47. NOTRE DAME

2008 RECORD. Overall: 33-21. Conference: 16-10 / 3^rd in Big East.

Coach: Dave Schrage (61-49, 3^rd season at Notre Dame; 537-602 overall in 21 seasons).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 vs. Ohio State at Dunedin, Fla. (Big East-Big Ten Challenge).

 

OVERVIEW: Notre Dame can comfortably rely on a lineup that returns six regulars, including potential first-rounder A.J. Pollock, but the real strength of the Irish could be a pitching staff that might be one of the nation’s best if some of the marquee arms blossom this spring, as projected. Sophomore RHPs Evan Danieli and Brian Dupra were targeted as future high-rounders almost from the day they set foot in school, although they pitched sparingly as freshmen. The greatest improvement on the staff has come from previously-unheralded sophomore RHP Cole Johnson, who wasn’t on the radar as a prospect in high school and yet has improved by such leaps and bounds that he now throws three quality pitches for strikes, including a fastball at 90-92 mph. He begins the season as the Irish’s No. 1 starter. A fourth sophomore pitcher, RHP Ryan Sharpley (4-2, 3.03), might have factored prominently in Notre Dame’s plans, as well, but he was lost for the season with a shoulder injury. But Sharpley’s older brother Evan could make an impact as a power-hitting first baseman after slugging 13 homers in just 136 at-bats a year ago, while juggling his responsibilities as a backup QB on the football team. Football will factor prominently into the equation this season, as well, as Irish punter Eric Maust is slotted in as the No. 2 starter in the rotation while wide receiver Golden Tate moves in as the starting left fielder.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Matt Scioscia (4), So. (.308-1-4).

1B: Evan Sharpley, Sr. (.324-*13-40).

2B: Ryne Intelkofer, Jr. (.286-0-5).

3B: Greg Sherry, So. (.315-2-14).

SS: Jeremy Barnes, Sr. (.307-8-*50).

LF: Golden Tate (1), So. (.262-0-4).

CF: A.J. Pollock (3), Jr. (*.352-4-42, *28 SB).

RF: David Mills, Jr. (.349-2-26).

DH: Matt Grosso, Jr. (Transfer from Maine ; did not play in 2007-08).

1/Starter: Cole Johnson, So. (2-2, 5.30, 36 IP/28 SO).

2/Starter: Eric Maust, Jr. (*6-3, 4.52, 70 IP/46 SO).

3/Starter: Evan Danieli, So. (0-0, 5.00, 27 IP/20 SO).

Closer: Brian Dupra, So. (3-3, 5.44, 1 SV, 46 IP/30 SO).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: A.J. Pollock.

Best Overall Hitter: A.J. Pollock.

Best Power Hitter: Evan Sharpley.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: A.J. Pollock.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Golden Tate (6.5 seconds).

Best Base Runner: A.J. Pollock.

Best Defender: Jeremy Barnes.

Best Infield Arm: Greg Sherry.

Best Outfield Arm: Brayden Ashdown.

Best Fastball (velocity): Evan Danieli (94 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Joe Spano.

Best Changeup: Eric Maust.

Best Command: Cole Johnson.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Dustin Ispas, lhp. Ispas is a strong-armed lefty from California with an extremely athletic 6-foot-1, 190-pound build. He’ll show solid-average fastball velocity and has touched 92 mph. He also has a nice two-seamer with late sink in the mid- to upper-80s, and can throw a 77-80 mph slurve for strikes. Command issues may limit his opportunity in the short term, opening the door for LHP Joe Spano and LHP-1B Steve Sabatino to play more instrumental roles as freshmen.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Evan Danieli, rhp. A 33^rd-round pick of the Minnesota Twins in 2007, the 6-foot-7, 230-pound Danieli has an excellent pitcher’s build and can run his fastball up to 94 mph almost at will with a good downhill plane. He has a loose, easy arm action and once his off-speed pitches develop, he could emerge as a legit first-round talent.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: A.J. Pollock, of. Pollock elevated his stock into first-round range with a big summer in the Cape Cod League. While he has a quick, short swing and his power continues to evolve, his speed and ability to make contact and drive balls are already apparent. He’s also very athletic and is capable of playing virtually any position on the field, though center field appears his likely destination.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Evan Sharpley, 1b. Best known as a back-up quarterback on the Irish football team, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound, lefthanded-hitting Sharpley is the best power threat on the Irish roster. Playing little more than half time, he slugged 13 long balls in 2008 in his first real exposure to baseball. More than anything, he needs playing time to refine all areas of his game.

--JEFF SIMPSON