17. FLORIDA STATE

2008 RECORD. Overall: 49-13 (Advanced to College World Series). Conference: 24-6 / 1^st in ACC (Atlantic).

Coach: Mike Martin (1,538-520, 30^th season).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 vs. Hofstra.

 

OVERVIEW: The Seminoles will be challenged to duplicate their success of 2008, which included another trip to the College World Series—albeit an early exit with two straight losses. Four regulars and three key arms were lost from that team, the most obvious talent being C Buster Posey (.463-23-93), the national player of the year and fifth overall pick in the draft. The Seminoles will have a decidedly younger nucleus this season with five sophomores scheduled to start in the field, and two sophomores and a freshman targeted to occupy the three weekend assignments in the rotation. The key to the team’s success may rest on the return of D’Vontrey Richardson, who sat out last year to concentrate on a football career that ultimately stalled in the fall, and the development of a talented, but unproven pitching staff that includes sophomore LHP John Gast, who worked in only 13 innings as a freshman but is a potential first-rounder in 2010, and four promising freshmen.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Parker Brunelle, So. (.226-1-13).

1B: Mike Meschke, Jr. (11 HR/45 RBI at North Florida CC).

2B: Tommy Oravetz, Sr. (.361-4-32).

3B: Stuart Tapley, So. (.383-8-40).

SS: Jason Stidham, Jr. (.322-11-63).

LF: Mike McGee, So. (.344-6-36).

CF: Tyler Holt, So. (.324-3-41, *15 SB).

RF: Ohmed Danesh, Jr. (.284-3-29).

DH: D’Vontrey Richardson , So. (Did not play in 2008; .351-2-20 in 2007).

1/Starter: Geoff Parker, So. (6-2, 4.50, 60 IP/56 SO).

2/Starter: John Gast, So. (0-1, 2.70, 13 IP/14 SO).

3/Starter: Sean Gilmartin, Fr. (Padres/31^st round).

Closer: Jimmy Marshall, Sr. (6-2, 3.69, 2 SV, 46 IP/54 SO).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: D’Vontrey Richardson .

Best Overall Hitter: Jason Stidham.

Best Power Hitter: Mike Meschke.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Tommy Oravetz.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Tyler Holt (6.22 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Tyler Holt.

Best Defender: Tyler Holt.

Best Infield Arm: Jason Stidham.

Best Outfield Arm: Sean Gilmartin.

Best Fastball (velocity): Austin Wood (95 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Hunter Scantling.

Best Changeup: Sean Gilmartin.

Best Command: Sean Gilmartin.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Sean Gilmartin, lhp-of / Austin Wood, rhp. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Wood, a 36^th-round pick of the Houston Astros in 2008, has more obvious arm strength with a fastball that touches 95 mph, and may be the better prospect over the long haul, but the versatile 6-foot-2, 180-pound Gilmartin will probably contribute more in the short term. He’s a Tom Glavine-clone with a fastball in the high-80s and an outstanding changeup—and he’s also a strike thrower. He can swing a bat, too, and is expected to see limited service in right field.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: John Gast, lhp / Tyler Holt, of. Holt is a sparkplug atop the batting order and a defensive asset in center field, and made a greater impact as a freshman than Gast, but Gast is the better long-term bet. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound lefthander was brought along slowly in 2008 after undergoing Tommy John surgery as a high-school senior, but had previously established himself as a potential first-rounder with a fastball in the 90-93 mph range and a hard downer slider in the low 80s. He has struggled to gain the control of both pitches that was evident in high school, but that is considered a normal by-product of TJ victims. It is anticipated that Gast will revert to his old form this spring—and position himself as a top prospect for the 2010 draft inj the process.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Jason Stidham, 2b. The lefthanded-hitting Stidham fills a need at shortstop this spring for the Seminoles after playing third base as a freshman and second a year ago. His limited range makes him more suited for second or third in pro ball, but he is steady if unspectacular no matter which infield position he plays. Stidham’s bat is his best tool; he routinely puts the ball in play while showing flashes of raw power. Though he projects as just a sixth- to 10^th-round prospect for this year’s draft, Stidham coule be the first FSU players selected—unless the more-talented D’Vontrey Richardson can shake off the rust from two years away from the game and have a breakout season.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Marshall , undrafted in 2008, can serve a variety of roles on a pitching staff, and will be asked to close as a senior—potentially a critical responsibility on a young staff. His 90-92 mph fastball should make him well-equipped for the job.

--ALLAN SIMPSON