Cruz, Mattison recognized by D1Baseball.com

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Senior Gaby Cruz (Miami, Fla.) and junior Tyler Mattison (Fort Ann, N.Y.) have been recognized as two of the top players in the country according to an analytical study done by D1Baseball.com.

Cruz was ranked 42nd, while Mattison came in at No. 144. They represent two of the three players from the Northeast Conference that were recognized.

D1Baseball takes an analytic approach in an attempt to determine under-the-radar prospects. The calculation takes into account plate discipline, the ability to reach base and power numbers for hitters. For pitchers, zone control, pitch ability and durability were taken into account. The results were adjusted to account for park effects of the most extreme hitter and friendly parks, as well as for a team's strength of schedule.

Cruz is coming off a junior season in which he was named First Team ABCA All-Northeast, All-New England and All-NEC as a DH. He hit .354 with six doubles, nine home runs and 37 RBI for the Black and Gold. Cruz received an overall score of 83.5 and scores of 76.9 for plate discipline, 84.6 for ability to reach base and 77.8 for game power.

One of the top 150 draft prospects in the country, Mattison went 9-1 with a 3.47 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 80.1 innings last spring. He was an All-New England and All-NEC selection and allowed three runs or less in each of his last 10 starts. Mattison received an overall score of 81.4 and scores of 77.5 for zone control, 87.4 for pitch ability and 78.3 for durability.

The Bulldogs open the 2020 season on Feb. 14 vs. the University of Dayton in Wilmington, North Carolina.