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Rich Glickstein/rglickstein@thestate.com/
Whit Merrifield
GoGamecocks.com
5 questions for USC baseball next season
Gamecocks will have some new faces next season to help the team reach Omaha
Jackie Bradley Jr.
Erik Campos/ecampos@thestate.com
The end to South Carolina’s baseball season came abruptly.
Early Monday evening, fans anticipating an NCAA Super Regional matchup against North Carolina instead saw a three-run, ninth-inning lead against East Carolina vanish into the night air of Clark-LeClair Stadium off the bat of Devin Harris in the championship game of the Greenville Regional.
The bullpen meltdown left many around the program feeling disappointed. But it couldn’t negate the promise shown in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. A team that wasn’t ranked in preseason polls — and wasn’t projected to earn an NCAA bid in some midseason forecasts —claimed a No. 2 regional seed and came within a three outs of making it into the round of 16.
Here are five questions surrounding the program heading into next season.
WHAT’S IT GOING TO TAKE TO MAKE IT BACK TO OMAHA?
This is a one-word answer: pitching.
Coach Ray Tanner said after Monday’s loss that no college team ever has enough. He understands this as well as anyone. His teams that made it to the College World Series from 2002-04 featured top-of-the-line arms in the rotation such as Matt Campbell, David Marchbanks, Billy Buckner and Aaron Rawl as well as closers such as Blake Taylor and Chad Blackwell.
The Gamecocks hit the ball well enough to go deeper in the postseason this year, but the pitching staff featured very little consistency and even less depth. Ace Sam Dyson, a first-round talent, never settled into a blow-you-away groove. And the bullpen showed why the coaching staff had little faith with a game on the line. Tanner and recruiting coordinator Chad Holbrook must find better arms.
WHO’S COMING AND WHO’S GOING?
Obviously, the seniors are gone, but the only contributors there were third baseman Andrew Crisp and relievers Alex Farotto and Curtis Johnson. The greater issue involves the juniors who will be selected in next week’s MLB draft.
Dyson should go no later than the second round, possibly the first, and will leave if he gets the bonus he wants. Catcher Justin Dalles could go in the top five rounds, and outfielder DeAngelo Mack could go in the top 10 rounds. Don’t expect either one to return.
First baseman Nick Ebert could go in the top 15, and he would qualify as a possibility to return. The loss of all three would leave a big hole in the middle of the lineup (a combined .337 average, 52 homers and 179 RBIs). Shortstop Bobby Haney and pitcher Blake Cooper might get drafted, but both likely will wear USC uniforms next season.
Tanner also has to worry about a highly-regarded incoming class. Two position players, third baseman/catcher Will Myers of Thomasville, N.C., and shortstop Chris Owings of Gilbert, have a chance to go high in the draft, as does right-handed pitcher Brooks Hall of Anderson. If Tanner gets them on campus, expect them to have an immediate impact. But it doesn’t look good.
WILL WHIT MERRIFIELD MOVE TO THE INFIELD?
It all depends on who shows up on campus in August. The immensely talented Merrifield came to USC as an infielder but has turned himself into an All-SEC Defensive Team center fielder. He can run and hit with anyone in the conference. But if Tanner has a greater need in the infield, especially given second baseman Scott Wingo’s season-long struggles at the plate, Merrifield could find himself there.
It’s not often Tanner sacrifices offense for defense over an entire season as he did with Wingo. Owings would definitely keep Merrifield in the outfield if he makes it to school. Newcomers Adrian Morales (2B) and Christian Walker (3B) also will get long looks at starting roles.
IS JACKIE BRADLEY REALLY THAT GOOD?
Yes, yes and yes. OK, that’s three answers to one question, but he really is that good. Bradley capped a terrific freshman season with a sensational performance in the Greenville Regional.
He can hit, he can run, he can catch, he can throw, and he does it all with flair. He batted .349 with 11 homers and 46 RBIs as a first-year All-SEC player. And he caught everything that went anywhere near him (as well as some things that weren’t so near).
Here’s the kicker. Freshman outfielder Adam Matthews, who played sparingly, has a chance to be equally as exciting when he steps in as starter next season. Matthews, who gave a few glimpses of his raw ability this year, has a blend of power and speed that doesn’t come very often. Project his numbers over a full season of at-bats, and he might drop as many jaws as Bradley.
WHAT IMPACT WILL THE NEW STADIUM HAVE IN THE FUTURE?
A large one. The new field already has become a showplace for college baseball, and it was warmly received by fans. More importantly will be its impact on attracting top recruits. If it does that, USC’s program may return to the heights reached in eight trips to Omaha.
Tanner continues to keep the program on solid footing, even though his teams have missed out on trips to a Super Regional in consecutive seasons. In the past 10 seasons, the Gamecocks have won more games (10 consecutive 40-win seasons) and more conference games than any SEC team. Only three schools (Florida State, Rice and Texas) have won more games over the same period.
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