The Virginia Cavaliers have reached Omaha in three of the last four seasons and appear poised to make a return again in 2025. The 2024 Wahoos went 46-17 overall and swept their way through a home Regional and Super-Regional. Unfortunately, UVA went 0-2 for the second straight year after being walked off by UNC’s Vance Honeycutt and losing to Florida State in the elimination game. Head coach Brian O’Connor’s squad went 18-12 in conference play to finish third in the ACC regular season.
UVA had one of the best lineups in the country last year and were ranked in the Top 5 nationally in average, slugging, and scoring. While the core of Griffin O’Ferrall, Casey Saucke, and Ethan Anderson depart for the next level, the Cavaliers return a number of key pieces and add a pair of key bats that should see them remain among the nation’s best lineups. With home run power up and down the order, Virginia’s explosive offense is the biggest reason why they’re ranked atop the ACC this preseason.
Consistent pitching was UVA’s Achilles' heel in 2024 until it stabilized down the stretch and in the postseason. Key relievers Chase Hungate and Angelo Tonas departed along with veteran arms Joe Savino and Owen Coady. O’Connor and his staff have brought in reinforcements to improve the pitching staff that includes a slew of transfer arms and a pair of key freshmen. The offense will continue to produce at a high standard, but if the pitching improves as expected then Virginia will contend for a National Championship in June.
Catchers (Starter Rank: 2, Group Rank: 6)
Ethan Anderson was expected to take the reins from former ACC Player of the Year Kyle Teel in 2024, but ultimately Anderson was delegated to a DH role down the stretch as D-III transfer Jacob Ference burst on the scene and put up a monster debut season in Charlottesville. The sixth-year senior hit .350 with 34 extra base hits last year and stole 12 bases. He returns as a preseason All-American and is arguably the best backstop in the country.
UVA is hoping to strike gold with another catching transfer as junior Trey Wells arrives from D-II’s Wayne State. He’s a veteran back-up that hit .286 with 11 doubles, three triples, and six home runs in 2024. Freshmen Chone James and Will Broderick provide depth behind Ference and Wells but are unlikely to see playing time in that position.
Infield (Starter Rank: 1, Group Rank: 4)
Virginia returns three key infielders in Henry Godbout, Eric Becker, and Luke Hanson. All three were in contention to take over for O’Ferrall at shortstop, but it looks like sophomore Becker is slated to claim that spot. Becker mostly platooned with Hanson at third base last season, but really came into his own after filling in for Godbout at second base during a stretch in the middle of the season. The lefty slashed .362/.468/.669 with a 1.117 OPS over 43 games. Becker hit all eight of his home runs after April 4th and is expected to lead off for the lethal Virginia lineup this spring.
Junior Henry Godbout has been a mainstay in the Wahoo lineup since arriving on Grounds as a first year in the fall of 2022. He’ll remain at second base and hit in the middle of the order as he looks to boost his draft profile. The New York native is a doubles machine and features an above-average hit tool and quality plate discipline. While his defensive partnership with Becker won’t be as elite as it was with O’Ferrall, it will still be one of the ACC’s best double play duos.
Luke Hanson, with an OPS of .877, was the only member of the everyday lineup to not carry an OPS over 1.000. The junior enjoyed a breakout sophomore season hitting .286 with 15 extra base hits while playing great defense at third base. After platooning with Becker at the position, he’ll earn the chance to start every game and build on last season’s success. Hanson is an under-the-radar star that is overshadowed in the explosive Virginia batting order.
It sounds like first base will belong to two-way JUCO transfer Chris Arroyo when he isn’t pitching. The former Florida Gator batted in the middle of the UVA order over the fall and lit up the Charlottesville sky with extra base hits all over the diamond. The lefty slugger hit 19 home runs at the junior college level a year ago and is capable of matching that in 2025. When he’s pitching, sophomore Antonio Perotta will get an opportunity to play first base. The coaching staff is very high on Perotta despite him seeing just 11 at-bats in 2024.
Virginia boasts a group of talented freshmen that would likely start at many other Power 4 programs. Third baseman Aidan Harris has first round upside and elite power, but a raw skillset that needs time to develop and mature. Middle infielder Jackson Sirois made a push to start in the middle infield and could be UVA’s next infield star. Chone James, who can play any position on the diamond, is an underrated athlete waiting in the wings while Isaac Vanderwoude is a highly-touted middle infielder to provide depth behind Becker and Godbout.
Outfield (Starter Rank: 1, Group Rank: 1)
Virginia might have the best outfield in the country with standout Henry Ford transitioning to right field. Ford, a draft eligible sophomore, is a projected first round pick after a debut season that saw him bat clean-up and slash .336/.409/.597. The 6’5” hometown hero transitions to the corner outfield where his future is best suited at the next level.
Harrison DIdawick, who tied Jake Gelof’s school record last year with 23 home runs, returned to Charlottesville instead of going pro. He’s had some problems throwing the ball in the field despite showcasing the range and speed to play center field, which could see him end up as the DH. Didawick will look to cut down on his strikeout rate as he attempts to raise his draft profile. He’ll be a dangerous hitter that could potentially see him bat as low as 6th or 7th in the order.
