University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Picked Third In ACC By Coaches And Baseball America
January 19, 2006 | Baseball
Jan. 19, 2006
GREENSBORO, N.C. - With 19 returning letterwinners, including three preseason All-America pitchers, the University of North Carolina was predicted to finish third in the 2006 Atlantic Coast Conference baseball standings, the league office announced Thursday. The ACC's preseason poll was determined by a vote of the league's 12 head coaches.
The Tar Heels, who where 41-19-1 a year ago, received two first-place votes and 126 total points, just two less that second-place finisher Georgia Tech, which also took two first-place votes. Clemson was picked as the league favorite with eight first-place votes and 139 points.
Rounding out the ACC coaches preseason poll in predicted order of finish are Florida State (107 points), Miami (95), NC State (86), Virginia (72), Wake Forest (59), Boston College (41), Maryland (38), Virginia Tech (30) and Duke (15).
Ranked sixth nationally, Carolina was also picked to finish third in the ACC by Baseball America. Three Tar Heels found their way onto the publication's preseason All-ACC team - starting pitchers Daniel Bard and Andrew Miller, as well as shortstop Josh Horton. Miller was also named the league's preseason pitcher of the year. Also preseason All-Americas, Miller and Bard are rated as the league's top two prospects for the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft.
Additionally, Miller is rated as the nation's top junior prospect, while Bard is rated fourth in the class. Horton was ranked No. 19 in the sophomore class, while first baseman Chad Flack is rated 41st.
The Tar Heels were also well-represented in Baseball America's Best Tools of the ACC. Miller was rated as having the league's best fastball, while classmate Robert Woodard, was given the nod for best control. Horton was voted as having the league's best infield arm.
Carolina opens the 2006 season against Seton Hall Feb. 17 at Boshamer Stadium.
ACC COACHES PRESEASON POLL School Points 2005 Results 1. Clemson (8) 139 43-23, 21-9 ACC 2. Georgia Tech (2) 128 45-19, 22-8 ACC 3. North Carolina (2) 126 41-19-1, 17-10-1 ACC 4. Florida State 107 53-20, 19-11 ACC 5. Miami 95 41-19-1, 19-10-1 ACC 6. NC State 86 41-19, 17-13 ACC 7. Virginia 72 41-20, 14-14 ACC 8. Wake Forest 59 28-30, 12-18 ACC 9. Boston College 41 37-20, 17-8 Big East 10. Maryland 38 25-31, 7-23 ACC 11. Virginia Tech 30 23-28, 7-19 ACC 12. Duke 15 14-39, 5-25 ACC
