56. WESTERN KENTUCKY

2008 RECORD. Overall: 33-27 (Advanced to NCAA regional). Conference: 16-14 / T-5th in Sun Belt Conference.

Coach: Chris Finwood (80-87, 4th season).

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

 

OVERVIEW: Western Kentucky set the wheels in motion for 2009 by winning last year’s Sun Belt Conference tournament and qualifying for their first regional in four years. From that team, which hit .320, the Hilltoppers return eight regulars, including senior OF Chad Cregar, who led the team in all three triple-crown categories. Junior RHP Matt Ridings won the pitching equivalent of a triple crown, as well, and he returns to lead a pitching staff that is also almost totally intact.

 

PROJECTED 2009 STARTING LINEUP

C: J.B. Paxson, Sr. (.289-8-33).

1B: Jake Wells, Jr. (.328-2-34).

2B: Matt Payton, Jr. (.274-3-31, 11 SB).

3B: Wade Gaynor, Jr. (.347-13-48, 11 SB).

SS: Terrence Dayleg (3), Sr. (.347-7-55).

LF: Matt Hightower, Sr. (.311-7-50, 14 SB).

CF: Jeremy Coleman (1), Sr. (.325-1-14) / Kes Carter, Fr. (Marlins/43rd round).

RF: Chad Cregar (4), Sr. (*.360-*21-*82).

DH: Matt Rice, So. (.337-5-27).

1/Starter: Matt Ridings, Jr. (*10-3, *3.88, *97 IP/*98 SO).

2/Starter: Bart Carter, Jr. (6-5, 6.98, 77 IP/64 SO).

3/Starter: Shane Cameron, Jr. (10-2, 2.38 at Connors State, Okla. , JC).

Closer: Rye Davis , So. (3-5, 4.99; *4 SV, 61 IP/63 SO) / J.B. Paxson, Sr. (Did not pitch in 2008).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Kes Carter.

Best Overall Hitter: Terrence Dayleg.

Best Power Hitter: Chad Cregar.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Jared Andreoli.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Jeremy Coleman (6.5 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Matt Bracken.

Best Defender: Matt Payton.

Best Infield Arm: Terrence Dayleg.

Best Outfield Arm: Kes Carter.

Best Fastball (velocity): J.B. Paxson (95 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Bart Carter.

Best Changeup: Shane Cameron.

Best Command: Matt Ridings.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Kes Carter, of-lhp. A Tennessee high-school product drafted in the 43rd round by the Florida Marlins, Carter is the best athlete on the Western Kentucky roster and should see extensive service both ways as a college rookie. His fastball sits in the 88-92 mph range from the left side, but his best opportunity for playing time should come in center field and he’s expected to push incumbent Jeremy Coleman for regular work.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Rye Davis , rhp. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Davis worked mainly in relief as a freshman and is slotted to be the team’s first option as a closer this spring. Davis actually stood out as a starter last summer in the New York Collegiate League, tying for the league lead in wins, while finishing second in ERA and opponent batting average of. He not only has a big, durable, pro-style body, but is relatively polished and his arm works easy. His fastball is mainly in the 88-91 mph range and has good arm-side sink at that velocity, but he also has jumped up and touched 94 on occasion. He complements it with an effective hard curveball.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Matt Ridings, rhp. Ridings relied more on pitchability than raw stuff in assembling a solid 2008 campaign. His fastball is mostly in the 88-91 mph range and his secondary stuff is considered just average as well, but every once in a while he’ll flash a 92-93, along with a power breaking ball and above-average change. He could range anywhere from a fifth-round to 15th-round pick in this year’s draft, depending on how often scouts see his better stuff.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: J.B. Paxson, c-rhp / Chad Cregar, of. Cregar set a school record with 82 RBIs a year ago on his way to being drafted in the 47th round by the Chicago Cubs. While his bat is his obvious best tool, he played all of 2008 on a gimpy knee and he’s hoping that knee surgery, performed immediately after the season, will accentuate the other phases of his game. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Paxson has teased scouts with his raw power skills since being drafted in the 18th round by the Atlanta Braves in 2006, but he’s struggled to hit with any consistency. Paxson is a sound defender in all phases, particularly arm strength, and will be given a shot to pitch this spring after auditioning on the mound in the fall, and touching 95 mph.

--ALLAN SIMPSON