58. NEBRASKA

2008 RECORD. Overall: 41-16 (Advanced to NCAA regional). Conference: 17-9 / 3^rd in Big 12.

Coach: Mike Anderson (255-116, 7^th season).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 at Louisiana-Lafayette.

 

OVERVIEW: Aside from intimidating sophomore RHP Mike Nesseth, Nebraska doesn’t have any obvious potential top-round draft picks or established big-game performers. The team’s top six hitters and four primary starters are gone from a year ago, but the Cornhuskers do have a solid mix of returning players and intriguing junior-college transfers, especially in the field. The Cornhusker coaching staff says that this group of players has the best makeup on any team they’ve ever fielded and expects it to overachieve. Nesseth will be the key, whether he builds up his innings in a “long-closer” role or is moved to the Friday starting slot to bolster a talented but inexperienced group of starters. Another player to watch is senior DH Jeff Tezak, a second-team all-conference selection in 2007 before missing most of 2008 with a knee injury.

 

C: Cody Neer (4), Sr. (.234-1-22).

1B: Cade Thompson, Jr. (.318-1-47 at Central Arizona CC).

2B: Kyle Bubak, Jr. (.276-2-34 at Salt Lake, Utah , CC).

3B: Jake Mort, Sr. (.262-1-13, 10 SB).

SS: Ben Kline, So. (.253-0-23).

LF: Nick Sullivan (3), Sr. (.296-3-31).

CF: D.J. Belfonte (1), Jr. .241-1-37, *14 SB).

RF: Adam Bailey, Jr. (.376-6-42 at South Mountain, Ariz. , CC).

DH: Jeff Tezak, Sr. (.190-1-2).

1/Starter: Erik Bird, Sr. (5-1, 4.05, 46 IP/27 SO).

2/Starter: Joe Brockemeier, So. (Did not play in 2007-08).

3/Starter: Michael Mariot, So. (2-0, 6.75, 13 IP/5 SO).

Closer: Mike Nesseth, So. (4-1, 3.58, *4 SV, 38 IP/53 SO).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Khiry Cooper.

Best Overall Hitter: Cody Neer.

Best Power Hitter: Adam Bailey.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Nick Sullivan.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Nick Sullivan (6.7 seconds).

Best Base Runner: D.J. Belfonte.

Best Defender: Ben Kline.

Best Infield Arm: Kyle Bubak.

Best Outfield Arm: Boomer Collins.

Best Fastball (velocity): Mike Nesseth (97 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Mike Nesseth.

Best Changeup: Adam Bailey.

Best Command: Michael Mariot.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Kash Kalkowski, rhp-ss / Khiry Cooper, of. The versatile Kalkowski is farther along in his development than the athletic Cooper, and could end up filling any number of roles for the Cornhuskers. As Nebraska ’s best high-school prospect, he received serious attention from scouts last spring when his fastball was touching 94 mph. He’s an exceptional athlete who can play just about any position on the field, as well. Cooper was a fifth-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels last year, but chose not to sign in favor of honoring his football commitment to Nebraska . He spent the fall as a wide receiver, playing no baseball, so will play catch-up this spring and be worked in slowly. His speed is his best asset.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Mike Nesseth, rhp. Nesseth has legit closer stuff with a mid-90s fastball and frisbee slider, and abuses righthanded hitters by coming from a low-three-quarters release point. He was used as a starter in summer ball and may assume that role this spring, but his future is likely in the bullpen. Nesseth is a draft-eligible sophomore after red-shirting in 2007.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Adam Bailey, of-lhp. Bailey is a talented two-way prospect who will be counted on to pitch out of the bullpen as well as hit in the middle of the Cornhusker lineup. He’s a high-average hitter with solid gap power. Bailey started his college career at Arizona State , and made 10 appearances out of the bullpen as a freshman for ASU’s 2007 College World Series team.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Cody Neer, c. Neer spent two years as a catcher at Florida before transferring to Nebraska in 2008. He has become the leader of this year’s team and is a sound defensive catcher who showed much-improved power during fall practice after homering just once as a junior.

--DAVID RAWNSLEY