Tennessee sophomore pitcher Steve Crnkovich, a transfer from the University of Illinois-Chicago, could become the ace of first-year coach Todd Raleigh's revamped staff when the Vols open the 2008 season, and that doesn't intimidate the young right-hander.

"If the opportunity presents itself, I'll definitely be more than happy to jump at it," Crnkovich said before the Vols opened fall practice Monday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Crnkovich grew up in Downers Grove, Ill., about 40 minutes from Chicago. But he was didn't like the atmosphere at the downtown campus.

"I'm from the Chicagoland area, but I didn't feel comfortable there," he said.

The 6-foot-4 Crnkovich (pronounced SIR-kuh-vich) compiled a list of schools he was interested in. Tennessee was on the list, along with Texas, South Carolina and Miami of Ohio, among others.

Raleigh, who replaced Rod Delmonico after UT finished 34-25 (13-15 in the SEC) last season, landed Crnkovich almost out of the blue.

"As soon as we found out he was going to be a transfer we got right on him." Raleigh said. "It wasn't a hard sell. We got it done on the visit but it didn't start out so good. He got in an accident on his way down here. He wasn't hurt but he wrecked his truck."

What Crnkovich lacks in experience he makes up for with control and command.

"He had a strong season last year," Raleigh said. "I know it wasn't quite the same caliber as the SEC but he pitched against a lot of big-name schools."

Crnkovich made a splash as a freshman. He compiled a 4-4 record and 2.39 earned-run average for the Flames. His resume included a victory over Georgia Tech in Atlanta, a no-decision against the Vols in Knoxville, a 1-0 complete-game loss against top-ranked Vanderbilt in Nashville.

"I'm not going to say he is our Friday night guy," Raleigh said. "I actually think we have three of four guys who can compete for that job."

Adam Everett, Nick Hernandez and Bryan Morgado are other candidates on a depleted staff that was ravaged by the departure of James Adkins, Craig Cobb and Lance McClain. Adkins turned pro, Cobb was a senior and McClain transferred.

The trio combined for 21 wins. The eight returnees managed a grand total of 13. Everett, a junior from Loudon, and Hernandez, a sophomore from Miami, led the way with four each. Morgado, a freshman from Miami, Fla., was redshirted.

"When you lose (pitchers who made) 47 out of 59 starts, it's daunting," Raleigh said. "We need to find guys who can start."

That job belongs to pitching coach Fred Corral, who returns to UT after a stint at Oklahoma.

"You got to look at everybody and give everyone an opportunity," Corral said. "I guess that starts Saturday when we intrasquad for the first time. We're trying to make things as competitive as possible."

Among the newcomers is 6-foot-4 freshman pitcher Dylan Hochevar. The right-hander is the younger brother of former Vol and Kansas City Royals pitcher Luke Hochevar.

"I don't want to compare him to Luke in any way but he is a hard worker and that's step one," Corral said.

Everyone on the staff starts with a clean slate. Anyone could be thrust into the three-man rotation and anyone who started in 2007 could land in the bullpen.

"I think that's where things are at this given point," Corral said. "They know the No. 1 guy is no different than the No. 12 guy on the staff. Hopefully, your No. 12 guy isn't too far (ability-wise) from No. 1."

Position players are in a similar situation. All jobs are open and incumbents have to prove they deserve to start.

"It's wide open, "Raleigh said. "I think it is good for the guys, who in the past felt they didn't have an opportunity."

The Vols don't have a lot of pop.

"We got seven home runs returning in the outfield," Raleigh said. "That's a good weekend for some guys."

Third baseman Cody Brown, who had offseason surgery, returns on a limited basis.

"He can't dive, and we'll limit his swings a little bit," Raleigh said.

Raleigh says he'll know more about how his team will do next season after fall practice.

"I don't know how we're going to win games yet," he said. "I don't know what we've got. We're going to try to patch things the best we can and go from there."

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.