Head coach Gene Stephenson will begin his 33rd season as a Shocker with seven returning starters and 19 returning lettermen from a team that went 30-27 in 2009 and advanced to its 27th NCAA Tournament after winning its 17th Valley Tournament title.
Stephenson has posted a 1,683-577-3 overall record in his 32 seasons at Wichita State, which ranks him second in wins in Division I baseball history. Stephenson is excited for the 2010 season to begin as many players return with experience.
"I think we are going to be much better overall than we were a year ago," Stephenson said. "I think that right now we are very optimistic because we have so many more players who are capable than we did a year ago. Therefore if we have someone who is not performing well we now have adequate replacements. It is much more competitive position to position than it was a year ago. We should be more athletic than we were a year ago, which if we were to become consistent should translate into better offense and better defense. How well we perform will be a direct result of how consistent we become on offense and defense which was the one thing we didn't see this fall was consistency from day to day. We saw individual talent and it's there but we did not see true consistency day in and day out from the same players so that will be the one thing that we strive to improve upon in our preseason workouts."
Stephenson also stresses the importance of surrounding himself with quality coaches, as he has demonstrated with the make-up and tenure of the program's assistant coaches.
Pitching coach Brent Kemnitz returns for his 32nd season, while assistant coach Jim Thomas begins his 18th. Volunteer assistant coach Brandon Hall will begin his first year.
PITCHING
The 2010 pitching staff returns 12 pitchers from the 2009 staff that posted a 4.26 ERA, which was 19th-best in the nation. WSU returns 90 percent of its wins from the 2009 pitching staff and 10 pitchers that earned a decision a year ago.
"I'm excited about the possibilities of this pitching staff simply because there are a lot of guys that really came on the end of last year that are back," Kemnitz said. "It was a totally new look last year with very little experience and I thought guys continued to get better and now that they are a year older, we hope they've made a year of improvement. We had a good recruiting class and hopefully some guys are coming back from injuries and will get back to be 100 percent so you put it all together and we are very optimistic that we will have a great pitching staff."
The Shockers return their top three starters including honorable mention All-American and second team all-Valley selection junior Tim Kelley (5-4, 2.86), and Freshman All-Americans in sophomores Jordan Cooper (8-6, 2.78) and Charlie Lowell (6-2, 2.95). Sophomore Brian Flynn (2-5, 4.98) also returns, but is ineligible for the 2010 season.
"We were thrilled with what Tim gave us last year as a Friday night starter," Kemnitz said. "He had All-American type numbers. He just needs to continue to grow from that. He had an unbelievable summer in Santa Barbara. We are very comfortable with Tim Kelley as the ace of the staff.
"Jordan was a Freshman All-American last season and jumped right into the weekend rotation. He was very consistent and pitched great in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and pitched great in the regional in Norman. He had a great summer in the Cape Cod League and we feel he should be amongst the best in the country.
"Charlie seemed to get back in his groove at the end of the fall. He was a Freshman All-American last year and had a great year the first two-thirds of the season. He suffered through some inconsistencies late in the spring. I think we have everything cleaned up from a mechanical standpoint. I think he's back on track with his tenacious mentality that makes him so effective on the mound. We will count on him once again to be one of the top starters."
Seven other pitchers return to the Shockers from 2009 including seniors Cobey Guy (0-0, 5.40) and Clint McKeever (0-0, 5.68), juniors Justin Kemp (0-2, 6.31) and Mitch Caster (0-0, 6.75) and sophomores Remington Johnson (3-0, 3.38), Chance Sossamon (1-1, 4.50) and Josh Smith (0-2, 8.62). Fifth-year seniors Tyler Fleming (3-1, 4.00) and Logan Hoch (2-1, 5.16) also return after missing the 2009 season with injuries and sophomore Grant Muncrief (2-0, 2.40) continues his rehab from Tommy John surgery and could be ready for the beginning of the 2010 season.
"Cobey made a huge impression this fall," Kemnitz said. "He looked like the guy we recruited. Hopefully the injury situation is behind him. He has a dominating breaking ball and should have gained confidence last summer with El Dorado and this fall. We are excited about what he can bring to our bullpen this spring.
"Clint still shows inconsistency. He is outstanding when down in the zone. He needs to gain consistency to be a factor out of the bullpen. We will probably rely on him more as a position player.
"Justin needs to gain consistency. When he's on his game it's exciting because he's a big hard throwing right-hander. He just needs to gain consistency after having a good summer in Anchorage but he needs to build on that.
"Mitch has a great arm and shows flashes of brilliance. He needs to gain consistency. He has a chance to be outstanding, but needs to continue to gain consistency and confidence.
"Remington was the savior last year. He came on when a lot of other guys were struggling and inconsistent and after the injuries of Hoch, Fleming and Muncrief. You can't put a price on what he meant to us last year. He gave us stability in the pen and was consistent. He just needs to make the next step. He can't get comfortable. He's got to continue to keep that tenacious attitude.
