Jan. 20, 2004
As the San Diego State baseball program approaches its 2,000th victory since 1936, head coach Tony Gwynn enters his second year with a comparatively young team that features a total of 23 underclassmen on the 40-man preseason roster, but one which has the potential to achieve success this spring.
Gwynn's first recruiting class yielded a crop of athletes whose number included three freshmen who were drafted last June plus several local players who had standout senior seasons a year ago. His reputation has also attracted a trio of athletes from other four-year schools who have been drafted previously. This group, along with a solid corps of returnees, bodes well for the 2004 campaign.
With a year of coaching experience under his belt, Gwynn feels he has a more thorough understanding of the college game and what it takes to succeed at this level. He also believes his players have a better feel for what he expects from them during the season.
"This year won't be as much of shock to a lot of these guys, because they've seen my coaching style and know what to expect from me both on and off the field," said Gwynn. "It's not going to be a surprise to them. Last year we had some growing pains, both as a team and as individuals, as I was learning how the college game was played and how we wanted to attack it.
"I think the players, especially the ones who were here last year, understand what we're trying to do. We plan to continue playing an aggressive style of baseball. We'll be aggressive on the mound, at the plate and on the bases. However, we're not going to be successful until we do things the right way, and that's what we're trying to do."
The 2004 version of Aztec baseball will be missing a couple of key components from last season's squad that finished second in the regular-season conference standings and advanced to the league tourney championship game for the fourth straight year. Foremost among the departed offensive stars is Anthony Gwynn, the team's leading hitter and one of the top defensive outfielders in the country.
Also gone is starting catcher Josh Allen, who along with Gwynn, was an all-conference selection in 2003. In addition, third baseman Garrett Cook completed his eligibility after leading the Aztecs in doubles and RBI as a senior. On the pitching side, SDSU lost a pair of starters in seniors Mike Moat and Joe Carque, who each threw over 100 innings last year.
The good news is that San Diego State will feature 14 experienced seniors this season, nine of whom will be entering their fourth year as members of the SDSU program. The senior class also includes a pair of transfers from other four-year schools who will play prominent roles on the pitching staff in 2004.
There is also a good deal of talent among the returning underclassmen. The 2003 campaign saw the emergence of several freshmen who contributed to the program's success in their inaugural season. Three position players and a pair of hurlers all made an impression during their Aztec debut season.
"I'm very encouraged by my freshman class from last year," commented Gwynn. "Three of them are probably going to start this season in the field and another will be one of our primary pitchers. A fifth guy who pitched well for us last year will redshirt this spring as well.
"That's the way we want to build our team here. We want to continue to bring in freshmen, let them learn the ropes, and then be ready by their sophomore year."
After the team struggled in various phases of the game during different portions of last season, it played its best ball over the final three weeks of the year. Gwynn wants to see that success carry over into this spring.
"I hope we can improve in every area...pitching, hitting and defense," said Gwynn. "Early last year, we struggled with execution. Our returning pitchers are more experienced now as are the offensive guys, especially the freshmen who played last season. This year's squad is a young team, and when you have a young team, you usually make young-team mistakes. We hope to get a grip on that early on, settle in and play good baseball."
PITCHING
SDSU's starting rotation will have a new look this spring as only one starting hurler returns. Ben Coon, who made 15 starts as a freshman last year, is one of only three returning pitchers who saw action in a starting role for the Aztecs in 2003. The others are senior Aaron Harang (three) and sophomore Mark Esparza (one), but both were primarily relievers. Sophomore Ronnie Lindsey started six times a year ago, but he will redshirt this spring after off-season surgery.
A pair of transfers to San Diego State will provide immediate help to the mound corps. The first is senior Ryan Schroyer, who was a mainstay in the bullpen at Arizona State the past three years. He is a third team preseason All-American who was drafted by Minnesota in the 11th round last June.
Joining Schroyer on the list of incoming transfers is senior Scott Shoemaker, a local product (Granite Hills HS/Grossmont JC) who spent last season at Long Beach State. Drafted three times during his playing career, he will likely join Coon in the starting rotation.
"At this point, it's tough to name our third or even our number-four starter," noted Gwynn. "Guys like Mark Esparza and Aaron Harang threw well in the fall. We have several freshmen like Bruce Billings and Brett Douglas who have shown they'll be very competitive. We also have a luxury with Schroyer, because we can use him to start when needed."
Billings (Morse HS) compiled a 1.25 earned run average as a prep senior and was seventh in San Diego county in strikeouts with 90 over 70 innings. Douglas was a 23rd round draft choice of Anaheim out of Westminster (Calif.) High last June.
