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After reaching the College World Series finals last year, Coach Brian O’Connor and his staff return their entire starting rotation, though a piece or two has been shuffled around. With closer Nick Howard being selected in the first round last June, Saturday starter Josh Sborz will fill in the spot vacated by Howard, a true testament to the quality and depth the Cavaliers have on the mound. Why move Sborz to the bullpen? Connor Jones and company is the answer. A heralded prospect out of high school, Jones shows advanced stuff including a fastball that will work in the mid-90s and is complemented by big-time breaking stuff. The staff will be anchored by returning ace and reigning ACC Pitcher of the Year, Nathan Kirby, a premier name for the 2015 MLB Draft who sported a 2.06 ERA while going 9-3 in 2014, including a no-hit, 18 strikeout performance in early April. Also returning to the rotation is fellow lefthander Brandon Waddell who put up equally impressive numbers going 10-3 while featuring some of the best pitchability in the country. Alec Bettinger, a righthander who split time between starting and relieving last spring, will look to post equally impressive numbers, providing the Cavaliers with a solid mid-week starter. Freshman Tommy Doyle opened eyes this fall, showing a big fastball and is yet another quality option for Virginia. While the pitching staff didn’t take much of a hit, the offense did, losing their top two hitters in Mike Papi and Brandon Cogswell, as well as Derek Fisher and his powerful lefthanded swing. Back however is junior outfielder Joe McCarthy, a Perfect Game Preseason Second Team All-American, who hit .301 last spring while putting six balls out of the yard and driving in 49 runs. The Cavaliers also have a strong double play combo up the middle with John La Prise and Daniel Pinero. Pinero shows advanced tools across the board with a plus arm while La Prise hit .348 last spring while swiping five bags in six attempts. Another freshman to keep an eye on is outfielder/lefthanded pitcher Adam Haseley who shows a smooth stroke from the left side and should provide valuable innings on the mound while working into the low-90s with his fastball. Nearly half of the roster is composed of freshman, but with several keys pieces returning and a freshman class that could make an impact immediately, look for Virginia to go on another run this spring.
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