HOW THEY STACK UP

Atlantic Division

1. Florida State
2. Clemson
3. N.C. State
4. Boston College
5. Wake Forest
6. Maryland

Coastal Division

1. Virginia
2. Miami (Fla.)
3. North Carolina
4. Georgia Tech
5. Virginia Tech
6. Duke

ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

C John Hicks, Virginia
1B Matt Skole, Georgia Tech
2B Keith Werman, Virginia
SS Levi Michael, North Carolina
3B John Hinson, Clemson
OF Jeff Schaus, Clemson
OF Mike McGee, Florida State
OF Nathan Melendres, Miami
DH Harold Martinez, Miami

SP Danny Hultzen, Virginia
SP Jed Bradley, Georgia Tech
SP Patrick Johnson, North Carolina
RP Mike McGee, Florida State

RISING STOCK

Florida State’s pitching staff: The Seminoles have lacked a premier overall staff the past few seasons, but they finally have one with loads of potential both in the way of weekend starters and relievers.

Clemson’s talented offensive trio: Last season, the Tigers heard so much about how great first-rounder Kyle Parker was. Now, this season, the media clippings will be centered around the offensive trio of Jeff Schaus, John Hinson and Brad Miller. The Tigers have a strong offensive nucleus.

Georgia Tech’s pitching staff: The Yellow Jackets have been known for their offense the past few seasons, but their pitching staff will be the strongest suit this season with Jed Bradley and Mark Pope leading the way on the weekend. The Jackets also have a solid closer in Kevin Jacob if he can stay healthy.

North Carolina pitcher Patrick Johnson: The Tar Heels had a premier ace pitcher in Alex White before Matt Harvey took the reins last season. Now, it’s Johnson’s turn to be the Heels’ showcased pitcher. Can he live up to potential?

FALLING STOCK

Virginia Tech’s weekend rotation: The Hokies could have a tough time taking care of business on the weekend without all three weekend starters from last season, including Jesse Hahn, Justin Wright and Mathew Price. Hahn and Wright finished last season with ERAs below four, while Price had a 4.95 ERA.

Georgia Tech’s offense: The Yellow Jackets had one of the nation’s best offenses last season with a .326 average, but must replace their top four hitters plus other key cogs. The Jackets desperately need productive campaigns from infielders Matt Skole and Jacob Esch.

Duke: It only was a couple seasons ago the Blue Devils were expected to take a huge step forward. But that never happened. Now, the Devils, who are coming off a 29-27 campaign, are again expected to finish at the bottom of the Coastal Division. The Devils desperately need a positive campaign.

N.C. State: It’s an important year for the Wolfpack in terms of getting back some momentum. It wasn’t long ago they played Georgia in an NCAA Super Regional. But two season ago, the Wolfpack had a dismal record, and last season, they went 0-2 in postseason action. N.C. State is expected to be better this season, but a better postseason showing is needed.

BEST PITCHER

LHP Danny Hultzen, Virginia: The lefty has had an outstanding career for the Cavaliers and is expected to have another great campaign. He started 16 games last season and had a 2.78 ERA in 106 2/3 innings. He also struck out 123 and walked 24.

BEST HITTER

OF Mike McGee, Florida State: He’s the do-it-all guy for the Seminoles. In addition to his role as an elite reliever, McGee is a very productive hitter, finishing last season with a .328 average, 17 homers and 73 RBIs.

