Jan. 15, 2003
The SDSU baseball team opens its 2003 campaign at Arizona State next week as a new era begins at San Diego State with the arrival of Tony Gwynn as only the program's fourth head coach since 1936. Gwynn's presence has already been felt in the areas of recruiting, fundraising, and the team's public profile. After serving as a volunteer coach with the Aztecs last season and learning about the college game, it is now time for the former major league all-star to step into the role of Division I head coach at his alma mater.
"We're excited about the upcoming season," said Gwynn. "Our preseason preparations have gone well and we have some talent that will help us compete day in and day out. Being able to work with the team last season really helped prepare me for everything that goes into coaching at this level, both on and of the field."
After capturing the Mountain West Conference regular season crown, recording over 40 wins, and achieving a national ranking for the first time since 1997, Gwynn's Aztecs will be looking to build on those accomplishments this season. However, to do so, the team will have to overcome the loss of five all-conference athletes including an All-American pitcher.
SDSU's primary losses in the field were up the middle where starting catcher Brian Manfred, shortstop Taber Lee and second baseman Carlo Cota have all moved on. Manfred and Lee were all-MWC honorees while all three were drafted and signed last June.
On the pitching side, three of the Aztecs top hurlers have departed after their junior seasons to play professional ball. The biggest loss among that trio was left-handed reliever Royce Ring, an All-America selection who was second in the nation in saves a year ago and became a first-round pro draft pick. The other two, Chris Dunwell and Rory Shortell, were all-league selections who accounted for 16 wins between them.
Despite these losses, the cupboard is certainly not bare for San Diego State this spring.
For starters, the Aztecs have a pair of Baseball America preseason All-Americans in outfielder Anthony Gwynn (first team) and third baseman Chad Corona (third team). Coach Gwynn will also welcome back Freshman All-America outfielder Jake McLintock along with first baseman Jon Stephens, the team's defensive MVP and second-leading hitter a year ago.
Add to that mix several highly-touted freshman recruits, four junior college athletes plus four transfers from high-profile Division I programs, and the ingredients appear to be there for another successful season. The Aztecs have been ranked 33rd in Baseball America's 2003 preseason poll and placed five players on that publication's preseason all-conference team.
"We have a number of our top players back from last season, and I expect them to continue to lead the club," commented Gwynn. "We also have players coming in, both freshman and otherwise, who will have an immediate impact. It's just a matter of sorting them out and seeing who will fit in with our plans and needs. We have a chance to be a good team, but only time will tell."
Pitching
The loss of five pitchers who accounted for 26 wins and 18 saves last season means a number of new faces will have to step up on the mound for the Aztecs in 2003. Of the 17 hurlers on the roster, eight are new to the program while three returnees threw less than 10 innings last season.
Among the returnees who are expected to claim spots in the starting rotation are senior Joe Carque and junior Mike Moat. Carque led the Aztecs last season with nine wins, four of those coming in relief. Moat meanwhile, opened last season with a one-hit seven-inning shutout, and then gave up one hit over eight innings in his third start of the year.
Also back is senior Chris Hartshorn, who rebounded from a sub-par sophomore campaign to emerge as SDSU's top middle reliever last season. He finished his junior year with a record of 2-0 and a 2.40 earned run average over 41.1 innings. The team's other returning middle relief specialist is Eric Human, a control pitcher who walked only six over 33.1 innings in his first season as an Aztec.
Other veterans expected to see significant mound time are lefties Daryl Harang and Drew Jenson, a pair of juniors who came on at the end of last year. Situational relievers such as Erick Eigenhuis, Ben Leuthard and David Levy could also be utilized when needed.
The eight new pitchers to the squad include three Division I transfers, a pair of junior college hurlers and three freshmen.
The transfers include Will Miller from Arizona, Travis Esquibel from Cal State Fullerton, and Joey Pace from Long Beach State. Miller (Poway HS) and Esquibel (Rancho Buena Vista HS) were San Diego County prep standouts during their high school careers while Pace earned Freshman All-America honors at LBSU. Miller could move into the closer's role while Esquibel and Pace will likely be used in relief.
Junior college pitchers Ryan Heil and Mike Gillen could see action both in a starting role and in relief. Heil, who played at St. Mary's (Calif.) as a freshman before attending junior college, had an impressive 2.78 earned run average last season at Citrus College. Gillen, a tall left-hander from Fresno City College, went 3-0 with a 3.35 ERA last year.
