Jacksonville Dolphins
Overall rank: #43
Conference rank: #2 Atlantic Sun
Jacksonville Team Page
2011: 37-24, 19-11
2011 Postseason: Eliminated in Gainesville NCAA regional (lost twice to Miami)
Coach: Terry Alexander
Field Players:
Two Jacksonville players are built to anchor both the outfield and infield, one apiece. Outfielder Daniel Gulbransen (.370 average, six homers, 52 runs batted in) was second on the team in hits a year ago with 84 and should bring a hot bat to the lineup once again in 2012. Infielder Taylor Ratliff (.330-1-24) banged out 68 hits and was a double threat once he got on base with a team-leading 25 steals. Adam Brett Walker (see below under who to watch) can play both first base and outfield and wields a wicked hot bat that should help Jacksonville score more than its share of runs in 2012. Keep an eye on 1B/3B Kevin Lehane (.318-8-413), who displayed plenty of extra-base power with 11 doubles. Together, these returnees should help offset the loss of Jimmy Howick, who batted .319 a year ago.
Pitchers:
The loss of top pitcher Matthew Tomshaw from a year ago does hurt, especially when you subtract his two complete games and 76 strikeouts. The two other top pitchers from 2011 are back, including Tony Mollica (3-4, 3.96 ERA) and Steve Eagerton (9-0, 4.09). Eagerton could become the staff ace thanks to that undefeated record and decent walk-strikeout ratio (19/42). Mollica definitely had control problems last year (61 walks, 48 strikeouts), and he will have to bring those numbers down within reason if he is to be a top pitcher once again. Designated hitter Chris Anderson doubles as the team’s closer, and he racked up 11 saves while going 4-2 with a 3.91 ERA.
Who to Watch:
Adam Brett Walker II could be a star in the Atlantic Sun Conference, if not nationally known, by the end of the season. Walker was named a Louisville Slugger Preseason All-America selection by Baseball America. He was also named preseason first team All-America by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, putting a lot of pressure on Walker before the 2012 campaign even begins. Walker led the conference with a .409 batting average, 99 hits and 23 doubles last season. His power was also on display with 13 home runs, 75 runs batted in, 165 total bases and a .685 slugging percentage. The hits and total bases marks were single-season records for the program.
Final Projection:
With Howick lost to graduation and Tomshaw off the roster, Jacksonville looks like things are all right on the surface. The truth is the Dolphins lost nine letter winners, including four hitters and three pitchers. Jacksonville has never made an appearance in the College World Series but has been to the NCAA tournament 13 times since 1968. The Dolphins have a good chance to make it back to the big show this year, but they must overcome the loss of Tomshaw and hope other pitchers step in to make things strong once again.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At bats: Jonathan Murphy, OF, 269
Hits: Adam Brett Walker, 1B/OF, 99
Home Runs: Adam Brett Walker, 1B/OF, 13
RBIs: Adam Brett Walker, 1B/OF, 75
Runs: Adam Brett Walker, 1B/OF, 65
Stolen Bases: Taylor Ratliff, IF, 25
Wins: Steve Eagerton, P, 9
Innings Pitched: Steve Eagerton, P, 83.2
Strikeouts: Tony Mollica, P, 48
Saves: Chris Anderson, DH/P, 11
Madness 2012 MLB Draft Rankings:
#40 Adam Brett Walker
