COLLEGE BASEBALL 2008

11. NORTH CAROLINA
2007 RECORD. Overall: 57-16 (advanced to College World Series). Conference: 21-9 (1^st/Atlantic Coast-Coastal).
Coach: Mike Fox (398-176, 9 years).
First Game, 2008: Feb. 22 at No. 67 Florida Atlantic.

OVERVIEW: The Tar Heels advanced to the College World Series championship round in both of the last two years against Oregon State, only to come up empty-handed both times. They are primed for another run at the elusive national title as they return a lot of key parts from 2007. The Tar Heels have another deep pitching staff, led by sophomore RHP Alex White and junior RHP Adam Warren, who will become the top two starters. They also return seven starting position players, led by sophomore 1B-OF Dustin Ackley, the nation’s top freshman a year ago; junior C Tim Federowicz, who will also close on occasion; and sophomore 2B Kyle Seager, sophomore OF Tim Fedroff and senior OF Seth Williams. Ackley is one of the nation’s purest hitters and should have little trouble duplicating his success as a freshman, but the ability of White, a projected first-rounder in 2009, to pitch consistently to his potential as the No. 1 starter, will be a critical development.

X-Factor: The Tar Heels are counting on the return to form of senior 3B Chad Flack, who hit .384-13-68 with an Atlantic Coast Conference-leading 112 hits as a sophomore only to suffer a dramatic falloff as a junior, resulting in his going undrafted. Flack got off to a slow start last year while moving from first base to third, and began to press under the weight of the draft and the high expectations he set a year earlier. He never got untracked, but starts with a clean slate this year.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
C: Tim Federowicz (4), Jr. (.333-4-65).
1B: Kyle Shelton, Sr. (.262-0-10).
2B: Kyle Seager (1), So. (.308-2-30).
3B: Chad Flack, Sr. (.247-7-46).
SS: Garrett Gore, Jr. (.324-2-27).
LF: Dustin Ackley (3), So. (*.402-10-*74).
CF: Seth Williams, Sr. (.293-9-42).
RF: Tim Fedroff, So. (.344-5-41).
DH: Ben Bunting, Fr. (HS—Randleman, N.C.).
1/Starter: Alex White/R, So. (6-7, 4.94).
2/Starter: Adam Warren/R, Jr. (12-0, 2.17).
3/Starter: Matt Harvey/R, Fr. (HS—Mystic, Conn.).
Closer: Rob Wooten/R, Sr. (6-1, 2.35, 0 SV).
Projected leadoff hitter (1), No. 3 hitter (3) and cleanup hitter (4) noted
KEY PLAYER LOST: Josh Horton, ss (.335-9-53).
*2007 team leader

BEST TOOLS
Best Athlete: Tim Fedroff.
Best Overall Hitter: Dustin Ackley.
Best Power Hitter: Tim Federowicz.
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Dustin Ackley.
Fastest Base Runner: Mike Cavasinni.
Best Base Runner: Kyle Seager.
Best Defender: Garrett Gore, ss.
Best Infield Arm: Garrett Gore, ss.
Best Outfield Arm: Tim Fedroff.
Best Fastball (velocity): Alex White/Tim Federowicz (95 mph).
Best Breaking Ball: Rob Wooten.
Best Changeup: Matt Harvey.
Best Command: Rob Wooten.

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Matt Harvey, rhp. Harvey was targeted as a probable first-round pick most of the 2007 high school season, but concerns about his signability as the draft drew near sent him tumbling to the third round, where he was selected by the Los Angeles Angels. That pretty much sealed the deal that Harvey would honor his commitment to North Carolina, and he enters the 2008 season as the nation’s No. 1-ranked freshman. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound righthander will be brought along slowly by the Tar Heels, but he has the ability to make a significant impact. His fastball is in the 90-92 mph range and can touch 95, while his curve and changeup are above-average pitches.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Alex White, rhp. White was erratic as a freshman, both in school and summer ball, but flashed electric stuff with a heavy fastball in the 91-94 mph range, topping at 95, and a late-breaking slider. He still needs to develop a reliable third pitch. Few college pitchers have more obvious athletic ability—or stuff—on the mound than the 6-foot-3, 185-pound White, who ascends to the No. 1 starter’s job as a sophomore.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Tim Federowicz, c. As a catcher and part-time closer, Federowicz was an instrumental part of UNC’s back-to-back CWS runner-up teams. Not only does he swing the bat with authority and will hit in the heart of the order, but he controls the running game with a strong arm and quick release. In limited opportunities on the mound, his fastball has been clocked up to 95 mph.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Chad Flack, 3b. Flack’s troubles as a junior have been documented, but he has the natural ability to rebound close to his sophomore form. He just needs to learn not to be so pull-conscious and be more patient in waiting for pitches he can drive to all fields. He is a superior defender at first base, his position as a sophomore, but is considered adequate by third-base standards.

--ALLAN SIMPSON