Among the freshmen, Ronnie Lindsey (Pt. Loma HS) has been the most impressive and should see some work this spring. Another local athlete, Ben Coon (Grossmont HS) may see spot relief action along with Mark Esparza, lefty who played at the number-one ranked school in the country last year (Bishop Amat HS).
"The pitching situation is going to be interesting this season," said Gwynn. "Moat and Carque are our two returnees with the most experience and we're counting on them to get the job done as our primary starters. Beyond that, we have a number of good arms that haven't really been tested much at this level.
"There are seven or eight guys who'll probably get a chance to start, and the rest will be in the pen when we need them. We're not going to be afraid to throw anybody, even the young guys, because we have stretches during the season where we'll need a lot of pitching. We have a lot of good arms. The only negative about this staff is that we don't have a lot of experience."
Catching
Behind the plate, the lone athlete with an appreciable experience is senior Josh Allen, who appeared in just over half of SDSU's games last season. Allen, who also saw some action in left field, saw most of his time over the first half of the season before the emergence of all-league backstop Brian Manfred.
The other three catchers on the roster include a senior and a pair of freshman.
The senior is Troy Perdue, who redshirted last season after playing sparingly during the 2001 campaign. During his junior season, he saw action primarily as a late-inning defensive replacement, but proved capable both with the bat and glove.
The freshman candidates here are Jordan Swaydan and Mike Paluzzi. Both had excellent high school careers and are adjusting to the faster pace of the college game.
"Allen had a great fall for us and is swinging the bat a lot better than last season," said Gwynn. "Perdue has done some nice things since his return and will fill in for us where needed. The freshmen are both good catch and throw guys. All four are probably going to get a chance to play somewhere down the line."
Infield
The two candidates likely too see most of the action at first base are senior Jon Stephens and junior Rielly Embrey.
Stephens is the returning starter who hit .367 in his first season as an Aztec and led the team in on-base percentage. In his first full season at the position, Stephens proved to be a defensive standout with only two errors in almost 500 chances at first base. Embrey is also an outstanding defensive first baseman who could also see time in the designated hitter role again this spring.
"Stephens is our returning starter, but I think both guys are going to get some work at first base and some work in a DH role," note Gwynn. "Jon has been hitting with a little more power this season while Embrey is your classic line drive hitter."
The position of second base became instantly solidified with the addition of junior Peter Stonard, a transfer from Alabama. Stonard hit .411 for the Crimson Tide last season and earned second-team All-America honors.
Veteran Ryan Wilson could also be in line for playing time at second base. After seeing action at the position as a freshman at SDSU, Wilson was utilized as an outfielder last season. He took advantage of that opportunity to hit .302 and was a valuable part of the Aztec offense down the stretch.
"Stonard will get a long look at second base after arriving here with impressive credentials from a nationally-ranked program," noted Gwynn. "Wilson will get some time at second as well. Ryan's a guy who can fill in everywhere. He can catch and play all three outfield positions as well. We hope to get him plenty of at bats along the way this year."
Shortstop is another position that will feature a new face this season with the loss of two-year starter Taber Lee. The leading candidates here are freshman James Guerrero, JC transfer Kyle Floquet, and returning junior Garrett Changnon.
Guerrero, who hits with surprising power, has a resume that includes USA Junior National Team experience and all-state recognition. Floquet earned all-conference honors both as an outfielder and shortstop in his two seasons at nearby Palomar JC, finishing his career there with a .382 average. Changnon, meanwhile, has impressed the coaching staff with his ability in the field.
"All three of these guys played well in the fall and all three will compete for the shortstop job," commented Gwynn. "Guerrero comes in as a young guy who can really swing the bat. Floquet has shown he can play the position and hit with authority. And Changnon is a good glove guy who's done a good job wherever I've put him."
At third base, the Aztecs have a pair of experienced veterans in junior Chad Corona and senior Garrett Cook. Corona, who has been tabbed a third-team preseason All-America by Baseball America, hit .323 a year ago and led the team in home runs with nine. Cook saw most of his time at the DH spot where he hit .316, but has seen action at third each of his three previous seasons at San Diego State.
"Corona is the incumbent at third and has a world of potential," said Gwynn. "He had a great summer in Alaska and hopefully he'll play with more consistency this spring. Cook had a solid fall for us and he should get some playing time here as well."
