39. DUKE
2008 RECORD. Overall:
37-18.
Conference: 10-18 / 5th in ACC (Coastal).
Coach: Sean McNally (81-83, 4th
season).
First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 vs. LaSalle.
OVERVIEW: The Blue Devils have been an ACC doormat for years, but in
Sean McNally’s fourth season as coach they have a realistic shot of making their
first trip to the NCAA tournament. From a team that fell two wins short of a school
record, Duke returns seven regulars, including power-hitting 1B Nate Freiman, and
every key arm on the pitching staff, including ace LHP Chris Manno. And that nucleus
has been bolstered by an impressive recruiting class, led by freshman LHP-1B Eric
Pfisterer, who will DH and take a regular turn in the rotation. Junior OF-RHP Alex
Hassan will also see double duty for the Devils. The trick for Duke will be to make
headway in the ACC standings as strength of schedule has always worked against the
Devils in the past on the rare occasions when they’ve had a tournament-quality team.
The Devils went 27-0 against a weak non-conference field in 2008.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
C: Matt Williams, Sr. (.330-0-29).
1B: Nate Freiman (3), Sr. (*.381-*11-*46).
2B: Gabby Saade, Jr. (.286-7-44, *16
SB).
3B: Ryan McCurdy, Jr. (.292-0-22).
SS: Jake Lemmerman, So. (.283-2-35).
LF: Jeremy Gould (4), Jr. (.349-4-39).
CF: Alex Hassan (1), Jr. (.353-4-33,
14 SB).
RF: William Piwnica-Worms, Fr. (HS—St. Louis, Mo.)
/ Brian Litwin, Fr. (Pirates/24th round).
DH: Eric Pfisterer, Fr. (Reds/15th
round).
1/Starter: Chris Manno,
Jr. (*6-2, 3.38, 59 IP/*80 SO).
2/Starter: Andrew Wolcott,
Sr. (3-4, 3.75, 70 IP/42 SO).
3/Starter: Eric Pfisterer,
Fr. (Reds/15th round).
Closer: Alex Hassan, Jr. (5-0, 1.30; *5
SV, 28 IP/22 SO).
BEST TOOLS
Best Athlete: William
Piwnica-Worms.
Best Overall Hitter:
Nate Freiman.
Best Power Hitter:
Nate Freiman.
Best Strike-Zone Discipline:
Matt
Williams.
Fastest Base Runner (60 time):
Tom Luciano (6.5 seconds).
Best Base Runner:
Gabby
Saade.
Best Defender: Ryan McCurdy.
Best Infield Arm:
Jake Lemmerman.
Best Outfield Arm:
Brian
Litwin.
Best Fastball (velocity):
Ben
Grisz (94 mph).
Best Breaking Ball:
Jonathan
Foreman.
Best Changeup: Andrew Wolcott.
Best Command: Andrew Wolcott.
TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT:
Brian Litwin, of / Eric Pfisterer, lhp-1b. Pfisterer should make the more
immediate impact as he’ll be used both ways for Duke as a freshman, but Litwin has
the higher upside. He’s still a bit raw at this point, but Litwin is a true five-tool
prospect with above-average speed, arm strength and raw power. If everything comes
together for him, he has a chance to be a very early pick in the 2011 draft. Pfisterer
is also very athletic, but is considered to have more upside on the mound. He works
mainly in the high 80s, will occasionally touch 91-92 mph and has plus life and
feel to his fastball.
TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Jake Lemmerman,
ss.
An outstanding defensive shortstop, Lemmerman has a strong arm, soft hands and good
range. Offensively, his bat is a little behind, but with added strength in the off-season
he now has the ability to be a solid contributor at the college level.
TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Chris Manno,
lhp.
It is rare when a pitcher with big strikeout numbers lacks a conventional big-league
pitch, but Manno is an exception. His fastball ranges from 82-90 mph, but he induces
a lot of swings-and-misses with the pitch as he does an excellent job of adding
and subtracting velocity. His breaking stuff is improving and he has developed a
good feel for a changeup.
TOP SENIOR PROSPECT:
Nate Freiman, 1b. Freiman was drafted in the 28th round last
year by the Texas Rangers, but elected to return for his senior year. At 6-foot-8
and 245 pounds, he should be one of the top power hitters in this year’s draft.
But he’s not a one-dimensional threat at the plate as he has a sound overall approach
to hitting, particularly with two strikes. He’s a little unorthodox in his set-up
at the plate, but still manages to get himself in position to hit. Defensively,
he is adequate around the bag, but is a big target and has above-average arm strength.
--JEFF SIMPSON