"Chance was outstanding down the stretch last year. He saved us in the last two games of the Valley Tournament out of the bullpen. He just needs to continue where he left off. He has an outstanding arm and a good breaking ball. He just needs to continue to gain confidence and consistency. He should be an outstanding closer.
"Josh had a really good summer as a starter and seems to be more comfortable in that role. He had a good fall in games that he started. That probably fits his niche better so that's probably what we'll look at. He should give us starting depth this spring and we continue to be excited about his future.
"Tyler Fleming is a guy that we lost last summer. It was devastating to not have him last year. He has never totally shaken the shoulder issues, but he did get his shoulder cleaned out and it was nothing major as he just got rid of scar tissue and he said he feels good. We are hopeful that his rehab will be fine. If he's 100 percent, he's another proven guy that will bolster the bullpen. He was on his way to an All-American year before he got hurt his junior year.
"Logan Hoch's rehab is going well. He got into some intrasquad games at the end of the fall and looked normal and comfortable. He said his arm feels fine. That was a devastating blow when we lost him last year so to have him back in the mix 100 percent is exciting. He's a guy who has pitched in a lot of big games and is a gamer in my mind.
"Grant's rehab is going well. I was a little skeptical of him being able to help us this year, but the rehab is going really well. He looks good and has an unbelievable work ethic on his rehab. So now all of a sudden it looks like he will be in the picture this spring and if he's 100 percent he brings added experience to the bullpen."
Three newcomers will look to make an impact in 2010 including Tobin Mateychick, Aaron LaBrie and TJ McGreevy.
"Tobin has a huge upside, but he needs to gain consistency,î Kemnitz said. ìIt is very exciting to think of the finished product. He just needs to gain maturity and become more consistent.
"Aaron showed good flashes this fall. He has a good makeup and is a great kid. He developed an outstanding straight changeup, but he is just like so many young guys that need to learn to eliminate mistakes and refine his delivery. He needs to gain the bulldog mentality that he had in high school which comes with confidence, but we are excited about his future.
"TJ made the biggest impression of the new guys. He has a great makeup and great stuff. He should make a huge impact this spring."
"I'm confident our pitching will be good as well it should be because we return a lot of pitchers with experience," Stephenson said. "I feel very comfortable that we have five starters that are capable of performing well. In our bullpen, if the returning injured players recover, meaning Hoch, Fleming and Muncrief, together with returning pitchers and new prospects than I think that we are confident our pitching staff will be good."
Catcher
The Shockers return two players with experience at the catcher position in senior Cody Lassley and sophomore Chris O'Brien. Lassley started 50 games at catcher a year ago and hit .270 with 16 doubles, four home runs, 25 RBI and nine stolen bases. O'Brien started 56 games overall, but just seven as the catcher as he mostly played third base in 2009. He hit .261 with 11 doubles, one triple, five home runs and 35 RBI.
"We are very confident that we have two catchers that have experience and ability both offensively and defensively in Lassley and O'Brien," Stephenson said. "Most of the time last year, O'Brien was playing out of position and I think that his true position overall for his future is catcher. So both of those guys really give us a strong catching corps right there."
Junior Ryan Engrav will also see time backing up Lassley and O'Brien, while Cowley College transfer Ryan Hege will redshirt due to an injury.
First Base
First team all-Valley selection senior Clint McKeever returns to the Shockers at first base. In 2009, he started all 57 games there and hit .333 with 18 doubles, one triple, six home runs, 43 RBI and six stolen bases.
"We feel really blessed to have Clint McKeever there who should be a solid consistent defensive performer there as well as an improved offensive performer," Stephenson said. "He gives us power at the plate and has the ability to hit well to all fields and he's a good runner for a big man."
Backing up McKeever will be junior college transfer Preston Springer, who could see a lot of playing time as the designated hitter.
"Preston Springer looks to be the number one candidate to fill the first base role if McKeever falters and offensively he was one of the top two or three guys offensively all fall," Stephenson said. "He's an excellent hitter with good power into the gaps and should provide much improved offense for us."
Other options at first base include sophomore Chris O'Brien and redshirt freshman Johnny Coy.
Second Base
Senior Will Baez returns after starting 51 games at second base a year ago. He hit .275 with nine doubles, one triple, two home runs, 30 RBI and 17 stolen bases.
"Will Baez returns and is a much improved defensive player," Stephenson said. "He understands defensively what we want to accomplish this year much more than he did a year ago. If he stays healthy, he will be a tremendous performer offensively. He gives us a solid returner that at the end of last year was as good a player as we had on the team. We expect him to be a team leader and a great performer this year."
Possible backups at second include freshman Walker Davidson and senior Tyler Fleming.
"Walker Davidson will fill the backup role," Stephenson said. "He is an excellent defensive player and is coming off of a knee surgery this fall. He has a great upside. As a defensive player, he is ready to play right now but needs to improve offensively. Tyler Fleming played some second base this fall. He is still recovering from arthroscopic shoulder surgery but showed flashes of some ability to play defense and offense. He certainly has the ability to fill in as a backup."
