PGCROSSCHECKER COLLEGE TEAM SCOUTING REPORT

10. VANDERBILT (38-27, lost in NCAA regionals).

Conference/Projected Finish: Southeastern/3^rd (16-14, 6^th in 2006).

Coach:  Tim Corbin (144-95, 4 years).

First Game: Feb. 9 vs. Rice at Houston Astros College Classic.

OVERVIEW: The Commodores return all but two players from a year ago and feature the top prospects in the next two draft classes—junior LHP David Price (9-5, 4.16) and sophomore 3B Pedro Alvarez (.329-22-64). Other key returnees include sophomore SS Ryan Flaherty (.339-2-49), the team’s top hitter, and junior OF Dominic de la Osa (.319-9-46), as well as junior RHP Ty Davis (5-5, 3.91) and junior LHP Cody Crowell (6-2, 3.95), who will join Price in the rotation.

X-Factor: RHP Casey Weathers (1-1, 3.33, 3 SV), a former outfielder, came almost out of nowhere to close for Vanderbilt down the stretch in 2006 and excelled in that role last summer in the Alaska League. He’ll close from the start this season. With a fastball that touches 96 mph, he should quickly emerge as one of the nation’s dominant closers.

TOP FRESHMAN: Mike Minor, lhp. Minor was one of the most dominant pitchers in last year’s high school class. Equipped with three solid pitches, including a 91-92 mph fastball, he is ready to pitch at the college level but may have trouble finding innings on a deep, experienced Vanderbilt pitching staff.

TOP SOPHOMORE: Pedro Alvarez, 3b. The No. 1 prospect in the 2008 draft class followed up Freshman of the Year honors in the spring by leading Team USA in batting, homers and RBIs during the summer.

TOP JUNIOR: David Price, lhp. The 6-foot-5 Price solidified his position as the top prospect in the Class of 2007 by striking out 155 in 110 innings in the spring, then going 5-1, 0.20 with Team USA in the summer.

TOP SENIOR: Casey Weathers, rhp. Drafted in the 25^th round a year ago, Weathers could reap the rewards of his decision not to sign with the Tigers even if he doesn’t show as much progress this season as he did in 2006.