Rebuilding is an ugly word in the world of sports, but it likely best describes the 2010 Statesmen baseball team as Penn seeks to defend its conference crown.
Mike Laird will be in his 28th season as Penn head coach this spring and this season, more than most, he will need to do one of his best coaching jobs as he pulls together players from all over the nation. The Statesmen won their fourth Midwest Collegiate Conference title in six years in 2009, owning a 37-16 overall mark and a 17-6 league record, but have lost most of their 2009 nucleus to graduation.
"We are very thin in returning talent, especially in the pitching staff," Laird said. "We only return two position starters and no one on the mound. It is pretty much a rebuilding year and on top of that, we have a pretty tough schedule, so this team is kind of thrown into the fire."
Penn does bring back a pair of all-conference players in Nick Golich (Sr., Aurora, Ill., Waubonsee CC) and Eddie Sobczak (Sr., University Place, Wash., Skagit Valley CC) and Laird will lean on both for their experience and leadership.
Pitcher
Travis Warnock (Jr., Auburn, Wash., Pierce CC) and Jonathan Chaney (Sr., Columbus Junction, Columbus Community HS) are the lone returners in the pitching staff, but both will essentially be making their varsity debuts in 2010. Warnock did have one very brief outing last year, while Chaney has never seen varsity action.
"Travis should see some time as he has improved since getting here a year ago," Laird said. "Jon could also get some relief work if he can stay ahead of hitters."
As with most positions, the Statesmen will be relying heavily on newcomers at the pitcher slot.
Headlining that list is right-handed hurler Eric Krause (Jr., San Diego, Calif., Southwestern CC), whose fastball and breaking ball combination should land him in the top starter spot.
Fellow right-handers Ryan Magana (Jr., San Jose, Calif., Mission CC), Chris Freedman (Jr., Walnut, Calif., Citrus CC, and Bruce Foerster (Jr., Medicine Hat, Alberta, Texas Wesleyan) will also compete for a starting spot, while southpaws Francis Murphy (Jr., Santa Cruz, Calif., Cabrillo CC) and Todd Sepulveda (Jr., Vista, Calif., Arizona Western CC) have looked good in the preseason as well.
"All of these men performed well last fall and during our preseason workouts," Laird said. "There is some depth, but it is unproven at this level, so we will see what the future holds."
Jesus Sanchez (Jr., Los Angeles, Calif., Citrus CC) appears to be the #1 candidate as the top reliever, while freshmen Jorge Quezada (San Ysidro, Calif., Castle Park HS), Nick Minot (Winnetka, Calif., Montclair Prep HS), and Kenny Bigelow (Cripple Creek, Colo., Cripple Creek-Victor HS) will all seek to earn innings with the Statesmen.
Bobby Bunch (Sr., Albuquerque, N.M., Bacone) suffered an off-the-field injury and has yet to practice with the team since that injury, but will also add depth once healthy.
Catcher
The experience issue is a little better on the receiving end of Penn's battery as Sobczak and David Ruiz (Sr., Flagstaff, Ariz., Grossmont CC) return to the team. Ruiz played in several games behind the plate, while Sobczak will be moved from first base to catcher.
Sobczak hit .311 last year with ten home runs and 41 RBIs, which were both good for second on the team, while Ruiz played in 22 games in 2009, starting four of those contests.
"Eddie is a strong middle-of-the lineup guy with big power and a very strong arm," Laird said. "He should be a big RBI producer."
"David brings a lot of hustle to the field and has improved his stick since last year," Laird added.
Newcomer Richard Romero (Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., West Hills CC) is expected to see time as well, while freshman Mike Myers (Yelm, Wash., Rainier HS) looks to build on his arm strength and hitting mechanics in his first collegiate campaign.
"Richard is strong in the field and has improved at the plate so he will give us another option at catcher," Laird said.
Returner Jonathan Manson (Sr., St. Louis, Mo., Alabama A&M) will add depth.
First Base
With Sobczak's departure to catcher, the Statesmen will have a new man at first base.
Kyle Humphrey (Jr., Boise, Idaho, Skagit Valley CC) is currently penciled in at the position and is counted on to deliver power numbers at the dish.
"Kyle is a big hitter and has a strong arm in the field," Laird said.
Fellow junior Jose Martinez (San Jose, Calif., Mission CC) will be in the running as well as he continues to improve, especially in the field.