Four other athletes could see duty in utility roles at various infield positions. Freshman Steven Boggs was an all-CIF selection at nearby University of San Diego High School while Brian Kinsman was a two-time all-state selection in Oregon. A third freshman, Chad Williams, was an all-CIF infielder after hitting .378 at Granite Hills High in El Cajon. Also available in the middle infield is Noel Strane, who arrives at SDSU from the junior college ranks.
Outfield
Although starting positions in center field and right field have been established with a good degree of certainty, the battle for the job in left will likely continue through the start of the season and beyond.
Four players will vie for time in left field, although each may see action in center or right if the occasion warrants. Three of those athletes are returnees (Landon Burt, Josh Hill and David Hall) while the fourth is a freshman (Curt Mendoza).
Of the veterans, Burt and Hill saw the most playing time a year ago. Burt batted .386 in limited action as an outfielder and came on at the end of the season to earn all-tourney honors at the MWC Championships. Hill hit .323 playing both left and right field (as well as DH) while Hall made just 21 plate appearances in his first year as an Aztec. Mendoza was a prep standout who could develop into one of the top power hitters in the conference.
The center field position belongs to junior Anthony Gwynn, a Baseball America first-team preseason All-America selection. After hitting .339 with 25 stolen bases in 2002, he has proven himself a solid all-around player with excellent offensive and defensive skills.
Jake McLintock, a Freshman All-America last year, will patrol right field. In his first collegiate season, he led SDSU in hitting (.374) and runs batted in (58) while committing just one error in 61 contests and leading the team's outfielders with six assists.
"The outfield is one of our team strengths," noted Gwynn. "With the athletes we have available, we have a number of options out there. Anthony and Jake should be in center and right, but we have enough depth to fill in at either spot if need be.
"Mendoza is a big, strong freshman who will hit for power. Burt came on like gangbusters at the end of last season and he's stronger and faster this year. Both he and Hall have improved dramatically and Josh Hill is right there with them. They can each play two or even three positions in the outfield. I have a feeling all six of these guys are going to get a chance to get some at bats this year."
The Schedule
San Diego State's 2002 schedule is one of its most challenging in recent years. Four teams ranked in the preseason top 25 are featured on the slate including Miami, Arizona State, Long Beach State, and South Alabama. In addition, the Aztecs will line up to face five others who played in last year's NCAA Tournament: CSU Northridge, Oral Roberts, San Diego, Washington and Brigham Young.
"We tried to upgrade the schedule this year because we missed out on postseason play last year after winning 43 games," said Gwynn. "You have to play a tough schedule in case something happens during the conference tournament like it did last year when we finished second.
"We've added a number of high-profile teams and did so for two reasons. First, if you get upset like we did last year, it helps your case for a Regional bid. Secondly, if you're tested early against good competition, you're going to be better off later down the road when you get into conference play."
Summary
With the players returning this season, San Diego State should be able to generate offensive production on a consistent basis. Losses in the middle infield from last year's squad should be taken care with the addition of some new talent at both second base and shortstop along with a returning veteran behind the plate. The team's 22 returnees and 18 newcomers should provide the coaching staff with a good depth at every position.
The team's strength appears to be the outfield, both offensively and defensively. The infield appears solid, but untested in some areas. And the pitching staff has a number of excellent arms with the potential to get the job done on a consistent basis.
"Overall, I think this team has a chance to be pretty good," commented Gwynn. "Our returning guys like Stevens, McLintock, Gwynn, Corona, Embrey...they will be the leaders of the club and will pace what we do on the offensive end. A number of the new guys like Stonard, Guerrero, Swaydan, Lindsey, Mendoza...I think they will have an impact as well.
"I think the strength of the team is what we'll be able to do on offensively. We've got some veteran guys back that can swing the bat and some newcomers who will develop at the plate. The question mark for me is defensively, in particular infield defense since we'll be pretty much brand new up the middle. My other concern is pitching, in the sense that we've got a number of good arms, but not a lot of Division I experience.
"With some of our new personnel in some areas, particularly pitching, we might take our lumps in the early going. But as guys settle in during the season and learn what's expected at this level, we'll keep getting better."
For San Diego State, the 2003 season will mark the beginning of a new coaching era and very likely a continuation of the Aztecs' winning baseball tradition.