Returning Players
Jackson Webb - 6-0, 165, R-SR - .312/.437/.408 - 1 HR, 19 RBI
Webb was a surprising revelation for the Jackets last season. He didn’t become the full time third basemen until later in the season, the Boston College series, but he ended up having the 4th highest average on the team, a .437 on-base percentage, and led the team in stolen bases with 13 steals in 15 attempts. He showed a good eye at the plate, only striking out 28 times while drawing the same number of walks. Jackson should provide a sold switch hitting presence in the lineup and will improve on his fielding from last season.
Luke Waddell - 5-9, 176, JR - .322/.436/.416 - 2 HR, 34 RBI
Waddell was a breakout player last season. He was third on the team in batting average and showed an incredible level of patience at the plate, only striking out 22 times in 233 plate appearances and drawing 45 walks. He spent the summer with Team USA, being the first Jacket to do that since Derick Dietrich, where he hit .320 with a .404 on base percentage. He forms one part of a strong double play duo with Wilhite and only looks to get better as a fielder.
Austin Wilhite - 5-9, 168, SR - .266/.366/.349 - 1 HR, 32 RBI
Wilhite has been a mainstay of the Tech infield since his arrival in 2017. His best season was his freshman season, where he hit .338 and was named both an ACC all-freshman player and a freshman all-american. He rebounded well in 2019, after struggling in 2018. He is a strong player defensively, who can hopefully lower his strike out rate at the plate. He has also been getting work on the mound during the fall and could be an option out of the bullpen.
New Faces
Drew Compton - 6-2, 195 - 181st overall player, 7th rated 3rd baseman in 2019
Compton is another gem in Tech’s 4th ranked class of 2019. He was a HS teammate of fellow Jacket Stephen Reid. Compton is a switch hitter who has shown good power from both sides of the plate. Look for him to be the main player to help replace the power Tech lost from last season.
Andrew Jenkins - 6-0, 205 - 182nd overall player, 8th rated 3rd baseman in 2019
Second verse, same as the first. Jenkins is another top 200 rated player in the class of 2019. A strong bat from the right side, expect Jenkins to have the first crack at the DH spot. Jenkins also posses a strong arm and could get chances out of the bullpen as well.
Jadyn Jackson - 6-0, 180 - 50th ranked player in GA, 91st ranked SS in 2019
Jackson doesn’t come in as highly rated as some other members of the class, but he has impressed the staff with his play in the fall and could have a chance to earn some playing time, if the Jackets look to use Wilhite on the mound.
Projected Lineup
3rd - Webb
SS - Waddell
2nd - Wilhite
1st - Compton
DH - Jenkins
I expect this to be the opening day lineup for the Jackets. Hopefully Jenkins and Compton can harness and show the power they had as HS players.