Play Ball

We’ve got clearing skies, warm temperatures and a full slate of baseball on tap.

It’s time.

The Cape League season begins tonight with a full set of five games. The schedule:

Orleans at Cotuit, 5 p.m.
Bourne at Y-D, 5 p.m.
Brewster at Hyannis, 6 p.m.
Harwich at Falmouth, 6:30 p.m.
Chatham at Wareham, 7 p.m.

As always, I’ll have a daily recap up every morning here at rightfieldfog.com. For updates, random thoughts, links and more, follow me on Twitter @rightfieldfog and like us on Facebook.

To keep up with all the games, visit Right Field Fog’s Gameday Section, which has links to live broadcasts and team Twitter accounts.

And most of all, enjoy the baseball.

June 12, 2013June 12, 2013

Summer Stories

Welcome to summer. The 2013 Cape Cod Baseball League season gets underway tonight with a full slate of games. Here are some storylines I’ll be watching as the season unfolds.

No Juice

The way last year went, any discussion of the 2013 Cape Cod Baseball League season has to start with the actual baseballs. As we learned last summer, not all baseballs are created equal. Last year’s crop was different, and it set the stage for a summer full of offense. While it made for a wild season, it didn’t paint an accurate picture. This year, the league can re-establish its baseline – the baseballs are back to normal.

Good Wood

Before it became apparent that the baseballs were largely responsible for last year’s offensive explosion, there were a lot of theories floating around. One that shouldn’t be canceled out just because of the baseball revelation is the idea that college players have an easier time adjusting to wood bats now that they’re using BBCOR bats at school. Those bats have limited offense in a big way in college baseball – watch the College World Series and count the bunts – and the bats’ performance mimics wood. It makes sense that the adjustment to wood may not be as difficult anymore.

Repeat Performance?

No team has won consecutive Cape Cod Baseball League championships since the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in 2006 and 2007. Before that? Wareham did it in 2001 and 2002, and the Gatemen will be trying to do it again this season. A good nucleus of players return from the championship squad, so the Gatemen will be positioned to forge a similar identity, although they’ll have to weather an early storm. They have an almost unheard of 11 players in the College World Series.

Armed but Not Ready

The summer of 2005 remains the last one that featured dozens of big-school power arms, like Andrew Miller, Daniel Bard, and Tim Lincecum. Since then, more and more every year, big-time college programs are shutting down their best pitchers in the summer, or else limiting them to a few appearances on the Cape or with Team USA. Names like Gerrit Cole and Danny Hultzen stick out as big arms who never came to the Cape. This year, the trend is continuing, with guys like Thomas Eshelman, Alec Rash, Benton Moss and Tyler Beede dropping off CCBL rosters.

Small School, Big Arm

The one positive of the above trend is the opportunity it creates for less-heralded pitchers. Chris Sale and Sean Manaea are the poster boys. They were on the radar prior to coming to Cape Cod but their big summers turned them into stars. Plenty of pitchers will be looking for similar breakouts this summer.

Chasing Sean

Apart from the offense, last season’s other dominant storyline was the performance of the aforementioned Sean Manaea. I had forgotten before doing some draft prep work just how ridiculous his numbers were, namely the 85 strikeouts and seven walks. Just an amazing season. The funny thing is, he did it all in the year of the home run. With the baseballs back to normal, pitchers will reign again. Can anyone catch Manaea?

Feeling The Draft

When new Major League Baseball Draft rules went into effect last year, one of the expected consequences was that more top prospects would head to college as a result of new money restrictions on MLB teams. It’s a little hard to quantify but I think a lot of college coaches feel there are some special players in this year’s freshman class. Many of them will play on the Cape this summer.

The Winning West

East Division teams won six straight CCBL championships from 2003 to 2008, but the West has won three of the last four, getting titles from Bourne in 2009, Cotuit in 2010 and Wareham in 2012.

Return Trip

As of now, 29 players are set to return to the league for a second summer. That’s about average – it was exactly the same number at this point last year – but what stands out this year is the quality. All-Stars Robert Pehl, Sam Travis and Mason Robbins are among the returnees.

All Stars on the Cape

After a three-year stint at Fenway Park, the All Star Game returned to the Cape last season when it was held in Harwich. It’ll remain on the Cape this year and for several years to come. It’s set for Y-D this season.

June 11, 2013

Back to Normal

The summer of 2012 will go down in Cape Cod Baseball League annals as one of the most offense-heavy seasons in the league’s wood bat history.

It will also go down as an exception.

When home runs started piling up last summer, speculation that the balls were juiced picked up steam and it was ultimately determined that there was, in fact, something different.

For a league that’s built in part on providing scouts an accurate representation of baseball talent, the offensive inflation was no small thing.

And it shouldn’t be happening again.

Commissioner Paul Galop confirmed in an email that the baseballs used this summer will be more in line with those from pre-2012 seasons.

“We had extensive baseball testing completed over the winter and the 2013 baseballs are consistent with pre-2012 baseballs,” Galop said.

I’ll miss the power show. It was exciting, but it wasn’t quite right. Someone might still break a home run record this year. But we won’t have to wonder how much the baseballs impacted that record – and that’s a good thing.

June 10, 2013

Firebirds Out for More

The Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox get the pub as the league’s most successful franchise over the last 10 years, but the Orleans Firebirds could make a case. For a decade starting in 2002, the Firebirds had a winning record every year.

That streak actually ended last year, which kind of shocked me as I looked back on it. I remember the Firebirds being one of the league’s best teams last year, but a five-game losing streak to end the regular season dropped them to 22-22.

Of course, success was not elusive for too long. The Firebirds knocked off a talented Harwich team in the first round of the playoffs, a fitting response to the team’s first .500 season in a decade.

And it’s something to remember this year – the Firebirds always seem to find a way.

I would expect nothing less this year. The pitching staff has a bevy of dominant closers, led by national ERA leader David Berg of UCLA, and there’s a good crew of potential starters. The offensive nucleus is small at this point, but quality could make up for quantity. Everyone had a solid spring.

We’ll see how it plays out. The roster may remain more in flux than some Cape League teams in the early going, but it’s a safe bet that the Firebirds will find their way.

THE SKINNY

Manager: Kelly Nicholson
Last Year: 22-22; Lost in East Division finals
Returning Players: 1
Juniors: 2
Sophomores: 14
Freshmen: 5

NOTABLE

Orleans has the smallest roster in the league at this point and has a ton of guys on Super Regional teams. There will be a lot of players other than the ones listed below in a Firebirds uniform, especially at the beginning of the year.

You will see relievers with more electric fastballs this summer but you won’t see any with the track record of UCLA’s David Berg. The UCLA sophomore throws sidearm and has mystified hitters for two very busy seasons. In 94 (!) appearances, he has a 1.15 career ERA. He has saved 20 games this season and leads the nation in ERA.

Berg is not the only closing option the Firebirds will have. In fact, closers may be the team’s biggest on-paper strength at this point. Kent State’s Brian Clark saved 10 games this year, North Carolina’s Trent Thornton has saved eight for the top-ranked Tar Heels, and Arizona’s Matt Troupe saved nine. The Firebirds will have some options at the back end of the bullpen, I’d say.

Ryne Combs pitched mostly out of the bullpen this spring, but the Kentucky freshman is a likely starter down the road. Orleans may be the perfect spot for the transition to begin.

Cal State Fullerton has two dominant freshman pitchers in Justin Garza and Thomas Eshelman. Both were originally slated for the Cape, but Eshelman was recently removed from Chatham’s roster. Orleans will be hoping Garza doesn’t follow suit. He’s been as good as any freshman in the nation.

Vandy’s Philip Pfeifer pitched out of the bullpen for Orleans last summer but will likely return as a starter – and a good one. He’s not been quite as good as Vandy’s top two starters – stars Tyler Beede and Kevin Ziomek – but he’s been pretty good.

Kyle Twomey will be one of the highest-drafted players on the Cape this summer. He was a third-rounder out of high school last year, though he didn’t have the freshman year he was looking for.

Orleans seems to have a solid player from Loyola Marymount every year and Colin Welmon fits the mold this year. The righty led the team in ERA as a weekend starter this season.

Stony Brook has had quite a few Cape League stars in recent years. Daniel Zamora may be the next one. He led the Seawolves in strikeouts as a freshman this season.

