80. UC RIVERSIDE
2008 RECORD. Overall: 21-33.
Conference: 14-10 / 3rd in
Big West Conference.
Coach: Doug Smith (116-106,
5th season).
First Game, 2009: Feb.
20 at
California
.
OVERVIEW: After a 38-win
season and first-place finish in the tough Big West Conference a year earlier, UC
Riverside got off to a slow start against a rugged schedule in 2008. But the Highlanders
finished strong in conference play and return all but two regulars along with their
entire starting rotation. Of most significance, they should expect a vastly better
season from junior closer Joe Kelly, whose mid-90s heat makes him one of the harder
throwing pitchers in the college ranks. He’ll have to return to his Freshman All-America
form (3-1, 1.32, 6 SV) in order for the Highlanders to finish in the top half of
the Big West.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
C: Jordan Opdyke, Sr. (.239-2-12).
1B: Brian McConkey, Jr.
(.392-2-36 at Cuesta,
Calif.
, JC).
2B: Brian Horst, So. (.300-0-6).
3B: Ryan Goetz, Jr. (.265-1-33).
SS: Trevor Hairgrove, So.
(.278-0-6).
LF: Michael Hur (4). Jr
(.350-6-46 at
Riverside, Calif.
, CC).
CF: Carl Uhl (1), Sr. (.272-2-23,
*23 SB).
RF: Joey Gonzales (3),
Jr. (.330-4-29, 15 SB).
DH: Mike Nesbitt, Jr. (.375-1-21
at
Cypress, Calif.
, JC).
1/Starter: Paul Bargas,
Jr. (2-5, 6.19, *75 IP/35 SO).
2/Starter: Paul Applebee,
Jr. (3-5, *4.46, 74 IP/*55 SO).
3/Starter: Matt Larkins,
So. (*6-5, 6.79, 62 IP/34 SO).
Closer: Joe Kelly (2-1,
9.35, *6 SV, 17 IP/8 SO).
BEST TOOLS
Best Athlete: Joe Kelly.
Best Overall Hitter: Joey
Gonzales.
Best Power Hitter: Michael
Hur.
Best Strike-Zone Discipline:
Brian McConkey.
Fastest Base Runner (60 time):
Carl Uhl (6.6 seconds).
Best Base Runner: Carl
Uhl.
Best Defender: Trevor Hairgrove.
Best Infield Arm: Bryan
Horst.
Best Outfield Arm: Michael
Hur.
Best Fastball (velocity):
Joe Kelly (97 mph).
Best Breaking Ball: Matt
Andriese.
Best Changeup: Paul Bargas.
Best Command: Paul Applebee.
TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT:
Mike Andriese, rhp. Andriese, a 37th-round
pick of the Texas Rangers, will start the spring in a long-relief/swing role but
could have a major impact on the UC Riverside staff by the end of the season. His
fastball touches 91 mph and he has an excellent curveball.
TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT:
Trevor Hairgrove, ss / Eddie Orozco, rhp.
Hairgrove doesn’t offer much with the bat yet but is a slick-fielding shortstop
who has already become a leader on the older UCR roster after winning a starting
job as a freshman. A 31st-round draft pick of the
Chicago White Sox in 2007, Orozco was expected to contribute immediately at UC Riverside.
But he failed badly as a freshman, going just 0-2, 9.76 while used both as a mid-week
starter and reliever. In 28 innings, he allowed 65 base runners (54 hits, 11 walks)
and struck out 21. But there’s still significant hope for Orozco as he pitched much
more to expectations last summer in the West Coast League, contributing a 3-1, 1.75
record with 38 strikeouts in 36 innings, while allowing only 28 hits and 11 walks.
Orozco relies mostly on command, feel and pitchability for his success, and he was
vastly superior on all counts last summer than in the spring. His fastball is sneaky
fast at 89-91 mph, and his slider and changeup are solid secondary pitches.
TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Joe Kelly, rhp.
Kelly regressed as a sophomore as command issues and the lack of a reliable breaking
ball hampered him. He can juice his fastball up to 97 mph and his slider, a second
potential equalizer pitch, will flash potential if not consistency. More than anything,
needs better command of his fastball.
TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Carl Uhl, of. The switch-hitting Uhl is
an effective leadoff hitter and led the Highlanders in walks, stolen bases and runs
scored in that role as a junior. His raw speed also makes him an above-average center
fielder.
--DAVID RAWNSLEY