Aidan Teel, who mostly served as a relief pitcher last year, could slide into the everyday centerfield job in 2025. The younger brother of Kyle Teel, Aidan possesses the ability to drive the ball out of the ballpark, as evidenced by three of his four hits last season going for home runs. The lefty junior, along with Ford and Didawick, boasts 20+ home run potential and will likely bat at the bottom of the order.
If Didawick ends up in the DH spot, freshman James Nunnallee will be expected to be the starting left fielder after an incredible fall. Drafted in the 14th round by the Milwaukee Brewers, Nunnallee opted to attend Virginia and is poised to make an immediate impact for one of the nation’s best teams. The youngster has an advanced approach at the plate and an elite swing that should help him find success early.
Walker Buchanan is a sophomore that could play sparingly in the outfield or serving as a late inning pinch hitter. He impressed during the fall with an advanced approach that fits the UVA mold. Other depth options includes freshman Will Broderick.
Projected Lineup
Rotation (Rank: 7)
Virginia’s most consistent pitcher, Evan Blanco, returns to lead the staff again in 2025. The junior southpaw started every weekend for the ‘Hoos last season and went 8-3 with a 3.62 ERA with 99 strikeouts in 99.1 innings. Reports indicate his fastball has ticked up a few miles per hour ahead of this spring which could see Blanco force his way into ACC Pitcher of the Year conversations. Either way, expect the veteran Massachusetts native to pound the strike zone and give the Wahoo offense a chance in every game he starts.
Jay Woolfolk’s first year as a starting pitcher didn’t go according to plan as he struggled with control and command throughout the regular season. The former quarterback was able to flip the script in the postseason, however, where he turned out impressive performances against Mississippi State and Kansas State. If Woolfolk’s postseason performance were indeed indicative of his future, then UVA’s 2025 rotation goes from good to great. The junior right-hander throws a mid-90s fastball paired with a wipeout slider. The stuff is very good, but it’s just a matter of harnessing command.
Arroyo, who will also start at first base, is expected to be the Sunday starter. The lefty features a low-90s fastball paired with a slider and changeup. Arroyo went 5-4 with a 3.53 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 63.2 innings at Pasco Hernandez last season.
Fellow JUCO transfer Joe Colucci will likely be in the discussion to start mid-weeks, but sophomore returner Bryson Moore is expected to retain the role he claimed down the stretch in 2024. Moore started four games for Virginia and went 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA and 10 strikeouts. Overall he pitched 13 innings on the year after battling a minor injury that kept him out for a stretch early in the year.
Bullpen (Rank: 7)
Sophomore Matt Augustin emerged as Virginia’s closer down the stretch as a freshman while appearing in 22 games last year. He went 2-0 with a 4.13 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 28.1 innings that improved with every outing. Augustin enjoyed a productive summer and should be O’Connor’s bullpen ace this spring.
Ryan Osinski and Dean Kampschror are veteran returners that will look to build off successful 2024 campaigns. Osinki is a physical presence on the mound that is capable of generating a ton of ground balls. He appeared in 27 games last year and went 4-1 with a 4.80 ERA. Kampschror is a lefty specialist that will often face just a single batter in his outings. The senior made 18 appearances and threw just 10.1 innings while carrying a 3.48 ERA.
Kevin Jaxel and Blake Barker are two arms looking for a bounce back in 2025 after rocky seasons a year ago. Jaxel struggled as both a starter and reliever in his sophomore year as evidenced by his 10.38 ERA and 18 walks in 26 innings. He looked fantastic over the summer as he dominated in the Northwoods League, going 4-0 with a 2.97 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 33.1 innings. Opponents batted just .221 when he was on the mound. Southpaw Blake Barker has the potential to be an elite late inning arm, but often struggles with consistency. If he can execute his pitches more often, he’ll become a valuable late inning option for Virgina.
Five transfers bolster the bullpen depth and are highlighted by a pair of D-III graduate transfers in Wes Arrington and Matt Lanzendorfer. Arrington is a right-hander from Lynchburg College that served exclusively as a starter last year. He had 103 strikeouts in 100.1 innings last season. Former Misericordia star Lanzendorfer dominated at the D-III level in 2024 with a 1.24 ERA in 20 games last year. The lefty features a low 90s heater mixed with a slider and changeup. Fellow transfers Drew Koenen (Dartmouth), Alex Markus (William & Mary), and August Richie (JUCO) provide quality depth and will compete for key roles in the bullpen.
Tomas Valincius is a highly-recruited left-hander who joins former high school teammates Henry Ford and Henry Godbout in Charlottesville. Valincius has future star upside with an above average fastball that should see an uptick in velocity as he develops. The slider is his best weapon and generates a ton of whiffs.
Sophomore Charlie Oschell, the younger brother of former Duke All American Fran Oschell, didn’t pitch much in 2024 but impressed in the fall and is an under-the-radar breakout candidate.
Projected Staff
Outlook
Virginia has arguably the best lineup in the entire country and will score a ton of runs. Their success will rely on the consistency of their pitching staff. The ‘Hoos experienced an up-and-down performance in that department a year ago and Brian O’Connor will not want a repeat experience of that. If Jay Woolfolk and the pitching staff build on last season’s success down the stretch and in the postseason, UVA will be in the conversation for another National Championship.
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