FIVE TO WATCH

1. Justin Garza
2. David Berg
3. Trent Thornton
4. Vince Conde
5. Kyle Twomey

PITCHERS

David Berg – RHP – 6’0 190 – UCLA – Sophomore
Brian Clark – LHP – 6’3 210 – Kent State – Sophomore
Ryne Combs – LHP – 6’0 185 – Kentucky – Freshman
Justin Garza – RHP – 5″11 160 – CS Fullerton – Freshman
Trevor Kelley – RHP – 6’2 210 – North Carolina – Sophomore
Jared Miller – LHP – 6’6 235 – Vanderbilt – Sophomore
Luis Paula – RHP – 6’3 185 – North Carolina – Sophomore
*Philip Pfeifer – LHP – 6’0 195 – Vanderbilt – Sophomore
Trent Thornton – RHP – 6’0 170 – North Carolina – Freshman
Matt Troupe – RHP – 6’2 195 – Arizona – Sophomore
Kyle Twomey – LHP – 6’3 165 – USC – Freshman
Colin Welmon – RHP – 6’3 190 – Loyola Marymount – Sophomore
Daniel Zamora – LHP – 6’3 186 – Stony Brook – Freshman
* – returning player

David Berg – RHP – 6’0 190
UCLA
Sophomore

Berg has been a dominant reliever from the very beginning of his UCLA career. The side-arming righty led the Pac 12 in ERA last season and set a school record for appearances with 50. After a solid summer with Team USA, he’s out-done himself this year. Entering Super Regional play, Berg had a 0.81 ERA – best in the nation – in 44 appearances, and his 20 saves ranked third in the nation. He struck out 69 and walked only seven in 67 innings.

Brian Clark – LHP – 6’3 210
Kent State
Sophomore

Another dynamic closer, Clark saved 10 games for the Golden Flashes this season. He had a 1.38 ERA and struck out 33 in 32.2 innings. HE earned first-team All-MAC honors.

Ryne Combs – LHP – 6’0 185
Kentucky
Freshman

Combs was one of the jewels of Kentucky’s top-20 recruiting class and was described as an advanced lefty with a great feel for pitching. He showed in 16 appearances – most out of the bullpen – this spring. He finished with a 2.01 ERA.

Justin Garza – RHP – 5’11 160
CS Fullerton
Freshman

A 26th-rounder out of high school, Garza is one half of a tremendous freshman pitching duo that has led Fullerton all season, along with Thomas Eshelman. Garza has been at the top of rotation and carried a 1.92 ERA into Super Regional play. He struck out a team-best 89 in 108 innings.

Trevor Kelley – RHP – 6’2 210
North Carolina
Sophomore

After a tough freshman year, Kelley regrouped and posted a 2.64 ERA as a reliever in the Cal Ripken League last summer. He has continued his upward climb this season. He leads the Heels in appearances with 29 and owns a 3.67 ERA.

Jared Miller – LHP – 6’6 235
Vanderbilt
Sophomore

Miller has been a key bullpen arm throughout his tenure in Nashville. Last season, he had a 3.06 ERA. This year, he’s at 2.31 with 24 strikeouts in 23.1 innings.

Luis Paula – RHP – 6’3 185
North Carolina
Sophomore

Paula had a so-so freshman campaign in Chapel Hill before pitching well in the Coastal Plain League last summer. This year, he has struggled. He has an 8.59 ERA in nine appearances.

Philip Pfeifer – LHP – 6’0 195
Vanderbilt
Sophomore

A 44th-round pick out of high school, Pfeifer is the least-heralded pitcher in a vaunted Commodores weekend rotation, but he’s held his own. Pfeifer is 4-0 with a 3.68 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 63.2 innings pitched. Pfeifer pitched out of the Orleans bullpen last summer and had an ERA over five.

Trent Thornton – RHP – 6’0 170
North Carolina
Freshman

Thornton brought good credentials to Chapel Hill but has out-paced all expectations. Slotting in as the Heels’ closer, Thornton has eight saves and a sparkling 1.17 ERA. He has struck out 71 while walking only 12 in 77 innings.

Matt Troupe – RHP – 6’2 195
Arizona
Sophomore

Troupe was a 16th-round pick out of high school but opted for Arizona and won a national championship as the Wildcats’ closer in his first season. He remained in the closer’s role this season, finishing with nine saves, a 3.29 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 38.1 innings.

Kyle Twomey – LHP – 6’3 165
USC
Freshman

Twomey was one of the highest unsigned picks in the 2012 draft. He went in the third round to Oakland but honored his commitment to USC. He slotted into the weekend rotation this season but didn’t have a great year. He went 2-8 with a 5.55 ERA. He did lead the team in strikeouts with 50.

Colin Welmon – RHP – 6’3 190
Loyola Marymount
Sophomore

Welmon moved into Loyola’s Friday starter role right off the bat last year and has been very good every step of the way. After posting a 3.87 ERA last season, he dropped it all the way down to 2.30 this year. He also struck out 64 in 78.1 innings. He was named first-team all-conference.

Daniel Zamora – LHP – 6’3 186
Stony Brook
Freshman

Zamora came to Stony Brook from La Puente, Calif., and made himself at home in his debut season. Though his season ERA was 4.95, he led the team with 77 strikeouts and dazzled in his last start of the season, striking out 13 in eight innings in the America East Tournament.

POSITION PLAYERS

Greg Allen – OF – 6’0 165 – San Diego State – Sophomore
Vince Conde – INF – 6’0 190 – Vanderbilt – Sophomore
Zach Fish – INF/OF – 5’11 211 – Oklahoma State – Sophomore
Kevin Kramer – 3B – 6’0 197 – UCLA – Sophomore
Jordan Luplow – OF – 6’1 190 – Fresno State – Sophomore
Chris Marconcini – OF – 6’5 230 – Duke – Junior
Riley Moore – C – 6’3 190 – Arizona – Sophomore
Collin Slaybaugh – C – 6’1 195 – Washington State – Junior

Greg Allen – OF – 6’0 165
San Diego State
Sophomore

A San Diego native, Allen has had two good season with the hometown Aztecs. The speedster hit .312 and stole 11 bases as a freshman before batting .299 with 25 steals this year, ranking in the top 50 nationally in stolen bases.

Vince Conde – INF – 6’0 190
Vanderbilt
Sophomore

Conde hit just .195 as a freshman last year but hit eight home runs in the NECBL and was picked by Baseball America as the circuit’s sixth-best prospect. He has picked up where he left off this spring, batting .309 with six homers and 44 RBI.

Zach Fish – INF/OF – 5’11 211
Oklahoma State
Sophomore

Fish hit .248 as a freshman last year but flashed some pop with four home runs. This year, he upped his average to .283 and hit a team-best seven home runs, while driving in 41. He also stole 10 bases.

Kevin Kramer – 3B – 6’0 197
UCLA
Sophomore

Kramer won a Northwoods League championship with the La Crosse Loggers last summer and had a big hand in it, hitting over .500 in the playoffs. This spring, he’s been UCLA’s best hitter, batting .285 with three homers and 40 RBI.

Jordan Luplow – OF – 6’1 190
Fresno State
Sophomore

Luplow was the WAC Tournament MVP last year and rode the momentum into the summer, when he earned an all-star nod in the Alaska Baseball League. He was a steady performer for the Bulldogs this spring, hitting .278 with three homers and 21 RBI.

Chris Marconcini – OF – 6’5 230
Duke
Junior

Marconcini was a Freshman All-American in 2011 but missed all of the 2012 season with an injury. He returned with a vengeance this year, hitting .284 and blasting eight home runs. He tied for 11th in the ACC in homers.

Riley Moore – C – 6’3 190
Arizona
Sophomore

Another Wildcat who starred as a freshman on the team’s CWS run, Moore hit .301 in his debut season. This year, he batted .285 with two homers and 37 RBI. He was a 21st-round pick out of high school.

Collin Slaybaugh – C – 6’1 195
Washington State
Junior

Slaybaugh has had three very consistent seasons with the Cougars. He hit .317 this season with a .383 OBP and a team-best 12 stolen bases.

June 7, 2013June 7, 2013

Day 1 Draft Notes

The Major League Baseball draft may never have the cache of the NFL or NBA drafts, but it’s grown by leaps and bounds the last few years. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the coverage last night.

