Here's how we look for next season, prior to acquiring more JUCO options:


Catcher

Zach Bridges (Jr.)
Matthew Suggs (Fr.)

Bridges came from the JUCO route (Brunswick CC) but only got 14 AB's this year working behind Jeffers and Sheaffer. I expect he'll get the first crack at starting, especially since LP Oxendine (listed as a catcher on the roster) didn't catch at all this season.

Suggs is an intriguing incoming freshman who might end up our full-time catcher. A local product (Hoggard), where he hit .343, Suggs was ranked the # 103 prospect in the state by Perfect Game, and # 71 by the Prep Baseball Report.

First Base

NONE

This is the biggest hole in the Seahawk lineup with the departure of Mason Berne, and the most obvious position at which to look into the JUCO route.

My # 1 target? Spartanburg Methodist's Houston Wright. We've been quite active and successful in bringing kids from the South Carolina JUCO program here, creating a bit of a pipeline. Last year for SMU, Wright played 1B and was 2nd on the team in average (.367) and slugging (.661) and first in HR (12) and RBI (45). He seems like an obvious candidate to fill this massive hole and slot into the middle of our lineup.

Second Base

Doug Angeli (So.)
Jackson Meadows (Jr.)
Brooks Baldwin (Fr.)

Angeli had the inside track at the starting 2B position this past season, but primarily because Meadows was able to be used in the OF. With the OF more loaded next season, this could be a true competition. This is a good problem to have.

Meadows was the better offensive player, hitting .252 compared to Angeli's .208. But Angeli was the better fielder, sporting a .952 fielding percentage compared to Meadows' .932.

Baldwin, ranked the # 26 prospect in the state at his position by Prep Baseball Report, will play a factor as well in 2019. Consider 2B arguably our deepest position as a result.

Third Base

Cole Weiss (Jr.)
LP Oxendine (So.)

Cole Weiss finished the season on a torrid hitting run that will likely end up putting him on one of the the All-CAA Preseason teams in 2019. Starting with the UNC game on May 15 and through the Regionals, Weiss hit a sizzling .396 (19-48) with a HR and 9 RBI. And this was all against high level competition. Weiss' job is as safe as the come, and he is a cornerstone for the 2019 squad.

Shortstop

Greg Jones (So.)
Adam Smith (Fr.)

Another job that is 100 % secure belongs of course to Greg Jones. After turning down a $1.1 million signing bonus from the Orioles to come play ball for Coach Scalf, last season, Jones didn't disappoint in flashing the elite skills that made him Baseball America's # 75 prospect entering the 2018 MLB Draft.

In his 60 starts as a freshman, Jones hit .278 last season, stole 16 bases, scored 45 runs, and even flashed some power (4 HR). His defense can use some work (.902 fielding %), but that will come in time. He showed off a cannon for an arm and made several highlight reel plays for the Hawks over the course of the season. Jones' development into his sophomore campaign will be fun to watch, as he will expect to return to the leadoff role.

Smith enters the program ranked the # 40 prospect in the state, and according to Scalf, is already a solid defensive SS. His path is of course blocked by Jones at the moment, but he can also play in the OF.

Outfield

Kep Brown (r-Jr.)
Noah Bridges (So.)
Riley Zayicek (r-So. or Jr.)
Noah Liles (So.)
Brycen Braswell (So.)
Christopher Thorburn (Fr.)
Broadus Roberson (Fr.)

Outfield will be very deep in 2019 with the return of Riley Zayicek from injury. Zayicek was hitting well (11-36, HR, 5 RBI) before going down, and joins a solid core that will also include Jackson Meadows in the rotation.

Not only can we expect a monster year out of Kep Brown, and for young guys like Bridges and Liles to take steps in their progress, the incoming freshmen are exciting as well. Christopher Thorburn is the younger brother of Robbie, and is ranked the #45 prospect in the state by PG. Roberson is already being hailed by Scalf as a player who can potentially become an "elite player in our program", with "plus-power" and the ability to play all 3 positions.

Starting Pitching

RHP Gage Herring (So.)
LHP Zarion Sharpe (r-So. or Jr.)
RHP Landen Roupp (So.)
LHP Blake Morgan (r-Sr.)
RHP Nick Bruno (r-So.)
RHP Breydan Gorham (r-Jr.)
RHP Jake Smith (Fr.)
RHP Michael Picollo (Fr.)

With Alex Royalty likely gone, the Seahawk starting staff is on pretty shaky ground heading into 2019. Herring shows promise as the potential Friday starter, especially after pitching a 6.2 inning gem against Delaware in the CAA Tournament (1 ER, 5 H, 6 K's, 1 BB). But nothing is set in stone about the weekend rotation. And as we know, Coach Scalf has re-shaped the pitching staff, building "back to front" with the bullpen.

Zarion Sharpe's return from injury could prove crucial. After reaching the 2017 CAA All-Rookie team, Sharpe picked up where he left off in 2018, posting a 3.74 ERA through his first 5 starts. Expect him to be in the mix for sure.

An intriguing crop of freshmen pitchers were signed in 2019 that included Justin Jarvis, Jake Smith, and Michael Picollo. All 3 of the aforementioned pitchers were drafted, with Jarvis going in the 5th round. Thus, its hard to project which will make it to campus, though it seems safe to say that Jarvis is a goner.

Bullpen

RHP Henry Ryan (Jr.)
LHP Justin Walke (Sr.)
RHP Blake Deatherage (Sr.)
LHP Levi Gesell (r-Sr.)
RHP Luke Gesell (Jr.)
LHP Chris Joyner (Jr.)
RHP Andrew Tilghman (r-Sr.)

Despite the likely loss of closer Clark Cota and Logan Beehler, and definite losses of Austin Warren, Austin Easter, the Seahawk bullpen remains deep and talented. And its numbers will grow as newcomers are slotted into their various roles.

Other than his hiccup at the regionals against ECU, where he allowed 2 runs in an inning of work, Henry Ryan was nearly perfect for the Hawks as a sophomore. The big 6-5, 230 lbs. righty, whose fastball tops out in the mid to upper 90s, posted a 1.11 ERA over 17 appearances, striking out 23 and walking 11 over 24.1 innings. Opposing batters hit just .145 against him. With Cota and Warren gone, and with them 15 combined saves in '18, Ryan slots in as the closer and most important reliever for the Hawks in 2019. Those are big shoes to fill, but Ryan has the arm talent and productivity to prove he can handle the role.

Behind Ryan are a bevy of options for Scalf and pitching coach Matt Williams. Walke, just as he was in 2018, will be UNCW's most important lefty reliever, coming off a heavy workload this past campaign. Only Warren (28), Cota (27) and Easter (26) had more appearances last season than Walke (21). And of course, the former 3 are all gone.

Throw in the other options and this unit will be very deep and strong once again in '19. Even if the starting pitching is a question mark, 2019 will be a success primarily because of this group. As long as the Hawks can get a lead by the 6th inning in games, they can be confident they'll get a W.

Projected Lineup:

1. Greg Jones SS
2. Cole Weiss 3B
3. Kep Brown RF
4. Houston Wright 1B
5. Riley Zayicek DH
6. Matthew Suggs C
7. Jackson Meadows LF
8. Doug Angeli 2B
9. Noah Bridges CF

Projected Rotation:

Friday: Gage Herring
Saturday: Zarion Sharpe
Sunday: Landen Roupp
Midweek: Blake Morgan, Nick Bruno

Bullpen:

Closer: Henry Ryan
Setup: Justin Walke
Middle Relief: Blake Deatherage, Levi Gesell, Luke Gesell, Chris Joyner