66. JAMES MADISON

2008 RECORD. Overall: 39-19 (Advanced to NCAA regionals). Conference: 20-9 / 2^nd in Colonial Athletic Association.

Coach: Spanky McFarland (343-283, 12^th season.

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 vs. Southern Illinois at Conway, S.C. (Caravelle Resort Tournament).

 

OVERVIEW: James Madison captured its first CAA tournament championship last year and the heart of that team returns, although the main power sources--1B Steve Caseres (.342-21-70) and OF Brett Sellers (.410-17-55)—must be replaced. RHP Turner Phelps became the ace of the pitching staff as a freshman and has two other starters back to support him in this year’s rotation, but it may be another year before James Madison’s pitching staff truly becomes the team’s strength. Not only would Phelps be back in 2010, but 6-foot-6 RHP Kurt Houck (7-2, 4.90) will return after missing this season with Tommy John surgery. Moreover, ex-Virginia LHP Sean Tierney will be available to pitch after sitting out this season while in the process of transferring, and both emerging sophomore RHP Kevin Munson (the team’s hardest thrower) and freshman RHP Evan Scott (the team’s best recruit) will be that much farther along the development curve. Munson and Tierney, and possibly Phelps, project as early-round picks in 2010, and Scott in 2011.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Brett Garner, Sr. (.255-4-23).

1B: Trevor Knight (3), So. (.360-3-28).

2B: Mike Fabiaschi, Jr. (.248-1-20).

3B: McKinnon Langston, So. (.306-1-36).

SS: David Herbek, So. (.306-3-18).

LF: Matt Townsend, Sr. (.364-2-7).

CF: Alex Foltz (1), Jr. (.355-7-38, *19 SB).

RF: Matt Browning (4), Jr. (.286-8-37).

DH: Lee Bujakowski, Sr. (.230-2-18).

1/Starter: Turner Phelps, So. (*8-0, 3.87; 76 IP/*86 SO).

2/Starter: Kyle Hoffman, Jr. (6-5, 6.64, *85 IP/75 SO).

3/Starter: Justin Wood, Sr. (4-3, 5.53, 68 IP/45 SO).

Closer: Trevor Knight, So. (7-3, 6.25, *6 SV; 31 IP/47 SO) / Kevin Munson, So. (2-0, *2.84, 4 SV, 32 IP/34 SO).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Alex Foltz.

Best Overall Hitter: Trevor Knight.

Best Power Hitter: Evan Scott.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Mike Fabiaschi.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Alex Foltz (6.4 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Kent Burford.

Best Defender: Alex Foltz.

Best Infield Arm: David Herbek.

Best Outfield Arm: Matt Townsend.

Best Fastball (velocity): Kevin Munson (96 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Trevor Knight.

Best Changeup: Justin Wood.

Best Command: Justin Wood.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Evan Scott, rhp. Scott was both recruited by James Madison and drafted by the Los Angeles Angels (37^th round) as a pitcher, but the Dukes coaching staff got an unexpected bonus in the fall when the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Virginia high-school product grabbed a bat and quickly showed off the best raw power on the team. Not only will he be used as the team’s primary mid-week starter this spring, but he’s now also expected to see some potentially-extensive time as a DH. Scott, one of the team’s top recruits in recent years, has a clean delivery on the mound and can run his fastball consistently into the 90-93 mph range.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Kevin Munson, rhp. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Munson had a respectable freshman year for the Dukes, but his better days are clearly ahead of him as his fastball has been clocked up to 96 mph. He and fellow sophomore Trevor Knight won nine games, saved 10 more and walked just 17 while striking out 81 between them in 63 innings a year ago, and will again form a potentially-lethal closer tandem.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Alex Foltz, of. The Dukes’ top returning hitter and base stealer, Foltz is a top-notch athlete (all-state in three sports in high school) with game-changing speed. He excels as a leadoff hitter and defensive center fielder on the strength of the one tool.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Brett Garner, c. Garner is a solid defender with good catch-and-throws skills. His challenge will be figuring out how to hit with more authority.

--JEFF SIMPSON