GOSHEN, Ind. – Despite frigid temperatures lingering around the Midwest, the 2010 Goshen College Baseball season opener is just around the corner.  The Maple Leafs will open up this weekend as they make their second trip to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn.

Injuries ravaged the 2009 squad as they were shorthanded for nearly all of their 11-45 record.  The biggest incoming class of fifth-year head coach Josh Keister’s tenure, though, has Goshen baseball fans excited about the future of the program.

With the season opener quickly approaching, Keister gives us a look at what to expect.

Pitching Overview

The Maple Leafs pitching staff will be heavy on upperclassman this year with five seniors, two juniors, and a sophomore making up eight of the top 10 on the staff.  Aaron Coy showed this fall that he’s is prepared to have a breakout senior year after being inconsistent at times as a junior and will move into the No. 1 spot in the rotation after being used some out of the bullpen last year.

Senior Kraig Miller will move from his spot at shortstop over to first base so he can join the rotation where he will be complimented by fellow senior Matt Fyfe and sophomore Shane Davis.  Junior college transfer Omar Hernandez will handle the back end of the bullpen along with classmate Zach Reed.  Seniors Joel King and Caleb Kitchell will provide valuable middle relief, while a group of promising freshman will also get quality innings this year.  They include Ben Diedring – the only lefty on the staff – along with righties Spencer Oversen, Moises Ramirez, and Lance Good.  Sophomore Jason Crocker had shoulder surgery over the winter and might be available by mid season depending on quickly rehab goes.

Coach Keister’s Pre-Season Pitching Evaluation

“Our pitching is going to be a key for us this year.  We have outstanding depth and talent, but must be consistent which has been our achilles heal in the past.  Aaron Coy has had outstanding strikeout numbers the past couple of years (61 K’s in 51.3 IP last year) but has been inconstant over the course of a whole season.  An incredible work ethic on his strength and conditioning starting at the end of last season paid huge dividends this fall and could help him get an opportunity to pitch at the next level after this season.”

“Matt Fyfe had some things click for him late in the year last year and was outstanding this fall.  Kraig Miller has always been one of our best competitors on the mound and by moving him to first base he has been able to work off the mound a lot more and will be a fixture in the rotation.  Shane Davis was our best pitcher at times last year and has showed that form this winter.  Having confidence in two guys at the back end will be huge as Omar Hernandez and Zach Reed have some of the best stuff on the staff.  We have the luxury this year of being able to establish some roles and hopefully guys will embrace that and feed of each other in putting together a successful season.”

Infield Overview

The Maple Leaf infield will have a much different and much younger look in 2010.  Senior Kraig Miller will move from shortstop – where he has started for three years – to first base.  Zach Reed has been cleared to play after being on the DL since six games into last season.  He will use his versatility to play second, third, and first at times this year.  Freshman Andrew Brawley will lock down the shortstop position with freshman Brett Hunter to his right at third base.  Freshman Clay Norris and Luke Hucker will both get some time at second base.  Senior Josh Yates and freshman Caleb Yoder will also see time at first base.  Mike Milligan played the middle of the infield this fall but will have to help out in the outfield as well.

Coach Keister’s pre-season infield evaluation

“Although we are obviously very young in the infield we are pretty talented as well.  The infield will have a completely different look than it did the majority of the year last year so it is still a little bit of an unknown commodity.  We have much better depth this year but still must stay healthy.  Our two upperclassman Kraig Miller and Zach Reed both missed the majority of the year last year.  Their health will be key both defensively and what they provide at the plate.  Zach put up incredible numbers in 6 games last year all against ranked opponents (.421 BA, 3 2B) so it is exciting to see how that could translate out over the course of a season.  Kraig managed to put together 97 AB’s last year but most of those came with a torn meniscus in his knee.  His health will be a key for us offensively, defensively, and on the mound.  Our freshman have a lot of talent but must prepare themselves for the demands of a 50-plus game schedule both physically and mentally.  How they handle themselves in adversity will be a major factor in the success of the team this year.”

Outfield Overview

Sophomore Andy Swisher will play all three outfield positions over the course of the season although he will probably get more time if left than the other two.  Transfer Jordan Short had a sensational fall offensively and defensively and will get the starting nod in center field.  Freshman Corey Johnson took firm control of right field this fall despite never having played there before.  His foot speed and arm strength will be a huge asset defensively.  Garrett Cannizzo will get some time in left field when he is not the designated hitter in the lineup and Mike Milligan will provide some much needed depth along with Mike Zehr.

Coach Keister’s pre-season outfield evaluation

“One of the strengths of last year’s team was Swisher’s defense in center field, so that fact that he is moving to left says a lot about the potential of this year’s group.  This will hands down be the best outfield defense we have had in the last decade.  Keeping legs healthy will be a key and getting offensive production will be important as well.”

Catcher Overview

Sean Sears will be starting his fourth year as the Maple Leafs’ primary starter behind the plate.  His arm strength has been a huge asset in controlling the running game but he has worn down late in the season the last couple years.  There is plenty of depth behind him this year in freshman Benjamin Kelly, Corey Johnson, and Nathan Stanley, along with sophomore Garrett Cannizzo.

Coach Keister’s pre-season catcher’s evaluation

“Sears had a breakout season offensively last year (.315 BA, 8 2B, 2 HR) and has looked even better this fall and this winter.  Keeping him fresh over the course of the year will be important so that his production continues to be solid late in the year.  We have great competition for the spots after him and I look for that to make everybody better.”

Designated Hitter Overview

We have a lot of competition and depth at this spot this year.  Garrett Cannizzo and Zach Miller were two of our best hitters last year and both will get a lot of time at designated hitter.  Sean Sears will get some at bat’s there when he is not catching and Josh Yates and Caleb Yoder have the talent to get hot and provide some quality at bat’s at this position as well.

Coach Keister’s pre-season DH evaluation

“We will be able to ride the hot hand at designated hitter due to the amount of talent and depth we have at this position.  Guys need to understand that they need to stay hot to stay in the lineup and embracing that competition will be key to our team dynamic.  I expect big things from this position this year.”

COACH KEISTER’S OVERALL TEAM OUTLOOK

“Following the Metrodome, we will still have several different weeks of indoor practices in between our weekend trips and we must stay motivated during those times and continue to improve.  Our goal is to be playing our best baseball during the end of the season.  We were able to do that last year despite some devastating injuries during the course of the year.  Although our depth is significantly better at every position this year, staying healthy will still be a key for us.  Based on our struggles the last couple of years, we need to win some games early to build a little confidence and if we do that we have enough talent to be in the thick of things in the MCC.  A unique balance of seniors and freshman will create some interesting team dynamics and we must handle that well for us to be successful.  If we play hard and stay mentally tough and focused this should be a fun year.”

This entry was posted on Friday, February 5th, 2010 and is filed under Baseball, Main Feature, News.