8. GEORGIA

2008 RECORD. Overall: 45-25 (Advanced to College World Series). Conference: 20-9 /1^st in SEC (East).

Coach: Dave Perno (251-184, 8^th season).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 14 vs. Youngstown State .

 

OVERVIEW: The Bulldogs came up just short of a national title in 2008, losing out in the College World Series championship round to upstart Fresno State , but there is still plenty of talent on hand for them to make another run this season. Shortstop Gordon Beckham (.411-28-77) and ace closer Josh Fields (3-2, 3.38, 18 SV, 37 IP/63 SO) were first-round picks and have departed, but the draft overall was relatively kind to the Bulldogs. Not only did RHP Trevor Holder turn down a 10^th-round offer from the Florida Marlins to return as the team’s ace, but Georgia ended up with a pair of unsigned third-round recruits, as well, in 1B-OF Chase Davidson and OF Zach Cone. And yet those players, for all their obvious talent, may play less-significant roles in 2009 for the Bulldogs than freshmen RHPs Cecil Tanner and Michael Palazzone, both lower-round selections with significant upside that were also part of a banner Georgia recruiting crop.

 

PROJECTED 2009 STARTING LINEUP

C: Bryce Massanari (4), Sr. (.325-11-65).

1B: Rich Poythress (3), Jr. (.374-15-75, *22 2B).

2B: Levi Hyams, Fr. (HS—Stafford, Va.).

3B: Colby May, Fr. (HS—Guyton, Ga).

SS: Michael Demperio, Jr. (.238-2-16).

LF: Jonathan Taylor (1), Fr. (HS—Acworth, Ga.).

CF: Matt Cerione, Jr. (.303-7-33, 12 SB).

RF: Chase Davidson, Fr. (Astros/3^rd round).

DH: Joey Lewis, Jr. (.264-8-38).

1/Starter: Trevor Holder, Sr. (*8-4, 4.41, *98 IP/*68 SO).

2/Starter: Alex McRee, Jr. (7-1, 3.98, 61 IP/65 SO).

3/Starter: Justin Grimm, So. (0-1, 10.91, 31 IP/27 SO).

Closer: Dean Weaver, Jr. (6-1, 4.24, 1 SV, 51 IP/47 SO).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Matt Cerione.

Best Overall Hitter: Rich Poythress.

Best Power Hitter: Rich Poythress.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Jonathan Taylor.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Zach Cone (6.4 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Jonathan Taylor.

Best Defender: Michael Demperio.

Best Infield Arm: Michael Demperio.

Best Outfield Arm: Peter Verdin.

Best Fastball (velocity): Cecil Tanner (96 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Michael Palazzone.

Best Changeup: Trevor Holder.

Best Command: Dean Weaver.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Cecil Tanner, rhp / Chase Davidson, of. Tanner, a 36^th-round selection of the Atlanta Braves in last year’s draft, is arguably the biggest catch in the Bulldogs outstanding recruiting class. Though he’s been penciled in as the fourth starter this year, he could play a more prominent role over the next three years than any of Georgia ’s other, higher-profile newcomers. The 6-foot-6, 205-pound Tanner has some of the best stuff on the Bulldogs staff, with a fastball up to 96 mph and a sharp slider. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Davidson has enormous power, and it could play immediately—especially with Davidson slated to start in right field.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Justin Grimm, rhp. Off his 2008 performance, it might seem surprising for Grimm to be handed a job as a weekend starter this spring for the Bulldogs. But when it comes to raw stuff, Grimm can match almost anyone. His fastball routinely reaches the mid-90’s and he complements it with a sharp breaking ball. Grimm, a 13^th-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in 2007, just needs to repeat his delivery more consistently and manage a game better, but his upside is very high here.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Alex McRee, lhp. At 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, and armed with a fastball that is a steady 91-95 mph, the potential is there for a breakthrough year for McRee. He also has a tight breaking ball and solid changeup, and he has the potential to work his way close to the first round of this year’s draft if he throws strikes more consistently than in 2008, when he averaged a walk every two innings.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Trevor Holder, rhp. The Bulldogs’ hopes for a return visit to Omaha got a big boost when Holder, last year’s ace, decided to return for his senior season. Besides being an excellent competitor, Holder’s fastball sits around 90 mph and he supplements it with an above-average changeup. He’s also added a slider to his repertoire this year.

--JEFF SIMPSON