Eleven Cape Leaguers were taken in the first round. The list:

1 – Astros – Mark Appel – Y-D ’11
2 – Cubs – Kris Bryant – Chatham ’11
6 – Marlins – Colin Moran – Bourne ’11 & ’12
12 – Mariners – D.J. Peterson – Hyannis ’12
18 – Dodgers – Chris Anderson – Y-D ’12
19 – Cardinals – Marco Gonzales – Falmouth ’12
23 – Rangers – Alex Gonzalez – Y-D ’11 & ’12
26 – Yankees – Eric Jagielo – Harwich ’12
27 – Reds – Phillip Ervin – Harwich ’12
29 – Rays – Ryne Stanek – Bourne ’11
32 – Yankees – Aaron Judge – Brewster ’12

In all, 23 Cape Leaguers went on the first day, with three going in the Competitive Balance Round A, seven in the second round and two in Competitive Balance B:

Competitive Balance A

34 – Royals – Sean Manaea – Hyannis ’12
36 – Diamondbacks – Aaron Blair – Y-D ’12
38 – Reds – Michael Lorenzon – Brewster ’12

Second

40 – Astros – Andrew Thurman – Y-D ’11
43 – Twins – Ryan Eades – Bourne ’11
44 – Marlins – Trevor Williams – Orleans ’12
49 – Mariners – Austin Wilson – Harwich ’11 & ’12
53 – Phillies – Andrew Knapp – Chatham ’12
56 – Dodgers – Tom Windle – Brewster ’12
58 – Tigers – Kevin Ziomek – Cotuit ’12

Competitive Balance B

71 – Athletics – Chad Pinder – Chatham ’12
73 – Marlins – Colby Suggs – Wareham ’12

A few more notes on the proceedings:

Even in the minutes leading up to the draft, nobody seemed sure if the Astros would take Appel or Oklahoma’s Jonathan Gray. By taking Appel, they gave the Cape League its first No. 1 overall pick since Luke Hochevar in 2006. Interestingly, Hochevar and Appel both were first-round picks that didn’t sign. Appel returned to Stanford before going No. 1 this year. Hochevar pitched in independent ball before taking the top spot the next year. Hochevar played for Cotuit in 2003.

Appel and Hochevar share another characteristic – they went first overall at least one year after playing on the Cape. For Appel, it was a two-year gap and for Hochevar a three-year gap. It’s a surprising note because a majority of players are on the Cape the year before they’re draft eligible. The last Cape League alum to go No. 1 overall in the year immediately after his Cape League season was Matt Anderson in 1997. He played for Chatham in 1996.

Phillip Ervin, who went 27th to the Reds, is the third straight Cape League MVP to go in the first round or supplemental first round.

The Y-D Red Sox led the first-round charge for the second straight year. Three Y-D alumni went in the first.

Sean Manaea slipped out of the first round because of injury concerns, but he didn’t last too long. Manaea was the first pick of Competitive Balance Round A by the Royals. If he gets healthy, he’s an absolute steal at this spot, as a lot of Cape League fans can attest.

June 6, 2013June 6, 2013

Cape Leaguers Await Draft Calls

The Major League Baseball draft begins tonight at 7 p.m. with the first and second rounds. They’ll be televised live on MLB Network and MLB.com. The draft continues Friday at 1 p.m. with rounds three through 10, and the final 30 rounds will go off Saturday at 1 p.m. Live audio of the second and third days will air on MLB.com.

As usual, hundreds of former Cape Leaguers will hear their names called. Two-hundred twenty nine were selected last year after 258 went in 2011. Those numbers are major increases over the 148 that were selected just 11 years ago in 2002.

Baseball America’s latest mock draft has 11 CCBL alums projected to go in the first round:

2 – Cubs – Mark Appel (Y-D ’11)
3 – Rockies – Kris Bryant (Chatham ’11)
5 – Indians – Colin Moran (Bourne ’11 & ’12)
11 – Mets – Ryne Stanek (Bourne ’11)
14 – Pirates – D.J. Peterson (Hyannis ’11)
17 – White Sox – Alex Gonzalez (Y-D ’11 & ’12)
22 – Orioles – Chris Anderson (Y-D ’12)
24 – Athletics – Aaron Judge (Brewster ’12)
26 – Yankees – Eric Jagielo (Harwich ’12)
27 – Reds – Phillip Ervin (Harwich ’12)
28 – Cardinals – Marco Gonzales (Falmouth ’12)

Some of those guys will be very familiar to Cape League fans, like Moran, Jagielo and Ervin. Others made cameos, like Appel, who made only three starts for Y-D in 2011.

One name missing from the first-round list is reigning CCBL Pitcher of the Year and Top Prospect Sean Manaea, who opened the spring as a projected top-three pick. Injuries have created question marks, and those have sent him tumbling. He could still sneak into the first round – and won’t last much beyond it – but it appears he’s not enough of a sure thing to break into the top 10.

A few other notes:

Baseball America currently has Oklahoma pitcher Jonathan Gray going as the No. 1 overall pick. So does SB Nation’s Consensus Mock Draft, which combines data from five mocks. If Gray is the pick, it’ll be the seventh consecutive year without a Cape Leaguer in the top spot. The last was Luke Hochevar in 2006.

Both Mark Appel and Kris Bryant could certainly make a run at the top spot. Appel was a possible No. 1 overall pick last year, went eighth and didn’t sign. He returned to Stanford and had a dominant senior season to remain near the top of draft boards. As for Bryant, who hit .223 with three home runs for Chatham in 2011, he’s always been a big time prospect but wasn’t in top-five territory when the college season began. Thirty-one home runs later and he’s in the conversation.

If Phillip Ervin gets picked in the first round as projected, he’ll be the third straight Cape League MVP to go in the first round or the supplemental first round, joining Travis Jankowski and Kolten Wong. Six of the last seven have MVPs have gone in the first round or the supplemental first round, with eighth-round pick Kyle Roller the only exception. The other members of the group are A.J. Pollock, Conor Gillaspie, Justin Smoak and Evan Longoria.

The Cape League has had an average of about 10 players drafted in the first round over the last 10 years, with a high of 14 in 2008 and a low of six in 2010. The 2006 draft also stands out – the first six picks were all CCBL alums and the 10th pick was Tim Lincecum.

June 5, 2013June 5, 2013

Hyannis Aiming for Return to Form

Hyannis had one of its best-ever seasons in 2011, but couldn’t replicate in 2012, finishing fifth in the West and missing the playoffs. It was still a very memorable summer – thanks in large part to the superstar emergence of Sean Manaea – but the Harbor Hawks wouldn’t mind trading some memories for more success this season.

They look poised to do just that, with a veteran team that should once again list pitching as its biggest strength.

While a Manaea repeat is highly unlikely, the Harbor Hawks have half-a-dozen pitchers coming off very good seasons as weekend starters, and that’s something that a lot of teams can’t say. The offense may be a little behind the pitching, but not by much. Returner Dominic Jose should be one of the top prospects in the league, while newcomers like Brian Anderson, Tyler Spoon and Ryan Padilla come in with good track records.

The Harbor Hawks will also have an older team than most, with 24 sophomores and only one freshmen. That’s a recipe that has worked for them before, most recently in that great 2011 season.

They’re hoping it all works again.

THE SKINNY

Manager: Chad Gassman
Last Year: 17-27; Missed playoffs
Returning Players: 2
Juniors: 0
Sophomores: 24
Freshmen: 1

NOTABLE

No pressure, Landon Curry, but the last guy from Indiana State was pretty good.

In Kyle Freeland and Jordan Foley, the Harbor Hawks have a pair of pitchers from mid-major schools who should be reliable Cape League starters. Freeland was the second-best prospect in the Alaska League last summer, while Foley is coming off a big season with Central Michigan.

Arkansas has a trio of players slated for Hyannis and each of the three is riding high coming in. Brian Anderson and Tyler Spoon were the team’s best hitters while Michael Gunn was great pitching out of the bullpen.

Andrew Istler hasn’t been a dominant pitcher at Duke but he sure was dominant last summer, posting a 0.78 ERA in the Coastal Plain League and earning top prospect honors.

UC Santa Barbara sophomore Austin Pettibone ranked sixth in the nation in innings pitched this season. He did very well in those innings, too, winning 10 games and posting an ERA under three. He didn’t have huge strikeout numbers but is certainly an arm to keep an eye on.

Another workhorse is North Dakota sophomore Andrew Thome, who pitched a no-hitter in the season opener this year and has 10 complete games in 27 career appearances.

If Pettibone, Thome and the aforementioned Freeland and Foley are good to go for another heavy workload, they’re going to give the Harbor Hawks the beginnings of a very solid, veteran rotation. Add in UCLA sophomore Grant Watson and it shapes up nicely.