Shortstop
Sophomore Tyler Grimes, an honorable mention all-Valley selection in 2009, returns after starting 45 games at shortstop a year ago. He hit .294 with 12 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 26 RBI and 13 stolen bases.
"Tyler Grimes is a returning player who is now working very diligently on becoming a switch hitter which I think will enhance his future in the game a great deal," Stephenson said. "We sorely missed him in the regional last year after breaking his wrist in the championship game of the conference tournament. He is a very tough competitor and an excellent defensive player with great range and an excellent arm. We fully expect him to be one of the best players in the region this year. Offensively, if he can make the transition to becoming a good left-handed hitter, he will add a great deal to our offense as well."
Challenging Grimes for playing time will be freshman Erik Harbutz.
"We are very pleased with Erik Harbutz," Stephenson said. "He is a solid performer and another switch hitter. He could get a great amount of playing time at multiple positions if he continues to progress as a hitter. He is a solid defensive player and is a real competitive player at the plate. We like him a great deal and look forward to his improvement as the season progresses."
Third Base
Sophomore Chris O'Brien started 42 games at third base last season, but will mostly play catcher in 2010. Battling for playing time at third are freshmen Nate Goro and Johnny Coy.
"Defensively Nate Goro is ahead in that position," Stephenson said. "He must get more consistent offensively to be where we want him to be. I think that at times he showed great hitting ability this fall but was very inconsistent from day to day. Johnny Coy is another freshman who has great upside but is still learning to play every day. He has yet to relax and enjoy the experience but he has more power than anyone on this team and the potential to be much, much better in a hurry. But again consistency on offense and defense is the most important thing for every player that we have so if we can find those guys than those are the guys that will end up seeing most of the playing time. We are very excited about those two freshmen and between them we should be solid at third."
O'Brien or senior Taylor Gilmore could also see time at third base if needed.
Outfield
The Shockers return two starters to the outfield in 2010 in senior Ryan Jones and junior Mitch Caster. Jones started 32 games in centerfield and 25 in right field, while Caster started 17 in right field, 12 in left field and one in centerfield. Jones hit .277 with 12 doubles, seven home runs, 36 RBI and 14 stolen bases. Caster hit .231 with four doubles, 10 RBI and five stolen bases.
Sophomore Kevin Hall also returns after starting 12 games in centerfield before stress fractures in his back ended his 2009 season. Before the injury, he hit .256 with two doubles, four RBI and 12 stolen bases.
Gone is Taylor Brown who started 13 games in left field as well as 21 in the infield and nine as the designated hitter. He hit .338 with eight doubles and 13 RBI a year ago.
"Ryan Jones returns for his senior year," Stephenson said. "He is an excellent player in every way, good defense and good offense. I think that he has matured more emotionally and is ready to assume more of a leadership role. We expect him to have his best year ever and he gives us another great outfielder, who is capable of playing any of the three positions but will probably be predominantly in right field.
"Mitch Caster returns and he started quite a few games last year. He is a much better player after having a good summer in Liberal. He has excellent defensive capabilities and is a good runner with an excellent arm in the outfield. He is also capable of playing all three positions. It will all depend on his consistency offensively.
"Kevin Hall returns after being out last year with a back injury and looks to be fully recovered. He is also working diligently on becoming a switch hitter, which makes him more of a threat if he can accomplish everything we would like to see from the left side. He is an excellent defensive player and has shown outstanding ability at throwing runners out with good arm strength and accuracy."
The outfield is loaded with talent as many players will be competing for playing time including seniors Bret Bascue and Travis Bennett, a transfer from UNI, junior Ryan Engrav and freshmen Garrett Bayliff and Micah Green.
"Returning players Bret Bascue and Ryan Engrav will also play the outfield," Stephenson said. "Engrav is a much improved player from a year ago and Bascue has made progress as well.
"Travis Bennett is an excellent offensive player. He was second team all-Valley and the Newcomer-of-the-Year last season at Northern Iowa, but this team has improved tremendously offensively from a year ago and for Travis to get consistent playing time, he's going to have to improve defensively in left field.
"Garrett Bayliff looked very good in limited opportunities this fall after returning from a hip flexor surgery this summer. He is an excellent defensive player who will get nothing but better offensively. We are really excited about what he could become by next spring.
"Micah Green had to sit out this fall because of a labrum problem. He has tremendous acceleration both offensively and defensively and has shown flashes of excellent power and hitting ability. He is another guy with great, great upside and the chance to be one of the truly outstanding players in this program's history but he has to get well and he has to become much more consistent at hitting certain types of pitches and understanding what he should and should not do offensively."
Designated Hitter
Former Shocker Josh Rosecrans started 29 games as the designated hitter in 2009. He hit .259 with four doubles and 10 RBI.
There will be a lot of competition for the role, but leading candidates include junior Preston Springer, senior Travis Bennett and sophomore Chris O'Brien.
"There is a lot of competition for the designated hitter position between Preston Springer and Travis Bennett and maybe Chris O'Brien and others," Stephenson said. "It's a good feeling that we have so much more talent available than we did a year ago. We are very excited about the prospects on this team."
