College World Series Preview
-Dexter Sports
5:32 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
The College World Series is upon us and the Road to Omaha pounds on. We have some great teams in this field, and some surprises. The CWS is broken into two brackets that meet up in the final. Lets Start with Bracket 1.
University of Miami (52-9 #1 Nationally) -
Key Players:
Yonder Alonso, 1B (Drafted 7th overall in first round by the Reds) - Alonso is the power in the middle of the lineup for the Hurricanes. His 23 HRs and 71 RBIs led the team. Alonso is also a great fielder at first and one of the prominent leaders on this highly favored team.
Jemile Weeks, 2B (Drafted 12 overall in the first round by the A's) - Weeks is part of a top of the order tandem that has killed collegiate pitching. Brother of Brewers' second baseman Rickie Weeks, Jemile has a lot of speed on the base paths. He was second on the team in stolen bases (21).
Blake Terkotte, CF (Drafted 101 overall in the third round by the Padres) - Terkotte has been a spark at the top of the order, hitting .374 with a .470 OBP. He led the team with 26 stolen bases.
Chris Hernandez, SP - The Freshman has been nothing short of dominant this season. Hernandez is 11-0 with a 2.98 ERA. What is most impressive is his ability to shut down hitters. He has an amazing 112/17 strikeout to walk ratio. He will be key to Miami's success. He is a favorite as a top pick in the first round of the 2009 Draft.
Carlos Gutierrez, CL (Drafted 27 overall in the first round by the Twins) - The Hurricanes will depend on Gutierrez to shut the door down in the late innings. He has 13 saves this season and does not wear down over a whole series.
Overview:
The Hurricanes are ranked # 1 for a reason. This team has all the talent to win it all, and should have a lot of success early in this bracket. They will have a lot of competition from Florida State and Georgia. It is national championship or bust for this club.
University of Georgia (41-31-1 #8 Nationally) -
Key Players:
Gordon Beckham, SS (Drafted 8 overall in the first round by the White Sox) - Beckham is the meat and potatoes of the Georgia lineup. He leads this team in HRs, (27) RBIs, (72) Stolen Bases, (17) and Average (.400). He has the ability to take over a game with his offense and makes his teammates better because of his presence.
Trevor Holder, RHP (Drafted 298 overall in the tenth round by the Marlins) - Holder will have to anchor this staff with some really good outings for this team to win. His first opponent, the Hurricanes are a tough offense, but many believe he has the stuff to shut them down. He has a very good changeup and doesn't walk hitters. With a great bullpen, Holder only needs to throw 5 solid innings per start.
Joshua Fields, RHP (Drafted 20 overall in the first round by the Mariners) - Fields is arguably the best closer in college baseball. He has picked up 16 saves for this club and though he sometimes struggles with his control, his fastball can get him out of any jam.
Overview:
There are a lot of "ifs" that will need to be answered if the Bulldogs want to pull out of this tourney. Gordon Beckham will have to be hitting the ball well and the starting pitching has to keep the offense in the ballgame. If this team catches fire they could upset Florida State and Miami. Their first round match up with Miami could tell the story of how they will play in this bracket.
Florida State (54-12 #4 Nationally) -
Key Players:
Buster Posey, C (Drafted 5 overall in the first round by the Giants) - Posey's importance is obvious. He is a utility player that can be all over the field if you need it. His .460 average is mind blowing and his 92 RBIs have all been timely for the Seminoles. His directing behind the plate will also be important for Florida State pitchers.
Tony Delmonico, SS (Drafted 187 in the sixth round by the Dodgers) - Delmonico has been a big part of the Seminole offense since coming over from Tennessee. If he can get on base in front of Posey, it will be hard for pitchers to pitch around him. Delmonico is also a good fielder and allows the Seminoles to play Posey at catcher.
Dennis Guinn, 1b (Drafted 513 in the seventeenth round by the Rangers) - Guinn is another power bat in this lineup that will have to protect Posey well enough so that they dont pitch around him. Guinn has 18 homers and 74 RBIs. Guinn is very patient at the plate and will take some pitches. His senior leadership is key as well.
Overview:
This team has a good balance of pitching and offense that could push them far in the series. It should be a great match up between them and Miami. If pitchers struggle with the top of the order, then it will be hard to recuperate with this middle of the order. The Seminoles will have to out hit most clubs in late games, because they don't have a true closer.
Stanford (39-22-2) -
Key Players:
Jason Castro, C (Drafted 10 overall in the first round by the Astros) -Castro's power has been on display so far in regional and super regional play. He is a key element in this team because of his veteran approach at the plate. Castro hit a two run home run in game one against Cal State Fullerton and then hit the game winning double in game two that sent the Cardinal to the College World Series. He is hitting .464 with 13 RBIs this post season.
Jeremy Bleich, LHP (Drafted 44 overall in the supplementary round by the Yankees) - Bleich has been nearly impossible to hit (.92 ERA). At 6'2" his frame has helped him from the left side. Bleich has the best curve and change on the team.
Sean Ratliff, CF (Drafted 134 overall in the 4th round by the Mets) - Ratliff's bat has been a big part of the Cardinal success in 08. His 21 dingers have been impressive, but his strike out rate will have to go down in order to protect Jason Castro in the world series. He is part of a powerful trio of left handed hitters that will do damage
Overview:
The Cardinal offense without question can hammer the ball, but it will all come down to starting pitching. If this staff can stretch out the game and leave the bullpen off the field, We could see an upset team make it all the way to the championship game. One issue with this club is their left hand heavy lineup. Matt Fairel of the Seminoles and Chris Hernandez of the Hurricanes could give this team fits.
