Last week, we introduced you to the seniors on this year’s Tar Heel baseball team.  This week, you get to meet the four juniors on this year’s roster.  Albeit an even smaller class than the seniors, these four juniors are going to play just as large a role as the rest of the three classes of Tar Heels.

This year’s junior class consists of outfielders Mike Daniel and Blair Waggett, along with pitchers Jonathan Hovis and Adam Kalkhof.  To say that this group doesn’t have high expectations riding on their shoulders would be an understatement.  Each of these players has enough experience and have exhibited enough leadership to be able to become primetime players.

Here is a look at each player and what they bring to the team:

Mike Daniel — This left-hander is likely to be counted as much as All-American right fielder Marshall Hubbard was last season.  He has all the tools to become UNC’s go-to guy in clutch situations when they need a big-time hit.  His left handed bat is also a welcomed addition to the lineup, as is his speed.  He has steadily improved throughout his career and showed signs of becoming a special player late last season as he had numerous game-winning hits.  Last season, he batted .320 with two home runs and 20 RBI.    

Jonathan Hovis — This veteran is arguably UNC’s best relief pitcher.  Like Daniel, he has been relied on more and more over the past few seasons, and this year will be no different. Last year, he posted a 3-0 record and a 2.75 ERA in 22 appearances.  He continued his 2004 success  into this summer’s Coastal Plains League, and his arm, whether as a set-up man or in long-relief, will be a deciding factor in just how good UNC’s pitching staff turns out to be this season. 

Adam Kalkhof — Meet UNC’s mystery man.  After a superb freshman season on the mound, the tall lefty struggled at times last season with his control and then had to overcome a major shoulder injury.  With his arm at full strength, UNC easily has the best 1-2-3 pitching punch in the ACC, along with Daniel Bard and Andrew Miller.  Last year, Kalkhof went 2-1 with a 6.28 ERA in only 10 outings.  A strong fall performance may have given him the inside edge to win the final weekend starting position.      

Blair Waggett — Like Kalkhof, he struggled last year and had to fight through a shoulder injury as well.  In only 23 games, Waggett batted .190 with three RBI.  He does, however, have blazing speed, which he exhibited on many occasions as a freshman.  He has the ability to chase down a ball headed clearly for the gap in the outfield and make an outstanding catch.  His bat will have to be a lot sharper this season in order for him to stay in the lineup.  Yet, at the same time, his defense is invaluable and the Tar Heels are sorely in need of a consistent glove.