a .282 batting average, along with a .357 on base percentage. Drawing four walks during the series was huge for him, as he currently has a 25:66 BB:K ratio. The improved eye shows that he's starting to become more of a patient hitter, which could pay off for him in the long run.

5. Grae Kessinger

Ole Miss shortstop Grae Kessinger is having a great series against Arkansas, as both of his hits in the series have gone for home runs, collecting three runs batted in. On the year, Kessinger now has a .332 batting average, with seven homers to go with 50 runs batted in. His bat has been crucial in getting Ole Miss to an elimination game on Tuesday night.

4. Antonio Velez

When Florida State pitcher C.J. Van Eyk came out of the game against LSU, the game was tied at four apiece. Antonio Velez came in to pitch in extras, and was absolutely clutch, pitching 4.2 innings in relief, striking out six and allowing four hits. He kept the Seminoles in the game when the bats went completely cold, which is a big reason why FSU avoided an elimination game. Velez may have a 4.26 ERA on the year, but showed up in style in the game's biggest moments.

3. Edouard Julien

Auburn infielder Edouard Julien came into 2019 with promise, as he hit .275 with 17 homers and 69 runs batted in last season. He didn't deliver on that, however, as he hit .240 with nine home runs and 51 runs batted in during regular season play. Something is clicking for him once the bright lights have turned on, as his six runs batted in during the series against UNC, including a homer, allowed the Tigers to advance.

2. Austin Martin

Vanderbilt is well known for being a baseball powerhouse, and their performance in the postseason so far has proved it. Austin Martin has been a big reason for their success, as he collected four hits and had six runs batted in during the series against Duke, including two homers in the 13-2 blowout victory. When Vanderbilt needed him most, the sophomore delivered. He's now hitting .410 on the season, and has pushed his OPS to an incredible 1.122.

1. Kumar Rocker

The little freshman that could. Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker had an 8-5 record during the regular season, posting a 4.14 ERA, but has been absolutely lethal in the postseason. Rocker has allowed just one earned run in the past 16.2 innings he's pitched, and was huge in an elimination game against Duke. He pitched a 19-strikeout no-hitter in what could very well hve been the greatest pitching performance in college baseball history. Because of this dominant outing by Rocker, Vanderbilt had the chance to eliminate Duke in the third game of the series, where they completely dismantled them 13-2. Rocker saved Vandy's season, and delivered the school's first complete game no-hitter in 48 years, all as a freshman. If you hadn't heard of this kid prior to the breakout, you surely have now. Rocker could be a star in the making.