5:32 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
The College World Series is upon us and the Road to Omaha pounds on. We have some great teams in this field, and some surprises. The CWS is broken into two brackets that meet up in the final. Lets Start with Bracket 1.
University of Miami (52-9 #1 Nationally) -
Key Players:
Yonder Alonso, 1B (Drafted 7th overall in first round by the Reds) - Alonso is the power in the middle of the lineup for the Hurricanes. His 23 HRs and 71 RBIs led the team. Alonso is also a great fielder at first and one of the prominent leaders on this highly favored team.
Jemile Weeks, 2B (Drafted 12 overall in the first round by the A's) - Weeks is part of a top of the order tandem that has killed collegiate pitching. Brother of Brewers' second baseman Rickie Weeks, Jemile has a lot of speed on the base paths. He was second on the team in stolen bases (21).
Blake Terkotte, CF (Drafted 101 overall in the third round by the Padres) - Terkotte has been a spark at the top of the order, hitting .374 with a .470 OBP. He led the team with 26 stolen bases.
Chris Hernandez, SP - The Freshman has been nothing short of dominant this season. Hernandez is 11-0 with a 2.98 ERA. What is most impressive is his ability to shut down hitters. He has an amazing 112/17 strikeout to walk ratio. He will be key to Miami's success. He is a favorite as a top pick in the first round of the 2009 Draft.
Carlos Gutierrez, CL (Drafted 27 overall in the first round by the Twins) - The Hurricanes will depend on Gutierrez to shut the door down in the late innings. He has 13 saves this season and does not wear down over a whole series.
Overview:
The Hurricanes are ranked # 1 for a reason. This team has all the talent to win it all, and should have a lot of success early in this bracket. They will have a lot of competition from Florida State and Georgia. It is national championship or bust for this club.
University of Georgia (41-31-1 #8 Nationally) -
Key Players:
Gordon Beckham, SS (Drafted 8 overall in the first round by the White Sox) - Beckham is the meat and potatoes of the Georgia lineup. He leads this team in HRs, (27) RBIs, (72) Stolen Bases, (17) and Average (.400). He has the ability to take over a game with his offense and makes his teammates better because of his presence.
Trevor Holder, RHP (Drafted 298 overall in the tenth round by the Marlins) - Holder will have to anchor this staff with some really good outings for this team to win. His first opponent, the Hurricanes are a tough offense, but many believe he has the stuff to shut them down. He has a very good changeup and doesn't walk hitters. With a great bullpen, Holder only needs to throw 5 solid innings per start.
Joshua Fields, RHP (Drafted 20 overall in the first round by the Mariners) - Fields is arguably the best closer in college baseball. He has picked up 16 saves for this club and though he sometimes struggles with his control, his fastball can get him out of any jam.
Overview:
There are a lot of "ifs" that will need to be answered if the Bulldogs want to pull out of this tourney. Gordon Beckham will have to be hitting the ball well and the starting pitching has to keep the offense in the ballgame. If this team catches fire they could upset Florida State and Miami. Their first round match up with Miami could tell the story of how they will play in this bracket.
Florida State (54-12 #4 Nationally) -
Key Players:
Buster Posey, C (Drafted 5 overall in the first round by the Giants) - Posey's importance is obvious. He is a utility player that can be all over the field if you need it. His .460 average is mind blowing and his 92 RBIs have all been timely for the Seminoles. His directing behind the plate will also be important for Florida State pitchers.
Tony Delmonico, SS (Drafted 187 in the sixth round by the Dodgers) - Delmonico has been a big part of the Seminole offense since coming over from Tennessee. If he can get on base in front of Posey, it will be hard for pitchers to pitch around him. Delmonico is also a good fielder and allows the Seminoles to play Posey at catcher.
Dennis Guinn, 1b (Drafted 513 in the seventeenth round by the Rangers) - Guinn is another power bat in this lineup that will have to protect Posey well enough so that they dont pitch around him. Guinn has 18 homers and 74 RBIs. Guinn is very patient at the plate and will take some pitches. His senior leadership is key as well.
Overview:
This team has a good balance of pitching and offense that could push them far in the series. It should be a great match up between them and Miami. If pitchers struggle with the top of the order, then it will be hard to recuperate with this middle of the order. The Seminoles will have to out hit most clubs in late games, because they don't have a true closer.
Stanford (39-22-2) -
Key Players:
Jason Castro, C (Drafted 10 overall in the first round by the Astros) -Castro's power has been on display so far in regional and super regional play. He is a key element in this team because of his veteran approach at the plate. Castro hit a two run home run in game one against Cal State Fullerton and then hit the game winning double in game two that sent the Cardinal to the College World Series. He is hitting .464 with 13 RBIs this post season.
Jeremy Bleich, LHP (Drafted 44 overall in the supplementary round by the Yankees) - Bleich has been nearly impossible to hit (.92 ERA). At 6'2" his frame has helped him from the left side. Bleich has the best curve and change on the team.
Sean Ratliff, CF (Drafted 134 overall in the 4th round by the Mets) - Ratliff's bat has been a big part of the Cardinal success in 08. His 21 dingers have been impressive, but his strike out rate will have to go down in order to protect Jason Castro in the world series. He is part of a powerful trio of left handed hitters that will do damage
Overview:
The Cardinal offense without question can hammer the ball, but it will all come down to starting pitching. If this staff can stretch out the game and leave the bullpen off the field, We could see an upset team make it all the way to the championship game. One issue with this club is their left hand heavy lineup. Matt Fairel of the Seminoles and Chris Hernandez of the Hurricanes could give this team fits.
