Well, we're closing in on the start of the season. So, I thought I would take a look at this weekend's opponent and see what they return and what we might face.
Pitching:
UNC returns two of their three weekend starters with J.B. Bukauskas (3.10) and Jason Morgan (4.10). Both are junior right-handers, but don't seem to pitch very similarly. Bukauskas is just 6 feet tall, but he struck out 111 hitters in just 78 innings a year ago. He was very successful with a 7-2 record. Morgan is 6'6 and struck out just 47 through 68 innings a year ago. He started 15 games but struggled to get wins and was 3-3. However, hitters did somewhat struggle against him only hitting .229. Bukauskas will be who we see on Friday afternoon. Just yesterday D1baseball ranked him the 5th best starting pitcher in college baseball behind 3 (maybe 4) pitchers we'll also face this year. (Justin Lewis (77), Sean Hjelle (94) and Zach Logue (108) also made the list). UK will also face a freshman this weekend in Luca Dalatri, who will also likely DH. The tall (6'6) righty is ranked 139th by D1baseball for starting pitchers.
One interesting thing to note about UNC is that they only have two lefty pitchers on their roster this year and both are freshmen.
Look for Brett Daniels to see a lot of work out of the bullpen. He appeared in 37 games last year and had an ERA of 2.17. Cole Akers is also possible, but I imagine he may stick as the midweek starter. Hansen Butler is another returner who threw 18 innings a year ago with a 2.00 ERA. Look for him to have a bigger role.
Hitting:
Tarheels hit .286 as a team a year ago and their best hitter, Brian Miller an OF/1B returns again this year. Miller hit .345 a year ago. He doesn't hit for the most power, but the junior gets on base and scores frequently, and is a huge threat to run with 21 stolen bases in 26 attempts a year ago. Gahagan (.297), Pate (.285), and Riley (.294) return and the last two will likely be holding down some outfield spots. Pate is a speedy guy who stole 17 of 21 bases last year. Gahagan will provide a lot of their power. Cody Roberts will be one of the best defensive catchers we face behind the plate and he hit .256 a year ago. Logan Warmoth will be their SS, he hit .337 a year ago. Here is my complete guess of how this will look for this in terms of defensive positioning:
C: Roberts
Gahagan: 1B (.297)
Freeman: 2B (Freshman)
Warmoth:SS (.337)
Datres: 3B (.250)
OF: Miller (.345)
OF: Pate (.285)
OF: Riley (.294)
DH: Dalatri (freshman)
That is a darn good hitting team. Going off last year the lineup might look like this:
Miller
Warmoth
Dalatri
Gahagan
Riley
Datres
Pate
Freeman
Roberts
Of course, this is all just my guess and I could be completely wrong. What do you guys think?
Pitching:
UNC returns two of their three weekend starters with J.B. Bukauskas (3.10) and Jason Morgan (4.10). Both are junior right-handers, but don't seem to pitch very similarly. Bukauskas is just 6 feet tall, but he struck out 111 hitters in just 78 innings a year ago. He was very successful with a 7-2 record. Morgan is 6'6 and struck out just 47 through 68 innings a year ago. He started 15 games but struggled to get wins and was 3-3. However, hitters did somewhat struggle against him only hitting .229. Bukauskas will be who we see on Friday afternoon. Just yesterday D1baseball ranked him the 5th best starting pitcher in college baseball behind 3 (maybe 4) pitchers we'll also face this year. (Justin Lewis (77), Sean Hjelle (94) and Zach Logue (108) also made the list). UK will also face a freshman this weekend in Luca Dalatri, who will also likely DH. The tall (6'6) righty is ranked 139th by D1baseball for starting pitchers.
One interesting thing to note about UNC is that they only have two lefty pitchers on their roster this year and both are freshmen.
Look for Brett Daniels to see a lot of work out of the bullpen. He appeared in 37 games last year and had an ERA of 2.17. Cole Akers is also possible, but I imagine he may stick as the midweek starter. Hansen Butler is another returner who threw 18 innings a year ago with a 2.00 ERA. Look for him to have a bigger role.
Hitting:
Tarheels hit .286 as a team a year ago and their best hitter, Brian Miller an OF/1B returns again this year. Miller hit .345 a year ago. He doesn't hit for the most power, but the junior gets on base and scores frequently, and is a huge threat to run with 21 stolen bases in 26 attempts a year ago. Gahagan (.297), Pate (.285), and Riley (.294) return and the last two will likely be holding down some outfield spots. Pate is a speedy guy who stole 17 of 21 bases last year. Gahagan will provide a lot of their power. Cody Roberts will be one of the best defensive catchers we face behind the plate and he hit .256 a year ago. Logan Warmoth will be their SS, he hit .337 a year ago. Here is my complete guess of how this will look for this in terms of defensive positioning:
C: Roberts
Gahagan: 1B (.297)
Freeman: 2B (Freshman)
Warmoth:SS (.337)
Datres: 3B (.250)
OF: Miller (.345)
OF: Pate (.285)
OF: Riley (.294)
DH: Dalatri (freshman)
That is a darn good hitting team. Going off last year the lineup might look like this:
Miller
Warmoth
Dalatri
Gahagan
Riley
Datres
Pate
Freeman
Roberts
Of course, this is all just my guess and I could be completely wrong. What do you guys think?
