I've been plotting this piece for about a week now, and have decided to keep it short and sweet. Listed below are the players I expect to see contributing on a daily basis, and the roles I expect them to fill on the team.
PITCHING
Staff Ace / Friday Starter: Danny Hultzen
This is a role Hultzen has filled since early during the 2009 season, and it's a role he is extremely comfortable with and one in which he excels. His junior season will likely be his last in Charlottesville, as he will almost certainly be a first round pick in the 2011 MLB Draft. Hultzen is a crafty fireballing lefty, the best player on our team, and perhaps the best pitcher in the long history of the Virginia program. Grade: A+Saturday Starter: Branden Kline
He was lit up in his last start of the season, the Monday night elimination game against Oklahoma. But in the two months prior to that start, he earned the trust of the coaching staff by way of efficiently eating up innings and battling his way through some elite lineups. It was easy to see why Kline was the gem of our 2009 recruiting class. I fully expect him to take the next step forward in 2011, capably replacing Robert Morey's spot in the rotation. Kline is capable of throwing some gas, but he's at his best when he is locating his fastball instead of trying to overpower batters. Grade: B+
Sunday Starter: Scott Silverstein
This big (6-6, 235) flame-throwing lefty entered the Virginia program amid as much hype as Danny Hultzen. But while Hultzen quickly worked his way into the rotation, Silverstein was battling injuries that eventually held him out of both his freshman and sophomore campaigns. He should enter 2011 fully healthy, and ready to launch back into his former career trajectory as a top-line college starter and legit MLB prospect. I expect big things from this kid in 2011, and I know that an extra left-handed pitcher in the weekend rotation will be an extremely good thing for the team. (It is perhaps a bit of a surprise that I am projecting Silverstein into the spot that Cody Winiarski held down for much of the 2010 season, but I think the staff prefers Winiarski coming out of the bullpen. I also think that Silverstein's superior talents and tools will rise to the top in that battle for a spot in the weekend rotation.) Grade: B-
Midweek Starter: Tyler Skulina
Coach O'Connor landed two elite pitching prospects in the 2010 recruiting class -- Justin Nicolino (from Orlando, FL) and Tyler Skulina (from Strongsville, OH). Nicolino was drafted by the Toronoto Blue Jays in the 2nd round (80th overall), and has already made the decision to forego his college baseball career and chase his dreams of playing in the Big League. Skulina, meanwhile, wasn't picked until the 46th round (1385th overall) by the Oakland A's, and will almost definitely head to Virginia. This kid is a monster, at 6-6, 235. He throws a mid-90s fastball, and by all accounts has developed a truly nasty changeup. If history is any indication, the Virginia staff will want to get this potential ace on the field as soon as possible... which means starting the less important midweek games in order to receive some valuable on-field experience. Grade: A-
Long/Middle Relief: Cody Winiarski
Winiarski gives the team a lot of flexibility. He's been a weekend starter, and he's fully capable of stepping to the mound in that role again if we face a quick turnaround with a depleted staff during the postseason. He has also pitched out of the 'pen, and has shown a propensity for being able to grind along and eat up innings. He doesn't have anything special when it comes to tools, but he has decent command of his pitches and a nice array of off-speed stuff to throw. He's a bit of a junk pitcher, but is a good complement to the fastball pitchers that will start most games. Grade: C+
Closer: Tyler Wilson
The only true "bulldog" on the staff, I wouldn't be surprised to see Wilson stay in his set-up role, or even to step up and take that coveted spot in the weekend starting rotation. That being said, I think he'll come back for his senior season for one reason and one reason alone -- to assume the role he most enjoys in baseball. Wilson has patiently waited his turn while the Hoos have ridden successful, record-setting closers like Casey Lambert, Michael Schwimer, and [most recently] Kevin Arico. Now it's his turn. Coach O'Connor has structured his pitching system and style of play such that the closer role is one of the true glamour positions on the team. Oak prefers upperclassmen in the role, gobbling up saves. Tyler Wilson is a perfect fit, and one of the few slam dunk projections for the 2011 team. Grade: A
The Bullpen
Virginia suffered from a decided lack of left-handed pitching during the 2010 season, but it was an issue we were mostly able to battle through... until the super regional against the seven left-handed batters that Oklahoma threw at us in their regular lineup. It's no surprise that only Danny Hultzen and little-used reserve Neal Davis (also a lefty) were able to enjoy some success against the Sooners. Is this glaring lefty deficiency going to haunt the Hoos again in 2011? I'm thinking it won't. Silverstein adds another left-handed option to the starting rotation, and freshmen lefties Ryan Ashooh, Kyle Crockett, and Derek Justice should all see some action out of the bullpen. Rising sophomore Aaron Stull can also provide some left-handed relief pitching. The experienced relievers include righties Whit Mayberry (who many think could emerge as the Hoos' new go-to set-up man), Chad O'Connor (no relation to the head coach), Shane Halley, Will Roberts, Justin Thompson, and Corey Hunt. This is a deep and talented bullpen. Overall it lacks experience, however. Grade: B-
THE LINEUP
Leadoff / Center Field: Mitchell Shifflett
