It was a great run, and I couldn't be prouder of the team and the program. What a class act Virginia Baseball has become, and this just about twelve years removed from an infield covered with the old artificial turf from Scott Stadium with a faded 20 yard line running through 2nd base. The bleachers would barely hold the 150 or so people at the game and most of them families of the visitors. We all got so sick of hearing the Cal baseball story, mostly because it was nothing compared to where we were 10-15 years ago, with the program in shambles and on the verge of being shut down for financial reasons.
In 2011, we notched 56 wins (including a 14-1 record in weekend series), an ACC regular season championship, an ACC tournament championship, domination of the Charlottesville Regional, a heroic and miraculous win over a tremendous UC Irvine team in the Charlottesville Super Regional, the program's second-ever trip to the College World Series in Omaha, and the program's deepest-ever advancement into that tournament. It was a damn good season. Now the athletic department must ponder contract extensions for Brian O'Connor and his staff, along with further expansions to Davenport Field. Virginia is rapidly becoming a baseball school, and the success of the baseball program is proving to football and basketball that Virginia has fantastic fans... if you're winning.
So, THANK YOU, 2011 UVA Baseball. You have captivated our hearts and minds. As cheesy as that is to say, it's totally true. Over the course of the last month-plus, 100% of my sports attention has been focused on Virginia Baseball. It was awesome, and I can't wait to do it again next spring. Like many of my fellow fans, this program has hooked me, violently and right through the cheek. It's a team that plays hard, performs with grit, conducts itself with class, produces professional-level talent, competes with the elite programs in the sport, and simply wins games with an exciting brand of aggressive baseball. It's about pitching and defense and producing runs; it's about giving the fans a team it can really embrace. I love everything about Virginia Baseball right now.
But today I'm still just sort of licking my wounds from Friday night and lazily looking ahead to February 2012. Can the Cavs reload, or is this a situation that calls for a complete rebuild?
I think Brian O'Connor only ever RELOADS. We'll see lots of new faces in new places, but there's a strong core of players that returns, and our top-notch recruiting will continue to bear more and more fruit.
But first, a quick look at who's gone...
DEFINITELY GONE
John Barr -- graduated
David Coleman -- graduated
Kenny Swab -- graduated
Tyler Wilson -- graduated
Cody Winiarski -- graduated
Danny Hultzen -- going pro, 1st round
PROBABLY GONE
John Hicks -- going pro, 4th round
Will Roberts -- graduated in three years; going pro, 5th round
Steven Proscia -- going pro, 7th round
Okay, so what will the team look like next year?
On the mound...
[Rising junior] Branden Kline and [rising sophomore] Kyle Crockett will almost certainly represent 2/3rds of the weekend rotation. If you watched Friday night's game, then you couldn't help but come away impressed with these two guys, and excited about their future as starting pitchers for the Hoos. I'm guessing Kline starts on Friday nights -- which is the typical spot for your ace in a college rotation. Crockett takes the mound on Saturdays; it's clear the staff really likes what the crafty young lefthander brings to the table.
As for the 3rd spot in the weekend rotation? [Rising senior] Scott Silverstein, [rising junior] Whit Mayberry, and "secret weapon," [rising junior] Aaron Stull will probably all be in the conversation. I also think [redshirt freshman] Ryan Ashoosh and hulking (6-7, 235) incoming freshman Christian Binford could be in the mix. Both guys were highly recruited out of high school.
In the bullpen, many of the names listed above will be factors, along with [rising senior] set-up specialist Justin Thompson. Mayberry could be the closer, but one area sportswriter likes the look of [rising sophomore] Artie Lewicki in the role.
In the infield...
Super Regional SUPERHERO [and rising junior] Chris Taylor will be back at shortstop (or possibly one of the outfield spots). I assume he'll take on an increased role offensively, as one of our more consistent, reliable hitters.
Of course, defensive wizard and HBP/bunt specialist [and rising senior] Keith Werman is back at 2nd base. Big Werm's hustle and senior leadership will be a big part of the 2012 team. I dread the day Virginia Baseball has to forge bravely ahead without a Werman on the roster.
[Rising senior] Jared King is back at 1st. His bat will be a crucial cog in the team's offense.
Joining Taylor, Werm, and King will likely be [redshirt sophomore] Stephen Bruno, who has already enjoyed an extended taste of game action as a freshman in 2010.
Everyone's best guess at the catcher position is [rising junior] Ryan Levine, who has drawn rave reviews for his defensive funamentals and decent bat with occasional pop. He probably won't be a big-time offensive producer like John Hicks has been, but it does sound like Levine will be a bit of an upgrade behind the plate.
In the outfield...
This is where projections get a little more difficult.
Factoring in only what we've seen to this point, I'd have to say we're looking at the strong possibility of [rising junior] Reed Gragnani in left, [rising sophomore] Mitchell Shifflett in center, and [rising junior] Colin Harrington in right. Grags and Harrington bring plus bats to the table, while Shifflett (FFTT) brings plus speed on the basepaths and a great defensive presence in centerfield.
Other guys in the outfield mix could be [rising senior] Shane Halley, [rising sophomores] Mark Podlas and Derek Justice, and incoming freshmen Derek Fisher and Mike Papi -- both of whom were drafted and must first turn down contract offers in order to even make it to Virginia. Justice, Podlas, Fisher, and Papi all carry significant talent and potential, so I'm looking for at least two of these four guys to see extended action in 2012. And one of them will likely be the DH.
To summarize...
The Lineup:
Mitchell Shifflett -- CF
Reed Gragnani -- LF
Chris Taylor -- SS
Jared King -- 1B
Stephen Bruno -- 3B
Mark Podlas -- DH
Ryan Levine -- C
Colin Harrington -- RF
Keith Werman -- 2B
The Rotation:
Friday: Branden Kline -- RHP
Saturday: Kyle Crockett -- LHP
Sunday: Whit Mayberry -- RHP
Mid-Week: Aaron Stull -- LHP
Bullpen:
Closer: Artie Lewicki -- RHP
Set-Up: Justin Thompson -- RHP
Lefty Specialist: Scott Silverstein -- LHP
Chad O'Connor -- RHP
Ryan Ashoosh -- LHP
Christian Binford -- RHP
We're gonna be good again next year. Pitching will still be a strength, as will defense and being able to generate offense. We lack the big sticks, but that's not a problem that will plague us.
A lot of ability remains in the program, and I think we're looking at another solid 40+ win campaign in 2012.
GO HOOS!
Our sister blog, WahooWatch, has an eerily similar piece. Check it out, HERE. And subscribe to that one, too! Mike V. knows his stuff, and is an entertaining writer. He gets my seal of approval.
if derek fisher makes it cville he will start in the outfield. you cant keep his talent off the field and he will be one of uva's best hitters as a true fresh.
ReplyDeleteyou also need to be on the lookout for freshman nate irving. i hear people talk about levine, but i think irving has a good chance to start at catcher as a true fresh. big bat, catches a great game. he's a stud.
it's hard to follow baseball recruiting without a sub to perfect game, but know that oconners is recruiting his asshole off. this group he has coming in is as good as any recruiting class in the country.
go hoos!