Early Look: Wareham

Wareham Gatemen
Manager: Cooper Farris
2009 Record: 19-19-6

The Wareham Gatemen had a foundation of experienced players last year, perhaps more than any team in the league. Nine players were in their second summers with the team.

At this point, it looks like the Gatemen will have even more experience.

And I think the foundation will be stronger.

While many of the guys who were back last year were a notch below the level of the top prospect, that’s not the case this season. The Gatemen are slated to have 12 returning players. Four of them — Jack Armstrong, Matt Barnes, Alex Dickerson and George Springer — look like stars in the making, the kinds of players who can emerge as the best in the league. When you factor in other returning talents like Blake Monar, Eric Pfisterer, Jordan Swagerty and Zach Wilson, you have a team with a really deep and talented group of sophomores.

It’s always a fine line, though, and the Gatemen will have to hope they can walk it.

As opposed to last year, when the final roster looked a lot like the early roster, Wareham has so much sophomore talent that Team USA could come calling. Already, Barnes and Springer have been invited. I would guess that Armstrong, Dickerson, Swagerty and Wilson could also get the call.

The Gatemen will have to scramble a bit if that happens, but it could be worth the risk. Right now, the Gatemen have a really, really solid nucleus, just with the returning players. Newcomers like Jed Bradley, Tyler Bream, Derek Dennis and Max Muncy make the roster look even better.

It’s the kind of team that could get the Wareham franchise back to where it hasn’t been in a while. Not too long ago, the Gatemen had a reputation as the Yankees of the Cape League, but they haven’t been among the top four teams since 2006.

If things go their way this summer, that drought could come to an end.

Roster Rundown
Returning Players: 12
Juniors: 4
Sophomores: 16
Freshmen: 8

Notable

I think it’s safe to call Jack Armstrong and Matt Barnes the top returning pitchers in the league. I would expect really big things from both — they’ve put up good numbers and they have the high ceiling to match. If both make it to the Cape, the Gatemen will have themselves a serious one-two punch.

While we’re anointing people, we may as well put Indiana’s Alex Dickerson in the best returning hitter conversation. There are some other candidates and he didn’t have a great summer statistically last year, so I wouldn’t put him in the top spot by himself. But he’s having a fantastic sophomore season and should be one of the favorites for Big 10 Player of the Year honors.

For the second year in a row, Wareham may have a Derek D. starting at shortstop. Derek Dietrich, a Michigan native who’s at Georgia Tech, was there last year. Now Derek Dennis, a Michigan native who stayed home, is ticketed for Wareham. Dennis may not have quite the hype of Dietrich, who was a third-round pick out of high school, but he’s close.

Georgia Tech’s Jed Bradley doesn’t have the Cape League experience of Armstrong and Barnes, but he’s having just as good a sophomore season.

I’ll be interested to see what Joe Flynn can do. The Plymouth native had a storybook high-school career and he’s having a pretty good freshman season at Franklin Pierce. He grew up a Wareham fan.

Eric Pfisterer might be happy to get back to the Cape. He’s struggling right now for Duke. If you remember last summer, he was the story of the season’s first two weeks when he didn’t allow a hit in his first two starts.

I always got the impression last year that Jordan Swagerty was a catcher and part-time pitcher. But he’s the full-time closer for Arizona State this spring, and it’s been a good job change. Swagerty has emerged as one of the top closers in the country.

Wareham has some Major League bloodlines. Tyler Bream and L.J. Mazzilli are the sons of former big leaguers. Jake Davies has a brother in the bigs right now.

Max Muncy is one of the more recent additions to the Wareham roster and he’s showing why he got the nod. Muncy, a freshman, is leading Baylor in home runs and RBI.

If he doesn’t go with Team USA, George Springer will be one of the top two or three athletes in the league for the second year in a row. Like Cotuit’s Zach Cone — the other guy I’d put up there — Springer has five-tool potential.

