University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Baseball Season Preview
February 3, 2005 | Baseball
Feb. 3, 2005
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - With a preseason ranking of No. 7 by Collegiate Baseball, a pair of preseason All-America pitchers and one of the nation's top freshman classes, expectations are high for the 2005 edition of the University of North Carolina baseball team. But this is a program used to success, as head coach Mike Fox has guided the Tar Heels to five trips to the NCAA Tournament and five 40-win seasons in his first six seasons at his alma mater.
ut in order to maintain this level of success and challenge for a trip to the College World Series, Carolina will have find the offensive production to match its talented pitching staff, which is led by sophomore starters Daniel Bard and Andrew Miller, both preseason All-Americas, and relief aces Robert Woodard and Jonathan Hovis. Many of the Tar Heels will have to adjust quickly to the college game or to new roles, as 24 of the 34 players on the roster are either freshmen or sophomores.
"Certainly, we're a team that's pitching and defense oriented," said Fox. "We have to be to start the season. From what I saw in the fall, I think we are going to be good defensively."
While Fox is confident in his pitching staff, he knows that it is not without holes. The Tar Heels have to find a No. 3 starter - likely Matt Danford or Adam Kalkhof - to pair with Bard and Miller and also will have to replace four seniors that made a combined 112 appearances out of the bullpen.
On the offensive side of things, Fox will have to fill holes left by All-Americas Marshall Hubbard and Chris Iannetta, as well as senior Sammy Hewitt. This trio accounted for 43 of the Tar Heels' 67 home runs (64.2 percent) and 200 runs batted in last season, including a single-season school record 83 by Hubbard. "We lost so much offense last year - the guys that hit three, four and five for us the majority of the year - in Chris, Marshall and Sammy," said Fox. "We lost power, we lost run production. We're not going to have anywhere near the power that we had last year. We're going to be different type of offensive team in that regard and I just don't see us making up a big run differential with big innings. Right now I don't anticipate that with this team, and that's a concern with me. Some of our freshman and sophomore hitters are going to have to step up and try to replace those guys."
Expected to carry the load of the offensive burden is junior Mike Daniel and sophomores Jay Cox and Matt Ellington, who each batted above .306 last season. "Those three guys are probably going to be hitting in the middle of the order," said Fox. "They're different type hitters (than last season's group), but they've got to help us. They've got to produce runs and they're going to be up there in more critical situations."
In addition to Daniel, Cox and Ellington, Fox will look to seniors Ross Cook, Greg Mangum, Chase Younts and Justin Webb for both leadership and increased offensive production. "Those four guys need to lead us," said Fox. "Hopefully they've saved the best years of their careers for last because that's what we're going to need out of them."
esides these veterans, the Tar Heels feature a freshman class ranked among the nation's best by Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America and, according to Fox, two or three rookies could see significant playing time. Those expected to make the most impact include third baseman Reid Fronk, shortstop Josh Horton, outfielder Seth Williams and first basemen Matt Spencer and Chad Flack.
With such a talented group of newcomers, Fox has the luxury of depth all around the diamond. "We've got a chance to have some depth," said Fox. "We've got a right-handed hitter and a left-handed hitter at almost every position. Whether or not I'll platoon at every position, I don't know yet. Certainly, if there's a situation where we face a good lefty and it might be to our advantage to put some righties in there if it doesn't hurt us defensively."
 Sophomore lefty Andrew Miller joins Daniel Bard as a preseason All-America.  |
|
STARTING PITCHING
Any discussion about the 2005 Tar Heels is likely to begin with sophomore starters Daniel Bard and Andrew Miller, a pair of preseason All-Americas who return after outstanding rookie seasons.
After posting an 8-4 record with a 3.88 earned run average and a team-best 95 innings, Bard earned ACC Freshman of the Year honors, first-team all-league status and freshman All-America accolades. The 6-4 righty can touch the mid-90s with his fastball and brings an improved slider to the table in 2005.
Miller, a 6-6 left-hander, was 6-3 last season with a 2.93 ERA, .202 opponent batting average and a team-high 88 strikeouts. He was a second-team All-ACC choice and was named the top prospect playing in the Cape Cod League last summer by Baseball America. Miller was one of the main reasons the 2004 staff posted a team ERA of 3.62, its lowest since 1990 and the 14th-best mark nationally.
