Virginia lost to Vanderbilt, 3-2, Wednesday in Game 3 of the College World Series finals.
This is old news now and I don't want to dwell too long on the bad. The Cavaliers missed out on a bases-loaded opportunity in the eighth inning, scoring zero runs while down 3-2 and never even got anyone on base in the ninth inning.
In the series, the Cavaliers outhit the Commodores, 33-18, the worst stat of the entire finals for me, personally. Despite that, though, if it weren't for Nathan Kirby's third-inning implosion in Game 1, UVa would have won the series. And Virginia almost came back and won that game, anyway.
But, let's move on. It was still Virginia's most successful baseball season in its history. Who's leaving? Who's coming back? In college baseball, only juniors can get drafted (and of course seniors). The other option for baseball players is to turn pro immediately after high school. They can get drafted then, too.
Who's back
Starting weekend rotation
Nathan Kirby: will be a junior
Brandon Waddell: will be a junior
Josh Sborz: will be a junior
Other starting pitchers
Alec Bettinger: will be a sophomore
Bullpen (five or more appearances)
David Rosenberger: will be a junior
Connor Jones: will be a sophomore
Kevin Doherty: will be a junior
Cameron Tekker: will be a junior
Position players
Third baseman Kenny Towns: will be a senior, was not drafted this year
Right fielder Joe McCarthy: will be a junior
Shortstop Daniel Pinero: will be a sophomore
Second catcher Robbie Coman: will be a sophomore
Designated hitter John La Prise: will be a junior
Who's not back (at least most likely)
Other starting pitchers
Artie Lewicki: was drafted as a fifth-year senior by the Tigers and graduated
Bullpen (five or more appearances)
Nick Howard: was drafted as a junior by the Reds
Austin Young: not drafted but signed with Angels as free agent and graduated
Whit Mayberry: drafted by the Tigers and graduated
Position players
First baseman Mike Papi: drafted as a junior by the Indians
Second baseman Branden Cogswell: drafted as a junior by the Athletics
Left fielder Derek Fisher: drafted as a junior by the Astros
Center fielder Brandon Downes: drafted as a junior by the Royals
Primary catcher Nate Irving: drafted as a junior (though he was drafted late and there is a chance he could return) by the Diamondbacks
So, Virginia has a decent amount to replace but has some power returning in the form of Kenny Towns. John La Prise is also a gifted hitter and should get better. Matt Thaiss, a freshman this season, is another player who hit well and could slide into the DH spot if La Prise takes up a field position. The weekend rotation comes back intact, which is a big deal, but the bullpen loses experience in Whit Mayberry and Nick Howard. Also gone is starter/long reliever Artie Lewicki.
It actually looks like we're getting back a lot more than we're losing. The strength of this year's team was pitching and defense, and if the we retool the bullpen and not suffer as big a drop-off on offense, we'll be fine. This program doesn't rebuild, it reloads.
ReplyDeleteThere should be zero drop off in starting pitching (at least weekend) and it could get ever better. The offense might take a step back, but apparently the class we have coming in could be special so who knows, maybe we could see an uptick in offense by the end of the year. This year's offense kind of under performed for much of the season, really.
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