One of the Aztecs primary pitchers from a year ago returns in the form of senior Drew Jenson. A second team all-conference selection, he led SDSU with an 8-1 record, five saves, and a 2.09 earned run average. The lefty will be SDSU's set-up man this season and could also be used as a left-handed closer to complement the right-handed Schroyer.
Chris Hartshorn, a fifth-year senior coming off a redshirt year, will be looking to make a comeback this season after an injury-plagued 2003 campaign. Junior Will Miller will also see relief action in his second year at SDSU after coming over from the University of Arizona while senior Joey Pace could also see middle relief duty.
The Aztecs also welcome back a pair of pitchers who were at San Diego State in 2002, left to attend junior college, and have returned to bolster the staff. Junior right-hander Jeff Teasley earned first-team all-conference honors at San Diego City College after leading the Pacific Coast Conference in wins and finishing third in earned run average. Meanwhile, lefty Dan Bruckart (San Diego Mesa JC) was among the top 10 in ERA and was second in strikeouts in the PCC, garnering honorable mention accolades.
Other newcomers to watch are freshmen Clayton Young, the son of former major leaguer Matt Young; Jared Suwyn, who was a perfect 13-0 with a 1.55 earned run average at Mission Bay High in San Diego last season; and J.T. Zink, an all-state performer from Washington.
"Pitching is probably our deepest area, but we've got to be able to put it all together," said Gwynn. "We have a lot of quality depth there and a good mix of lefties and righties. On paper, the staff looks pretty solid, but we've got to go out and play like it."
CATCHING
Although the position will be manned by a sophomore and a pair of freshmen, catching could emerge as one of the strongest positions for SDSU this season.
The talent begins with second-year Aztec Jordan Swaydan, who appeared in almost half of the Aztecs' contests a year ago (30 games) behind the plate. He hit a respectable .286 and was solid defensively, earning all-tourney honors at the MWC championship event.
Swaydan will share time with freshmen Brock Ungricht and Clay Coulter, a pair of all-CIF performers from the San Diego area. Ungricht, who was an all-state selection by Cal-Hi Sports magazine, was impressive in the fall after hitting .455 as a high school senior last season. Coulter batted.436 as a prep senior and was an all-East County selection.
"Behind the dish we have three quality catchers, and I mean that...three quality catchers," commented Gwynn. "They can all hit and throw. Swaydan will get the nod early by virtue of his experience at this level, but Coulter and Ungricht are both going to see playing time. This is my position of strength in the field."
INFIELD
With starters from a year ago returning at three of the four infield spots, the Aztecs will have some experience in this area.
That experience begins at first base where incumbent Rielly Embrey will be the starter on opening day. As a junior a year ago, he led the team in home runs and was second in runs batted in. Brian Kinsman, whose only appearance in the field his freshman season was at second base, has moved over to first and will back up Embrey.. Senior outfielder Josh Hill could be pressed into service at first as well, having played the position previously at San Diego State.
"Embrey is most likely our guy here," said Gwynn, "but Kinsman really came on in the fall both offensively and defensively, and could get playing time as well. We also have Josh Hill and even Curt Mendoza here if needed."
Second base is the one infield position without a set starter as the season approaches, although there are a couple of veterans capable of playing there. Senior Ryan Wilson is the player with the most experience among the returnees with others such as the versatile Garrett Changnon or sophomore Chad Williams available to fill in.
The one new face with a legitimate shot at second base is freshman Lance Zawadzki, who arrived in January after transferring from Louisiana State. Zawadzki was one of the top hitters in his home state of Massachusetts and was rated among the top 50 prospects in the nation during his high school career.
"Second base could be a host of guys to begin the season," noted Gwynn. "We have a number of players we can put there including a few like Changnon who can play second or short. Zawadzki could eventually be the main guy there once he gets acclimated to the program."
At shortstop, James Guerrero will be the every day starter after a fine freshman campaign that saw him move into the starting role at the position. He hit .307 in his first year of collegiate ball and led the Aztecs in runs scored with 52. Again, Changnon and Williams will provide back up here if required.
"Guerrero will be a fixture at short just like he was last year," commented Gwynn. "He started 55 games for us and probably would have started them all if he hadn't been hurt for a few games. He was far and away our leader in walks, and he also has some pop in his bat."
A trio of other athletes could also see duty in the middle infield including Sam Pepper, Noel Strane and Kevin Webster.
At third base, senior Chad Corona will likely be the starter on opening day. The senior was a preseason All-American a year ago and should be ready to make his final season as an Aztec a good one.
