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In his days as a recruiting coordinator for schools like Clemson, Georgia Tech, Miami, Louisiana State and Arizona State, Turtle Thomas once played an active role in securing some of the nation’s elite talent for some of the marquee programs in college baseball.
Since becoming his own man at Florida International in 2008, Thomas has yet to lead his team to even a first-place finish in the Sun Belt Conference, though has directed the Golden Panthers to NCAA regional at-large berths the last two seasons. His team has also improved its win total each season in Thomas’ brief tenure, from 20 in his first season to 40 a year ago.
FIU fell just a half-game short of finishing atop the Sun Belt in 2011, and this may be the ayear that Thomas pushes his team over the hump as the Panthers return several key players like senior outfielder Pablo Martinez (.373-5-37, 17 SB), the team’s top hitter and base stealer; senior first baseman Mike Martinez (.294-15-60), the top run producer; junior third baseman Rudy Flores (.291-8-52) and junior outfielder Jabari Henry (.241-10-34), along with senior left-hander R.J. Fondon (6-6, 3.05), the team’s top starter.
Predictably, Thomas landed a pair of the nation’s top prep recruits in freshman catcher Aramis Garcia and freshman shortstop Julius Gaines, and both those players will step into starting jobs immediately.
Troy edged out FIU in the chase for first place in the conference in 2011, and should provide the stiffest challenge for the Panthers, particularly with the return of conference pitcher of the year Tyler Ray (12-0, 2.39).
HOW THEY STACK UP
--Expectation level noted: College World Series (CWS), NCAA super regional (SR), NCAA regional (R)
| No |
Team |
W |
L |
W |
L |
| 1 |
Florida International - R
|
40
|
20 |
20 |
9 |
| 2 |
Troy - R
|
43
|
19 |
21 |
9 |
| 3 |
Florida Atlantic
|
32
|
25 |
17 |
13 |
| 4 |
Western Kentucky
|
33 |
24 |
17 |
13 |
| 5 |
Louisiana-Lafayette
|
31 |
27 |
18 |
12 |
| 6 |
Arkansas State
|
27 |
31 |
13 |
16 |
| 7 |
South Alabama
|
30 |
28 |
15 |
15 |
| 8 |
Middle Tennessee St.
|
18 |
37 |
9 |
21 |
| 9 |
Louisiana-Monroe |
24
|
30 |
9 |
21 |
| 10 |
Arkansas-Little Rock
|
24 |
34 |
10 |
21 |
PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
| Pos |
Name |
Class |
School |
Stats |
| C |
J.T. Files
|
Jr.
|
South Alabama
|
(transfer/Navarro JC, TX) |
| 1B |
Mike Martinez
|
Sr.
|
FIU
|
.294-15-60 |
| 2B |
Caleb Clowers |
Sr. |
Louisiana-Monroe
|
.287-3-39
|
| 3B |
Hank LaRue
|
So. |
MTSU |
.306-2-24 |
| SS |
Tyler Hannah
|
Sr. |
Troy |
.370-7-53 |
| OF |
Pablo Bermudez
|
Sr. |
FIU |
.373-5-37, 17 SB
|
| OF |
Nolan Earley
|
Jr.
|
South Alabama
|
.330-2-40 |
| OF |
Jabari Henry
|
Jr. |
FIU |
.241-10-34
|
| DH |
Rudy Flores
|
So.
|
FIU |
.291-8-52 |
| UT |
Justin Guidry
|
Sr.
|
MTSU |
.349-4-32, 1-1, 8.78
|
| SP |
Jacob Lee
|
Sr.
|
Arkansas State
|
5-4, 3.25 |
| SP |
Tanner Perkins
|
Jr. |
Western Kentucky
|
7-4, 2.36
|
| SP |
Tyler Ray
|
Sr.
|
Troy |
12-0, 2.39
|
| RP |
Hugh Adams
|
Sr. |
Florida Atlantic
|
0-1, 3.44, 10 SVs |
Player of the Year: Pablo Bermudez, of, Florida International.
Pitcher of the Year: Tyler Ray, rhp, Troy.
Top Freshman: Austin Robichaux, rhp, Louisiana-Lafayette.