POSTSEASON CONTENDERS

Omaha caliber: Florida State, Clemson, Virginia
Super regional caliber: Miami (Fla.), North Carolina, Georgia Tech
Regional caliber: N.C. State

TOP PROSPECTS (2011 MLB DRAFT)

Prospect lists compiled by Allan Simpson

1. LHP Jed Bradley, Georgia Tech
2. 3B Harold Martinez, Miami (Fla.)
3. LHP/1B Danny Hultzen, Virginia
4. OF/LHP Will Lamb, Clemson
5. SS Levi Michael, North Carolina
6. SS/3B Brad Miller, Clemson
7. LHP/OF Sean Gilmartin, Florida State
8. 1B/3B Matt Skole, Georgia Tech
9. RHP Mark Pope, Georgia Tech
10. RHP Cory Mazzoni, N.C. State
11. 1B/3B Harold Riggins, N.C. State
12. 3B Steven Proscia, Virginia
13. RHP Kevin Jacob, Georgia Tech
14. RHP Kevin Brady, Clemson
15. 3B John Hinson, Clemson
16. C John Hicks, Virginia
17. C/1B Pratt Maynard, N.C. State
18. OF Nathan Melendres, Miami (Fla.)
19. RHP Chuck Ghysels, Maryland
20. OF Jeff Schaus, Clemson

TOP PROSPECTS (2012 MLB DRAFT)

Prospect lists compiled by Allan Simpson

1. RHP/SS Marcus Stroman, Duke
2. SS Stephen Perez, Miami (Fla.)
3. 3B/1B Jayce Boyd, Florida State
4. RHP Buck Farmer, Georgia Tech
5. 1B/RHP Richie Shaffer
6. RHP E.J. Encinosa, Miami (Fla.)
7. RHP Michael Morin, North Carolina
8. OF Brandon Thomas, Georgia Tech
9. RHP Branden Kline, Virginia
10. RHP Chris Munnelly, North Carolina
11. RHP Luke Bard, Georgia Tech
12. RHP Dane Williams, N.C. State
13. RHP Eric Whaley, Miami (Fla.)
14. OF Tarran Senay, N.C. State
15. C Spencer Kieboom, Clemson
16. LHP Joe Mantiply, Virginia Tech
17. LHP Steve Ewing, Miami (Fla.)
18. 1B Cade Kreuter, Miami (Fla.)
19. SS/OF Chris Taylor, Virginia
20. OF Reed Gragnani, Virginia

AROUND THE DIAMOND

• Miami has the tough chore of replacing starting pitchers Chris Hernandez and Eric Erickson and other arms. However, pitching coach J.D. Arteaga is confident the Hurricanes will be just fine with Eric Whaley and E.J. Encinosa moving to the rotation. Whaley made four starts last season and had a 4.28 ERA while Encinosa started just one game last season and had a 2.20 ERA.

• Duke is hoping for a strong campaign from two-way talent Marcus Stroman. Stroman is a top prospect for the 2012 MLB Draft, but showed signs that improvement is needed last season. Stroman batted just .265 with two homers and 20 RBIs, while on the mound he went 6-4 with a 5.31 ERA in 57 2/3 innings. He’s a perfect candidate for breakout player of the year.

• Maryland will be without starting pitcher Brett Harman this season. Harman, a senior right-hander, will miss the season with Tommy John surgery. As a junior last season, the righty started 13 games and had a 4.50 ERA in 86 innings. He also struck out 91 and walked 25. The Terrapins definitely will miss his services.

• N.C. State junior right-handed pitcher Cory Mazzoni is another breakout player candidate to watch. Mazzoni is one of the top ACC prospects in the 2011 draft class, but must show improvement this season. Last season, Mazzoni went 7-3 with a 5.20 ERA in 91 2/3 innings. He also struck out 89 and walked 40.

• Georgia Tech’s success on the mound hinges somewhat on the health of senior right-handed pitcher Kevin Jacob. Jacob, one of the top prospects for the ’11 draft, missed last season with an arm injury, but has much upside. Jacob will close this season and is expected to be a much-needed boost for the Jackets.

• Boston College will be without junior right-handed pitcher Taylor Lasko this season. Lasko was expected to be a key ingredient to the team’s success, but is missing the campaign because of Tommy John surgery. Lasko made 21 appearances last season and had a 5.14 ERA in 63 innings.

Kendall Rogers is the managing editor of college baseball for Perfect Game USA and has covered the sport for over 10 seasons. He can be reached at kendall@perfectgame.org