5. VANDERBILT
2007 RECORD. Overall: 54-13 (advanced to NCAA regional). Conference: 22-8 (1st/Southeastern-East).
Coach: Tim Corbin (198-108, 5 years).
First Game, 2008: Feb. 22 vs. No. 16 Oregon State at Tempe, Ariz.

OVERVIEW: The Commodores were the nation’s No. 1 team entering regional competition last year, but their season shockingly went down in flames when a little-used freshman outfielder from Michigan took the nation’s No. 1 pitcher deep on a dramatic, game-ending—and season-ending—home run. Though LHP David Price’s spectacular college career ended on a sour note, almost all of his teammates are back to make amends for last year’s sudden finish, which denied the Commodores their first trip to the College World Series. Junior 3B Pedro Alvarez, junior SS Ryan Flaherty and senior OF Dominic de la Osa will again form the heart of the batting order for the Commodores as all but one regular returns. Price’s departure leaves a major void at the front of the rotation, but the next three starters—sophomore LHP Mike Minor, and junior RHPs Nick Christiani and Brett Jacobson—return and have impressive resumes of their own. It’s possible, though, that the 6-foot-6 Jacobson may move into a closer role.

X-Factor: While Price, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft, will be sorely missed, so will RHP Casey Weathers, the eighth overall pick. Weathers (12-2, 2.37, 7 SV, 49 IP/75 SO) was an anchor at the back of the bullpen and his replacement is potentially more problematical than the pitchers that will fill Price’s considerable shoes—unless Jacobson is installed in the closer’s role. Sophomore RHP Drew Hayes, who worked as a starter at obscure NAIA Bethel (Tenn.) College as a freshman, was the leading candidate to be the new closer coming out of fall practice. He has solid credentials, however. He was heavily recruited out of high school, including by Vanderbilt, and was a 29^th-round draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks. But he elected to pitch for his father Glen, the head coach and athletic director at Bethel, and he responded with a 6-4, 2.72 record (and two saves) and 86 strikeouts in 72 innings, with a fastball that sat at 90-94 mph and topped at 96.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
C: Shea Robin, Sr. (.286-2-35).
1B: Brad French, Sr. (.267-2-23).
2B: Alex Feinberg, Sr. (.317-4-44).
3B: Pedro Alvarez (4), Jr. (*.386-18-*68).
SS: Ryan Flaherty, Jr. (.381-4-57).
LF: Jonathan White, Jr. (.289-3-14).
CF: David Macias (1), Sr. (.300-0-26).
RF: Dominic de la Osa (3), Sr. (.378-*20-62, *20 SB).
DH: Andrew Giobbi, So. (.312-1-25).
1/Starter: Mike Minor/L, So. (9-1, 3.09).
2/Starter: Brett Jacobson/R, Jr. (6-3, 3.15).
3/Starter: Nick Christiani/R, Jr. (5-3, 4.11).
Closer: Drew Hayes/R, So. (6-4, 2.72, 72 IP/86 SO at Bethel, Tenn., College)
Projected leadoff hitter (1), No. 3 hitter (3) and cleanup hitter (4) noted
KEY PLAYER LOST: David Price, lhp (11-1, 2.63, 133 IP/*194 SO).
*2007 team leader

BEST TOOLS
Best Athlete: Dominic de la Osa.
Best Overall Hitter: Ryan Flaherty.
Best Power Hitter: Pedro Alvarez.
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Ryan Flaherty.
Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Jonathan White (6.30 seconds).
Best Base Runner: Dominic de la Osa.
Best Defender: Ryan Flaherty, ss.
Best Infield Arm: Pedro Alvarez, 3b.
Best Outfield Arm: David Macias.
Best Fastball (velocity): Brett Jacobson (96 mph).
Best Breaking Ball: Nick Christiani.
Best Changeup: Mike Minor.
Best Command: Mike Minor.

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Curt Casali, c. Casali will have to pay his dues for a year as the Commodores are secure behind the plate with the return of veterans Shea Robin and Andrew Giobbi. But Casali projects as an above-average college catcher with two above-average tools: raw power and raw arm strength. He is big and physical and looks the part of a legitimate prospect in a uniform.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Mike Minor, lhp. Minor pitched behind Price in the Vanderbilt rotation a year ago, then spent the summer as an understudy to some of the elite arms in the 2008 draft while pitching for Team USA. But the 6-foot-4, 195-pound lefthander will get his chance to be the top dog this spring. Minor has an arsenal to become yet another Vanderbilt first-round pick in 2009. He has a low-90s fastball that has good late action and can be manipulated effectively to both sides of the plate, along with a dominant changeup. He just needs to work on his curve and slider, and possibly decide which of the breaking balls to emphasize as he goes forward.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Pedro Alvarez, 3b. Price was the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft and Alvarez is the early favorite to go first overall in 2008, which would mark the first time in draft history that a player from the same school went No. 1 in consecutive drafts. Alvarez positioned himself as a premium future draft as a freshman, when he stroked a school-record 22 home runs. He followed by hitting 18 as a sophomore while leading the Commodores in batting (.386) and RBIs (68). He also was the dominant hitter for Team USA the last two summers, leading the team in batting both seasons. Alvarez is a complete player, but he is a hitter first and foremost. He has exceptional hands at the plate with impressive bat speed, natural lift in his swing and power to all fields.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Dominic de la Osa, of. De la Osa wasn’t considered a premium prospect at the start of the 2007 season but his stock rose steadily all season as he had a breakout season at the plate for the Commodores. He was viewed as a potential third- to fifth-rounder in last year’s draft but slid to the 10^th round as teams became scared off by his bonus demands and he never did sign. But the upshot is it resulted in his returning to school for his senior year. De la Osa spent his first two seasons at Vanderbilt at shortstop, and his move to the outfield last spring coincided with his surge in offense. A streaky hitter, he needs to make more consistent contact and not chase pitches as frequently as he does. The remainder of de la Osa’s tools are intriguing. He runs above-average, 6.7 in the 60, and led Vanderbilt with 20 stolen bases. His arm has been clocked at 95 mph from the outfield.

--ALLAN SIMPSON