"From a confidence standpoint it helps our team in that we know we're going to run two guys out there that give you a chance to win every night out," said Fox. "They can't win the game themselves of course, but it's a tremendous confidence builder every time they are out there."
Junior Adam Kalkhof and redshirt sophomore Matt Danford also figure to start and battle for the No. 3 spot in the rotation. Both are coming off injuries but should be ready to go this season. Kalkhof, who was a freshman All-America in 2003, struggled with shoulder tendonitis last season and went 2-1 with a 6.28 ERA.
Danford was outstanding as a freshman, going 3-1 with a 3.47 ERA, and is close to 100 percent according to pitching coach Roger Williams. "Matt pitched well this fall," said Fox. "He's got to step up like he did his freshman year and give us those innings."
RELIEF PITCHING
The 2005 Carolina bullpen will be faced with the task of replacing Whitley Benson, Kevin Brower, Michael Gross and Scott Senatore - four of the top nine pitchers on the Tar Heels' career appearances list. Leading the way will be sophomore Robert Woodard and junior Jonathan Hovis, who both had strong seasons in 2004.
 Junior Jonathan Hovis will be counted on as one of the Tar Heels' top relievers. |
|
Woodard went 8-2 with a 3.49 ERA and pitched in a variety of roles last season and more of the same can be expected this year. Hovis was 3-0 with a 2.75 ERA in 22 appearances and is slated to work middle to short relief situations as a set-up man.
According to Fox, the work from the pen will be key for his team. "Jonathan Hovis, Matt Danford, Adam Kalkhof, Robert Woodard and a couple of freshmen will be the key for us," said Fox. "Daniel and Andrew are going to give us some great outings ... but the game is won - if it's close and a lot of ours are going to be - in the last three innings. Right now I'm more concerned about who's out there to finish the games that with who's starting. That's always been my philosophy.
It's a great comfort - don't get me wrong - to have those guys (Bard and Miller). But they are just two out of a staff of nine or 10 guys that are going to throw a number of innings. The other seven or eight need to step up. They have some big shoes to fill."
One player who has appeared to step it up is Norwich, Conn., freshman Andrew Carignan, who is getting a look for the closer role left open by Michael Gross' departure. "He's got a great arm and used to be a catcher. He has that catcher's mentality," said Fox. "He had some flashes of greatness this fall and then some not so great. But that's natural for a freshman."
Adding depth to the pen will be senior Bryan Phillips, as well as freshmen Matt Spencer, who will get some work against lefties, Tyler Trice, Andy Gale, Mike Facchinei and Seth Williams. Redshirt freshman Rob Wooten is back after missing 2004 with a shoulder injury.
CATCHER
One of Carolina's most versatile players over the last three seasons, senior Justin Webb is expected to work behind the plate for much of 2005. Webb, who batted .281 in 46 games last season, steps into the spot vacated by Johnny Bench Award finalist Chris Iannetta, a fourth-round draft choice of the Colorado Rockies last June. "Justin has played all over the field for us but with us losing Chris Iannetta, we need an athletic guy back there and Justin will do well," said Fox. "He's very capable behind there but does not have the same body type as Chris ... so the key to for us is to keep him healthy."
 Senior Justin Webb is slated to catch in 2005. |
|
When Webb is given a breather at catcher, expect Pittsboro, N.C., freshman Benji Johnson to get the nod. Johnson was a two-time all-state choice at Northwood High School. Rookie Matt Iannetta, the younger brother of Chris, adds important depth at the position.
FIRST BASE
The first base position is completely up for grabs entering the spring, with six guys in the mix to earn playing time. According to Fox, "it's going to be the guy that steps up offensively" that ultimately gets the nod.
Fifth-year senior Wes Moyer appears much improved defensively and has experience, starting 15 games at first a year ago and batting .253 with 14 runs batted in. Sophomore Brack Massey also saw limited action a year ago and made five starts at first. A pair of freshmen, right-hander Chad Flack and left-hander Matt Spencer also figure into the rotation. Flack was a prep All-America at East Rutherford High School and set the North Carolina state record with 18 home runs as a senior. Spencer, also a high school All-America and a native of Morristown, Tenn., was a 24th-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in last year's draft.