Top Transfer: J.T. Files, c, South Alabama (Navarro, Texas, JC)
THE REST OF THE STORY
* Louisiana-Lafayette slipped from 38 wins and a conference regular-season co-championship in 2010 to 31 wins and a third-place finish in 2011, but coach Tony Robichaux is counting on none other than his son Austin, one of the nation’s top freshman arms, to help his team regain its place atop the Sun Belt standings. The Cajuns are missing their top six hitters from a year ago, but the 6-foot-5 Robichaux, a Reds pick in last year’s draft, should move to the front of the Cajuns rotation.
* Long-time coach Steve Kittrell retired at South Alabama following the 2011 season, and turned over the reins to assistant Mark Calvi. The Jaguars won just 30 games a year ago, far short of the school record of 52, and have brought in a wave of junior-college transfers to try and affect a quick turnaround. Among the newcomers is catcher J.T. Files, who led Navarro (Texas) JC to the Junior College World Series title by hitting a walk-off, two-run homer in the 10thinning of the championship game. Files also was named the event’s MVP.
* Florida Atlantic junior right-handed pitcher R.J. Alvarez has caught the attention of professional scouts over the past few months. Alvarez recently was up to 94 mph with his fastball, adding to an already impressive plus changeup … Redshirt sophomore pitcher Kevin Alexander is up to 88-90 with his fastball following missing last season because of Tommy John surgery … Closer Hugh Adams is progressing extremely well after shoulder surgery in early December … Also keep an eye on freshman 6-foot-6 left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber. Gomber is 88 with his fastball, approaching 90 at times. This all despite battling Mononucleosis this past fall.
* Speaking of South Alabama, coach Mark Calvi and his coaching staff are very excited about the program’s future. New pitching coach Bob Keller believes the Jaguars have what it takes to make some noise this season. They have a solid returning offensive lineup in addition to being excited about the addition of talented JUCO transfer J.T. Files. The Jaguars also feel like their starting rotation will hold up well this spring, while the bullpen is just a classic case of matching up with opponents.
* Some were surprised when previous Western Kentucky head coach Chris Finwood bolted for Old Dominion in the offseason. However, the Hilltoppers are more than happy to have Matt Myers, who was an assistant for Finwood, now running the show. Myers helped the Hilltoppers achieve some special goals in the last four seasons … The Hilltoppers have some tough holes to fill at the plate with the departures of hard-hitting catcher Matt Rice and outfielder Kes Carter. However, they’ve got a solid nucleus of pitchers back with starters Tanner Perkins and Justin Hageman leading the charge. Perkins had a 2.36 ERA last season with 75 strikeouts, while Hageman was one of the league’s elite freshmen with a 3.22 ERA. He also recorded 85 strikeouts.
* Just a couple of campaigns removed from having one of the best teams in the Sun Belt, Louisiana-Monroe went out looking to make a splash in the offseason. They did so with the addition of associate head coach Justin Hill, previously at Southeastern Louisiana. Hill spent four seasons at SLU, and helped Lions head coach Jay Artigues and the program achieve some special goals. Hill served as the recruiting coordinator for the Lions and will serve in the same capacity with the Warhawks.
