Georgia Tech Baseball 2020 Position Preview: Infielders

Georgia Tech in 2020 should have a solid infield led by one of the best shortstop-second base tandems in not just the ACC but perhaps the entire country.

The 2020 Georgia Tech baseball team will look to meet high expectations despite losing several key players following last year’s trip to the NCAA Regionals. The Jackets brought in one of the country’s best recruiting classes this past fall and will look to once again be among the ACC’s best this season. The Jackets will look at the infield that has three veterans leaders to help lead th team this season.

Catcher: Jake Holland (FR)

Holland was one of the nation’s top catchers coming out of high school last year and will look to continue Georgia Tech’s legacy at backstop. He has a quality arm that should keep some base runners from stealing second but he’ll be tested plenty as a freshman. At the plate, Holland has the tools to be a tremendous hitter but there are always questions about a freshman making the transition to college pitching.

First Base: Drew Compton (FR)

Drew Compton is a guy that fans should be excited about coming into 2020. A switch hitter with potential power to both fields, he has the potential to be a serious power hitter for the Jackets in the future. Like any freshman, however, it remains to be seen how he settles in for his first full season in the ACC.

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Second Base: Austin Wilhite (SR)

One part of the double play tandem up the middle for the Jackets, Wilhite will look to continue his hot defensive ability with double-play partner Luke Waddell. He has range that makes him a quality second baseman but has also demonstrated to the coaching staff that he has a live arm that could eat bullpen innings if needed during the season. Offensively he will look to overcome a high strikeout rate from last season, and he will need to find ways to get on base and set the table for the big hitters.

Third Base: Jackson Webb (SR)

Webb is a solid defender at third base with a good glove and quality arm strength to get it across the diamond effectively and on target. The redshirt senior hit .250/.348/.250 last season over 11 games and 20 at-bats.

Shortstop: Luke Waddell (JR)

The other half of the double play tandem, Luke Waddell brings quality glove work to the field for the Jackets, making him reliable at shortstop. His plate discipline makes him a real threat on the basepaths as he can use a variety of skills to ensure that he is on base ahead of the big boppers instead of on the bench.

Off the bench:

Charlie Benson (SO):

The sophomore switch hitter showed some flashes in his limited playing time last season for the Jackets. In 2020, his role will most likely expand and he’ll have to face some rather strong expectations. If he can continue to be successful at the plate, he could turn into one of the best off the bench hitters in the ACC.

John Giesler (FR):

Giesler wasn’t the highest rated recruit for Georgia Tech baseball but by all accounts, Giesler is a strong hitter. The Georgia native may not see a ton of playing time in 2020 but long term, he has the chance to be a starter for the Jackets with the floor of a quality bench piece.

Jaydn Jackson (FR):

Another middle fielder to add to the depth chart, Jackson is primarily a shortstop but could end up being a utility man for Georgia Tech early in his career. Solid at the plate and in the field, he’s a quality addition to the Jackets roster.

Andrew Jenkins (FR):

One of the top-200 high school players in the country last season, Jenkins comes to Tech with high expectations. He may take a little to adjust to college pitching but if/when Jenkins puts it all together, it feels like the sky is the ceiling for him.

Harrison Thiel (FR):

Thiel has the potential to be a quality contributor down the road for Georgia Tech, he may see some playing time in 2020 but he most likely won’t be a regular this season for the Yellow Jackets.

Jamie Taylor (JR):

Like his teammate below, Taylor dabbles both in catching and pitching for the Yellow Jackets. Last season, he appeared in 16 games, hitting .125/.176/.125 over 16 plate appearences. The Jackets will need those numbers to improve in 2020. He did not record any pitching stats last season.

Cameron Turley (JR):

Also a pitcher, Turley is one of the Yellow Jackets backup catchers. He didn’t show a ton at the plate in 2020 so he’ll need a bounce back season offensively to have any sort of big impact at the plate. He was, however, solid behind the plate, giving the Jackets a quality defensive option behind the uber-talented freshman Jake Holland.

Talent wise, the Georgia Tech infield is stacked entering 2020 and should help the Jackets carry over the momentum gained from last season and keep them near the top of the ACC this season.