Five Players I’m Excited to See
1. Jack Armstrong
2. Alex Dickerson
3. George Springer
4. Matt Barnes
5. Zach Wilson

Pitchers

*Jack Armstrong – RHP – 6’7 230 – Vanderbilt – Sophomore
*Matt Barnes – RHP – 6’4 185 – Connecticut – Sophomore
*Keith Bilodeau – RHP – 6’4 215 – Maine – Sophomore
Jed Bradley – LHP – 6’4 215 – Georgia Tech – Sophomore
Devin Burke – RHP – 6’1 195 – Duke – Freshman
Jake Davies – LHP/1B – 6’0 230 – Georgia Tech – Sophomore
*David Fischer – RHP – 6’5 175 – Connecticut – Sophomore
Joe Flynn – RHP – 6’2 210 – Franklin Pierce – Freshman
*Dean Kiekhefer – LHP – 6’0 175 – Indiana – Junior
Andrew McKirahan – LHP – 6’2 190 – Texas – Sophomore
Erik Miller – RHP – 6’3 210 – TCU – Sophomore
*Blake Monar – LHP- 6’2 198 – Indiana – Sophomore
Stephen Perakslis – RHP/2B – 6’0 178 – Maine – Freshman
*Eric Pfisterer – LHP – 6’3 215 – Duke – Sophomore
*Jordan Swagerty – RHP/C/1B – 6’1 185 – Arizona State – Sophomore
Josh Urban – RHP – 6’4 220 – Texas – Freshman
C.C. Watson – LHP – 6’0 200 – Mississippi State – Freshman

* – returning player
(Stats as of April 17)

Jack Armstrong – RHP – 6’7 230
Vanderbilt
Sophomore

With his big frame and big fastball, Armstrong was one of the top freshmen prospects on the Cape last summer. He came to Wareham after not pitching much in his freshman season at Vandy, but he made a quick impression, and not just because of his raw abilities. He also had a strong summer statistically, going 4-1 with a 2.57 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 35 innings. Baseball America tabbed him as the league’s sixth-best prospect. This spring, Armstrong has moved into the weekend rotation and hasn’t disappointed. While his strikeout numbers aren’t huge — 30 in 44 innings — he’s gone 5-0 with a 3.43 ERA.

Matt Barnes – RHP – 6’4 185
Connecticut
Sophomore

Barnes had a similar profile to Armstrong when he arrived in Wareham after his freshman year, but he didn’t have as good a summer. He went 1-3 with a 4.87 ERA. This spring, though, Barnes has blossomed into one of the best pitchers in the Big East and maybe beyond. So far, he’s 6-0 with a 2.13 ERA. In 42.1 innings, he’s struck out 42 with only eight walks. Barnes has been invited to Team USA.

Keith Bilodeau – RHP – 6’4 215
Maine
Sophomore

Bilodeau had a really strong summer in Wareham last year, posting a 1. 93 ERA on his way to becoming the team’s most reliable reliever. In 12 appearances, he struck out 19. The spring hasn’t been quite as kind to Bilodeau, who has a 7.40 ERA so far.

Jed Bradley – LHP – 6’4 215
Georgia Tech
Sophomore

Bradley got off to a torrid start this spring, striking out 12 in his first outing. He hasn’t really slowed down since. Pitching as Tech’s No. 2 behind Deck McGuire, Bradley has gone 4-2 with a 3.83 ERA. In 44.2 innings, he has struck out 54 and walked only 12. Bradley didn’t have a great freshman season at Tech, but he was picked by Baseball America as the sixth-best prospect in the Cal Ripken Sr. League last summer.

Devin Burke – RHP – 6’1 195
Duke
Freshman

The Gatemen hope Burke can follow in the footsteps of his Duke teammate Eric Pfisterer, who had a big summer last year. Burke hails from Darien, Conn. He’s had some struggles in his first season in Durham, with an ERA over 10 in seven appearances.

Jake Davies – LHP/1B – 6’0 230
Georgia Tech
Sophomore

Davies was a standout reliever as a freshman, posting an ERA under four in 27 appearances. So far this season, Davies has pitched well again, with a 3.12 ERA in 10 appearances. Jake’s brother, Kyle, has pitched in the majors since 2005, and he’s currently with the Royals.

