74. WAKE FOREST

2008 RECORD. Overall: 25-31. Conference: 13-16 / 3^rd in ACC (Atlantic).

Coach: Rick Rembielak (120-112, 5^th season at Wake Forest ; 493-363 overall in 15 seasons).

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

 

OVERVIEW: First-round pick Alan Dykstra (.323-16-50) and three other regulars are gone, as are Wake Forest ’s top two starters. But those losses have provided the perfect segue for the Demon Deacons, who secured a top-notch recruiting class and have openings in the field and on the mound for most of their prized first-year players to start immediately. 1B-LHP Austin Stadler and RHP Daniel Marrs, teammates at James River High in Richmond , Va. , are two of the top-ranked freshmen in the country, and should play major roles in Wake Forest ’s attempt to reverse a sub-.500 record and perhaps even make a run at the ACC tournament.

 

PROJECTED 2009 STARTING LINEUP

C: Michael Murray (3), Jr. (.302-6-36).

1B: Austin Stadler (4), Fr. (Giants/40^th round).

2B: Dustin Hood, Sr. (.306-2-33).

3B: Carlos Lopez, Fr. (HS—Boynton Beach, Fla.).

SS: Shane Kroker, Fr. (HS—Westlake Village, Calif.).

LF: Tyler Smith, Sr. (.241-2-23).

CF: Steven Brooks (1), So. (.186-2-17; 15 SB).

RF: Evan Ocheltree, Sr. (.278-5-30).

DH: Weldon Woodall, Sr. (.266-2-23).

1/Starter: Michael Dimock, Fr. (HS—Greensboro, N.C.).

2/Starter: Brad Klekzik, Sr. (3-5, 7.51, 56 IP/57 SO).

3/Starter: Austin Stadler, Fr. (Giants/40^th round).

Closer: Daniel Marrs, Fr. (Phiilies/40^th round).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Ryan Semeniuk.

Best Overall Hitter: Michael Murray.

Best Power Hitter: Michael Murray.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Michael Murray.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Steven Brooks (6.4 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Dustin Hood.

Best Defender: Evan Ocheltree.

Best Infield Arm: Carlos Lopez.

Best Outfield Arm: Micah Jarrett.

Best Fastball (velocity): Daniel Marrs (97 mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Mark Adzick.

Best Changeup: Phil Negus.

Best Command: Michael Dimock.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Daniel Marrs, rhp / Austin Stadler, lhp-1b. Stadler may be the more valuable player for Wake Forest as a freshman because of his two-way responsibility, but Marrs has the greater upside and ranks as the Deacons highest-profile recruit since Kyle Sleeth went on to become the third pick in the 2003 draft. Marrs has been clocked up to 97 mph in the past and sits comfortably in the 92-94 range. He still needs to refine his off-speed pitches, but could dominate as a closer with primarily a fastball. Stadler doesn’t have a dominant tool like Marrs, but his lefthanded bat and fundamental baseball skills stand out. He is an aggressive and confident hitter who combines both power potential and hitting ability. He is also a polished lefthanded pitcher who throws in the 85-88 mph range. Below-average speed is his one limiting factor as a position player.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Steven Brooks, of. A former Aflac All-American, Brooks has five-tool ability but his raw speed is the one tool that truly stands out most. He’s a solid defender and flashes occasional raw power potential, but he has a significant way to go at the plate overall to become an accomplished hitter.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Michael Murray, c. Murray has significant appeal as a lefthanded-hitting catcher with the ability to hit for both power and average. He needs to become more polished defensively and has the added burden this spring of handling a young and inexperienced pitching staff.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Evan Ocheltree, of. Ocheltree has intruiging tools and showed the promise of becoming an early-round pick in last year’s draft, but never got untracked and slipped to the New York Yankees in the 44^th-round. He has solid right-field skills with a strong arm and flashes good raw power, but needs work to cut down on his strikeouts after fanning 49 times in 169 at-bats in 2008.

--JEFF SIMPSON