55. GEORGE MASON

2008 RECORD. Overall: 30-25. Conference: 18-10 / 3^rd in Colonial Athletic Association.

Coach: Bill Brown (753-684, 28^th season).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 at USC-Upstate.

                                  

OVERVIEW: The Patriots may be the most experienced team in the country as they return every regular (all upperclassmen), as well as every pitcher of note except one starter. Among the everyday players the Patriots welcome back are junior 1B Justin Bour and senior OF Scott Krieger, who were 1-2 on the team in batting, home runs and RBIs. The pitching staff isn’t just experienced but has been significantly bolstered by the addition of two prominent red-shirt juniors in closer Jordan Flasher, who returns after missing last season with Tommy John surgery, and Kevin Crum, who steps in as the No. 1 starter after sitting out 2008 while transferring from Virginia Military. Interestingly, both Flasher and Crum set single-season records for saves as sophomores at their respective schools in 2007—with 14 in each case.

 

PROJECTED 2009 STARTING LINEUP

C: Chris Henderon, Jr. (.339-5-41).

1B: Justin Bour (4), Jr. (*.398-15-*65).

2B: Ryan Soares, Jr. (.315-7-49).

3B: Mark Hill, Jr. (.300-6-41).

SS: Brent Weiss, Sr. (.229-0-21).

LF: Scott Krieger (3), Sr. (.381-*21-60).

CF: Spencer Wiggins (1), Sr. (.289-1-24, *12 SB).

RF: Ryan Uphouse, Sr. (.281-7-25).

DH: Josh Steinberg, Jr. (.342-0-17).

1/Starter: Kevin Crum, Jr. (Did not play in 2008; 3-4, 5.56; 14 SV at VMI in 2007).

2/Starter: Mike Modica, Sr. (4-5, 7.09, *72 IP/*78 SO).

3/Starter: Dan Gerjets, Jr. (6-3, 5.16, 68 IP/43 SO).

Closer: Jordan Flasher, Jr. (Did not play in 2008; 2-4, 2.84; 14 SV in 2007).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Ryan Uphouse.

Best Overall Hitter: Justin Bour.

Best Power Hitter: Scott Krieger.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Chris Henderson.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Josh Turner (6.4 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Ryan Uphouse.

Best Defender: Ryan Soares.

Best Infield Arm: Ryan Soares.

Best Outfield Arm: Ryan Uphouse.

Best Fastball (velocity): Jordan Flasher (95 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Mike Modica.

Best Changeup: Shawn Griffith.

Best Command: Dan Gerjets.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Josh Turner, of. A high-school All-American in track, Turner is undoubtedly one of the fastest players in the country with 6.4-second speed in the 60. Speed is obviously the key component in his game, but he is a little raw in terms of his overall baseball development and may not see much action in 2009 on a largely-set roster.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Shane Davis, of. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Davis , the son of ex-big leaguer Jerry Davis, is one of the best athletes on the GMU roster, but like Turner, he may find the playing time he needs to fully exploit his ability hard to come by in an outfield backed up in senior talent. A switch-hitter with above-average bat speed, Davis hit .217-1-15 a year ago, but got just 92 at-bats.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Jordan Flasher, rhp: Flasher was lost for the year in 2008 after injuring his elbow in the first inning of his first outing. Though just 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, he is a fierce competitor with an electric arm that was capable of launching a fastball in the 92-94 mph range prior to his injury. His 12-to-6 curveball also is a plus pitch. Even with his season-ending injury, Flasher was drafted in the 39^th round by the Toronto Blue Jays. If he can prove he’s healthy this spring and his raw stuff returns, he could rocket up draft boards.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Scott Krieger, of: With 20 home runs in 2007 and 21 a year ago, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Krieger has broken the school home-run record both of the last two years. His raw power is readily apparent, but he will need to cut down on an alarming strikeout rate as he has fanned 139 times over the past two years. His other tools are playable as he has good raw arm strength in the outfield and average speed.

--JEFF SIMPSON