Jan. 19, 2000
SAN DIEGO - The 2000 edition of San Diego State Aztec baseball appears able to boast of some things that the program has not had in the recent past: quality depth at every position, a pitching staff with excellent arms from both the left and right side, good team speed, and offensive threats available at every spot in the batting order.
These are the ingredients of championship clubs, and SDSU certainly has the potential to fit into that category as it enters the first season of baseball in the newly-formed Mountain West Conference.
The coaching staff as well as the players expect a marked improvement over last season when an overworked pitching staff and inconsistency both on offense and defense led to the team's second losing season in the last 24 years.
"Despite our final record, we were pretty competitive last year," said coach Jim Dietz. "Pitching was probably our biggest problem. We didn't have the depth we needed, and the guys we were counting on weren't able to get the job done consistently.
"The biggest improvement this year will be in our pitching. We have 19 on the spring training roster and there are a good number of quality arms in that group."
In the field, six of eight position players return along with the team's designated hitter. Although only three returnees can claim more than one season of Division I experience, eight others saw action in at least half of the Aztecs' games last season. That experience forms a foundation upon which the 2000 team will be built.
In addition, Dietz and his staff signed what they consider the top group of newcomers of his tenure at San Diego State. Collegiate Baseball ranked SDSU's recruiting class eighth in the nation, and several members of that class will play major roles in the success of this year's team. Included in that group are four players who earned all-state honors a year ago along with three others who were selected in last June's major league draft. In addition, SDSU has added a pair of transfers from other four-year schools who were drafted out of high school.
"We have a nice blend of youth and experience," said Dietz. "I've never had such a solid group of veterans as we have this season, I've been impressed by the enthusiasm of the young players and that has rubbed off on the entire squad.
"This may be as close to a complete team as we've had in recent years here. Our pitching should be much-improved over the past couple of seasons. We have some power in the lineup along with some speed. We've also looked good defensively in the pre-season. We've got the potential to be very successful this season. It will be interesting to say the least."
Pitching
Pitching should be one of the stronger areas for the Aztecs this season. Last year's tough schedule coupled with a lack of depth on the mound caused problems for the coaching staff that should be eliminated with this year's group of hurlers.
"Last season our lack of depth here hurt us all season," commented Dietz. "We had to save our best guys for the weekend series, then if we used up our bullpen in the first game of the three-game series, we were in trouble. This year we have enough quality numbers to rectify that situation."
Leading the way will be senior Jeremy Cook who suffered several hard-luck losses a year ago. Expected to join him in the starting rotation is Chris Dunwell who saw little action on the mound as a freshman while serving as the starter at shortstop.
Other veteran pitchers who could see significant time include a pair of left-handers in junior Mike Garber and sophomore Marcos Mendoza. In addition, soph Erick Eigenhuis has begun to look impressive while coming off an injury that sidelined him during the 1999 campaign.
Among the newcomers, freshman Rory Shortell, Mark McFadyen, Royce Ring and Chris Hartshorn have shown the ability to move into the starting rotation, and all are expected to see action this season. Shortell, who could also get some playing time at shortstop, may move into the role of closer in his first season at SDSU.
Others expected to make major contributions on the mound in a relief role are junior college newcomers Ben Julianel and Justin Halpern along with transfer John Skinner (CSU Fullerton). There has also been talk of using outfielder Paul Lockhart, a standout pitcher in high school, in a relief role on occasion.
"We have a good balance between left and right-handed hurlers," noted Dietz. "Our depth will allow me to do some things late in games that I wasn't able to do last year. We have a lot of different ways to go after the opposition that we haven't had in a while."
Catching
SDSU's primary catcher the past two seasons, Brandon Rogers (.287, 7 doubles, 7 home runs), returns for his junior year after appearing behind the plate in 52 of the Aztecs' 59 games in 1999.
This spring he will be joined by junior college transfer Ben Rosenthal out of Riverside CC where he hit .321 on his way to all-league honors a year ago.
"These two give us some options at the catching spot," said Dietz. "Both were outstanding in the fall. One hits from the right and one from the left side. Both are really excellent throwing catchers. It gives me some flexibility I haven't had at the position the past several years."
Also in line for playing time behind the plate is returnee Neville Hill who appeared in nine games in 1999 and has shown some offensive power in the pre-season. Also in the hunt are newcomers Jacob Minter from Loyola Marymount and freshman Joey Senigaglia.
Infield
With the exception of Edgar Gonzalez (SS/3B), every position in the infield in 1999 was manned by a first-year player. That year of experience will pay off as the infield returns intact with the only loss being reserve second baseman/shortstop Javier Ramos.
At first base, Chad Chop is back after starting over half of SDSU's games there and leading the team in hitting. Junior Tyler Echelbarger, who was the Aztecs' primary designated hitter a year ago, along with JC transfer Darrell Bowles will also vie for playing time at this position.
