Raleigh looking for leaders

Todd Raleigh is ready to find out who wants to be a leader.

It’s one of the biggest questions facing the University of Tennessee’s first-year baseball coach.

Gone are three first-round draft choices — J.P. Arencibia, James Adkins and Julio Borbon — the bulk of the leadership hierarchy from a year ago.

Also gone is second baseman Tony Delmonico, a transfer to Florida State.

So who’s going to take charge?

“This team wants to win, but we’re still seeking out some leadership,” Raleigh said one week from beginning practice on Feb. 1. “It’s not because they’re not great leaders or great kids, but we’re so young. We only have three or four seniors on the roster and so many new faces.

“The team is still trying to find its identity and that’s the biggest thing we’re facing.”

Raleigh knew from the moment he replaced Rod Delmonico there would be growing pains with this team.

He’s prepared to be patient, at least for a little while.

It’s no surprise Tennessee isn’t ranked among the top 40 teams in the preseason Collegiate Baseball poll.

“These guys feel like they’ve got something to prove, which is good,” Raleigh said. “I don’t think we’re going to get a lot of respect in the polls or anything like that, maybe rightfully so.

“We have to go out and earn that and they’re anxious to get going.”

The Vols open the 2008 season Feb. 22-24 with a three-game series at home against Morehead State.

That gives Raleigh and his staff of Fred Corral (pitching coach), Bradley LeCroy and Nate Headley three weeks to instill a new approach.

“We’ve got to find out how to win games maybe a little differently than they’re used to,” Raleigh said. “We’re not going to line up and outslug people, or line up and outpitch people or outrun them, but we’ve got to be real scrappy.”

Raleigh expects junior college transfer Steve Crnkovich, redshirt freshman Bryan Morgado, sophomore Nick Hernandez and junior Aaron Everett to battle it out for the three-man weekend pitching rotation.

Danny Wiltz and Jeff Lockwood could share closer duties with Ryne Simpson and Zane Stone taking on mid-week starter roles.

When Raleigh fills out his first lineup card, he expects true freshman Kentrail Davis to be at or near the top of the order as he replaces Borbon in center field.

Senior Andy Simunic has looked good in his shift from the outfield to second base and will bat either leadoff or second.

Lockwood (sophomore first baseman), Yan Gomes (sophomore catcher), Cody Brown (junior third baseman) and Shawn Griffin (senior DH/outfielder) could fill the middle of the order.

Junior Danny Lima returns at shortstop and the left-field, right-field spots appear to be a battle between freshman Josh Liles, junior Jarred Frazier and Griffin.

Raleigh also expects freshman Blake Forsythe to make his presence felt with some time at DH and catcher.

“I want to play the game the right way and the rest will take care of itself,” Raleigh said. “I want them to understand if you play this way consistently, this is what’s going to happen.

“If you go 3-for-4 but don’t play hard, you’re not going to play. If you play hard and do things right and don’t get a hit, you are going to play. I’ve been around it long enough to know it’s probably going to take a few games for the guys to believe that, but the coaches have to be the captains and set the tone.”

Missing In Action: Ryan Jones has decided not to return to the Vols for his junior season.

Jones, an outfielder from Ooltewah, led UT in hitting during its spring Orange and White World Series, but Raleigh said he “didn’t have a reason” for Jones’ departure.

Junior college transfer Matt Hamaker remains with the team, but has been ruled academically ineligible for this season.

Leadoff Banquet: The annual UT Baseball Leadoff Banquet is scheduled for Wednesday at Knoxville Convention Center.

All tickets have been sold with former UT star and Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, the guest speaker, getting his number retired.

“I can’t think of a better segue to our season,” Raleigh said. “With Todd being there and getting honored, what better way to get your season started.”

A rendering of Helton’s No. 3 jersey is in place on the Lindsey Nelson Stadium outfield wall.