2009 Baseball Preview: Another Day Older

This is the second of a two-part series previewing the 2009 Razorback Baseball team.

At times last season, the Razorback Baseball team took their lumps.  Relying on several freshman to carry the load, the Hogs narrowly missed the 8-team SEC Tournament, before exiting quickly from the Stanford Regional.  A 34-24 record was left showing at the end, and the good thing about Freshman is that they become Sophomores.  The experience they gained last year, should serve them well in 2009.

Here’s a position-by-position look at the 2009 Razorbacks:

Catcher

Ryan Cisterna is back behind the dish this season.  With a few pounds of muscle added to his 6-2 frame, Cisterna is primed for a big senior season.  Ryan struggled early at the plate last year, but rallied to hit .237 with 9 HRs.  He is very solid defensively, allowing only 3 passed balls the entire 2008 season.

Infield

Second baseman Ben Tschepikow and shortstop Scott Lyons return up the middle.  The senior combo have a wealth of experience, with Tschepikow (.301, 1 HR, 30 RBIs) being a rare fifth-year player who missed portions of three seasons, before being injury-free in 2008.  Lyons was solid in the field last year, but overmatched at the plate.  A summer in the weight room should serve him well.  Freshman Tim Carver and Bo Bigham are waiting in the wings.

But it’s the corners of the infield where the franchise players live.  Last year’s freshman sensation Andy Wilkins (.331, 8 HRs, 38 RBIs) is back and will mainly play first base.  This year’s version comes in the form of Zack Cox, a 6-0, 215 pound freshman from Louisville, Kentucky.  Wilkins has transformed his body over the offseason and will be one of the best pure hitters in the conference.  Cox, who also looks to be the Hogs closer, has tremendous hands and a fierce competitor to boot.

Outfield

This group is led by senior right fielder Chase Leavitt (.366, 3 HRs, 25 RBIs), who was named to Rivals.com All-SEC Pre-Season squad.  Leavitt, who is one of the 2009 captains, has a great eye at the plate and will hit lead off.  Sophomore star Brett Eibner (.298, 8 HRs, 48 RBIs) is back in center field. 

Sweet swinging sophomore Jacob House (.289, 5 HRs, 23 RBIs) and senior Andrew Darr will likely platoon in left field.  Both will see time at DH as well.  True freshman Jarrod McKinney (Hughes Springs, TX) and Seth Gardner (Dallas, TX) look ready to contribute in reserve roles, while redshirt freshman speedster Collin Kuhn continues to push for playing time somewhere.

Starting Pitchers

Its hard to say who will emerge and take the weekend starting roles, but three names always seem to be mentioned here.  Junior LHP Dallas Keuchel (4-3, 4.58 ERA, 74.2 IP in 2008), junior RHP Mike Bolsinger (4-1, 3.73 ERA in 2008), and 6-6 newcomer T.J. Forrest have the early edge.  Bolsinger emerged late last year, while Forrest started his career at LSU before transferring to Bossier Parish CC. 

6-6 juco transfer Bryan Bingham, redshirt freshman LHP Drew Smyly from Little Rock, and 6-6 Sophomore RHP James Mahler will also get early looks as the Hogs play 15 games in 19 days to start the season.

Relief Pitchers

Veterans RHP Justin Wells (3-2, 6.05 ERA in 2008) and LHP Stephen Richards (2-4, 4.21 ERA in 2008) appear to be the first options out of the pen.  Wells, the senior from Bryant, showed flashes last year, starting 7 games and throwing 77.1 innings.  Richards is a crafty left hander who has a excellent slider…a pitch he used last year to strike out 36 batters in only 25.2 innings pitched.  Freshman third baseman Zack Cox looks to be the crunch-time closer.

Prediction

The Hogs should battle LSU and Ole Miss for the Western Division title in 2009.  Both of these teams have to visit Baum Stadium in May, which could bode well for the Hogs chances.  Hosting a Regional is very possible, and if they get hot down the stretch, a Super Regional and CWS appearance is not out of the question.

All in all, we smell a bounce-back season for the Diamond Hogs…one that should make Baum Stadium a very fun place to be this spring.  See you at the Baum!!!