Georgia Southern Chase Griffin was one of the top freshman catchers in the nation a year ago. He didn’t have as big a year this season but will be looking to prove himself on a big stage this summer.

It hasn’t come together yet at Stanford for Dominic Jose. He didn’t play much as a freshman and hit .235 this year. If last summer is any indication, he’ll be happy to be back in Hyannis. He hit six home runs for the Harbor Hawks and was one of the league’s top freshmen.

New Mexico’s Ryan Padilla looked poised for stardom after hitting .353 as a freshman last year. He wasn’t quite as good this year, though there may have been an injury because he only started about half of the Lobos’ games. Still, as a 6’4, 220-pound lefty swinger, Padilla remains firmly on the scouting radar.

The Harbor Hawks’ roster includes the son of a Major Leaguer – Drew Stankiewicz – and the nephew of a Major Leaguer – Shane Zeile.

FIVE TO WATCH

1. Dominic Jose
2. Kyle Freeland
3. Ryan Padilla
4. Jordan Foley
5. Austin Pettibone

PITCHERS

Jordan Foley – RHP – 6’3 215 – Central Michigan – Sophomore
Kyle Freeland – LHP – 6’4 185 – Evansville – Sophomore
Michael Gunn – LHP – 6’1 205 – Arkansas – Sophomore
Bryant Holtmann – LHP – 6’5 205 – Florida State – Sophomore
Andrew Istler – RHP – 5’11 180 – Duke – Sophomore
Rocky McCord – RHP – 6’2 170 – Auburn – Sophomore
Austin Pettibone – RHP – 6’4 215 – UC Santa Barbara – Sophomore
Joseph Shaw – RHP – 6’4 240 – Dallas Baptist – Freshman
Scott Simon – RHP – 6’7 201 – Washington State – Sophomore
Cy Sneed – RHP – 6’4 200 – Dallas Baptist – Sophomore
Andrew Thome – RHP – 6’4 205 – North Dakota – Sophomore
Grant Watson – LHP – 6’1 190 – UCLA – Sophomore

Jordan Foley – RHP – 6’3 215
Central Michigan
Sophomore

A 26th-round pick out of high school, Foley struggled mightily in his freshman year, finishing with an ERA over eight. But this season, he pulled a 180 and turned into an ace for the Chippewas. Foley finished with a 3.08 ERA and a team-best 90 strikeouts in 90.2 innings. Opponents hit just .209 against him.

Kyle Freeland – LHP – 6’4 185
Evansville
Sophomore

Freeland was a 35th-round pick out of high school and had a solid freshman year. He then went to Alaska and was named the league’s second-best prospect by Baseball America. He got off to a strong start this season, but hit some rough patches down the stretch and finished with a 4.34 ERA. He struck out 84 in 93.1 innings.

Michael Gunn – LHP – 6’1 205
Arkansas
Sophomore

Former Cape League standout Colby Suggs had ninth-inning duties for Arkansas this year, but Gunn was a valuable part of the bullpen in his own right. The lefty had a 1.21 ERA in 18 appearances, striking out 35 and walking only eight in 29.2 innings. Perfect Game ranked Gunn the top prospect in the MINK League last summer.

Bryant Holtmann – LHP – 6’5 205
Florida State
Sophomore

Holtmann was the busiest freshman pitcher the Seminoles had in 2012 and made the most of his opportunities, finishing with a 3.20 ERA. This season, he has made 21 appearances and carries a 4.15 ERA into FSU’s Super Regional.

Andrew Istler – RHP – 5’11 180
Duke
Sophomore

Istler was slated to be a reliever in the Coastal Plain League last summer but ended up as a starter and dominated on his way to being named the league’s top prospect by Baseball America. This spring, he was back in the Duke bullpen. He led the team with 28 appearances and had a 4.10 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 37.1 innings.

Rocky McCord – RHP – 6’2 170
Auburn
Sophomore

A late-round pick out of high school in 2011, McCord had an ERA near five in limited action last season. He was then named the second-best prospect in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League last summer. This spring, he had a 3.96 ERA but an injury limited him to seven games.

Austin Pettibone – RHP – 6’4 215
UC Santa Barbara
Sophomore

Pettibone led the Gauchos in wins as a freshman and did it again this year in workhorse fashion. Pettibone logged 117.2 innings, 34 more than anybody on the team, and went 10-3 with a 2.98 ERA. He struck out 61 and walked 20.

Joseph Shaw – RHP – 6’4 240
Dallas Baptist
Freshman

Shaw is the only freshman on the Hyannis roster, and he should represent the young guys well. In 20 relief appearances, Shaw had a 3.30 ERA with four saves and 24 strikeouts in 30 innings.

Scott Simon – RHP – 6’7 201
Washington State
Sophomore

Simon was drafted in the 33rd round out of high school. He redshirted in 2011 before saving four games for the Cougars last season. This year, he moved into the weekend rotation and held his own, finishing with a 3.95 ERA.

Cy Sneed – RHP – 6’4 200
Dallas Baptist
Sophomore

Sneed had a decent season in the Dallas Baptist weekend rotation this year, going 4-4 with a 4.84 ERA. He struck out 54 in 83.2 innings.

Andrew Thome – RHP – 6’4 205
North Dakota
Sophomore

Thome was the only freshman in the nation to toss three nine-inning shutouts in 2012, and he started 2013 with a no-hitter in the season opener. His ERA rose to 4.14 by the end of the year but he still led the team in innings pitched and strikeouts and finished with four more complete games.

Grant Watson – LHP – 6’1 190
UCLA
Sophomore

Watson tied former Bruin star Trevor Bauer’s record for single-season wins by a freshman last year. This season, he’s been a solid part of the weekend rotation again, going 8-3 with a 3.22 ERA. He has 52 strikeouts and only 15 walks in 86.2 innings.

POSITION PLAYERS

Brian Anderson – INF – 6’3 180 – Arkansas – Sophomore
Jay Baum – INF – 6’0 190 – Clemson – Sophomore
Landon Curry – OF – 6’2 185 – Indiana State – Sophomore
Skyler Ewing – C/INF – 6’1 220 – Rice – Sophomore
Chase Griffin – C – 6’0 200 – Georgia Southern – Sophomore
*Dominic Jose – OF – 6’3 200 – Stanford – Sophomore
Will Maddox – INF – 5’11 180 – Tennessee – Sophomore
Ryan Padilla – INF/OF – 6’4 225 – New Mexico – Sophomore
*Jeff Schalk – INF/OF – 6’3 215 – UAB – Sophomore
Austin Slater – INF/OF – 6’2 205 – Stanford – Sophomore
Tyler Spoon – INF/OF – 5’11 190 – Arkansas – Sophomore
Drew Stankiewicz – INF – 5’10 180 – Arizona State – Sophomore
Shane Zeile – INF – 6’1 190 – UCLA – Sophomore
* – returning player

Brian Anderson – INF – 6’3 180
Arkansas
Sophomore

Anderson was a 20th-round pick out of high school and has taken all the right steps so far. He hit well as a freshman then batted .290 with five home runs in the Northwoods League last summer. This season, he emerged as the top hitter for the Razorbacks, finishing with a team-best .325 average, four home runs, 12 doubles, 36 RBI and a team-best .448 on-base percentage. He ranked fifth in the SEC in OBP.

Jay Baum – INF – 6’0 190
Clemson
Sophomore

Baum has not yet hit his stride in two seasons with the Tigers, batting .239 as a freshman and .228 this season. Perfect Game still liked him as its 10th-best prospect in South Carolina for the 2014 draft.

Landon Curry – OF – 6’2 185
Indiana State
Sophomore

Curry follows in the footsteps of ISU teammate Sean Manaea, who had a historic summer last year. Curry had a solid year with the bat for the Sycamores, hitting .260 with 21 RBI. He also stole 19 bases.

Skyler Ewing – C/INF – 6’1 220
Rice
Sophomore

Ewing played in only nine games as a freshman. He has struggled some this year but has gotten ample opportunity. He’s hitting .225 and ranks third on the team with four home runs.

Chase Griffin – C – 6’0 200
Georgia Southern
Sophomore

Griffin hit .320 with 10 home runs last year and was named the Southern Conference Freshman of the Year. After a good summer in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, he hit .272 with four homers and 47 RBI this season.

Dominic Jose – OF – 6’3 200
Stanford
Sophomore

An 15th-round pick out of high school, Jose only started four games as a freshman last year but made up for lost time with a great summer in Hyannis. He hit .272 with six home runs and was named the league’s 17th-best prospect by Perfect Game. This spring, he was limited to 35 games and hit .237.

