So far, Georgia Tech looks to be the class of the regional. The Tech lineup is by far the best in Atlanta, and the Yellow Jacket arms seem to be performing better than their stats would appear.

Tech left fielder Jeff Kindel is still seriously hobbled with a leg injury, and has done little more than jog around the bases so far. Wes Hodges was Tech's third baseman, but an injury is still bugging him and limiting him to DH duty (observers who've watched him all year say he doesn't lok 100% at the plate). And, of course, All-American candidate Danny Payne--Tech's best hitter--is done for the year with a shoulder injury.

Still, Tech has amassed an impressive collection of talent. They look poised to advance today--they'll face the winner of Vandy-Michigan tonight--and will be a tough draw for someone in a Super Regional if that happens. It would be tough to imagine Tech being knocked off by the winner of Kentucky/Charleston/Ball State, especially with a Super being in Atlanta.

Vanderbilt didn't bring its "A" game last night, but the Commodores have an impressive bunch of freshman and sophomore talent and were, by far, the youngest team in the SEC. Freshman third baseman Pedro Alvarez could be America's best hitter next year, and David Price--one of five Golden Spikes candidates for the best player in America--has a great arm but still has lots of room for improvement.

Price needs to refine his off-speed pitches and improve his accuracy on the corners. When Price gets squeezed on the corners of the zone as he did last night, he struggles as he's a high-strikeout pitcher and that manifests into high pitch counts. Price will be performing with Team USA this summer--coached by Vandy's Tim Corbin--and should have a chance to work on his deficiencies over the summer.

Alvarez is a Jim Thome-like hitter--high walks, high strikeouts--who has pretty good zone judgment. Alvarez struggles a bit against lefties and against off-speed stuff, but he's already Vandy's single-season homer leader as he hit his 20th against Michigan on Friday.

Michigan has an impressive group of arms. Freshman Zach Putnam should be a budding star depending on the severity of Friday's injury, which is still not known. Like Vandy, the Wolverines are young, with only three seniors on the squad in the field and two pitchers who contribute.