Wahooze Baseball Preview

Can you feel it?

Hello Wahooze and welcome to my domain, the baseball diamond. This is the insanely, overly in depth, Wahooze baseball season preview. There is nothing I love more in this world than baseball and that will slowly become apparent as the spring/summer progresses. Without further ado let’s get into this. Here is a tip on how to read this:

Before every entry there will be a boldface overview of the player that has an L/L, L/R, R/R, R/L, S/L, S/R. That notation is for Bats/Throws and tells you what the players bat and throw. So L/R means they bat left and throw right.

The Studs:

These are the players that are returning starters that will be looked to to continue the UVA winning tradition as upperclassmen leaders. All these players have considerable experience that hopefully will translate into a passing of the baton from players like Hicks and Proscia.

Reed Gragnani (3B/RF) S/R 5-11 180 Richmond, VA

                I really like Reed’s game, especially in the outfield. In the blue orange world series he was starting at third base and hitting in the middle of the order. I don’t necessarily agree with putting him at third, but I have learned never to doubt Coach O’Connor. Gragnani to me is the perfect 2 spot hitter. While he is not without power he is more of a gaps hitter which plays well in the second spot. Also having a lefty bat in the two hole is huge to take advantage of the larger gap left between the second and first baseman with a runner on first. I fully expect Gragnani to break out this season and turn into one of our more productive bats. I also suspect that he will return to the outfield at some point this season. Especially with the new talent coming in (more on that later.)

Jared King (1B) R/R 6-1 195 Radford, VA

                There is no one on this team I was more happy to see do well last season than King. I won’t go into all the details but Jared has had a roller coaster ride while he has been here. King has shown glimpses of being the power and RBI man for this team this season and it is to be expected that he settle into that role. While he doesn’t have the raw power of a Steven Proscia he has enough polish as a hitter to assume the number 4 spot and excel in it. This is not going to be an SEC type offense full of power hitters who can knock the cover off the ball. We will be a smart, gap hitting team that takes extra bases and sac bunts and all the stuff that makes baseball a thinking man’s game. And Jared King is the perfect cleanup hitter for that.

Keith Werman (2B) L/R 5-7 150 Vienna, Va

                I have had to listen to how good Keith Werman is since 9^th grade. As a catcher (I’ll pause to let you wrap your mind around that) in high school Keith allowed 0 past balls in his entire career and was All State his senior season. That is an obsene amount of praise for a 5-7 catcher. I don’t understand him, it upsets me greatly, but today I will admit that Keith is pretty damn good. Will he ever knock the cover off the ball? Probably not. Is he going to play in the pros? No chance. But is he exactly the kind of player this team needs? Absolutely. Keith brings an intelligence to the game that is so important. He knows situations and knows exactly how to handle them with a level of expertise that is such a luxury to have on a team, especially with a Coach like Coach O’Connor. Anyone can figure out a bunting situation, but he can figure out where it needs to go to get the optimal results. I fully expect Keith to end up as a GA somewhere and I really hope that it is here. That being said as far as this season goes, I expect him to hold down the number 9 spot as always and be a stalwart defensively.

Chris Taylor (SS) R/R 6-0 170 Virginia Beach, VA

                Chris is our best player. That became apparent towards the end of the season. I fully expect an All-ACC season out of him this season. Chris will most likely hit number 3 and be relied on to drive in a good chunk of the teams runs, and if he keeps up the torrid pace he was on at the end of the season that should be absolutely no problem for him.  Taylor brings something that John Hicks couldn’t to the three spot and that is a good bit of speed. I think this year’s team, as I stated before, is going to be much more based on taking extra bases and flying all over the field, and having a player like Taylor in the three spot is a great luxury to have. Think a poor man’s Asdrubal Cabrera, not doing anything great, but does everything very well.

The Aces:

While we have lost quite a bit of talent from the rotation, well all the talent, the cupboard is far from bare. Branden Kline and Kyle Crockett will anchor what should be one of the more devastating one two punches in the ACC and maybe even the country this season. The best part about that tandem at the front of the rotation is how complimentary they are to one another. While Kline is a traditional Friday night power arm who will strike a ton of guys out and look absolutely dominant on the mound, Crockett will rely more on deception and pitch movement to confused and frustrate his opponents. Two completely different styles that make it extra frustrating for any team that has to prepare to face the Hoos this season.