Will Maddox – INF – 5’11 180
Tennessee
Sophomore

An SEC All-Freshman pick last year, Maddox excelled again this season for the Vols. He ranked second on the team with a .333 batting average and led the squad with a .425 on-base percentage. He also stole 22 bases, second in the SEC behind Vanderbilt star Tony Kemp.

Ryan Padilla – INF/OF – 6’4 225
New Mexico
Sophomore

Padilla starred as a freshman last year, ranking sixth nationally among all freshmen in hitting. He finished at .353 with five home runs. This season, he saw his average dip to .266 with three home runs.

Jeff Schalk – INF/OF – 6’3 215
UAB
Sophomore

Schalk was a Conference USA all-freshman pick in 2012. He hit only .200 for the Harbor Hawks over the summer and didn’t really bounce back this spring. He hit .220 for the Blazers with one home run.

Austin Slater – INF/OF – 6’2 205
Stanford
Sophomore

Slater played in just seven games as a freshman but moved into a much bigger role this year and made the most of it. He hit .269 with three home runs, and his 20 extra-base hits led the team.

Tyler Spoon – INF/OF – 5’11 190
Arkansas
Sophomore

Spoon redshirted in the spring of 2012. When he finally got on the field in Alaska that summer, he starred and was named the league’s fifth-best prospect by Baseball America. He picked up where he left off this spring, hitting .288 with four homers and a team-high 49 RBI.

Drew Stankiewicz – INF – 5’10 180
Arizona State
Sophomore

The son of former Big Leaguer Andy Stankiewicz, Drew inherited the Sun Devil shortstop job from first-round pick Deven Marrero. After hitting .265 last year, he batted .295 this season with two homers and 25 RBI.

Shane Zeile – INF – 6’1 190
UCLA
Sophomore

The nephew of former Major Leaguer Todd Zeile, Shane played well when he got a chance as a freshman last year, then earned all-star honors for the Walla Walla Sweets of the West Coast Collegiate League. Baseball America had him as the circuit’s sixth-best prospect. Zeile has not had quite as good a sophomore season as he hoped, hitting .239 with two homers.

June 3, 2013

Whitecaps Look for Resurgence

Scouts had an eye on Brewster last year. Pitcher Tom Windle and outfielder Aaron Judge were both among the first 11 prospects in Baseball America’s list of the league’s best.

But like Hyannis with Cape superstar Sean Manaea, the Whitecaps couldn’t put it all together and missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

As the Whitecaps get set for the 2013 season, they welcome in a team that could cut a similar profile. Florida State sophomores Luke Weaver and Brandon Liebrandt have as much ace potential as any incoming pitchers in the league, while Trevor Mitsui returns after hitting five home runs last year. The rest of the club is much like most Brewster teams have been the last few years – no superstars but some good potential.

The Whitecaps just hope the result is more in line with what they’re capable of.

THE SKINNY

Manager: John Altobelli
Last Year: 17-26-1; Missed playoffs
Returning Players: 3
Juniors: 2
Sophomores: 19
Freshmen: 4

NOTABLE

Proven, big-school starting pitchers are becoming a scarcer and scarcer commodity on the Cape every year, but Brewster has a pair that are as good as anybody in Florida State sophomores Luke Weaver and Brandon Liebrandt. Weaver pitched for Brewster last summer and didn’t have a great season but has turned into one of the best sophomore pitchers in the nation this year. Liebrandt was also on the Brewster roster last year but didn’t play. He’s also been very good in the FSU weekend rotation.

Weaver in particular sticks out as perhaps the Cape’s best incoming pitcher. He ranks 10th in the nation in strikeouts, tops among 2013 Cape Leaguers, and he has an ERA under two for the Seminoles.

Brewster has a third Seminole in sophomore infielder Jose Brizuela, and he’ll be coming in off a big season as well. Brizuela ranks second on the team in batting average.

Brewster has a pitcher named Zach Morris. Saved by the Bell fans, I’m working on some jokes. I can’t promise they’ll be good.

On the subject of baseball, Zach Morris is sitting out this year at Maryland after transferring from Cincinnati. He had a solid freshman year with the Bearcats and I imagine he’ll be chomping at the bit to take the mound again.

Brewster has had some success with players from Memphis in recent years, most notably Drew Martinez, a .359 hitter in 2010. The Whitecaps will look for more from the pipeline with Dylan Toscano and Tucker Tubbs slated to come to town.

Frankie Vanderka was one of the heroes of Stony Brook’s Cinderella run to the College World Series last year. He pitched a three-hitter in game three of the Super Regional against powerhouse LSU. This season, Vanderka didn’t get an opportunity to match those heroics, but he still shined and earned first-team America East honors. He also was a workhorse, ranking second in the nation in complete games.

Trevor Mitsui didn’t have the prospect buzz of Brewster teammates Ryon Healy and Aaron Judge last summer, but he hit more home runs than Healy and the same amount as Judge. He’s a very solid returning player.

Minnesota is another Brewster pipeline team that doesn’t show up on a lot of other CCBL rosters. Connor Schaefbauer represents the Gophers this year and should do it well. He hit .289 in his freshman year.

FIVE TO WATCH

1. Luke Weaver
2. Brandon Liebrandt
3. Frankie Vanderka
4. Jose Brizuela
5. Boo Vazquez

PITCHERS

Tanner Chleborad – RHP – 6’5 190 – Washington State – Sophomore
Trey Cochran-Gill – RHP – 5’11 189 – Auburn – Sophomore
Justin Kamplain – LHP – 6’0 170 – Alabama – Sophomore
Jonathan Keller – LHP – 6’1 220 – Alabama – Sophomore
Brandon Liebrandt – LHP – 6’4 205 – Florida State – Sophomore
Zach Morris – LHP – 6’5 225 – Maryland – Sophomore
Matt Pirro – RHP – 6’1 200 – Wake Forest – Sophomore
*Evan Rutter – RHP- 6’3 190 – Rice – Sophomore
Corey Taylor – RHP – 6’2 235 – Texas Tech – Sophomore
Dylan Toscano – RHP – 6’5 205 – Memphis – Sophomore
Frankie Vanderka – RHP – 6’2 205 – Stony Brook – Junior
*Luke Weaver – RHP – 6’2 170 – Florida State – Sophomore
Matt Withrow – RHP – 6’3 200 – Texas Tech – Freshman
* – returning player

Tanner Chleborad – RHP – 6’5 190
Washington State
Sophomore

Chelborad has been a weekend starter since day one. After turning in a 4.24 ERA this year, he struggled this season and finished with a 6.92 ERA.

Trey Cochran-Gill – RHP – 5’11 189
Auburn
Sophomore

Cochran-Gill had a solid freshman season as a reliever for the Tigers in 2012, then pitched well in the Valley League, where he was named the sixth-best prospect by Baseball America. This season, he remained in the bullpen and was solid again, posting a 3.02 ERA

Justin Kamplain – LHP – 6’0 170
Alabama
Sophomore

Kamplain was pretty good in a swing role as a freshman. His ERA rose to 4.77 this year, but some of his peripherals were better. He struck out 50 in 54.2 innings and opponents hit just .223 against him.

Jonathan Keller – LHP – 6’1 220
Alabama
Sophomore

Keller had a similar freshman season to that of his teammate Kamplain, but he struggled this year. His ERA rose from 3.74 last year to 5.23 this year. He did strike out 56 in 53.1 innings, but he walked 28 and saw opponents hit .293 against him.

Brandon Liebrandt – LHP – 6’4 205
Florida State
Sophomore

Liebrandt had a tremendous freshman season last year, jumping into the weekend rotation and leading the team in strikeouts. He has kept it up this year for the Super Regional bound Seminoles, going 10-4 with a 3.44 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 89 innings.

Zach Morris – LHP – 6’5 225
Maryland
Sophomore

Morris started his college career at Cincinnati and led the Bearcats in ERA and innings pitched as a freshman. He then transferred to Maryland, where he sat out this year in accordance with NCAA transfer rules.

Matt Pirro – RHP – 6’1 200
Wake Forest
Sophomore

Pirro held his own in 10 appearances as a freshman. He moved into the weekend rotation with mixed results this year, finishing 3-6 with a 5.52 ERA. Pirro walked more batters than he struck out.

