Baseball America today selected the University of Louisville as its preseason Big East Conference favorites. The rankings were part of the magazine’s region-by-region 2010 NCAA baseball preview. In addition to being selected as preseason favorites, UofL also boasts for members of the preseason All-Big East team. First baseman Andrew Clark, outfielder Josh Richmond, designated hitter Phil Wunderlich and starting pitcher Thomas Royse headline the team. The four Cardinals were the most players from any school selected to the roster.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Matt Koch ranked second on the top newcomers list, and Richmond, Royse, outfielder Stewart IJames and Clark were included on the top 2010 draft prospects list for the conference. Right-handed pitcher Tony Zych, shortstop Ryan Wright, right-handed pitcher Derek Self and left-handed pitcher Keith Landers were selected as top 2011 draft prospects.

(Read BA’s entire north region preview, including the Big East, American East, A-10, Ivy, MAAC and Northeast conferences)