Two guys that will probably crack the starting lineup are Alex Raburn (SS, senior transfer from North Carolina) and Matt Warren (RHP, senior transfer from Creighton). Just a guess, but I'm sure as senior transfers they have been putting in the work to contribute and Erstad will give them an opportunity.
I think the addition of Warren will keep Meyers off the mound and just give him spot duty for a couple innings and Cole Klemke in the OF.
Burkamper and Matt Waldron will definitely be weekend starters. I think the third will be either Warren or Hohensee, with the other starting midweek with either Tillotson, Engelken, or Palkert. Seems like a big deal was made out of signing Tillotson, so I'm thinking he gets a chance to be a starter. Just not sure where everyone fits in.
I think our pitching is really deep this year. Here's how I see it stacking up...
Weekend Starters
Derek Burkamper (R)
Matt Waldron (R)
Matt Warren (R)
Midweek Starters
Jake Hohensee (R)
Paul Tillotson (R)
Zac Engelken (R)
Closer
Chad Luensmann (R)
Middle Reliever (Obviously, this is a lot of pitchers, I'm just listing the eligible guys and the order I think they'll see the mound with everything being equal.)
Reece Eddins (R)
Robbie Palkert (R)
Jake Meyers (L; could easily be much higher in the list and even a starter if necessary)
Jake McSteen (L)
Nate Fisher (L)
Byron Hood (R)
Mitch Steinhoff (L)
Sean Chandler (R)
Ethan Frazier (R)
Redshirt
Connor Curry (L)
Carter Cross (R)
Here's what I see for position players to begin the year:
Starters
C: Jesse Wilkening (R)
1B: Scott Schreiber (R)
2B: Jake Schleppenbach (L)
3B: Jeff Athey (L)
SS: Alex Raburn (R)
LF: Luis Alvarado (R)
CF: Jake Meyers (R)
RF: Joe Acker (R)
DH: Ben Miller (L)
Situational Substitutes
Catcher: Luke Roskam (L), Brady Childs (R)
Middle Infield: Angelo Altavilla (S), Alex Henwood (L), Brison Cronenbold (S), Zac Repinski (R, pinch runner)
Corner Infield: Mike Waldron (R), Brison Cronenbold (S; 3B), Luke Roskam (L)
Outfield: Cole Klemke (R), AJ Johnson (R)
Utility: Ben Klenke (R)
Redshirt
Mojo Hagge (L)
I was really torn on Athey vs. Mike Waldron at 3B, but I think another left-handed bat is what makes Athey the starter.
It would probably be smart to redshirt Roskam at catcher. I think the questions will be is he better than Childs and can he provide depth at the corner infield positions. On a team with few left-handed bats, his presence could be valuable.
This is largely a shot in the dark. Klemke could start over Acker, but I think if Meyers is going to be used for spot pitching duty, it would be better to bring a more experienced player off the bench than a true freshman.