David Fischer – RHP – 6’5 175
Connecticut
Sophomore

Fischer returns to Wareham after pitching out of the bullpen for the Gatemen last summer. He ended up with a 5.06 ERA in 12 relief appearances. This spring, Fischer has only made one appearance for the Huskies.

Joe Flynn – RHP – 6’2 210
Franklin Pierce
Freshman

Flynn is a Plymouth native and he grew up cheering for Wareham. Now, he’ll join the Gatemen after what’s shaping up to be a pretty solid freshman season. Flynn, who was twice named the Boston Globe’s Division II Player of the Year, has gone 4-2 for Franklin Pierce with a 4.30 ERA. He has struck out 44 and walked only 12 in 44 innings of work.

Dean Kiekhefer – LHP – 6’0 175
Louisville
Junior

Kiekhefer is a non-roster invitee for the Wareham since he’s draft-eligible. If he does end up in Wareham, the Gatemen will be getting an experienced arm. Kiekhefer had a 3.44 ERA out of the pen for Wareham last summer. This spring, Kiekhefer has a 4.09 ERA as a member of Louisville’s weekend rotation.

Andrew McKirahan – LHP – 6’2 190
Texas
Sophomore

On a stacked Texas pitching staff, McKirahan has carved out a niche as a reliable bullpen arm this season. In 14 appearances, he’s got a 2.31 ERA and nine strikeouts. Those numbers mark a big jump from last year, when McKirahan had an ERA over five as a freshman.

Erik Miller – RHP – 6’3 210
TCU
Sophomore

Miller was a solid reliever in his freshman year at TCU and he’s been even better this season. In 11 appearances, he has 3.55 ERA with 18 strikeouts.

Blake Monar – LHP – 6’2 198
Indiana
Sophomore

After a solid summer in Wareham last year, Monar was expected to be the Hoosiers’ ace this year, but he’s had his season derailed by an injury. He started the team’s first game in February but hasn’t started another one because of a rotator cuff problem. He’s expected back soon. Here’s hoping he’s ready for the summer, because he’s another sophomore who’s poised to break out.

Stephen Perakslis – RHP/2B – 6’0 178
Maine
Freshman

A native of nearby Abington, Mass., Perakslis has had a decent freshman season in Maine. Though the Gatemen list him as a second baseman, too, he’s been exclusively a pitcher with the Black Bears. While his ERA is high at 5.64, he’s got 41 strikeouts in 44.2 innings.

Eric Pfisterer – LHP – 6’3 215
Duke
Sophomore

Pfisterer got off to an amazing start for Wareham last year, pitching 12 innings without allowing a hit in his first two starts. He ended up with a solid 3.32 ERA and 40 strikeouts on the year. This spring, Pfisterer hasn’t been able to carry over that success. He’s 2-4 with a 7.13 ERA.

Jordan Swagerty – RHP/C/1B – 6’1 185
Arizona State
Sophomore

Swagerty made six appearances on the mound for Wareham last summer and saw action as a hitter in 25 games. This spring, Swagerty has focused mostly on pitching and he’s had some tremendous results. Swagerty is the closer for the Sun Devils and he’s got nine saves to go with a 0.92 ERA. He’s struck out 26 in 19.2 innings.

Josh Urban – RHP – 6’4 220
Texas
Freshman

Urban was a 19th-round pick out of high school last year, but not surprisingly considering their staff, he’s had trouble breaking into regular duty for the Longhorns. Urban has made two appearances and has allowed one earned run. With more opportunity this summer, he could be poised for a breakout season.

C.C. Watson – LHP – 6’0 200
Mississippi State
Freshman

Watson was the Class 4A Player of the Year in Alabama as a high-school senior and he got drafted in the 29th round. He’s had a smooth transition to college ball while pitching mostly out of the bullpen for the Bulldogs. In 10 appearances (two starts), Watson has a 3.00 ERA.