Branden Kline (SP) R/R 6-3 190 Frederick, MD

                No one on this team has bigger shoes to fill than Branden this season. The challenge of replacing the best player in program history  is one that could make one buckle under the pressure. That being said there is absolutely no reason to expect that to happen this season. Kline showed in the extra innings South Carolina game in the College World Series that he has the stuff to rise to any challenge. While he was a dominant closer it was apparent to me at least that Kline was better suited for the rotation. Had Will Roberts not stepped up to the role of Sunday starter I wouldn’t have been surprised to see Kline get a shot for that job. Watching Kline pitch it always took him a batter or two to really get his stuff going the way he likes it which is indicative of a starting pitcher over a reliever. Think Justin Verlander getting stronger as the game goes on. I think that if the CWS performance was any indication we will be in for a great season out of Kline, and once again have a dominant Friday night starter anchoring the rotation.

Kyle Crockett (SP) L/L 6-1 160 Poquoson, VA

                By no means am I comparing myself to a division 1 athlete, but Kyle Crockett throws the exact same way I used to in high school making him my favorite player on this team. Kyle goes into this season with high expectations and firmly entrenched as the team’s Saturday starter, which in my opinion might be the most important game of the weekend. While Kline relies on power to get people out and will most likely rack up the strikeouts (1.3 K/9) and get all the acclaim, Crockett relies more on movement and deception to get his batters out. Crockett will never light up the radar gun but he will frustrate the hell out of almost every batter he faces. If he can learn to master the movement of his pitches, and Coach Kuhn can teach him how to approach the game mentally, Crockett can turn into one of the most productive pitchers we’ve had in a while. And if Kyle decides to gain any weight anytime soon he can only get better.

JT Thompson (RP) R/R 6-1 195 Danville, VA

                Thompson has a shot to get the closer role for this season but if I had to guess I would say he is staying in the set up role as Chris Fern who was the Florida JUCO closer of the year is poised to take over the team. Thompson however will be a key cog in the bullpen this season. While most are not terribly excited to see him in that role I think Thompson has the stuff to excel, the key question is will he be able to mentally put his past shaky appearances behind him and be a strong veteran in the bullpen that we need. Also I’m hoping he got a haircut.

The Next Men Up:

                The departure of David Coleman, John Hicks, and Steven Proscia left three giant holes in the field that will need to be filled with new players who are not only capable of,  but hungry for success in their new roles. While some of these positions could be filled with players from the stud recruiting class Coach O’Connor has brought in there are two players we are going to highlight that should immediately step in and be great.

Colin Harrington (OF) R/R 5-10 170 Johnstown, PA

                Harrington was used primarily in the DH role last season but also saw time in the outfield. While he is never going to blow you away with power or speed he is a solid player who will contribute. He hit .353 last season and was 5/6 on stolen base attempts. If you need a dominant player to carry your team, Harrington is most likely not going to be that guy, but if you need a guy that can be a solid contributor every game, then he is perfect. Harrington will most likely be starting in left field and batting in the 6-8 spot. Harrington will be the perfect guy to either lay down a bunt if you need, situationally place a ball in a spot you need, or keep a rally going to roll the lineup over. Anything you need

Mitchell Shifflett (OF) R/R 6-1 180 Midlothian, VA

                Shifflett is easily the fastest player on the team. He might even be one of the faster players on the football team. Shifflett will be taking over for Chris Taylor in the leadoff spot and will instantly improve the lineup. Assuming he gets on base (.326 OBP last season) Shifflett will be on third most likely within two pitches. Shifflett was 9-9 in stolen base attempts last season. A player with that kind of speed allows Coach O’Connor to do even more with his lineup than he could last season. Paired with Reed Gragnani in the two spot we should expect to see a ton more hit and runs put on with the very distinct possibility that Shifflett will be able to score from first on anything in a gap. That kind of speed also widens the 1^st base gap at first as the first baseman will have to monitor Shifflett closer than normal. This will help Gragnani and Taylor even more. Shifflett has game changing speed, and if he can improve his on base percentage, it will be greatly utilized this spring.

Call to the Pen:

                This is the one area where we will need some guys to step up. The strength of last years team has now become the biggest question mark going into this year. The rotation has two strong aces at the top but the depth is somewhat questionable. That being said I have absolute faith in not only the talent on the roster, but also the coaching staff, to be able to turn this rotation into one of the great ones again this season.

Whit Mayberry R/R 6-0 185 Alexandria, VA

                Whit is from the same area I am so my friends and I know a good bit about his style of pitching. He is yet another different style of pitcher for this rotation. My friend Steve Kouril who was a walk on at UVA described Whit as throwing a “heavy” ball, which is pretty accurate. Whit gets hit, but the ball doesn’t go very far. That’s how a heavy ball works. Whit will pitch to contact but hitters will never seem to be able to really get a hold of a ball. It is incredibly frustrating, just ask Steve. While Mayberry will not be lighting up the gun he is the perfect starter for a Sunday, a day that is traditionally ruled by the offense. Having a pitcher that people can make contact with but can’t get the kind of explosive results they expect will be the perfect end to a weekend that will most likely leave the teams we play both confused and annoyed, and lead to a bunch of Cavalier victories.