Evan Rutter – RHP- 6’3 190
Rice
Sophomore

Rutter didn’t see much action in his freshman year with the Owls but turned in a solid summer in Brewster, striking out 36 in 29.2 innings out of the bullpen. He has made 11 appearances this season and owns a 3.86 ERA.

Corey Taylor – RHP – 6’2 235
Texas Tech
Sophomore

Taylor starred in the junior college ranks last year, helping lead Cisco College to the NJCAA World Series. He had a tough transition to the D-I ranks, finishing his first year in Lubbock with a 7.18 ERA.

Dylan Toscano – RHP – 6’5 205
Memphis
Sophomore

Toscano was healthy for only half of his freshman year last season but pitched well when he was, finishing with a 3.05 ERA. He pitched in eight games this season and had a 3.44 ERA.

Frankie Vanderka – RHP – 6’2 205
Stony Brook
Junior

Vanderka led the Seawolves in ERA last year and excelled on the biggest stage in the team’s run to Omaha. This year, he emerged as a bona fide ace, going 8-4 with a 2.80 ERA.

Luke Weaver – RHP – 6’2 170
Florida State
Sophomore

A 19th-round pick out of high school, Weaver struggled in his freshman season and had an ERA over five for Brewster last summer. This year, though, he has turned it completely around. On his way to second team All-ACC honors, Weaver has gone 7-2 with a 1.95 ERA and a team-best 114 strikeouts against just 17 walks in 92.1 innings pitched. He tied for ninth in the nation in strikeouts and ranked 10th in strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Matt Withrow – RHP – 6’3 200
Texas Tech
Freshman

Withrow came from the high school ranks, but like his teammate Taylor, he also struggled in his debut with Texas Tech. Withrow finished with a 5.90 ERA, though he did rank third on the team in strikeouts with 52.

POSITION PLAYERS

David Armendariz – OF – 6’1 210 – Cal Poly – Junior
Austin Bailey – INF – 5’10 170 – San Diego – Sophomore
Braden Bishop – OF – 6’1 190 – Washington – Freshman
Jose Brizuela – INF/OF – 6’0 200 – Florida State – Sophomore
P.J. Jones – C – 5’9 186 – Washington State – Sophomore
Chris Mariscal – INF – 5’11 175 – Fresno State – Sophomore
*Trevor Mitsui – 1B – 6’5 220 – Washington – Sophomore
Kyle Overstreet – INF – 6’1 195 – Alabama – Freshman
Connor Schaefbauer – INF – 6’1 175 – Minnesota – Freshman
Ford Stainback – INF – 5’11 170 – Rice – Sophomore
Tucker Tubbs – INF – 6’4 199 – Memphis – Sophomore
Boo Vazquez – OF – 6’4 200 – Pittsburgh – Sophomore
* – returning player

David Armendariz – OF – 6’1 210
Cal Poly
Junior

Armendariz was a second-team All-Big West pick as a sophomore. He was solid again this year, hitting .271 with three homers and 23 RBI.

Austin Bailey – INF – 5’10 170
San Diego
Sophomore

Bailey hit .273 as a freshman and was a solid performer again this year for the Toreros. He finished with .301 average and 28 RBI.

Braden Bishop – OF – 6’1 190
Washington
Freshman

A 36th-round pick of the Braves last year, Bishop started 29 games in his debut season with the Huskies. He batted .270 with 13 RBI.

Jose Brizuela – INF/OF – 6’0 200
Florida State
Sophomore

Brizuela was a late-round pick out of high school. He started all but one game as a freshman and didn’t have the best year, but like his teammates Liebrandt and Weaver, he has surged as a sophomore Brizuela is hitting .325 with four homers and 43 RBI.

P.J. Jones – C – 5’9 186
Washington State
Sophomore

Jones has had two solid seasons with the Cougars. He hit .303 as a freshman last year. This season, he finished with a .276 average.

Chris Mariscal – INF – 5’11 175
Fresno State
Sophomore

Mariscal has been the Bulldogs’ shortstop since day one last year. He hit only .238 as a freshman, but bumped it up to .302 this season and also hit two home runs. He played summer ball in Alaska last year and hit .256 for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots.

Trevor Mitsui – 1B – 6’5 220
Washington
Sophomore

Mitsui hit .308 as a freshman and .262 this year. In between, he had some flashes of brilliance in Brewster last summer. Mitsui hit .298 for the Whitecaps with five home runs and 26 RBI.

Kyle Overstreet – INF – 6’1 195
Alabama
Freshman

One of the top high school players in Alabama a year ago, Overstreet started every game of his first season in Tuscaloosa and delivered a solid performance. He hit .271 with 37 RBI

Connor Schaefbauer – INF – 6’1 175
Minnesota
Freshman

Schaefbauer ranked fourth on the Gophers in hitting with a .279 average as a freshman this season. The former South Dakota high school star also drove in 18.

Ford Stainback – INF – 5’11 170
Rice
Sophomore

Stainback was a Conference USA all-freshman pick last year and has followed it up with another good season this year. Playing shortstop and batting leadoff, Stainback has hit .293 with 24 RBI.

Tucker Tubbs – INF – 6’4 199
Memphis
Sophomore

After holding his own as a freshman, Tubbs emerged this season as one of the Tigers’ top hitters. He finished at .327 with a team-best four home runs, and he drove in 32.

Boo Vazquez – OF – 6’4 200
Pittsburgh
Sophomore

One of the top high school prospects in Ohio in 2011, Vasquez starred last year in his first with the Panthers, hitting .327 and slugging .440. He had another strong campaign this year, batting .337 with two homers and 30 RBI.

May 31, 2013May 31, 2013

Regional Watching

The Cape League season is less than two weeks away but if you need to whet your appetite, you’re in luck. The NCAA tournament begins today with 32 regional games.

Some Cape notes down below, but first, courtesy of SEBaseball.com, here’s a Friday schedule, sorted by time and with TV info included. Most games are available online at ESPN3.com. Four will be televised on ESPNU: Troy vs. Alabama at 12 p.m., Wichita State vs. Kansas State at 3 p.m., East Tennessee State vs. Vanderbilt at 5 p.m., and Columbia vs. Cal State Fullerton at 11 p.m.

Friday:
Noon ET Troy vs Alabama (Tallahassee) ESPNU

1 ET Coastal Carolina vs Oklahoma (Blacksburg) ESPN3
1 ET Towson vs Florida Atlantic (Chapel Hill) ESPN3
1 ET Liberty vs Clemson (Columbia) ESPN3
1 ET Florida vs Austin Peay (Bloomington) ESPN3
1 ET Army vs Virginia (Charlottesville) ESPN3

2 ET William & Mary vs Ole Miss (Raleigh) ESPN3
2 ET Georgia Tech vs. Illinois (Nashville) ESPN3
2 ET Oklahoma State vs. Miami (Louisville) ESPN3

3 ET Wichita State vs Kansas State (Manhattan) ESPNU
3 ET UC Santa Barbara vs Texas A&M (Corvallis) ESPN3
3 ET Mercer vs South Alabama (Starkville) ESPN3
3 ET Jackson State vs LSU (Baton Rouge) ESPN3

5 ET San Francisco vs Rice (Eugene) ESPN3
5 ET Savannah State vs Florida State (Tallahassee) ESPN3
5 ET San Diego vs Cal Poly (Los Angeles) ESPN3

5:30 ET Connecticut vs Virginia Tech (Blacksburg) ESPN3

6 ET Canisius vs North Carolina (Chapel Hill) ESPN3
6 ET Bowling Green vs Louisville (Louisville) ESPN3
6 ET Elon vs UNC Wilmington (Charlottesville) ESPN3

7 ET Valparaiso vs Indiana (Bloomington) ESPN3
7 ET Binghamton vs NC State (Raleigh) ESPN3
7 ET East Tennessee State vs Vanderbilt (Nashville) ESPNU
7 ET Saint Louis vs South Carolina (Columbia) ESPN3
7 ET New Mexico vs Arizona State (Fullerton) ESPN3

8 ET UTSA vs Oregon State (Corvallis) ESPN3
8 ET Central Arkansas vs Mississippi State (Starkville) ESPN3
8 ET Bryant vs Arkansas (Manhattan) ESPN3
8 ET Sam Houston State vs Louisiana(Baton Rouge) ESPN3

9 ET South Dakota State vs Oregon (Eugene) ESPN3
9 ET San Diego State vs UCLA (Los Angeles) ESPN3

11 ET Columbia vs Cal State Fullerton (Fullerton) ESPNU

CAPE LEAGUE FLAVORED REGIONAL NOTES

Cape League mainstay North Carolina is your No. 1 national seed. The Heels have seven players on Cape League rosters, led by freshmen Skye Bolt (Harwich) and Landon Lassiter (Chatham). Bolt has also been invited to Team USA. Also in the Chapel Hill Regional is Florida Atlantic, who’s led by future Bourne Brave Austin Gomber, the ace of the Owls’ staff.

