With the draft finished, high school players committed, and with fall workouts fast approaching, here is our theory of how the Hoos could lineup as the NCAA College Baseball season begins on February 25th.  

C. Jacob Ferrence–The Salisbury grad transfer was excellent behind the plate for the Hoos last season, with 312 putouts in the field and 17 homeruns with a bat in his hand.  With the departure of Ethan Anderson, Ferrence will be a welcome site for the Hoos in their bid to return to Omaha.

1B. Henry Ford-The 6’5” rising sophomore was stellar in his first season in Charlottesville, clubbing 17 homeruns and knocking in 69 rbi’s in 61 games on 1B.  He honed his craft with USA Baseball over the summer, fans can expect him to return in top form and his numbers to keep improving as he matures as a player.   

2B. Luke Hanson- Last season the utility man notched 42 hits in 54 games in a UVA uniform.  He has the experience necessary to play either middle infield position, but thanks to having less games under his belt last year than Henry Godbout, we think he will play 2B, but he could move over if he finds himself in better form than his teammate.   

SS. Henry Godbout-The junior gave a solid demonstration of all five tools throughout the 2024 season for the Hoos on 2B.  He was a highly touted shortstop in high school, and with Griff O’Ferrall gone, expect his former middle infield partner to take over at that important position.  

3B. Eric Becker-Another player who could play shortstop for the Hoos, the sophomore played well at 3B in 45 games for UVA last season.   His glove and arm will likely keep him on the hot corner for the year, and the position, at least according to us, is his to lose.   

LF.Aidan Teel– Teel is a player with much utility, with Jay Woolfolk back, and the incoming high school players, the Hoos have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to pitching.  With a position vacant, Teel could lock a corner outfield spot down, especially considering the centerfield situation.   

CF. Harrison Didawick- Centerfield was a position that likely caused both fans and coaches alike much anxiety, with Bobby Whalen’s transfer to Indiana, and Harrison Didawick declaring for the 2024 MLB draft.  However, Didawick has elected to spend another year in Charlottesville after his name was not called in the draft, and after impressive displays of speed and power last year in his sophomore season, he will step into Whalen’s shoes with ease.  

RF Walker Buchanan– A couple players waiting in the wings have their shots to be everyday players for the Hoos in 2025.  After Casey Saucke was drafted by the Chicago White Sox, Walker Buchanan could step in to the corner outfield.  Coaches or fans have not seen much of him yet in his college career, but if there was a time to demonstrate your quality, now is that time.   

DH James Nunnalee- After a good showing at the MLB draft combine, a great season with the Charlottesville TomSox, and having his name called by the Florida Marlins at the end of the draft, we are pickng Nunnalee as the first highschooler to crack the starting lineup in 2025.  He can play anywhere and will likely be able to hit NCAA pitching fairly quickly.   

 

The Lineup:

Godbout SS

Becker 3B

Ford 1B

Didawick CF

Ferrence C

Hanson 2B

Nunnalee DH

Teel LF

Buchanan RF