Monday June 11, 2007

2008 Baseball Notes

2008 Baseball Notes
Clemson’s 2006-07 athletic year came to a close this past weekend when the baseball team and track team concluded their seasons.

Here is what I could see for the 2008 baseball team:

Starting Pitching
Starting pitching should take a hit with the MLB Draft.
*Daniel Moskos is gone after being the fourth overall pick to the Pirates.
*David Kopp is also gone after he went in the second round to the Cardinals.
*P.J. Zocchi went in the 36th round to the Indians
*Signee Josh Smoker was a first round pick of the Nationals

Rothlin should come to college and Zocchi should come back after being a late pick. I would think Ryan Hinson, D.J. Mitchell, Graham Stoneburner and Zocchi should get the early looks from the starting rotation standpoint. Matt Zoltek and Matt Vaughn could also get long looks in the fall.

Bullpen
The bullpen also hit by the draft.
*Alan Farina went in the third round to the Blue Jays.
*Stephen Clyne went in the third round to the Mets
*Signee Trent Rothlin went in the 35th round to the Mariners

This group could be a work in progress. William Bond, Chris Fidrych, Alex Martin, Craig Gullickson and Casey Harmon will give Clemson a pretty good group of relievers from the left side. Justin Sarratt, Brock Schnabel, Josh Thrailkill, Trey Delk, Justin Poovey and Trent Rothlin are right-handers that could be helped with the guys that are mentioned above that will not be starters.

Catcher
Doug Hogan had a nice year and the junior will have a big decision to make after being drafted in the 16th round by the Indians. If he goes Buddy Monroe has promise. Adam Ward and John Nester will also be in the mix.

Infield
The draft and graduation hurts here also.
*1B Andy D’Alessio went in the 19th round to the Giants
*3B Marquez Smith went in the eighth round to the Cubs
*SS/2B Taylor Harbin went in the eighth round to the D-Backs
*SS Stan Widmann went to the 39th round to the Athletics
*Signee SS Nick Noonan was a first round pick of the Giants
*Signee SS Jacob Smolinski was the 70th overall pick of Washington
*JUCO signee 3B Kyle Miller went in the 21st round to the Astros

The inside track on the job at first base belongs to Ben Paulson. He looked good at times in his freshman season. Second base will depend on Widmann’s health and Harbin’s decision. I would think that Harbin is gone but it will be interesting. The staff will not know Widmann’s situation until next spring. If either does not play then J.D. Burgess will once again man second base. If neither can play freshman John Hinson will get a look. Third base could belong to Kyle Miller if he turns down 21st round money. If not then your guess is as good as mine. I could see Paulson or Tim Morris being a factor there.

Outfield
This could be a strength of the 2008 Tigers.
*Brad Chalk went in the second round to the Padres
*Chris Epps went in the 28th round to the White Sox
*Jeff Schaus was a 35th round pick of the Rangers

Chalk is gone but almost everyone else should return. Addison Johnson, Wilson Boyd, D.J. Mitchell, Alex Lee, Chris Epps, Jeff Schaus and Alex Burg give the Tigers depth.

Clemson fans cringe on draft day and this year was no different. Eleven current Tigers and seven signees were drafted. Below are just my guesses:

Seniors-Clyne, D’Alessio, Smith.

Will Sign-Moskos, Kopp, Smoker, Farina, Chalk, Smolinski, Noonan

Will Be in Clemson in the Fall-Widmann, Miller, Epps, Schaus, Zocchi, Rothlin

On the Fence-Harbin, Hogan

The keys to next year’s team will be Zocchi’s return, Widmann’s health, Miller coming to school, Harbin and Hogan’s decision and the development of young players.

The 2008 Tigers will be extremely young and this will be a big summer from a personnel standpoint. Coach Leggett and his staff will have the fall practice but at this time there are more questions than answers.

864-834-6060

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency