SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY 2008 SEASON OUTLOOK
With the disappointments of the 2007 season behind them, the Jags look to have a very successful 2008 season.  With the toughest schedule in program history, the Jags will be battle tested early as some of college baseball’s perennial powers are scheduled for 2008.  The number one team in the country in 2005 Tulane Green Wave, five time National Champions LSU Tigers, college baseball power Trojans of Southern California, 2007 Long Beach State Regional Champions UCLA Bruins and 2007 Florida State University Regional contenders Bethune-Cookman Wildcats are five of the first six games on the Jaguars schedule in 2008.  Southern is bringing back a very veteran outfield in addition to returning starting firstbase man and catcher.  The pitching staff will be relatively new as eight were lost from the last year’s team three to the 2007 MLB draft.  However, the pitchers brought in look to fill those holes and do the job for the Jags this season.  In addition, Southern was voted to be the host site for the 2008 SWAC Conference Tournament played at Lee-Hines Field.  There are many things to be excited about in 2008 for the Jaguar Nation and the team is ready to for a successful season.

Outfield 

The outfield is full of experience as all the starters from a season ago are returning. With the veteran experience and power bats, Southern’s outfield should be a huge factor in the Jaguars offense in 2008.  Centerfield will be played by Torey Brown and Juan Mujica who is coming off a great summer where he was named top position player prospect in the Clark Griffin Summer League in Washington DC.  True freshman Anthony Langston has good wheels and probably the best arm in the outfield and can see time after a good fall.  Leftfield will be played by 2007 All-SWAC Tournament Team member Victor Franklin and newcomer Ryan Lambert will help out as well.  Rightfield will be played by Veteran Brad McDavid who made All-SWAC Tournament Team in 2007 in addition to a great summer making the All-Star Team in the IMG Baseball Academy in Florida.  Victor Franklin will also see action in rightfield.

Infield

Infield will be much improved this season as the coaching staff has brought in some very sure handed infielders who will do the job.  The lack of execution in the infield last season was the reason for some of the 2007 Jags key losses.  What was Southern’s weakness last season may be the strength for this years team.  First base will be anchored by veteran Calvin Anderson and newcomers Charles Hall and Jordan Palmer will help out there behind him. Up the middle The Jags look to be much stronger in 2008.  Newcomer Jesse Olivar a JUCO transfer from Sacramento California has a great set of hands and has already been given the nickname of “Secretary of Defense” by Coach Cador.  The last to be given that name was current Southern Assistant Baseball Coach Fernando Puebla who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 2003 MLB draft. 

True freshman Demario Ellis has maybe the best hands in the infield and really has the coaching staff excited about his potential.  Demario has the ability to play multiple infield positions but will see most of his action at second base.  Another JUCO transfer that will play a major role with the Jags this season is Romey Bracey out of Chicago Illinois.  Bracey’s ability to play both second and third in addition to his speed on the base paths should pay dividends for the Jaguars.  Redshirt Freshman Ozzie Lamis will add depth up the middle for the Jags.  At third Southern brings back Greg Whitfield and Kevin Cox who split time between each other last season.  True freshman Dominik Almanzar out of Atlanta Georgia played well this fall and can see time as well.

Catchers

The catchers will be led by one of the best in the nation.  2007 2nd Team All-Conference and All-SWAC Tournament Team member Michael Thomas will start behind the dish.  Thomas is coming off an All-Star caliber summer as he was selected to the IMG Academy All-Star Team and he has been clocked at throwing a 1.6 down to second base.  Behind Thomas will be power hitting Jordan Palmer who will see time behind the plate, firstbase and DH.  He will be looked upon to bring some consistent pop and defense to the Jags this season.  True freshman Charles “Frazier” Hall will also see time behind the pate and at first.  Hall can drive the ball and was one of the most consistent hitters during the fall to go along with his very soft hands behind the plate. Transferring in this semester from Lipscomb University, Alphonso Thomas is a big young talent who is quiet behind the plate and is a power bat. The coaching staff looks forward to “AJ’s” development this year and in years to come. The Jags are excited about the depth and talent at the catcher position.

Pitchers

There will be many new faces in the pitching staff for the 2008 Jags.  Eight pitchers from last year’s team are gone from either completion of eligibility or the 2007 MLB draft.  With all the new faces, the coaches know the staff has potential to be really good.  Probable starters will be Jarrett Maloy who led the Conference in era (2.68) last season as a freshman while still going 4-1.  Christopher Donaby looks to have a great season after a successful summer and fall.  The starting rotation may also see newcomers Chase Richard and Seth Monaghan.  There are some young arms that still have room to develop but the coaches are excited about there potential.  Darren McKnight, Joseph Hughes, Kyle Wahl, Jeremy Morrison and Jordan Talbot are some of the young arms that Southern looks forward to seeing develop and contribute to the programs success for years to come.  The relievers will consist mainly of veterans Cody Elliot, Marcus Moore, Sherrard Brooks, Mitchell Henderson, Belfred Pryer, Theodore Ycoy and newcomer James Spear.  Overall this staff is unproven, but they are hungry and ready to prove that they can do the job.