71. COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

2008 RECORD. Overall: 39-20. Conference: 18-9 / 2^nd in Southern Conference.

Coach: Monte Lee (1^st season).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 vs. Miami (Ohio).

 

OVERVIEW: A coaching change often coincides with the cupboard being left pretty bare for a new coach, but that is not the case for Monte Lee. The former South Carolina assistant takes over a Cougars team that led the Division I ranks with 130 home runs a year ago, and yet returns four regulars, including all-star senior 2B Brandon Sizemore. Mind you, Jeremie Tice and Michael Harrington, who combined for 51 homers, have departed and left big shoes to fill on the infield corners, but both replacements saw considerable action a year ago. The pitching staff is even more intact and senior RHP Jesse Simpson returns as the Friday starter.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Austin Morgan, Sr. (.301-3-37).

1B: Joash Brodin (4), Sr. (.329-4-17).

2B: Brandon Sizemore (3), Sr. (.325-20-82, *24 2B, 11 SB).

3B: Joey Bergman, Jr. (.317-1-16).

SS: Mike Hentz, Sr. (.352-7-44).

LF: Clay McCord (1), Sr. (.333-4-28, 14 SB).

CF: Matt Mansilla, Sr. (.282-3-10).

RF: Cole Rakar, So. (.395-3-14).

DH: Greg Blake, Jr. (Transfer--Lake City, Fla., CC).

1/Starter: Jesse Simpson, Sr. (*9-3, *3.88; 72 IP/*83 SO).

2/Starter: Casey Lucchese, So. (5-3, 6.49, 43 IP/45 SO).

3/Starter: Dave Peterson, Fr. (Reds/40^th round).

Closer: Ryan Daniels, Jr. (Transfer—Blinn, Texas, JC).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Brandon Sizemore.

Best Overall Hitter: Brandon Sizemore.

Best Power Hitter: Brandon Sizemore.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Clay McCord.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Matt Mansilla (6.5 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Brandon Sizemore.

Best Defender: Mike Hentz.

Best Infield Arm: Mike Hentz.

Best Outfield Arm: Matt Mansilla.

Best Fastball (velocity): Casey Lucchese (93 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Jesse Simpson.

Best Changeup: Kevin Decker.

Best Command: Ryan Daniels.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Dave Peterson, rhp. Peterson, a 40^th-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds out of a California high school, steps right into a starting job. He’s very projectable at 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds, and already has a fastball that sits in the 89-92 mph range.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Casey Lucchese, rhp. A projectable righthander at 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds, Lucchese has the best fastball on the Cougars staff. He routinely is between 89-93 mph and his combination of size and arm strength should make him an attractive target in the 2010 draft, though he needs to develop a reliable third pitch to solidify his status as a starter.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Greg Blake, of-1b. Unlike their other three classes, the Cougars do not have a legitimate prospect in the junior class. Blake is essentially a one-tool talent and will serve mostly as a DH, but he is exceptionally strong and has impressive raw power from the left side. Blake can play first base or the outfield in a pinch, but needs playing time to become an acceptable defender.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Brandon Sizemore, 2b. Sizemore will be hard-pressed to top—or even duplicate—his 2008 season, but almost certainly will exponentially improve his draft position after being a 46^th-round afterthought of the St. Louis Cardinals a year ago. No one tool stands out, but he is a solid and dependable player with average speed and power, though second base is his only real option defensively.

--JEFF SIMPSON