Scott Silverstein L/L 6-6 235 Brookeville, MD

                Silverstein will most likely be the midweek starter. At 6-6 235 Silverstein looks every bit the part of a legit D1 starter, which is what makes him perfect for the middle of the week when we play smaller programs. There is something to be said for the intimidation factor that Silverstein brings to the table in games that will most likely be the toughest that these smaller colleges will play all season. Silverstein is a huge wildcard since we do not know much from last season’s performances.  Silverstein missed all of 2010 with shoulder issues and his limited time in 2011 may not be indicative of his future success on the hill. Look for Silverstein to battle Mayberry for the Sunday spot.

The Fresh Faces:

                The 2011 recruiting class is an interesting bunch. Coach O’Connor has brought in a very solid trio of outfielders as well as a SS/3B that should be the foundation of the roster to come.

Derek Fisher (CF) L/R 6-3 210 Lebanon, PA.

                Fisher is a stud. An absolute stud. Read this article if you don’t believe me. Picked in the 6^th round by the Texas Rangers, Fisher decided to turn down the big dollars and enroll at UVA, where he could very well secure himself a starting spot in the outfielder. In his senior season Fisher  hit .484 with 12 home runs and 31 RBI in his senior season and was named Pennsylvania state player of the year. Fisher will be looked to to eventually replace the power in the lineup that left with Steven Proscia and John Hicks last season, and could be in line to make a run at the RBI record that Proscia currently holds if he gets off to a hot start. Keeping with the theme of the kind of baseball Coach O’Connor likes to play Fisher is no slouch out in the field , which could very well accelerate his path onto Davenport Field.  In fact Coach O’Connor offered him a scholarship after seeing him go hitless at the plate but play outstanding defense. It will be interesting to see where he ends up this season.

Nick Howard (3B) R/R 6-3 215 Olney, MD.

                Howard is a highly touted recruit out of my neck of the woods and St. John’s High School in Washington DC. Though the WCAC is mostly known for its football and basketball prowess they are no slouch on the diamond either. And St. John’s is consistently one of the top teams in the conference. Howard was named All-WCAC twice during his high school career and was rated as the number one prospect in Maryland by Perfect Game, the preeminent baseball showcase camp. Howard was also named All-Met as one of the best players in the DC Metropolitan area. Howard hit .403 with 28 RBI and 20 stolen bases his senior season and could challenge Reed Gragnani for the vacancy left at third base this season, allowing Reed to move to the outfield. Howard boasts a tremendous amount of arm strength and solid footwork so the transition to third should be an easy one. And the inexplicable absence of Stephen Bruno at any point last season is also playing into his favor. It will be intriguing to see how Coach O’Connor decides to use him, especially since if Chris Taylor has another big season, this could be his last in Charlottesville.

Mike Papi (OF)  L/R 6-3 190 Tunkhannock, PA.

                Papi just looks like a good player. I realize that is a very stupid statement to make but it’s true. He is most likely going to play right field for the Hoos at some point in his career. Papi has plus carry on his throws from the outfield, meaning he has a cannon, and decent speed. Papi projects as a top or bottom of the order kind of hitter. If I had to guess I would say his future will be in the number 2 hole, where is it advantageous to have a solid lefty bat that hits for average and has some pop to it. Papi to me projects as a gaps hitter, whereas his outfield counterpart Derek Fisher will provide the punch. Papi’s approach at the plate has been described as calm and simple, the signs of a good gap to gap hitter. Papi batted .531 with six home runs, 24 RBI, and a .708 on base percentage and was named All-State in Pennsylvania in senior season. He’s no slouch.

Brandon Downes (OF) R/R South Plainfield, NJ.

                Downes is the third of the top outfield prospects the Hoos brought in this season. Boasting a sweet swing from the right side of the plate Downes looks like the real deal. He is also easily the smartest of the palyers we are bringing in this season boast a 4.95 GPA out of 5 in that stupid New Jersey grading scale. This is a point that cannot be overlooked because as seen with Keith Werman last season, being a smart player is just as important to Coach O’Connor as being a physically gifted player. Downes was named all state his senior season Downes brings a strong bat and glove to the table. He finished one home run shy of the New Jersey state record during his junior season. Currently Downes plays left field but could shift to center depending on how the lineup shakes out. I don’t expect much playing time for Downes this season just based on the amount of outfielders we currently have on the roster but I would expect to hear from him in the future.