Matt Ellington, Craig Corrado and Justin Webb could also see time at first at some point during the season.
SECOND BASE
Senior Greg Mangum, who picked up second-team All-ACC honors a year ago, "is entrenched at second base," according to Fox. A year ago, Mangum batted in the leadoff spot and hit .308 with 24 RBI, 57 runs and a team-high 16 stolen bases. He has also proven to be extremely durable and has played in a team-best 116 straight games. A solid defensive player, Mangum can also play shortstop and could even see some action in center field if needed.
Sophomore Bryan Steed, who started 39 games at second last season while Mangum played short, adds depth at both middle infield positions this year. He batted .252 and drove in 17 runs as a rookie.
THIRD BASE
Charlotte freshman Reid Fronk has claimed the third base job and did so with an impressive showing during fall practice. "Reid has a chance to be a really, really good player," said Fox. "We're just going to throw him in there. He might be the first true third baseman we've had here - that's his position. He feels comfortable over there. He's got to get better on the tough plays, but I think he'll make the routine play." A former prep teammate of Daniel Bard at Charlotte Christian, Fronk was a preseason All-America in 2004 and two-time all-state selection.
Classmate Chad Flack can also play third, as well as sophomore Bryan Steed, senior Justin Webb and freshman Kyle Shelton.
SHORTSTOP
Both sophomore Craig Corrado and freshman Josh Horton are in the mix to earn the starting nod at shortstop. "Craig and Josh are battling it out at short, and that's going to be a great battle in the preseason," Fox said. "Both are very capable. Craig had that job last year and struggled offensively and that carried over defensively. He's improved dramatically. He got in the weight room and took it as a challenge. He's gotten stronger and put on some weight."
Horton was a highly-touted recruit from nearby Orange High School. He earned preseason and postseason All-America honors from Louisville Slugger as a senior and was a two-time all-state choice.
Freshman Kyle Shelton is a solid defensive player who can play all three infield positions.
LEFT FIELD
A starter for much of his outstanding rookie season in 2004, sophomore Jay Cox is expected to man left field once again this season and hit somewhere in the middle of the order. A native of Smithfield, N.C., Cox batted .329 with three homers and 24 RBI a year ago. "Jay Cox had a really good year for us, especially offensively, and that's his forte," said Fox. "He needs to improve the other facets of his game, which he worked on in the fall." Cox could also see time in right field.
Two of the Tar Heels steadiest bats, junior Mike Daniel and redshirt sophomore Matt Ellington, who is much improved defensively, could also see time in left.
 Senior Chase Younts returns in center field for UNC. |
|
CENTER FIELD
Veteran Chase Younts, who finished 2004 on a tear, is the likely starter in center field. A year ago, he hit .311 with 21 RBI. His four homers last season are tops among returnees in 2005. "Chase is the frontrunner in center," said Fox. "He's a fifth-year senior, who was a walk-on here, and has worked his way up. He brings intensity and fire. He'll give you everything he's got."
Junior Blair Waggett, the fastest player on the Carolina roster, adds depth in center.
RIGHT FIELD
Fox expects junior Mike Daniel and freshman Seth Williams to each see significant time in right field. Daniel had a solid sophomore campaign a year ago, batting .320 with 16 doubles, two homers and 20 RBI for the season. He earned a spot on the all-tournament team at the NCAA Columbia Regional. Daniel can play all three outfield positions and boosted his average over 70 points from 2003 to 2004. Fox would like to see continued improvement.
Williams, is a big, strong freshman from Hendersonville, N.C., who could add needed power to the Tar Heel line-up when on the field. According to Fox, he is will get some playing time. A two-way player, Williams should also get some work out of the UNC bullpen this season.
DESIGNATED HITTER
Redshirt sophomore Matt Ellington should figure into the mix at designated hitter. He hit .306 last season after missing 2003 due to back surgery and is the Tar Heels' leading returning run producer with 27 RBI in '04. Ellington had 28 starts at DH a year ago.
Senior Ross Cook should also see some time at DH after batting .343 in 46 games, including 18 starts at DH, last season. Jay Cox could also DH when not playing in the outfield.