Wareham fans will have their pick of Gatemen champions to root for this weekend. Tyler Horan leads Virginia Tech as it hosts a regional, Daniel Palka and Mott Hyde take Georgia Tech to the Nashville regional and Kyle Schwarber will be leading Indiana as it hosts a regional for the first time.

If East Tennessee State can pull off a monumental upset of Vanderbilt, Clint Freeman will probably be at the center of it. The future Bourne Brave hit .336 with 10 homers this year.

Casey Gillaspie, future Falmouth Commodore and brother of former Commodore Conor Gillaspie, will be in action on ESPNU at 3 as Wichita State takes on Kansas State. Gillaspie had a big sophomore season.

Former Chatham Angler Kris Bryant has had an incredible season for San Diego and is likely to be drafted in the top three picks next week. He and the Toreros take on Cal Poly at 5 p.m. in the L.A. regional.

San Francisco is making just its third regional appearance. The Dons have led offensively by future Cotuit Kettleer Bradley Zimmer, who’s brother Kyle is a former Kettleer and a first-round draft pick.

Bryant University, in its first year of D-I postseason eligibility, is in Kansas and will take on Arkansas. Craig Schlitter (Falmouth ’12) has had a big hand in the team’s success this year.

Alex Bregman has been invited to Team USA, so he may not make it to Harwich this summer. But the LSU freshman is worth watching anyway. He and the Tigers play Jackson State at 3 p.m.

Louisville is sending a huge contingent to the Cape this summer and has quite a few former Cape Leaguers as well. The Cards are hosting a regional and they take on Bowling Green at 6 p.m.

May 30, 2013May 30, 2013

Kettleers in Line for a Big Year

The 2012 Cape Cod Baseball League season was full of great storylines, from Wareham’s run to the title, to Harwich’s power display, to Sean Manaea’s dominance on the mound for Hyannis.

It was easy to lose track of some other stories, like the 2012 Cotuit Kettleers. Wareham won the title, Harwich had the pop, Y-D had the highest team batting average we’re likely to see in years. But it was Cotuit that had the league’s best record.

The Kettleers caught fire midway through the season and finished 30-14, becoming the league’s first 30-win team since a legendary 2007 Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox club.

In the end, the Kettleers fell short of the title, but the season was a great one, and they’re poised for another in 2013. The Kettleers bring back some sophomores ready for breakouts like Jordan Ramsey and Aramis Garcia and the rest of the roster is as solid looking as any in the league. The majority of their position players are coming off good seasons, and some off great seasons – like Bradley Zimmer, Patrick Mazeika and Joey Pankake. Freshmen like Rhett Wiseman and Max Schrock bring top-prospect flair. A veteran pitching staff has six starters with proven track records, and guys like Ramsey and Daniel Mengden have star potential.

It adds up to a great-looking club on paper. The Cape League may not be able to match its 2012 storylines in 2013, but the Kettleers very well could.

THE SKINNY

Manager: Mike Roberts
Last Year: 30-14; Lost in Western Division Semifinals
Returning Players: 3
Juniors: 1
Sophomores: 18
Freshmen: 6

NOTABLE

The Kettleers have a quite a few players from College World Series contenders, like Vanderbilt and South Carolina. It could be an uneven start to the summer if those squads make it to Omaha.

Kyle Zimmer used a solid summer with Cotuit in 2011 as a springboard into a tremendous junior season and a spot as the fifth overall pick of the 2012 MLB Draft. His brother will be on the beginnings of the same path this year. Bradley Zimmer attends San Francisco like his brother did, and has been the team’s best hitter. He’s ticketed for Cotuit this summer.

Coastal Carolina’s Ryan Connolly was one of the Cape League’s best relievers last summer with Cotuit, and the Kettleers will be hoping for a similar showing from Connolly’s teammate Patrick Corbett. The sophomore righty has been a key part of the Coastal bullpen this spring.

Another Chanticleer, Ben Smith, is a likely starting pitcher and a potential ace for the Kettleers. He was a first-team All Big South pick this season and led the team in strikeouts and ERA among starters.

Vanderbilt’s starting rotation gets a lot of pub, and with good reason, but the bullpen has been dynamic too and a pair of future Kettleers have been a big reason why. Sophomore Brian Miller has 15 saves and a 1.59 ERA, while freshman Carson Fulmer has an ERA under three and has struck out better than a batter an inning.

Cotuit will also welcome Vanderbilt’s Rhett Wiseman. The Mansfield, Mass., native was a top prospect out of high school, and though he’s been in the background for a veteran Vandy team this year, there’s no denying his ability. A summer in Cotuit could be a prime breakout chance for him.

Danny Diekroeger doesn’t have a lot of Cape League experience, but he sure got some quality innings last year. Diekroeger was a late-season pickup by Y-D and he was a key part of the Red Sox’ run to the CCBL finals.

It’ll be interesting to see what Daniel Mengden focuses on this summer. The Texas A&M two-way player seems to be settling into the role of an ace on the mound. He was one of the top starters in the SEC this year.

Two South Carolina sophomores – Joey Pankake and Jordan Montgomery – could be big additions for the Kettleers. Neither showed up on any SEC all-conference lists, but it’s a safe bet they’ll get there next year. Pankake is hitting .335 with 10 home runs, while Montgomery has a 1.86 ERA as a weekend starter. Gamecock freshman Max Schrock should also be poised for a good summer.

Junior college star Elliott Caldwell is a future Gamecock, and they’re getting a good one. The top prospect in the Prospect League last summer, Caldwell is one to keep an eye on this summer.

Washington State doesn’t have the baseball pedigree of many of its Pac-12 compatriots, but the Cougars have sent some talented players to the Cape in recent years. Two more are bound for Cotuit this summer. Joe Pistorese was the ace of the staff and a workhorse, while Yale Rosen belted seven home runs.

UNC Wilmington’s Jordan Ramsey is slated to return to Cotuit, but he’ll be coming back on a different level. He had a 4.35 ERA last summer in 11 games. This year, he was one of the top pitchers in the Colonial and I’d expect the rise to continue.

In his second year with Cotuit, Aramis Garcia has star potential and could emerge as a top-notch catching prospect. He’s coming off a huge sophomore season.

Springfield native Patrick Mazeika will be playing closer to home this summer but his journey to Florida has been very good to him. The Stetson freshman was the Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year after hitting .382.

FIVE TO WATCH

1. Aramis Garcia
2. Bradley Zimmer
3. Jordan Ramsey
4. Daniel Mengden
5. Elliott Caldwell

PITCHERS

Christian Cecilio – LHP – 6’1 190 – San Francisco – Sophomore
Patrick Corbett – RHP/INF – 6’5 185 – Coastal Carolina – Sophomore
Chris Ellis – RHP – 6’5 195 – Ole Miss – Sophomore
Carson Fulmer – RHP – 5’11 190 – Vanderbilt – Freshman
John Hochstatter – LHP – 6’4 215 – Stanford – Sophomore
*Adam McCreery – LHP – 6’8 219 – Arizona State – Sophomore
Daniel Mengden – RHP/C – 6’1 210 – Texas A&M – Sophomore
Brian Miller – RHP – 6’4 200 – Vanderbilt – Sophomore
Jordan Montgomery – LHP – 6’3 215 – South Carolina – Sophomore
Joe Pistorese – LHP – 6’2 174 – Washington State – Sophomore
*Jordan Ramsey – RHP – 6’4 198 – UNC Wilmington – Sophomore
David Schmidt – RHP – 6’0 175 – Stanford – Sophomore
Ben Smith – LHP – 6’2 175 – Coastal Carolina – Sophomore
Wyatt Strahan – RHP – 6’3 195 – USC – Sophomore
* – returning player

Christian Cecilio – LHP – 6’1 190
San Francisco
Sophomore

Cecilio has had two solid seasons in the Dons’ weekend rotation. For a regional-bound club this year, Cecilio is 3-3 with a 4.11 ERA. He has 46 strikeouts in 70 innings.

