The RoundHouse | 10/17/2018 3:19:00 PM
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Five things to watch during Wichita State baseball's Fall World Series. The three-game series begins at 6 p.m. Thursday at Eck Stadium, followed by games Friday (6 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.).
The Shockers won't hit with the power they did last spring, when they totaled 57 home runs, most since the 2010 team hit 64.
The offense will come from speed, turning singles into doubles and using all parts of the park. Returners such as
Jacob Katzfey,
Alex Jackson and
Paxton Wallace and freshmen such as infielder Jack Sigrist and outfielder Carson Cox and David VanVooren can use their legs to make things happen.
"We'll be much more aggressive on the basepaths," coach
Todd Butler said. "That comes down to personnel. That comes down to a player being able to steal bases and having the speed to do so."
And that mobility also helps on defense.
"The entire outfield can run," he said. "Our middle infield can run now, you've got (Jordan) Boyer and (Luke) Ritter that look like they'll be solidifying the middle. You've got Jackson. You've got Sigrist, a freshman, who has blazing speed and has a chance to work his way in."
Get ready for the next generation.
The Shockers enjoyed a fantastic draft day in June with 10 picks (plus two recruits). That included first-round pick third baseman
Alec Bohm and second-round pick outfielder
Greyson Jenista.
Butler said the program is ready to generate replacements, some of whom played last season. Wallace hit .281 with one home run and four doubles in 16 starts. First baseman
Garrett Kocis played in 11 games and hit .231.
"We finally have guys who were behind those guys, at the same position, that are ready to play," Butler said. "I like the mixture of how it has flowed from a guy signing to the next guy."
The one who came back.
All the drafted Shockers signed, except for Ritter, a senior who can play infield or outfield. He led Wichita State by hitting .341 last season, adding six home runs and 12 doubles.
Put Ritter on the list with Casey Gillaspie, Bohm and Jenista as checking all the boxes for Butler.
"He could be the most complete player that we've had since I've been here," Butler said. "This guy, every day, does everything correct. He has been exceptional."
The Shockers are restocking on the mound.
Junior
Tommy Barnhouse and senior
Clayton McGinness are back after playing key roles out of the bullpen last season. They figure to move into the starting rotation. Freshman Cal Carver and redshirt freshman
Ryan Stuempfig are performing well in the fall.
Sophomore lefty
Alex Segal is also in the picture after two seasons in which injuries held him back. Butler and pitching coach
Mike Steele are impressed by his fall performances.
"Segal's a guy," Butler said. "He seems to be ready to go. We've been waiting on him to be the pitcher he can become. He has good stuff and you could see it against Arkansas. He competed. He threw strikes. He had a hammer breaking ball that night."
Key positions to watch start with the corner infield spots.
Wallace is likely the leader at third. Freshman switch-hitter Jake Plastiak was drafted in the 28
thround in June.
If Katzfey isn't in center, which may be his best spot, then he could play first base. Kocis is also a good bet at first base.
"Katzfey is very valuable in center field with his speed," Butler said.
There is more experience at shortstop and second base with Boyer, Ritter and Jackson. Jackson can also play in the outfield.
At catcher, junior
Noah Croft started nine games behind the plate and 10 as the DH last season. He started 34 at catcher 2017. Sophomore
Ross Cadena played in 19 games last season.
"Our catching has been very good with Croft and Cadena," Butler said. "Not many balls have trickled to the back stop. They have thrown the ball well."
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
