The University of Mississippi Athletics
2000 Ole Miss Baseball Preview
1/27/2000 | Baseball
Jan. 27, 2000
OUTLOOK
Coming off their first NCAA Regional appearance since 1995, fourth-year head coach Pat Harrison returns a solid nucleus that looks to have the Rebels poised for a run at a second consecutive postseason appearance.
While the Rebels lost career hit leader second baseman Brad Henderson to graduation and outfielder Michael Rosamond to last June's Major League Baseball Draft, Ole Miss still lists five everyday starters as returning. In addition, the pitching staff from a year ago that posted the SEC's lowest ERA during conference play, returns nearly intact.
"We're in the good position of having a lot of returnees," Harrison says. "However, this is also the first time that we've been in the position where we've had people coming back that have experience postseason play.
"And when you've tasted postseason once, it makes you hungrier to get back. Teams also seem to be more successful the second time around, and with the current 64-team format (in the NCAA Tournament), anything can happen."
While the Rebels have hit a combined 179 HRs the past two seasons, Ole Miss may rely more on its speed in 2000. Outfielders Chad Hill, Kris Cox, Burney Hutchinson and Matt Mossberg provide plenty of speed in the outfield, and junior INF Ryan Davis can be a threat on the base paths as well.
"We have three or four guys that run a 6.6 or better in the 60-yard dash, and they have good baseball instincts," Harrison says. "And that makes a difference. Having good speed doesn't necessarily mean that person is going to be a good base stealer. You need to have good instincts. The fact that we have people with good base running instincts, and good speed is an added strength."
First baseman Jude Voltz is the top returning home run-hitter. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound senior cracked 12 HRs last year, hitting .263 and driving in 38 runs.
Pitching appears to be solid again as the staff that led the SEC in ERA during conference play returns nearly intact. The Rebels return two of their weekend starters in senior RHP Jeff McAvoy and sophomore LHP Nathan Lyons. Junior RHP Justin Huisman, who has served as the closer the last two years, is also back after tying the school's single-season and career marks for saves last spring.
The one concern for Harrison and his staff heading into the season is finding a No. 3 weekend starter. Senior RHP Dan McShea, who was 7-3 and had a team-best 4.05 ERA, is expected to miss the entire upcoming season after having shoulder surgery. Still, Harrison feels the pitching staff will be one of the team's biggest strengths.
"Even though we've lost Dan to surgery we feel pitching will still be one of our greatest strengths," Harrison says. "We have a staff that is experienced in the SEC and has been successful. We've also added depth that we haven't had before."
PITCHING
Prior to last season, many considered pitching to be the biggest question mark for Ole Miss. Instead, the pitching staff turned out to be one of the Rebels' strongest areas.
The Rebels led the SEC in team ERA during conference play with an ERA of 4.56 in 30 games. Overall, Ole Miss recorded a team ERA of 4.87.
Senior Jeff McAvoy will once again be counted on as the team's ace. Last season, McAvoy put the Rebels in position to win in nearly every start. He posted a 5-2 mark in SEC play with a 3.59 ERA, and working at least six innings in each of his 10 conference starts. McAvoy's 8-6 overall record may have been even better as Ole Miss dropped three one-run games in which the right-hander started, including the NCAA Regional opener against Long Beach State.
Sophomore LHP Nathan Lyons is expected to hold the No. 2 starting spot in place of the injured Dan McShea. The southpaw work-ed his way into the SEC rotation last season and finished with a 4-5 mark and a 4.34 ERA.
Harrison and the Rebels have several options available to fill the No. 3 starter position. Among them are senior RHP Joey Cramblitt and junior RHP Ronnie Goodwin. Sophomore LHP Casey Fuller, a JUCO transfer from Sacramento City C.C., and freshman RHP Brett Young, a 1999 High School All-American, could also vie for the spot.
Another option for Harrison is using junior Justin Huisman in a starting role. Used as a closer the past two seasons, Huisman has already tied the school's career record for saves, and he also tied the single-season mark last spring.
"We'll have to wait and see what we decide to do with Justin," Harrison says. "He's played such a big role for us the last two seasons coming out of the bullpen. We also need his bat in the line-up. He swung the bat real well in the fall."
Should Huisman become a starter, look for sophomore RHP Glen Morris to fill the role as closer. Morris was 1-2 with a 4.06 ERA in 20 appearances last season.
INFIELD
With the exception of the graduated Brad Henderson at second base, the infield returns totally intact. The exception, however, leaves some big shoes to replace.
Henderson hit .388 last season and became the first Ole Miss player to record at least 100 hits in a season as he earned honorable mention All-America honors. Henderson also left as the school's all-time leader in hits, doubles, runs scored and total bases.
With the loss of Henderson, the spotlight now shifts to senior 1B Jude Voltz. The team's top returning home run hitter, Voltz hit 12 HRs last season, including three against Vanderbilt (April 2). Harrison is looking for big things from his senior first baseman this spring.
"We're looking for Jude to have an outstanding year," Harrison says. "He's worked real hard during the off-season and has improved in every way - strength, fielding, and offensively."
At the `hot corner,' sophomore Banks Robinson is penciled in as the opening day third basemen, though, he will be pushed by JUCO transfer Lance Jones.
Robinson came on strong at the end of last season, recording a .368 batting average in 29 games. He went a combined 8-for-14 during six games in the SEC and NCAA Tournaments.
Jones comes to Ole Miss following two seasons at Wallace State Junior College in Alabama. He hit .340 in his two years on the junior college level and was named a 1999 National JUCO Bluechip player by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.
Up the middle, junior Justin Huisman is the returning starter at shortstop. Junior Ryan Davis will back-up Huisman, and would be used a late-inning defensive replacement if Huisman continues his closer duties. Davis could also make some starts if Huisman is pitching or playing third. Freshman Evan Conley and Chad Sterbens will also push for time.
At second base, sophomore Clint Farrar looks to have the inside track at being named the starter. Junior Sim Shanks is also in the running for the vacant second base spot.
CATCHER
Junior Carl Lafferty is the incumbent behind the plate after starting 41 games last season and threw out nearly 24 percent of would-be base stealers. He also batted .273 with five HRs and 18 RBIs. Senior Bailey Patridge returns as the back-up, and newcomers Charlie Waite and Blake Holly add depth to the position.
OUTFIELD
Ole Miss will have several different combinations it can work with in the outfield as the position is deep in talent and speed.
Senior Chad Hill and sophomore Burney Hutchinson are returning starters, and sophomore Kris Cox was a part-time starter last season. All three give the Rebels speed in the outfield, and Hill led Ole Miss last season with eight steals in 10 tries.
Junior Craig Nugen looked like he was ready to crack the starting line-up last season before having to have season-ending surgery. He was granted a medical redshirt and still has two years of eligibility remaining. Nugen may be looked upon to provide power as in 10 games last season, he hit .381 and recorded a .667 slugging percentage.
Sophomore A.J. Cochet will also be in the mix after returning from a redshirt year, and freshman Matt Mossberg will add depth. Cochet and Mossberg will also provide the Rebels speed off the bench.
Sophomore Glen Morris is another that adds depth, but may see most of his time in a DH role. He hit .324 last season in 16 games with one HR and seven RBIs.
"We'll be able to play with several different groups out there," Harrison says. "Hill and Cox played a great deal last season, and Kris came a long ways last season. Cochet is much improved, Nugen is healthy, and Burney should have another good year.
"Depending on who's starting in the outfield, and the pitching match-up, one these guys could also serve as the DH."
