Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

It wasn’t too long ago when guys like Andrew Miller, Dustin Ackley, Kyle Seager, and Matt Harvey were leading the Diamond Heels to Omaha, NE and the college world series. Mike Fox always seems to find those few special players that can really turn great teams into elite ones that turn in every season and compete for a national championship. This year is no exception. Young freshman Skye Bolt, is the newest Tar Heel superstar in a team, right now, that is best in the country by far. Bolt was listed by KIH as the Tar Heel freshman to watch at the beginning of the year and he certainly has not disappointed and currently second in the conference in batting with an average above .400 and has posted 4 HR’s and 17 RBI’s.

Bolt was one of the top freshman in the country coming out of high school and opted to come to North Carolina even though he was drafted in the 26th round of the MLB Draft to the Washington Nationals. His decision has been an absolute blessing for the Heels, who have only lost 2 out of their 28 games thus far this season, because Bolt has played a huge role not only in the middle of the lineup, but in the outfield as well. Bolt has come in and challenged preseason All American Colin Moran with his bat which only means that UNC is capable of scoring tons of runs. Bolt has incredible power potential for a freshman and can also put the ball in play when his team simply needs him to drive runs in.

Perhaps the young ball player’s best attribute has been his speed. It’s already a nightmare for opposing pitchers just keeping him off the base paths, but once he gets on, he’s always a threat to steal. That added dimension to his overall game only makes it more difficult for pitchers to retire the Heels at the plate. That speed also makes Bolt such a dynamic defensive option in the outfield. He patrols centerfield like most pro veterans and has yet to make an error. His speed allow him to cover the gaps so well and his sure hands have robbed several would be doubles from opposing hitters.

The Tar Heels are well on their way to clinching one of the coveted top 8 seeds, that allow for home field advantage, in the NCAA Tournament later in May and June. Skye Bolt has been a guy that can be largely attributed to that success. UNC should be one of the favorites, not only to reach the college world series, but to win it and Bolt is surely going to be a key cog in that run.

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June 20, 2011; Omaha, NE, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center fielder Ben Bunting (3) slides back into first base during the first inning against the Texas Longhorns during the 2011 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

This year’s disappointing results is actually just the second time since the 2006 season that the Diamond Heels have not made it to the College World Series. The Tar Heels are very familiar faces in Omaha!

Heading into next season, with revenge on their minds, it should also help to know that the Heels are getting a lot of early pre-season praise already. Baseball America and Perfect Game have included North Carolina (as well as NC State) among their favorites for their early Eight for Omaha predictions. That is a list of teams they are predicting that will make it to next year’s College World Series.

If that isn’t enough of a moral booster, than returning with one of the top pitching staffs in the nation and third base extraordinair Colin Moran should also give them a bit of a confidence booster.

This year, Carolina was one of the favorites along with Florida State, but injuries took their toll. Now, they have a great returning team with lots of talent, a top recruiting class loaded with talent, and a motivator for next season. Look for them to be the favorites in the ACC next season. Also don’t leave out the Wolfpack and Miami either!

Even though Georgia State had a bitter season, they showed a lot strength. They too could contend for an ACC title. Florida State obviously should be another favorite too after dominating the ACC during the regular season.

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June 17, 2011; Omaha, NE, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels players watch the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-US PRESSWIRE

Let’s take a look at where the current Diamond Heels were drafted:

Catcher Jacob Stallings was drafted in the 7th round to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Obviously, Stallings as a Senior will be signing with them and will most likely begin play in their MiLB club in Charleston, West Virginia.

Pitcher Michael Morin was drafted to the Los Angeles Angels in the 13th round. Morin is very excited about being drafted by the Angels and you can expect that he will sign with the club.

Pitcher Cody Penny was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 16th round. Many experts expect him to sign, but I don’t see him leaving Chapel Hill quite yet as Penny did come into some struggles that could be a small setback for him.

The Tampa Bay Rays drafted utility infielder Tommy Coyle in the 16th round, who played most of the season at second base where Tampa drafted him. He is full of speed and has great defense, but I think his offense may be a factor in whether he feels he is ready for the majors. Coyle should be ready to begin his professional career this summer!

In the 30th round, RC Orlan was drafted by the Washington Nationals. Based on where he was drafted and his role this season, you can expect to see him return to Chapel Hill. Next year he will take on a bigger role for the Diamond Heels bringing some of that heat he showed during tournament play before walking off the mound with an injury last weekend.

As always you can follow Bryant on Twitter @bryantdouglass as well as Keeping It Heel @Keeping_It_Heel! You can find more of Bryant’s writing at his blog, Turn Four!

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June 20, 2011; Omaha, NE, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center fielder Ben Bunting (3) slides back into first base during the first inning against the Texas Longhorns during the 2011 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Other ACC noteworthy ranks are: NC State with the #1 seed in the Raleigh Regional, Virginia with the #1 seed in the Charlottesville Regional, Miami with the Coral Gables #1 seed, and Florida State with the Tallahassee #1 seed. Neither North Carolina nor Florida State played in the regular season or the ACC Tournament, however should both teams make it far in the tournament it is likely they could play against each other.

North Carolina begins Round 1, double elimination play against Cornell tomorrow (June 1) with the first pitch being thrown at 6pm. St. Johns and East Carolina also will play against each other tomorrow as the other teams in the Chapel Hill regional. The Chapel Hill Regional is paired with the Arizona Regional, which means those who advanced will player the likes of one of these four teams: Arizona, New Mexico, Louisville, or Missouri.

There is a lot of controversy about East Carolina not only grabbing a #2 seed, but making the tournament period. The Pirates really did not play well all season long, but because of their RPI, were given a chance at the #2 seed in the Chapel Hill Regional. The Pirates are 5-10 vs. Top-50 RPI, 8-13 on the road and have lost 14 of their last 26. Yet, that is some how enough to get a high seeding, and has sparked a small controversy.