Early College Baseball Preview: Seven ACC Players to Watch

Michael Lemaire — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:50:40 -0500

October and baseball will forever be linked. The start of autumn normally signifies firing up the grills and tailgating for football. But for baseball enthusiasts, it is the best month of the year, the culmination of 162 games, the entire reason they play the regular season.

But while Americans all over tune-in to the Fall Classic, across the country there are other teams hard at work preparing for a season of their own. One that starts in February and extends into the spring.

I am talking about college baseball.

The end of fall practice has already come for most college programs across the country, but those who follow the sport know the work is far from over. What Fall practice does is gives coaches a chance to evaluate talent, and to have an indication of the ability of the team.

Now it's early, and there are many other very talented college baseball programs spread across the country, but the ACC is one of the best conferences in the country and its players are some of the best in the country as well.

Here is a look at seven players to watch in the first installment of handicapping the talent across the country.

3B Mickey Wiswall (Boston College)

Since the moment he set foot on campus in Chestnut Hill, Wiswall has hit. Last year he earned second-team All-ACC honors, hitting .320 with 14 home runs and a .928 OPS. The Eagles made their first trip to a regional in 42 years. Then he went out to Cape Cod and opened more eyes with his bat.

He has a lot of raw power, and there is a great chance he can turn a few of his 17 doubles into home runs once the spring rolls around. Defensively he is a mess at third base and could split time between there and first and he needs to improve his plate discipline. But Wiswall will be part of the reason B.C. could have staying power on the national scene.

CF Austin Wates (Virginia Tech)

Wiswall’s teammate with the loaded Yarmouth-Dennis team on the Cape, Wates could make the argument he is the best position-player in the conference. The junior is a true five-tool player and has been locked in at the plate for the past year. He just missed the .400 mark last spring and hit .312 during the summer.

He doesn’t have power now, but that could change if he adds a little more muscle. There is absolutely no doubt that his advanced approach at the plate and his athletic ability make him one of the more exciting players in the country. If he continues to tear it up offensively, he could push himself into the first round, a la LSU’s Jared Mitchell last season.

SP Matt Harvey (North Carolina)

Coming out of high school Matt Harvey was one of the best prospects in the country, and it is clear his raw ability is still there. But since arriving at North Carolina, fans and scouts alike have been waiting for him to assert himself over a full season. He struck out 81 batters in 75.1 innings last season, but has struggled to stay healthy and limit the walks.

The Tar Heels don’t have the same preseason expectations by their own impossibly high standards, but they could return to Omaha if Harvey can put it all together. He still has the frame and the power that make scouts drool, but there are questions about his delivery that could be assuaged with a good season.

SP Eric Erickson (Miami)

Last season the Hurricanes had high expectations heading into the season. Expectations that took a serious hit when their staff ace, Erickson, was forced to have Tommy John surgery and missed the entire season. Nevertheless the Cubs took him in the 20th round of the ’09 Draft as Erickson is expected to be completely healthy in time for the spring.

If he is, then Jim Morris’ club can boast the two of the best lefties in the entire country with Chris Hernandez ready to go as well. Offensively Miami will be relying on a lot of under-classmen, and so a fast start from a veteran pitching staff will be key to their success this season.

C/IF Pratt Maynard (North Carolina State)

As a freshman, Maynard was a mixed bag. His talent was obvious, and he had plenty of opportunities to showcase it, including game-winning two-run homer to win the finale of their series with Virginia. At the same time he struggled to adapt to the pitching improvement at first, but the Wolfpack should still be encouraged by his walk totals and power potential.

They can also be encouraged by the way he was red-hot all summer while helping lead his team in the Coastal Plain League to a title. He will spend most of his time behind the plate this year, but saw time in the infield and outfield. The Wolfpack are looking to rebound after a down season in ’09 and if it happens, Maynard will be at the center of it.

3B Stuart Tapley (Florida State)

It is weird to think about, but one of the better third basemen in the entire country has slowly been overshadowed by two of his teammates. Last season wasn’t a bad one for Tapley who hit .316 with 13 home runs and 60 RBI, but he hasn’t dominated the way many thought he would after an impressive freshman campaign. As a result, All-American Tyler Holt and fellow star outfielder Mike McGee have moved ahead of Tapley as prospects.

Holt and McGee were both stellar this season while Tapley struggled to adjust to wood bats and hit just .189 with zero home runs in 122 at-bats. His swing is still too long and will eventually be forced to move away from third because of defensive issues. But it is hard to ignore his raw power. The ‘Noles will be loaded this year, but a good rebound season from their third baseman could make them title contenders.

3B Steven Proscia (Virginia)

I would be remiss if I didn’t have at least one Cavalier on this list. With pretty much every key contributor except SP Andrew Carraway returning on a team that made it to Omaha last season, coach Brian O’Connor’s squad could contend for the title. Most of the attention and spotlight has been on Proscia’s teammate OF Jarrett Parker, who surprised everyone with one of the best seasons in the conference.

But the sophomore third baseman was right behind him. Just like Wiswall, Proscia’s bat will play just about anywhere, but his defense and his over-eagerness at the plate need to be improved. If the Cavaliers are going to return to Omaha, Proscia will need to continue to improve and become a solid middle of the order hitter.

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Early College Baseball Preview: Seven ACC Players to Watch