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2015 Canes baseball Primer.
With less than two months away from the start of college baseball season, it is time to familiarize ourselves with this years Canes baseball team. The Hurricanes have not been to Omaha since 2008, something that has not sat well with the fans in south Florida. But this year’s team is probably the strongest from top to bottom since that 2008 team which took the number one overall seed going into the postseason.
Miami will welcome back several key players but none more important than second round draft pick, and ace, Andrew Suarez (Suarez was just name a Louisville Slugger preseason All-American second team). It is always key in college baseball to have that ace you can count on Friday nights. With Suarez, the Canes have exactly that. Rounding out the weekend rotation, coach Morris has options. Sophomore Derik Beauprez is the most likely starter for Saturdays. Beauprez was a big time signee last season and really came on strong toward the end of the season, capping it with a huge performance in regionals. Thomas Woodrey, who was a key cog in the bullpen last year, is one candidate for the final rotation spot, as will several freshmen, most likely Keven Pimentel or Andy Honiotes. Pimentel, ranked 105 by Perfect Game nationally, has been rumored to be throwing in the mid to upper 90’s.
The bullpen welcomes back its setup man, Cooper Hammond, and all-ACC closer, Bryan Garcia (Garcia named Louisville Slugger preseason All-American second team). Woodrey could end up in the bullpen again as well, where he was almost unhittable at times last season. If Miami can shore up that weekend rotation, the late innings look to be a major positive for this team.
It is no secret that Miami has struggled offensively since 2008. This year the Canes have the weapons to finally be a dangerous offensive team. Enter Zack Collins (Collins named Lousville Slugger preseason All-American first team). The sophomore catcher may be a top ten hitter in the country. Collins was last years ACC Freshman of the Year, as well as Baseball America National Freshman of the Year. Collins will bring plenty of power and protection in to the Canes lineup.
The return of a rejuvenated David Thompson at first base (or possible some third) could be the key piece to the Miami lineup really producing at a high level. Thompson, who has battled injuries during his time at Miami, finally got healthy and became a Cape Cod all-star over the summer.
Willie Abreu, another stud freshman last season, will most likely hit fifth after Collins and Thompson, respectively, and that 3-4-5 should be about as potent as any in the country. Abreu is a sweet swinging lefty who does not provide the power of Collins or Thompson but was a third team all-ACC player last season. Abreu was drafted in the 14th round two years ago and his potential is through the roof.
The middle infield remains slighty in tact with smooth fielding Brandon Lopez at shortstop and, most likely, Johnny Ruiz at second base, who ended up playing some third base last season with injuries hitting the team. Miami welcomes junior college transfer George Iskenderian, who started his career at South Carolina, and will most likely start at third base. He is a big hitter who could also fill a need for Miami as a power hitting corner infielder. Iskenderian hit .373 at Indian River last season.
The outfield is stacked. There is no way around it. There are countless combinations that Miami could throw out in the outfield. Willie Abreu in right field seems to be the only certainty. Centerfield could see freshman phenom Carl Chester get the start, who coach Morris said was the fastest guy on the team, and was ranked the 68th overall prospect by Baseball America. Ricky Eusebio will most likely get the early look in center, a fast veteran who is a very solid defensive player. Left field could be a battle between returnee Jacob Heyward and freshman Justin Smith. Smith is raw but is considered a big time prospect, as he was ranked 43rd overall prospect by Baseball America.
The wildcards are Chris Barr, who redshirted last season, but has spent time in both the outfield and at first base, and Garrett Kennedy, who played catcher the past two seasons. If Kennedy can improve offensively, then Collins most likely will get much needed time at DH. Barr can provide a lot of athleticism to different positions.
There is definitely some excitement in the program for 2015. The pitching staff may not be as complete as last year, but the ace is there, and the offense should be much better. Coach Morris and the Miami Hurricanes have a complete team on paper filled with a legit ace, solid bullpen, great closer, offensive power, speed, and a sweet fielding middle infield.
