John Manuel
June 18, 2002

Moderator: John Manuel will chat live from Omaha at 1 p.m. ET. So send in your college questions.

Q:	Poppy from New york asks: Who's the surprise player of the CWS so far? A guy who wasn't as heralded but has played great.
A:	John Manuel: Thanks for coming, everyone, and I'm sorry if I am a little late (or a little early; I have a little trouble with "Central Time"). My response would be Notre Dame shortstop Javier Sanchez. This is ND's third-string guy, pressed into service all year because of the Tommy John surgery of freshman Matt Macri and the gruesome compound fracture suffered by Matt Edwards during a March tournament in Round Rock, Texas. This club has rallied around Sanchez and he has picked up his game with their added confidence in him.

Q:	KEVIN TRIPLETT from MIAMI, FLORIDA asks: YES, I KNOW IT'S OVER ALREADY...BUT, WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF COACH JIM MORRIS' DECISION TO TAKE OUT J.D. COCKROFT FOR AN INCREDIBLY DREADFUL GEORGE HUGUET IN THE 3RD GAME OF THE SUPER REGIONAL AFTER COCKROFT PITCHED 2 PERFECT INNINGS ( 7TH & 8TH ). THE RESULT: 3 BATTERS FACED BY HUGUET, 3 HITS, 2 RUNS! I KNOW YOU HAVE TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOUR GUYS... BUT WHEN A GUY HAS STRUGGLED FOR SIX WEEKS, YOU HAVE TO REALIZE HE JUST DOESN'T HAVE IT.
A:	John Manuel: This is a little silly; at least you admitted it. Huguet has been Miami's closer for two years; he got the job done on Saturday, didn't he? Jim Morris knows how to handle bullpens better than you do, or me. Sometimes, it just doesn't work out. South Carolina was the better team than Miami all year.

Q:	Jake from Chicago asks: Who is the worst oversight you have seen in Omaha of the players who were draft-eligible and went unpopped? Admittedly, I'm biased, but Ryan Garko's swing looks like it would translate very well to wood. Thanx.
A:	John Manuel: Garko is 11-for-20 in Omaha over the last two years, he seems to shine the most when he's here, but I don't know that he was so overlooked. The last three seasons where scouts have seen him tells more about him than two weeks in Omaha, doesn't it? I am surprised that Garko didn't get a chance because he can swing the bat, and I like his makeup, he plays hard, seems like a guy who can lead and at the same time keep things light.

Q:	Austin from Boulder asks: Which team looks strongest to you right now? If Stanford was in the other bracket would they be undeafeted?
A:	John Manuel: Yes to the latter question (no offense to Clemson), and I'd say Texas has been very impressive. It has pitched when it has needed to, defended well and shown a diverse offense.

Q:	Jake from Chicago asks: The talk this year is that Stanford's pitching depth is not what is has been the past few years. Do you think they have enough to duplicate last year's regional feat and come thru the loser's bracket to knock off Texas again? Thanx.
A:	John Manuel: If that's going to happen, John Hudgins (aka JohnHudgins.com) is going to have to come through today and not only give Stanford a chance to win, but give the Cardinal some major innings. I still do not know who will be starting for Notre Dame; it's either going to be junior Peter Ogilvie, who got pounded in the super-regional, or live-armed freshman Josh Axford. If Hudgins comes through, I would expect the Cardinal to come back with Jeremy Guthrie on Thursday vs. Texas, and then coach Marquess would have to rely on that depth if the Cardinal advances further, guys like Drew Erlich, Ryan McCally, Dan Rich, Darin Naatjes. It's possible; just difficult.

Q:	Austin from Boulder asks: Do you see South Carolina and Drew Meyer exploding in todays game? They've been pretty quiet so far.
A:	John Manuel: The bottom line is Drew Meyer can be pitched to, and he's being pitched to well out here. He bails out on his swing, he's still pretty much a dead-pull hitter if he is not disciplined about his swing. He has to have a big game or two to get the Gamecocks to Saturday, and it may not matter if South Carolina doesn't find someone besides John Wesley to get some outs. Today's starter, Aaron Rawl is as good a try as any.