Shifflett, an incoming freshman, is reportedly a very good contact hitter who runs a 4.3 in the 40 yard dash, and is a top-notch centerfielder. It's said that he is the fastest player Brian O'Connor has ever recruited, and that the staff will likely insert Shifflett directly into the starting lineup and let him sink or swim at the beginning of the 2011 season. With accomplished sluggers like Phil Gosselin and Jarrett Parker moving on, it makes sense to try to get more speed on the basepaths in an effort to manufacture runs. Still, this is a freshman batting leadoff. Grade: C-
Two-Hole / Second Base: Keith Werman
Werman, aka "Big Werm," aka "NINJA," is a fan favorite, and for good reason. He's a very good defensive second baseman, despite his diminutive stature. But more than that, he is probably the most difficult out on the team. He bites and claws his way onto base (.414 batting average and .486 on-base percentage in 2010), and once he's there he is a smart, heady, highly accomplished baserunner. It's also worth noting that Werm is a true artist when it comes to laying down bunts. Grade: AThree-Hole / Right Field: Dan Grovatt
After being drafted in the 11th round (327th overall) by the Pirates, I think Grovatt is a lock to return for his senior season with the Wahoos. The team desperately needs him to fill the leadership void left behind by Jarrett Parker, Phil Gosselin, and Franco Valdes. I know that Grovatt himself considers his 2010 season (.291 average, 9 HRs) to be a major disappointment. If he can bounce back to his regular .350-.375 range and knock a few more dingers, he'll greatly improve his draft stock... and he'll greatly improve the Virginia lineup in the process. Grade: B+
Cleanup / Third Base: Steven Proscia
Proscia has had his moments of shakiness playing third base, and he's endured his ups and downs as a streak hitter as well. But as he enters his third season in the Virginia system, I think many of his flaws will begin to be ironed out. He's a good power hitter who really needs to take the next step in his development if UVA hopes to make it back to Omaha in 2011. Grade: B
#5 Hitter / Catcher: John Hicks
Hicks could see time at first base or even in the outfield, but make no mistake -- Brian O'Connor will do whatever it takes to keep his bat in the lineup. Entering the 2011 season, Hicks has the potential to be UVA's best hitter, and I think he's more than up to that challenge. At catcher, he's barely mediocre, so he'll need to improve defensively if that is going to be his everyday role. Hicks is a scrappy guy who is a big part of the overall gritty personality of the Virginia team. Grade: B+
#6 Hitter / Designated Hitter: Stephen Bruno
During his freshman season in 2010, Bruno hit an extremely serviceable .388, with a .479 OB% in 98 at-bats. His three homers were just a small sample of his power potential. The coaching staff believes that Bruno is the type of hitter who will be able to crank out extra base hits, which is perfect for batting sixth in a lineup that will need to generate runs via stringing hits together. Grade: B-
#7 Hitter / Left Field: John Barr
Barr was red-hot in the postseason, especially during the first round regional played in Charlottesville. He's a solid contact hitter and a good clutch hitter who should be able to be a productive part of the lineup. He's also a more than adequate left fielder. Grade: C+/B-
#8 Hitter / Shortstop: Reed Gragnani
Knowing that Gragnani would be an important part of the everyday roster in 2011, the coaching staff crammed him into the lineup in every way possible during his freshman season in 2010. Gragnani acquitted himself well, hitting .365 in 63 at-bats. Projecting him to shortstop is a complete guess on my part. I'm admittedly not sure what his defensive capabilities are... but somebody has to play Tyler Cannon's vacated position. It might end up being slick fielding Chris Taylor, but Gragnani is a much better hitter and this team needs as much offense as it can muster. Grade: C+
#9 Hitter / First Base: Kenny Swab
Swab, a JUCO transfer in 2010, is a rising senior who is basically assured a spot in the starting lineup in 2011. He's a well-rounded player who won't wow scouts, but who will quietly produce. He hits for average, he's got a little bit of pop in his bat, and he's smart on the basepaths. He's the perfect candidate to continue Virginia's new tradition of production from the #9 spot in the lineup. Grade: C+/B-OVERALL
After losing elite-level college baseball stars like Phil Gosselin, Jarrett Parker, Tyler Cannon, Robert Morey, and Kevin Arico, a little bit of regression is to be expected. However, I doubt that Coach O'Connor will allow this team to slip very far. He will need to go back to his smallball roots in order to buoy this team. The Hoos will win with great pitching, solid defense, timely hitting, and aggressive baserunning. That is "Virginia Baseball" in the purest sense, and I'm excited to see us playing more of that style in 2011. I'm also excited to see what the young players can do with such greatly expanded roles. Guys like Branden Kline, Tyler Skulina, Scott Silverstein, Stephen Bruno, and Reed Gragnani will have a lot to say about the ultimate success or failure of the team. Expectations will and should remain high... I think another postseason appearance is a lock, with hosting a first round regional to be a bit of a longshot. Can the Hoos advance to another super regional? They'll need to get hot at the right time, like in 2009. Can they make it all the back to Omaha? I wouldn't bet on it. There's just not enough big-time hitters in the lineup. But you should never, ever underestimate Brian O'Connor. He and his team tends to thrive under the umbrella of reduced expectations.
Overall Grades:
Coaching -- A+
Starting Pitching -- A
Bullpen -- B
Hitting -- B-
Defense -- B+
Prediction: 38-40 wins, 2-seed in a first round regional.
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