BREAKING DOWN THE TOP PROSPECTS
Draft Class of 2012 unless otherwise noted
1. R.J. ALVAREZ, rhp, Florida Atlantic -- Projected Round: 2-4
Miscast in 2011 as starter for Owls (6-6, 5.23) with FB at 90-94; pitch bumps to 97 in short role, will be used in relief in 2012
2. AUSTIN ROBICHAUX, rhp, Louisiana-Lafayette (Class of 2014) -- Projected Round: 2-4
6-5/180 RHP is son of Cajuns coach Tony; loose arm with multiple release points, excellent life on FB, tops at 93, good CU
3. ARAMIS GARCIA, c, Florida International (2014) -- Projected Round: 2-4
Drafted by Cardinals in 20th round in June; potential impact talent with power to all fields, superior defender with arm strength
4. JO-EL BENNETT, of, Troy (2014) -- Projected Round: 2-4
Pirates 11th-rounder slots into LF as FR, should make immediate impact; has advanced feel for hitting, evolving gap power
5. JIMMY HODGSKIN, lhp, Troy (Class of 2013) -- Projected Round: 3-5
Struggled to throw strikes as FR (3-7, 4.68, 77 IP/54 BB), but FB at 94, showed much better command of 3-pitch mix in fall
6. JABARI HENRY, of, Florida International -- Projected Round: 4-6
Potential five-tool talent; has lightning-quick hands, thunder in bat, will play LF this spring, but arm/speed are suited for CF
7. JUSTIN HAGEMAN, rhp, Western Kentucky (2013) -- Projected Round: 4-6
6-2/205 RHP hopes to build on impressive freshman season (8-5, 3.22, 100 IP/85 SO); has solid 3-pitch mix with 89-93 FB
8. JULIUS GAINES, ss, Florida International (2014) -- Projected Round: 4-8
Superior defender at SS with soft hands/quick actions; has flashy/confident style to excel as FR, OK bat with line-drive swing
9. TANNER PERKINS, lhp, Western Kentucky -- Projected Round: 6-10
Returns as co-ace of Hilltoppers staff; went 7-4, 2.36 in 2011, FB only in 86-90 range, but is lefty with command, plus CH
10. MASON McVAY, lhp, Florida International -- Projected Round: 8-12
22nd-rounder last June as still on rebound from 2010 TJ surgery; 6-5 lefty with FB up to 95, plus CU; slotted as No. 3 starter
11. JACOB LEE, rhp, Arkansas State -- Projected Round: 8-12
Undrafted a year ago, despite 5-4, 3.25 record; led New England Collegiate League with 0.66 ERA; FB at 88-92, peaks at 95
13. NOLAN EARLEY, of, South Alabama -- Projected Round: 10-15
Solid player across the board; all tools play, especially bat (.330-2-40), power continues to evolve, speed an asset, RF arm
14. TYLER RAY, rhp, Troy -- Projected Round: 10-15
Premier college pitcher with 27 career wins, excellent command of three pitches; 89-91 FB, 6-1 frame a tick short for pro ball
15. MICHAEL FAULKNER, of, Arkansas State -- Projected Round: 10-15
Former A’s draft runs 60 in 6.5 seconds; hit .294-0-20 with 18 SBs as SO, but needs to utilize speed better in all phases
16. DANIEL PALO, rhp, Middle Tennessee State -- Projected Round: 12-18
Went 2-8, 5.83 as starter for 18-37 Blue Raiders team in 2011; much more expected from athletic 6-4/210 RHP with 94 FB
17. HUNTER ADKINS, rhp, Middle Tennessee State -- Projected Round: 12-18
Bookend to Palo (No. 16 above); also struggled with command (2-9, 5.44), but big arm, easy physical projection at 6-3/175
18. JORDAN PATTERSON, of/lhp, South Alabama (2013) -- Projected Round: 15-20
Has started growing into athletic 6-5/205 frame; hit .284-4-32 as FR, has middle-of-order bat; will also pitch with 89-92 FB
19. AUSTIN GOMBER, lhp, Florida Atlantic (2014) -- Projected Round: 15-25
6-5 lefty has earned starting job for Owls as freshman on strength of FB that touched 90 in fall, above-average CU and CH
20. PABLO BERMUDEZ, of, Florida International -- Projected Round: 15-25
Team’s top hitter (.373-5-37, 17 SB); excels defensively in CF and leadoff role with oppo-field approach, smart base runner
21. MIKE STRENTZ, c, Louisiana-Lafayette (2013) -- Projected Round: 15-25
Struggled at plate as FR (.216-3-22), but a superior athlete with plus bat speed and above-average arm; ready for breakout
22. KYLE NEWTON, 3b, Florida Atlantic -- Projected Round: 15-25
South Florida CC transfer slots in at hot corner, No. 3-spot in bat order for Owls; has high BB IQ, hits with power to all fields
23. ALBERT CARDENAS, rhp, Florida International -- Projected Round: 15-25
Worked just 2 IP as red-shirt FR, but intriguing arm with moving FB at 88-90, excellent breaking stuff; fearless competitor
24. KEVIN ALEXANDER, rhp, Florida Atlantic -- Projected Round: 15-25
2009 draftee hopes to return to freshman form after missing last year with TJ surgery; has quick arm, high-80s FB, plus CH
25. JUSTIN GUIDRY, of, Middle Tennessee State -- Projected Round: 15-25
Athletic 2-way talent; topped Raiders with .349 BA in 2011, has bat speed for more power; pitches with command, plus CH
--Players ranked, capsules written by Allan Simpson