Feb. 1, 2012

CollegeBaseballInsider.com asked college coaches around the country to preview the 2012 college baseball season by sharing their insights on the teams and players to watch in their conferences. CBI compiled their answers to provide a sneak peek for the season ahead. click here for CBI Conference Previews

Today, we take a look at the ACC (11 of 12 coaches responded).

The team to beat: (tie) Georgia Tech and North Carolina

The top starting pitchers: Buck Farmer, Georgia Tech; Kent Emanuel, North Carolina; Marcus Stroman, Duke (right)

The top closer: Branden Kline, Virginia

The pitcher you least want to face: (tie) Kent Emanuel, North Carolina; Buck Farmer, Georgia Tech; and Marcus Stroman, Duke

The most underrated pitcher: (tie) Tim Cooney, Wake Forest; Chris Overman, NC State; and Eric Whaley, Miami

The best defensive catcher: Jacob Stallings, North Carolina

The best catcher arm: Jacob Stallings, North Carolina

The best defensive infielder: Chris Diaz, NC State

The best infield arm: (tie) Chris Diaz, NC State; and Colin Moran, North Carolina

The best defensive outfielder: Kyle Wren, Georgia Tech

The best outfield arm: (tie) Brandon Thomas, Georgia Tech; and Brett Williams, NC State

The best pure hitters: Colin Moran, North Carolina (right); James Ramsey, Florida State; Kyle Wren, Georgia Tech

The biggest power threats: Richie Shaffer, Clemson; Andrew Rash, Virginia Tech; Daniel Palka, Georgia Tech

The hitter you least want to face: Colin Moran, North Carolina

The toughest hitter to strike out: Kyle Wren, Georgia Tech

The most underrated hitter: (tie) Jake Davies, Georgia Tech; and Anthony Melchionda, Boston College

The best base-runner: (tie) Will Piwnica-Worms, Duke; and Kyle Wren, Georgia Tech

The best game coach: Mike Martin, Florida State

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job: Kevin McMullan, Virginia

(Stroman photo courtesy of Duke Media Relations Office)

(Moran photo by Jeff Camarati of UNC Athletic Communications)