The 2022 MLB Draft has come and gone.  Joe Adametz was taken in the 14th round by the Detroit Tigers and Mason Fluharty was taken in the 5th round by the Toronto Blue Jays.  That's the highest any Liberty player has been taken since RHP Jason Jones in 2004 draft when he was selected in the 4th round.  Sid Bream continues to hold the top spot as he was selected 48th overall in the second round in the 1981 draft.  That's 83 all time draft picks for the program.  Being drafted has always been an honor but with the current 20 round format it truly means that the team views the player as a prospect.  In the old 50 round format many guys were drafted just to fill minor league rosters and were often gone by the middle of the following season if they were even signed.  In many instances teams ran out of money and there was nothing left for later round players.  

With the conclusion of the draft the 23 roster can begin to become a little more clear.  Trey Carter was not selected and is now expected to return to the fold.  Max Alba is the other big name that is still hanging in the balance.  Carter was probably the best reliever on the team not named Mason Fluharty.  He had a couple rough outings including a rough start at FGCU that bloated his ERA a bit but he was a key cog.  Alba got off to a solid start but struggled mightily in the middle of the season and lost his spot in the rotation.  He disappeared for a few weeks and was then given a shot in a couple games where the Flames got behind big early and put up several quality outings.  The last 2 to 3 weeks of the season he was a key piece in the pen.  Alba pitched very well with West Virginia in the Draft league but wasn't selected.  If he returns the Flames could have the deepest staff that I can recall.  All of the freshman are either on campus or will be shortly.  

Offensively not much changes as the players on the potential draft watch had all completed their eligibility.  Guys like Orndorff, Gulakowski & Anderson are hurt by their age (used Covid years).  Pitching wise the addition of Carter & potentially Alba provides 2 more certainties to the Flames arsenal.  Carter could potentially factor in as a starter as well if he can develop a 3rd pitch but personally I'd love to see him as the closer/stopper.  When he's right he has the kind of swing and miss stuff that can strand runners in scoring position and punch out the opposition's best in key spots.   Here's a way too early look at the staff below.  

Ace - Horn, If healthy the Friday night role is virtually on lockdown the next 2 years.  Freshman All American's don't come around too often and he could one day take the throne from Sid Bream as the Flames highest pick 2 years from now if he stays healthy and continues to develop.  

Potential Starters - Gibson, Alba, Gainey, Cooper, Holmes, Willard, Tepper .  

Bullpen - Butler, Hertzler, Hudson , Erickson, Garrett, Johnson, Wilson, Beamon, Grubbs, Troyer, Edwards, Carter

That's 20 guys that I could realistically see competing for time if Alba is back and all the transfers make it campus as expected.  Only 4 starters are needed so 4 of the guys on that list not named Horn could factor into the pen as well.  That's a deep and talented staff with a lot of different looks.  

Note : Hudson, Troyer & Hertzler are all potential 2 ways guys which makes it much more likely that they would be relievers.  If you've watched much college baseball this team could resemble what Cliff Godwin has done at ECU.  The 2 way player model has been very effective for the Pirates at the mid major level.