"Chop and Echelbarger are battling at first and they're a good combination to have," noted Dietz. "One (Chop) is a left-handed hitter while the other (Echelbarger) bats from the right. Bowles has some real power in his bat and we need to get his bat in the lineup at some point.."
Senior Matt Ricardy returns as the starter at second base after turning in a solid season both in the field and at the plate in 1999. Right behind him is sophomore Carlo Cota who hit .368 in limited action and who was impressive in the fall.
"Entering the season, Matt Ricardy is playing some of the best baseball I've seen since he's been here," said Dietz. "Cota had a great fall campaign and will get a chance at second base as well."
The shortstop duties are expected to fall to either junior Edgar Gonzalez or freshman Taber Lee. Gonzalez has the inside track after a fine sophomore season in which he finished third on the squad in hits, doubles, home runs and RBIs. In addition, pitcher Rory Shortell will also get a look here.
"Edgar is back to give us some leadership and positive play in the infield. He?s an offensive threat and has improved his defense during the off-season,? commented the coach. ?Lee had a nice fall and will definitely get a chance to play. Rory could play in the field, but he'll also be one of our key pitchers this season."
Senior John Pashales returns at third base where he will be challenged by talented freshman Garrett Cook.
"Pashales was solid at third for us in 1999 and appears ready for an excellent senior campaign," noted Dietz. ?Garrett Cook was one of our top offensive players in the pre-season. He?s a kid with power and potential, and I expect him to contribute this season.
"I?m excited with the possibilities within our infield group. With the mix of newcomers and veterans here, all of a sudden we have tremendous depth, speed and flexibility at each position."
Outfield
Seven quality outfielders will compete for starting jobs this spring with three returnees appearing to have the inside track.
Senior Paul Lockhart (.314, 18 doubles, 11 HR, 56 RBI) will return to his usual left field spot after serving as the Aztecs' right fielder last season. Junior Bill Montgomery (.322, 37 runs scored) will continue his starting role in center field after a fine sophomore campaign. In right field, soph Ben Leuthard (.299, 7 doubles, 5 HR) will be a fixture after splitting time between that position and first base as a freshman.
"That trio gives us some good throwing arms in the outfield plus proven offensive output," noted Dietz. "No doubt we'll be mixing and matching the outfield lineup throughout the season, but they look like our primary guys at this point."
Four other candidates are in line to see playing time in the Aztec outfield this spring. Sophomore Sean Pierce, who is also a wide receiver for the SDSU football squad, hit .305 in his first year of baseball and is a proven offensive threat.
The other three candidate are newcomers to Aztec baseball: juniors Andy Litteral and Darrell Bowles along with freshman Chad Redfern.
Litteral is in line to be the Aztecs' leadoff hitter after impressing the coaching staff with his ability to get on base. Whether that role comes as an outfielder or DH has yet to be determined. He possesses a strong arm and is an asset to the outfield corps.
Chad Redfern is a highly-touted freshman who the coaching staff feels is as good a freshman outfielder as any ever at SDSU. Bowles is a power hitter who could also be in line for some duty at first base as well as a DH.
"The outfield is probably as strong as I've ever seen it," said Dietz. "There'll be some real battles out there for playing time, and that will only help make that group stronger."
Summary
The San Diego State baseball team appears to have the necessary makeup to challenge for a conference title and post-season play. This includes a mix of newcomers and veterans that gives the Aztecs quality depth at every position, especially in the pitching department. However, as with any squad, team chemistry and the ability of the players to perform consistently day in and day out will be important ingredients to the program's success.
"We have a nice blend between youth and experience, something we've been lacking recently," commented Dietz. "The entire team has a new, positive attitude. We have a lot of weapons out there, and the competition for playing time will be intense at almost every position this spring.
"The one thing that I'm hoping will result during the course of the season is that people will be able to get to the point where they can handle the roles they're assigned and still keep battling and remain in a positive mode,"
The Aztecs will again face a challenging slate of games this season, headed up by meetings with six teams listed in Collegiate Baseball's pre-season Top 25. Those foes (with their pre-season rankings) include Cal State Fullerton (2), UCLA (4), Tulane (13), USC (15), Texas Tech (18) and Oklahoma State (23).
"As we did last year, we're going to be playing a tough non-league schedule this spring," noted Dietz. "It will only help us get ready for the conference season.
"We've got a chance to be a very good team. We've got good athletes at every position with some speed and some power. And we're excited about the pitching staff, both the quality and quantity of good arms available. This team has the potential to do some good things.
"I'm hoping the 2000 era will be another of the better eras for Aztec baseball, kind of like we were in the 1980s. Back then we had one of the first lighted fields and some other things many programs didn't have at the time. Now we've leap-frogged again with our new facility and hopefully that will carry over onto the field as well."