Position Players

*Robert Kral – C – 5’10 190 – College of Charleston- Junior
Josh Ludy – C – 5’9 195 – Baylor – Sophomore
Tyler Bream – 3B/1B – 6’3 205 – Liberty – Sophomore
Derek Dennis – SS – 6’3 175 – Michigan – Freshman
Max Muncy – INF – 6’0 190 – Baylor – Freshman
Jarrud Sabourin – 1B/OF – 6’2 215 – Indiana – Junior
Anthony Toth – SS/2B – 5’11 165 – Michigan – RS Junior
*Zach Wilson – 3B – 6’1 195 – Arizona State – Sophomore
L.J. Mazzilli – SS – 6’0 185 – Connecticut – Freshman
*Alex Dickerson – OF – 6’3 210 – Indiana – Sophomore
*George Springer – OF – 6’3 200 – Connecticut – Sophomore

* – returning player

Robert Kral – C – 5’10 190
College of Charleston
Junior

Kral hooked on with Wareham late last summer, and though he played in only five games, he made a nice impression. This spring, Kral has had a very strong season with Charleston, hitting .348 with 10 homers and 37 RBI. Pretty good for a guy who only played in 15 games as a sophomore.

Josh Ludy – C – 5’9 195
Baylor
Sophomore

Ludy hasn’t seen a ton of action for Baylor, but he’s made the most of the time he’s gotten. In 14 games, he’s hitting .370.

Tyler Bream – 3B/1B – 6’3 205
Liberty
Sophomore

The son of former Major League Sid Bream, Tyler is making his own waves at Liberty, his father’s alma mater. After earning Freshman All-America honors last year, Bream has picked up where he left off this season. He’s hitting .352 with three home runs and 32 RBI.

Derek Dennis – SS – 6’3 175
Michigan
Freshman

A 10th-round pick out of high school last year, Dennis immediately stepped into a starting role with the Wolverines and he has held his own. He’s hitting .275 so far with three home runs. In an early look at the 2012 draft, Baseball America has Dennis as the 13th-best prospect in the country.

Max Muncy – INF – 6’0 190
Baylor
Freshman

Muncy was a 41st-round pick out of high school and is having a very good first season in Waco. While starting all 33 of the Bears’ games, Muncy is hitting .333 and leading the team with 10 home runs and 37 RBI. The 10 home runs are a new Baylor freshman record.

Jarrud Sabourin – 1B/OF – 6’2 215
Indiana
Junior

Another draft-eligible non-roster player, Sabourin will have the Gatemen feeling lucky if he does end up in Wareham. This spring, Sabourin has been the only Hoosier with a better batting average than Alex Dickerson. He’s hitting .445 with six home runs and 34 RBI.

Anthony Toth – SS/2B – 5’11 165
Michigan
RS Junior

Dennis’ double-play partner, Toth has had a strong season in Ann Arbor. He’s currently hitting .322. Toth redshirted in his second season with the Wolverines so this is his fourth year on campus. He could be a real veteran presence for Wareham this summer.

Zach Wilson – 3B – 6’1 195
Arizona State
Sophomore

Wilson was solid in his freshman season and over the summer, when he got off to a hot start then settled in for a .247 average with Wareham. This spring, Wilson — like many of his Sun Devil teammates — has taken things to another level. He’s hitting .404 thus far with 31 RBI and a team-best 14 doubles. Wilson was a 26th-round pick out of high school.

L.J. Mazzilli – SS – 6’0 185
Connecticut
Freshman

Mazzilli is the son of former Major League player and manager Lee Mazzilli. He’s had a decent freshman season in Storrs, hitting .246 with eight extra-base hits.

Alex Dickerson – OF – 6’3 210
Indiana
Sophomore

Dickerson emerged last year as one of the best freshmen in the country when he hit .370 with 14 home runs. He became the first Hoosier to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. With Wareham, Dickerson hit only .224 with three homers and 15 RBI, but I think it’ll be a different story this summer. So far this spring, Dickerson is hitting .430 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI.

George Springer – OF – 6’3 200
Connecticut
Sophomore

Springer showed flashes of his enormous potential last summer when he hit .261 and led Wareham in RBI. This spring, he has put up similar numbers, with a .269 average, nine home runs, 30 RBI and 16 steals. You get the feeling that he still hasn’t quite put it all together, and if he does, look out. He’s already being mentioned as one of the top college bats for the 2011 draft, and he’s been invited to Team USA.