Returner Curtis Graham (Jr., Albia, Simpson) has yet to decide if he will sit out the season with an injury, but if he chooses to play, he could contribute later in the campaign.
Graham appeared in 19 games (five starts) last year and posted a .231 batting average.
Second Base
Brad Chin (Fr., San Rafael, Calif., San Rafael HS) has made a clean transition across the diamond from shortstop to second base and appears to be in the running.
Chin played in four contests off the bench, all in pinch-running situations.
"Brad looks much more at home at second," Laird said. "He could see time as his short game improves."
Returners Dakota Johnston (So., Eddyville, Eddyville-Blakesburg HS) and Vincent Barone (So., Green Cove, Fla., Fleming Island HS) will give Chin solid competition.
"Dakota looks stronger than last year and has improved his quickness," Laird said. "Vincent could provide depth at both second and third after taking a year off."
Shortstop
Newcomer Miguel Castillon (Jr., Simi Valley, Calif., LA Mission CC) is leading the way at shortstop, while Chris Witrado (Fresno, Calif., West Hills CC), another junior, will push him for the start.
"Miguel has very good hands and provides good leadership for a newcomer," Laird said. "He also handles the bat well. Chris could also give us a quality stick in the lineup."
Freshman Adam Tolbert (Chula Vista, Calif., Castle Park HS) will add depth.
"Adam has looked good offensively and defensively," Laird said.
Third Base
Newcomer Jerry Hernandez (Jr., Moreno Valley, Calif. Chaffey CC) has the inside track for the start at the hot corner.
"Jerry provides us with a much-needed left-handed stick in the middle of the order," Laird said.
Fellow newcomers Dirck Jackman (Jr., San Jose, Calif., Mission CC) and John MacNeil (Jr., Ladner, B.C., Douglas CC) are also in the hunt for the starting nod.
"Dirck needs more consistency on defense, but does some nice things," Laird said. "John brings solid defense and an improved bat since the fall."
Outfield
Golich has been transitioned into the outfield and is expected to be the starter in center field. The senior, who led Penn in batting average, could serve as the leadoff hitter this spring.
Golich got stronger as the 2009 campaign progressed and finished the year hitting .393.
"Nick had a great 2009 season and we are hoping for the same this year," Laird said.
Returning area talents Aaron Laird (So., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS), Cory Randall (Jr., What Cheer, Tri-County HS), and Daniel Wehr (So., Sigourney, Sigourney HS) will all vie for the remaining outfield positions alongside newcomer Justin Long (Jr., Modesto, Calif., Modesto CC).
Randall played in 21 games (one start), scoring 12 runs mostly in pinch-running spots, while Laird scored twice in three pinch-running opportunities.
"Aaron has power from the left side and also runs very well," Laird said. "Daniel runs well and has good arm strength, while Cory provides us very good speed and covers a lot of ground defensively."
"Justin could make an impact as he had a good fall," Laird said.
Designated Hitter
Laird views several individuals as potential fits for the designated hitter role with Witrado possibly the best match.
"I think this will come down to one of the infielders that may not be on defense that particular day," Laird said. "Chris Witrado might have the edge at this point, while some others may be utilized when the opponents pitching dictates a particular matchup."
Schedule
The Statesmen open 2010 on February 20-21 with matchups against Doane (Neb.).
Penn then takes its annual trip to Florida for spring break, facing several solid NAIA programs. The team is also set to face two of the better programs in the region at the end of the year as perennial power Bellevue (Neb.) as well as Culver-Stockton (Mo.) come to Oskaloosa.
"Our schedule is very strong with four teams that we play down in Florida coming off 30-plus win seasons," Laird said. "We play a good mix of NAIA schools, highlighted by Bellevue. I think our schedule will be stronger overall."
Conference
The MCC race is wide open, according to Laird, with some of the usual suspects again in the mix. The Statesmen skipper expects his team to be contested each time out in its pursuit of its fifth league crown in seven years.
"Mount Mercy, Iowa Wesleyan, St. Ambrose, and Viterbo all have the returners to win the MCC," Laird said. "I am certain any of the teams in this conference are capable of beating anyone else on a given day. All the teams are very competitive. This league is good, period."
"We are not as experienced as last year or most other years in the past, but this team has worked hard and by the end of the year, we could be in position to make a run at a postseason berth," Laird said. "It will just come down to how quickly everyone gels together and how well some of the new guys adjust to this level. We will definitely get better as the year progresses. Our future certainly looks bright with this group."