Patrick Corbett – RHP/INF – 6’5 185
Coastal Carolina
Sophomore

Corbett has been a very good reliever in two years with the Chanticleers. After posting a 3.54 ERA in 17 games last year, he has been one of the team’s busiest bullpen arms this year. In 23 appearances, he has a 2.47 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched.

Chris Ellis – RHP – 6’5 195
Ole Miss
Sophomore

Ellis had a solid freshman season as a reliever in 2012. He has seen limited action this year while dealing with an injury and has an ERA over six.

Carson Fulmer – RHP – 5’11 190
Vanderbilt
Freshman

A 15th-round pick of the Red Sox last year, Fulmer has had a very strong debut in the Vanderbilt bullpen. The righty earned SEC All-Freshman honors with a 2.98 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 42.1 innings pitched. He’s second on the team in appearances.

John Hochstatter – LHP – 6’4 215
Stanford
Sophomore

A late-round pick in 2011, Hochstatter had his struggles as a freshman but took some strides as a member of the weekend rotation this year. Hochstatter posted a 3.88 ERA and struck out 29.

Adam McCreery – LHP – 6’8 219
Arizona State
Sophomore

A 14th-round pick out of high school, McCreery is long on potential but he hasn’t yet put it all together. He had an ERA over five for Cotuit last summer. This spring, he had a 5.94 ERA while pitching as both a starter and a reliever.

Daniel Mengden – RHP/C – 6’1 210
Texas A&M
Sophomore

Mengden has done it all in two years with the Aggies, saving games as a freshman and emerging as a bona fide ace this season. He’s 8-3 with a 1.84 ERA and a team-best 91 strikeouts in 107.1 innings. He’s also a valuable hitter, carrying a .283 average and three home runs.

Brian Miller – RHP – 6’4 200
Vanderbilt
Sophomore

After saving five games as a freshman, Miller moved into the closer’s role full-time this year and has emerged as one of the best in the country. Miller has 15 saves and an ERA and a team-best 1.59 ERA for the No. 2 national seed Commodores.

Jordan Montgomery – LHP – 6’3 215
South Carolina
Sophomore

A Freshman All-American as a weekend starter last year, Montgomery has been even better this year as the Gamecocks’ Saturday starter. He’s 4-1 with a 1.86 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 53 innings.

Joe Pistorese – LHP – 6’2 174
Washington State
Sophomore

Pistorese led the Cougars in ERA as a freshman and it wasn’t a flash in the pan. He logged 100.1 innings this year as the Friday starter and went 5-5 with a 2.78 ERA. He didn’t have huge strikeout numbers compared to the high-innings total, but he still led the team with 61.

Jordan Ramsey – RHP – 6’4 198
UNC Wilmington
Sophomore

Ramsey was a 28th-rounder out of high school and a Colonial All-Rookie pick last year. He then made his way to Cotuit and had a 4.35 ERA in 11 appearances. This spring, he has made the kind of jump you’d expect from a player with his pedigree. Emerging as an ace, Ramsey has a 2.36 ERA with 82 strikeouts in 99.1 innings for regional-bound Wilmington. He earned second-team All-Colonial honors.

David Schmidt – RHP – 6’0 175
Stanford
Sophomore

Schmidt has had two solid seasons as a reliever in Palo Alto. He had a 3.98 ERA last year and dropped it to 3.68 this season. He struck out 19 in 29.1 innings.

Ben Smith – LHP – 6’2 175
Coastal Carolina
Sophomore

Smith pitched in a swing role for the Chanticleers last year before becoming an ace in the weekend rotation this year. Smith is 5-3 with a 2.19 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 86.1 innings pitched. Smith earned first-team All Big South honors.

Wyatt Strahan – RHP – 6’3 195
USC
Sophomore

Strahan was drafted in the 27th round out of high school and delivered a strong debut for the Trojans last year, posting a 1.37 ERA as a reliever. He moved into the weekend rotation this year and led the Trojans with a 2.45 ERA, despite walking nearly as many as he struck out.

POSITION PLAYERS

Kevin Bradley – SS/3B – 6’2 185 – Clemson – Freshman
Elliott Caldwell – OF – 6’2 190 – Spartanburg Methodist – Sophomore
Hunter Cole – OF – 6’1 190 – Georgia – Sophomore
Danny Diekroeger – INF – 6’1 190 – Stanford – Junior
*Aramis Garcia – C – 6’2 200 – Florida International – Sophomore
Drew Jackson – INF – 6’2 195 – Stanford – Freshman
Patrick Mazeika – 1B – 6’3 210 – Stetson – Freshman
Joey Pankake – INF – 6’0 195 – South Carolina – Sophomore
Yale Rosen – INF/OF – 6’2 208 – Washington State – Sophomore
Max Schrock – INF – 5’9 180 – South Carolina – Freshman
Rhett Wiseman – OF – 5’11 190 – Vanderbilt – Freshman
Bradley Zimmer – OF – 6’5 195 – San Francisco – Sophomore
* – returning player

Kevin Bradley – SS/3B – 6’2 185
Clemson
Freshman

A late-round draft pick out of high school, Bradley hasn’t had a big impact yet with Clemson. He has seen action in 34 games this year, with only four starts, and is hitting under .200.

Elliott Caldwell – OF – 6’2 190
Spartanburg Methodist
Sophomore

After limited action at Winthrop as a freshman, Caldwell has been a star for Spartanburg Methodist, one of the top junior college teams in the country. Caldwell is hitting .357 with three homers, 42 RBI and 18 stolen bases for a JUCO World Series club. Caldwell was named the top prospect in the Prospect League last summer by Baseball America and has committed to South Carolina for next year.

Hunter Cole – OF – 6’1 190
Georgia
Sophomore

Cole led the Bulldogs in home runs as a freshman last year and followed it up with a very good sophomore season. Cole hit .303 with four homers and 33 RBI.

Danny Diekroeger – INF – 6’1 190
Stanford
Junior

A late addition to the Y-D Red Sox roster last summer, Diekroeger hit .306 in the Cape League playoffs. He returns to the Cape bound for Cotuit, and he comes in off a solid junior season. Diekroeger batted .299 with two homers and 28 RBI for the Cardinal. Brother Kenny was a fourth-round pick of the Royals last year.

Aramis Garcia – C – 6’2 200
Florida International
Sophomore

Garcia was steady as a freshman and pretty good last summer with the Kettleers. This spring, he took a step toward becoming one of the top catching prospects in the country when he hit .321 with 11 home runs and 51 RBI.

Drew Jackson – INF – 6’2 195
Stanford
Freshman

A 37th-round pick out of high school, Jackson struggled in his first collegiate season. He hit .207 in 41 games, with 24 starts.

Patrick Mazeika – 1B – 6’3 210
Stetson
Freshman

A native of Springfield, Mass., Mazeika headed south for college and made himself right at home, earning Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year honors. He hit a league-best .382 with three home runs, 33 RBI and a .488 OBP.

Joey Pankake – INF – 6’0 195
South Carolina
Sophomore

A late-round pick in 2011, Pankake was an SEC All-Freshman pick in 2012. This year, he has emerged as one of the top players for the Gamecocks, hitting .315 with 10 home runs and 38 RBI.

Yale Rosen – INF/OF – 6’2 208
Washington State
Sophomore

Rosen didn’t do much as a freshman, but he took a leap as a sophomore and emerged as one of the team’s best players. He hit .314 with seven homers and 35 RBI. The home run total tied him for a team-high with former Cape League all star Jason Monda.

Max Schrock – INF – 5’9 180
South Carolina
Freshman

Schrock was drafted in the 28th round out of high school. He opted to stick with his pledge to the Gamecocks and is in the midst of a solid first season. Schrock is hitting .286, and his five home runs and 37 RBI rank him third on the team.

Rhett Wiseman – OF – 5’11 190
Vanderbilt
Freshman

One of the top high school players in the country a season ago and a 25th-round pick of the Cubs, the Mansfield, Mass., native headed to Vanderbilt and has made the most of his time there. He’s appeared in 49 games and while he’s only started nine of them, Wiseman has three home runs and a .296 average.

Bradley Zimmer – OF – 6’5 195
San Francisco
Sophomore

The brother of former Kettleer pitcher and first-round pick Kyle Zimmer, Bradley plies his trade at the plate and does it very well. On his way to West Coast Conference all-league honors, Zimmer is hitting .335 with seven homers, 36 RBI and a team-best .456 on-base percentage. He has helped lead the Dons to an NCAA Regional.