Q:	Jake from Chicago asks: Which recruiting classes are going to be hurt the most by the draft? Thanx.
A:	John Manuel: Jake dominates the chat room today. Jake, Clemson had four recruits--Jeff Francouer, Zack Greinke, Matt Whitney and Jeremy Hermida--selected in the first 35 picks. That's going to leave a mark. Considering the Tigers will lose Khalil Greene, Michael Johnson, Jeff Baker (probably), Steve Reba, B.J. LaMura and possibly Matt Henrie and Jarrod Schmidt, the Tigers will have extensive rebuilding and could really use one of those guys getting through to college.

Q:	Jake Dilz from Funfax, VA asks: Eddie Kim and Vito Chivarolotti both had incredible years for JMU and Richmond respectively. Both of them have shown incredible offensive talents in the past few years. However, neither were drafted. Whats the deal?
A:	John Manuel: Eddie Kim is huge; I don't know what kind of shape scouts think he is in, but my guess is he's a 1B only who doesn't project to hit for enough power. He obviously can hit, but you don't see many 6-4, 270-pound 20-year-olds get drafted. How big will he be when he's done filling out? Vito is a surprise, though. I've seen him with wood; his swing's not bad, and he's got legitimate power. Perhaps scouts thought he would need first-five-rounds money to be bought away from Richmond, and didn't deem him worth it. I think he, too, is limited to 1B by his throwing arm, though I know he played a bit of LF this year. I thought he'd get popped higher than Kim.

Q:	kenny from brooklyn asks: How did the mets do in this year draft and do you think that tyler davidson was a steal in the draft ?
A:	John Manuel: Obviously you have to be happy with Scott Kazmir, but I'm also a fan of Bobby Malek (4th round), an outfielder with a good bat and warrior mentality. Apparently Malek has a ligament tear in his elbow and will need Tommy John surgery after the season, but he will play (probably in your neck of the woods in the NY-P) this summer. Davidson has a pro body, but there are questions about whether or not he has a pro swing. He could be a good value for where the Mets got him.

Q:	Tracy from Salt Lake asks: Is Notre Dame the lil engine that could of this CWS?
A:	John Manuel: It's impossible to call Notre Dame the "little" anything. This is Notre Dame, people. Also, we ranked ND fifth in the preseason. This is a program producing top draft picks, big leaguers, great college players and great college teams over the last few years. Nobody seemed to notice, or they seemed to mock BA for noticing. Well, now the Irish are in Omaha, and they have looked very legit in their two games. Maybe they're an underdog to some, but in terms of talent, the Irish are as talented as any team here, especially on the mound.

Q:	Robby from Myrtle Beach SC asks: What's the deal with how Clemson is using Matt Henrie? He's a starter
A:	John Manuel: Who's complaining? The Tigers are 2-0. Oh, I guess that would be Robby who is complaining. Well, Matt Henrie isn't. As noted in our coverage, Clemson is using Henrie the way Stanford used Jeff Bruksch last year, starter during the year, but as a trusted pitcher used at the game's critical moments in Omaha. Don't be surprised if Henrie stays in the pen for the duration. Clemson could go with B.J. LaMura on Wednesday, or Steve Reba, and keep Henrie in the 'pen. In fact, I think that's how I'd go with it. Late in the game, with games on the line, Clemson trusts Matt Henrie most.

Q:	Woody from Moline, IL asks: How do you project Clemson 1B Michael Johnson in the bigs?
A:	John Manuel: This guy has made as great an improvement as any college player in his career; it's quite remarkable. Talking to a scout who has followed Johnson, he says few college players have shortened their swings and brought out their power potential as much as Johnson. He's not a base-clogger either, though he's certainly not a plus runner, and looks adequate at first. Johnson will have to hit for big-time power, though, to jump over the clogged 1B spot in the Padres organization--X Nady, Tag Bozied (possibly), still Kevin Eberwein . . . that's a loaded position for the Padres.

Q:	Jake from Chicago asks: Thanks, John. I don't have anymore questions. I just wanted to second your motion about the Drover's whiskey filet being the best steak I've ever had.
A:	John Manuel: Well, it turned into a John and Jake chat, but that's fine. Everyone must be getting ready for the game. Jake, the Drover is just top-notch; BA needs to get them to buy an ad for all the free pub we've given them. I only wish the Big Ragoo and his Krewe of Ragoo had been at the Drover this year to help us enjoy the Whiskey Filet. Enjoy the CWS, everybody.