The other prime candidate for playing time at third is senior Ryan Wilson. During his SDSU career, Wilson has played every infield position (including pitcher and catcher) with the exception of first base as well as in left field. Last season he split time between second and third base.
"Corona is our guy at third and we're looking for him to have a great senior season," said Gwynn. "He has shown he has the ability to be an excellent hitter as well as a good defensive third baseman. Wilson is one of those guys who will do whatever you need him to, and I expect to see him somewhere in the infield or outfield over the course of the year."
OUTFIELD
There are a number of questions concerning the outfield as the season approaches, not about the talent available, but about who will be in starting roles when the 2004 campaign commences.
In left field, sophomore Curt Mendoza has the inside track after making 24 appearances in that capacity in his first season at SDSU. He hit .244 in his inaugural campaign as an Aztec, but showed glimpses of his offensive potential and power.
Center field will most likely be patrolled by Landon Burt, who was the Aztecs' primary starter in left a year ago and the club's top returning hitter after batting .343 last season. With the departure of Anthony Gwynn, Burt figures to be moved to center to take advantage of his range and defensive abilities. Junior David Hall, who appeared in 24 games in center last year mainly as a defensive replacement and hit .333, will also vie for playing time here.
Over in right, Jake McLintock will return for his third season as the starter after a sophomore season that saw him rank among the team leaders in hits, runs scored and RBI. The junior from Bonita has the strongest arm among the SDSU outfielders and has led them in assists each of the past two years. Senior Josh Hill, who was hampered by injury in 2003, may also see action in right, as well as fill in at first base on occasion.
In addition to these five athletes, four freshmen will also look for a chance to break into the lineup. Jason Bishop is a speedy center fielder and excellent defensive player who hit .467 last year. Chad Martinson was an honorable mention all-county athlete who led his league in batting at .514 as a prep senior.
Local product Brandon Rauch (El Capitan HS) was second in San Diego county in homers and fifth in RBI in 2003. Chaz Schilens was recruited to SDSU as a wide receiver and redshirted for the Aztecs football squad last fall. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers last June after earning all-region baseball honors.
"The outfield spots aren't quite settled yet," said Gwynn. "It all depends on who ends up in center field where three guys are fighting for the starting role. Landon Burt did a magnificent job for us last year while David Hall is probably our most athletic guy. Jason Bishop is also in the mix here, and he will see more time as he learns the position.
"Right now it looks to be Mendoza in left and McLintock in right, but we have a number of athletes who could get a shot out there."
SCHEDULE
In keeping with his philosophy of playing top teams to help improve his own squad, Gwynn has again put together an ambitious schedule that will challenge the Aztecs throughout the season.
No fewer than six teams on SDSU's 2004 slate are ranked among the top 25 in one of the national preseason polls: Texas (5), Long Beach State (9), Notre Dame (10), USC (16), Nebraska (20 and North Carolina State (25). In addition, both UNLV (26) and San Diego (39) are among Collegiate Baseball's top 40 while another, Houston, is coming off an appearance in last year's NCAA tournament.
"I think our schedule will be a good test for our guys as we prepare for conference play," commented Gwynn. "We'll be facing a lot of tough competition, and that can only help us get better during the season. We want to be battle tested by the time we begin conference action in mid-March, and we will be."
SUMMARY
The 2003 baseball season was a learning experience for both head coach Tony Gwynn and his players. This year, both the coaching staff and the players should be more comfortable with each other in terms of what to expect on a day-to-day basis.
Despite the fact that 14 seniors dot the roster this spring, San Diego State will still be a relatively inexperienced team as only four field players and two pitchers have seen significant playing time over the past couple of seasons. A number of second-year players who had solid freshman seasons will be expected to contribute.
"Having a large number of seniors helps, but it really depends on how those guys who win the jobs go about their business," noted Gwynn. "That's going to be a big key I think.
"Just as important is how the guys who don't play every day handle it. That will be a big factor on how well we do. If this team sticks together, I think we have a chance to do very well."
Compared to the early portion of his inaugural season, Coach Gwynn and his staff will look to exert a bit more control over the game than they did at the beginning of last year.
"Early last season, I kind of let guys swing the bat at will," said Gwynn. "This year we're going to take more control of the hitting situations and look to move runners along. When we took control and played execution- style ball later in the year, we played much better as a team. So we'll probably start the season playing that way as well.
"I expect pitching and catching will be our strengths this season, but the offense has the potential to be pretty good as it gains more experience in game situations over the course of the season."
Although here are a few questions to be answered, the 2004 Aztecs once again appear to have the necessary ingredients for success. Entering the season only four victories shy of the 2,000-win plateau, the SDSU baseball program's tradition of solid play and competitiveness should continue this spring.