24. KENT STATE

2008 RECORD. Overall: 36-21. Conference: 16-8 / 1^st in Mid-America Conference.

Coach: Scott Stricklin (140-86, 5^th year).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 at UNC Greensboro .

 

OVERVIEW: Under fifth-year coach Scott Stricklin, Kent State has quietly become one of the elite programs in the nation’s non-Sun Belt states. Unfortunately, the Golden Flashes haven’t been rewarded for the improvement they’ve shown as they were passed over in 2008 for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, despite a first-place finish in the MAC. Reigning MAC player of the year Greg Rohan is among eight returning regulars from a potent offense that hit .314 and slugged 79 homers. But Kent State ’s real strength is on the mound as junior RHPs Kyle Smith and Brad Stillings are both potential first-round picks. They will anchor a very solid rotation.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Cory Hindel, Jr. (.237-1-14).

1B: Greg Rohan (4), Sr. (.359-*20-*61).

2B: Jared Humphreys, Jr. (.301-4-21, *11 SB).

3B: Brett Weibley, So. (.237-1-24).

SS: Chris Tremblay (1), Jr. (.359-4-32).

LF: Anthony Gallas (3), Jr. (.324-12-44).

CF: Jared Bartholomew, Jr. (.318-8-34).

RF: Ben Klafczynski, So. (.339-11-35).

DH: Jason Patton, Sr. (.260-1-15).

1/Starter: Kyle Smith, Jr. (*9-1, 5.76, 75 IP/65 SO).

2/Starter: Brad Stillings, Jr. (4-7, 5.35, *79 IP/62 SO).

3/Starter: Jon Pokorny, Jr. (2-2, *2.17; 4 SV, 37 IP/50 SO).

Closer: Andrew Chafin, Fr. (HS—Wakemen, Ohio).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Jared Humphreys.

Best Overall Hitter: Anthony Gallas.

Best Power Hitter: Greg Rohan.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Chris Tremblay.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Jared Humphreys (6.5 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Jared Humphreys.

Best Defender: Chris Tremblay.

Best Infield Arm: Brett Weibley.

Best Outfield Arm: Jared Bartholomew.

Best Fastball (velocity): Brad Stillings (97 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Kyle Smith.

Best Changeup: Kyle Hallock.

Best Command: Jon Pokorny.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Andrew Chafin, lhp. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Chafin didn’t have the same notoriety in high school as power-hitting corner infielder Travis Shaw, a fellow Kent State freshman and the son of ex-big leaguer Jeff Shaw, but Chafin made huge strides as a prospect in the fall to earn the job as Kent State’s closer. An athletic lefthander with excellent projection, Chafin can run his fastball into the low-90’s and also has a solid second pitch in a tight slider.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Brett Weibley, 3b. A strong and athletic two-way prospect, Weibley rarely showed his plus power potential as a freshman, homering just once. He’ll start again at third base for the Golden Flashes but his true upside may be on the mound. Though he worked only four innings as a freshman, Weibley can run his fastball into the low 90’s and his slider has the makings of becoming an above-average pitch.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Kyle Smith, rhp / Brad Stillings, rhp. Both the 6-6, 210-pound Smith and 6-4, 200-pound Stllings are tall, projectable righthanders with significant arm strength who have designs on being drafted in the first round in June. Smith is slightly more projectable than Stlllings, while Stillings is considered to have better velocity and better fastball command. The remainder of their repertoire is similar, as both pitchers have plus sliders and useable changeups. Neither has dominated to this point in their college careers, and their performance this spring will go a long way to determining their fate in the 2009 draft.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Greg Rohan, 1b. After homering 20 times in 2008, Rohan will again anchor the batting order for the Golden Flashes. He is a mature hitter with plus power to all fiels and handles himself adequately around the first-base bag.

--JEFF SIMPSON