The Missouri baseball team was picked to finish fifth in the nine team, Big 12 Conference in the preseason coaches poll. The Tigers were picked as high as fifth prior to the 2009 season.

Texas A&M, the other SEC newcomer, was picked to win the league, receiving eight first-place.

Big 12 Preseason Coaches Poll (1st-place votes)

1. Texas A&M (8)
2. Texas (1)
3. Oklahoma
4. Baylor
5. Missouri
6. Oklahoma St.
7. Texas Tech
8. Kansas State
9. Kansas

The Tigers return seven players, including All-Big 12 outfielder Blake Brown and New York Yankee draft pick Conner Mach as well as their top two pitchers, Eric Anderson and Rob Zastryzny.

Missouri will get a taste of SEC play right off the bat when the season opens Friday at Auburn at 3 p.m.