 

Nate Irving (C) R/R 6-0 220 Yonkers, NY

                Does the prospect of a true freshman catcher scare you as much as it scares me? Well I'm not entirely sure it should. I went through the Orange and Blue World Series and Irving had what I would describe as a good game in 4 of the 5. While it would be nice to have a solid veteran behind to plate with all the transition that is going on it might be a blessing to have a young catcher who is able to learn on the job. Offensively Irving's game is all there. He collected 8 hits in the 5 games of the Orange and Blue World Series. It will be interesting to see how he handles the staff. Look for Coach Kuhn and Coach O'Connor to have a good deal of influence on pitch calling this season, and for the whole staff to grow together along with Irving. This will especially benefit the younger pitchers who will develop with Irving and may reinvigorate the staff to get the kind of season we had last year.

               

Those are the 4 players I expect to have an immediate impact on the program. If I had to guess I would say Irving, Howard, and Fisher have the best chance of cracking the starting lineup this season. Virginia also brought in some intriguing arms this season but with the exception of Kyle Crockett and Branden Kline Coach O’Connor and Coach Kuhn have been hesitant to throw young pitchers to the wolves before they are ready (we’re a fragile breed). That being said UVA signed3 lefties and 2 righties, including one giant Brett Lisle from Colorado who is listed at 6-9 who has me intrigued, and Chris Fern, who some think may challenge to replace Kline as the team’s closer. UVA also added 2 infielders and 2 catchers. The team has certainly been restocked for the future with this class.

Depth Chart:

This is the depth chart I think that the coaches have in their office at the moment. I'm not sure how long this Gragnani at third experiment is going to last but I fully expect Gragnani to end up starting in right and having Nick Howard emerge as the starter at third.

C:            Nate Irving/Chase Mitchell

1B:          Jared King/Kenny Towns
2B:          Keith Werman/Stephen Bruno
SS:          Chris Taylor/Brandon Cogswell
3B:          Reed Gragnani/Nick Howard
LF:          Colin Harrington/Derek Fisher
CF:          Mitchell Shifflet/Reed Gragnani/Brandon Downes
RF:          Shane Halley/Mike Papi

Rotation:

Friday:                  Branden Kline
Saturday:             Kyle Crockett
Sunday:                Whit Mayberry
Weekday:           Scott Silverstein
Set Up:                 JT Thompson
Closer:                  Chris Fern

Batting Order:

This is the order I think we should roll out on opening day. Whether or not this is what is going to happen is up in the air but this is my post so this is what I am putting up there.

1.       Mitchell Shifflett              CF
2.       Reed Gragnani                  RF
3.       Chris Taylor                         SS
4.       Jared King                           1B
5.       Derek Fisher                      DH
6.       Nick Howard                      3B
7.       Nate Irving                          C
8.       Colin Harrington               LF
9.       Keith Werman                   2B

 

Strengths and Weaknesses:

This team is extremely right handed. With only one switch hitter (Gragnani) and one lefty (Fisher) projected in the starting lineup this could turn into a bit of a problem for Coach O'Connor. I would not at all be surprised to see a platoon develop in the outfield to see Mike Papi get more playing time. The platoon would be in left field involving Harrington, Fisher, and Papi.

Team speed has become a big strength of this team, which is good because we are losing a lot of big bats. Look for the Hoos to be much more mobile on the basepaths this year stemming mostly from Mitchell Shifflett at the top of the order. This will also lead to more tinkering from Coach O'Connor which will lead to a much more exciting style of baseball, and more intelligent too. Look for more close games where it will come down to coaching. And man does that give us the upper hand.

Quite possibly the strongest part of our team is the front end of our rotation. Kline and Crockett have a chance to be one of the best in the ACC if not the country. That being said the back end of the rotation has a lot to prove. If they can step up this team can be dangerous, if they falter, we could be in for a long season.

Prediction:

I think we have the 5th or 6th best team in the ACC this season. Georgia Tech and UNC are unbelievably stacked and will be the class of the conference. The next tier is FSU and Miami who are somewhat flawed but have the raw talent to overcome their problems. UVA and Clemson are in the 5/6 range and will most likely battle it out all season. UVA gets GT, UNC, and Clemson at home. We NEED to beat Clemson, and possibly sweep them, as well as hopefully stealing a series against GT or UNC. We have to hit the road to both Florida schools. Stealing a series there would be nice but not getting swept by both would be ideally what we should shoot for. If I had to guess I would pick us to finish 4th in the ACC and get a 2 seed in the NCAA tournament.

This entire season lies on how quickly the team can gel with it's new pieces and how well those pieces can adjust to college. If they all play up to their potential they will be great. If they struggle so will we. I think Fisher will develop nicely this season into one of our main cogs, and Howard will show flashes as well. Look for Papi to steal the job from Harrington and Gragnani to finally move to the outfield where he should be.

The Wahooze writers will be in the very underrated right field bleachers this season which is not only close to the bathrooms but also the under utilized first base line snack bar. Come sit with us!

Go Hoos