32. EAST CAROLINA

2008 RECORD. Overall: 42-21 (Advanced to NCAA regional). Conference: 13-11 / 5^th in Conference USA .

Coach: Billy Godwin (115-70, 4^th season).

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

 

OVERVIEW: East Carolina appears to be the team best equipped in Conference USA to make a run at perennial champion Rice. The Pirates return a veteran lineup that includes four of the five players who had double-digit home runs in 2008, including strong-armed senior 2B Ryan Wood, who will add closer duties to his job responsibilities this season. OFs Trent Ashcraft and Devin Harris amassed only 61 at-bats between them a year ago, but both could make a profound impact as regulars this spring after enjoying breakout seasons in summer-league competition—Ashcraft as a Cape Cod League all-star. Sophomore RHP Seth Maness returns to anchor the pitching staff after winning nine games as a freshman.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Jared Avchen, Jr. (.320-8-38 at Seminole, Fla. , CC).

1B: Brandon Henderson, Sr. (.347-11-52).

2B: Ryan Wood, Sr. (.306-13-51, 16 SB).

3B: Drew Schieber, Sr. (.319-2-18).

SS: Dustin Harrington, So. (.320-4-42).

LF: Stephen Batts (3), Sr. (.333-10-45, 14 SB).

CF: Trent Ashcraft (1), Sr. (.220-0-6).

RF: Devin Harris, So. (.167-0-2).

DH: Kyle Roller (4), Jr. (.299-12-50).

1/Starter: Seth Maness, So. (*9-2, 3.57, *98 IP/81 SO).

2/Starter: Chris Heston, Jr. (2-5, 5.08 at Seminole, Fla. , CC; Nationals/29^th round).

3/Starter: Sthil Sowers, So. (4-4, 4.66, 58 IP/37 SO).

Closer: Ryan Wood, Sr. (Did not pitch in 2008).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Devin Harris.

Best Overall Hitter: Brandon Henderson.

Best Power Hitter: Kyle Roller.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Brandon Henderson.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Trent Ashcraft (6.5 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Ryan Wood.

Best Defender: Dustin Harrington.

Best Infield Arm: Ryan Wood.

Best Outfield Arm: Devin Harris.

Best Fastball (velocity): Ryan Wood (94 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Seth Simmons.

Best Changeup: Chris Heston.

Best Command: Seth Maness.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Shawn Armstrong, rhp. A shoulder injury in his senior year of high school sent Armstrong plummeting from a potential early-round pick in the 2008 draft to a 33^rd-round selection of the Houston Astros. Healthy again in the fall, Armstrong began launching his lively 90-92 mph fastball again. He has a smooth, easy delivery, an excellent feel for a changeup and an improving slurve, and should emerge as an elite arm on the ECU pitching staff.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Devin Harris, of. One of the top athletes in the 2009 draft class, Harris is a classic example of a high-risk/high-reward player. He has excellent speed and raw power, and a true right-field arm, but is badly in need of regular playing time to refine his tools. RHP Seth Maness will play a key role as ECU’s Friday starter, but won’t overpower hitters or impress scouts with a fastball in the 88-91 mph range. His success stems more from excellent pitchability and command of four pitches.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Chris Heston, rhp. ECU’s best prospects for the 2009 draft are probably a sophomore (Harris) and a senior (Ryan Wood). The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Heston, a JC transfer with an 89-92 mph fastball and above-average changeup, and power-hitting OF Kyle Roller rank as the Pirates top juniors.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Ryan Wood, 2b-rhp. Wood was originally recruited by ECU to play both ways, but hurt his arm as a high-school senior and has not pitched in game competition since. He worked on pitching in bullpen sessions all along, waiting for his chance, and he will take over as the closer for the Pirates this spring after turning down an offer from the Milwaukee Brewes as a 42^nd-round pick in the 2008 draft. At 6-foot-5 and 185 pounds, Wood has a very projectable pitcher’s build; his fastball has been clocked up to 94.

--JEFF SIMPSON