We hit on it a little in this outlook, but look for a discussion on the top freshmen soon. Stay tuned…
With less than two months away from the start of college baseball season, it is time to familiarize ourselves with this years Canes baseball team. The Hurricanes have not been to Omaha since 2008, something that has not sat well with the fans in south Florida. But this year’s team is probably the strongest from top to bottom since that 2008 team which took the number one overall seed going into the postseason.
Miami will welcome back several key players but none more important than second round draft pick, and ace, Andrew Suarez (Suarez was just name a Louisville Slugger preseason All-American second team). It is always key in college baseball to have that ace you can count on Friday nights. With Suarez, the Canes have exactly that. Rounding out the weekend rotation, coach Morris has options. Sophomore Derik Beauprez is the most likely starter for Saturdays. Beauprez was a big time signee last season and really came on strong toward the end of the season, capping it with a huge performance in regionals. Thomas Woodrey, who was a key cog in the bullpen last year, is one candidate for the final rotation spot, as will several freshmen, most likely Keven Pimentel or Andy Honiotes. Pimentel, ranked 105 by Perfect Game nationally, has been rumored to be throwing in the mid to upper 90’s.
The bullpen welcomes back its setup man, Cooper Hammond, and all-ACC closer, Bryan Garcia (Garcia named Louisville Slugger preseason All-American second team). Woodrey could end up in the bullpen again as well, where he was almost unhittable at times last season. If Miami can shore up that weekend rotation, the late innings look to be a major positive for this team.
It is no secret that Miami has struggled offensively since 2008. This year the Canes have the weapons to finally be a dangerous offensive team. Enter Zack Collins (Collins named Lousville Slugger preseason All-American first team). The sophomore catcher may be a top ten hitter in the country. Collins was last years ACC Freshman of the Year, as well as Baseball America National Freshman of the Year. Collins will bring plenty of power and protection in to the Canes lineup.
The return of a rejuvenated David Thompson at first base (or possible some third) could be the key piece to the Miami lineup really producing at a high level. Thompson, who has battled injuries during his time at Miami, finally got healthy and became a Cape Cod all-star over the summer.
Willie Abreu, another stud freshman last season, will most likely hit fifth after Collins and Thompson, respectively, and that 3-4-5 should be about as potent as any in the country. Abreu is a sweet swinging lefty who does not provide the power of Collins or Thompson but was a third team all-ACC player last season. Abreu was drafted in the 14th round two years ago and his potential is through the roof.
The middle infield remains slighty in tact with smooth fielding Brandon Lopez at shortstop and, most likely, Johnny Ruiz at second base, who ended up playing some third base last season with injuries hitting the team. Miami welcomes junior college transfer George Iskenderian, who started his career at South Carolina, and will most likely start at third base. He is a big hitter who could also fill a need for Miami as a power hitting corner infielder. Iskenderian hit .373 at Indian River last season.
The outfield is stacked. There is no way around it. There are countless combinations that Miami could throw out in the outfield. Willie Abreu in right field seems to be the only certainty. Centerfield could see freshman phenom Carl Chester get the start, who coach Morris said was the fastest guy on the team, and was ranked the 68th overall prospect by Baseball America. Ricky Eusebio will most likely get the early look in center, a fast veteran who is a very solid defensive player. Left field could be a battle between returnee Jacob Heyward and freshman Justin Smith. Smith is raw but is considered a big time prospect, as he was ranked 43rd overall prospect by Baseball America.
The wildcards are Chris Barr, who redshirted last season, but has spent time in both the outfield and at first base, and Garrett Kennedy, who played catcher the past two seasons. If Kennedy can improve offensively, then Collins most likely will get much needed time at DH. Barr can provide a lot of athleticism to different positions.
There is definitely some excitement in the program for 2015. The pitching staff may not be as complete as last year, but the ace is there, and the offense should be much better. Coach Morris and the Miami Hurricanes have a complete team on paper filled with a legit ace, solid bullpen, great closer, offensive power, speed, and a sweet fielding middle infield.
We hit on it a little in this outlook, but look for a discussion on the top freshmen soon. Stay tuned…
