Cougar News
Baseball - Sun, Jan 22, 2012
The 2012 MCU Baseball team features 15 players from last year's 25 win ballclub
MAYFIELD, Ky. - As Mid-Continent University baseball coach Shawn Yarbrough begins his fourth season at the helm of the program, the Cougars enter the 2012 season looking to build off the momentum they build in 2011. The Cougars return 15 players from a squad that posted 25 wins a year ago, and Coach Yarbrough and his staff have worked tirelessly to bring in a host of talent to complement those returning players. Yarbrough believes that the Cougars are in position to contend in the TranSouth in 2012.
PITCHING
The Cougars returning lineup is headlined by a pitching staff led by Tomas Rodriguez. Rodriguez is coming off a 2011 campaign in which he posted a 6-6 mark with four complete games and one shutout. "Rodriguez brings tremendous mound presence at the top of the rotation," said Yatbrough. "He gives us quality outings every time he gets the ball and that gives us a great chance to win."
He will be joined in the rotation by Cale Bastien, a junior transfer from Kaskaskia College. He is a control pitcher who possesses good composure and a great mentality on the mound. Yarbrough notes that the third spot in the weekend rotation is currently a wide-open race that could be filled by several arms Tyler Krough, Seth McCabe, Woody Stewart, and Corey Ames will all vie for that third weekend spot, while also seeing time in the midweek along with Caleb Luttrell and Tyler Hall.
Hunter Burge returns to the mix as the team's established closer, a role he cemented during the 2011 season. He will be joined in the bullpen by Hall and Jordyn Abell, along with McCabe and Kyle Bugg. Yarbrough will look to McCabe and Bugg in situations that call for a matchup left hander.
CATCHING
The 2012 version of the Cougars will carry three catchers, something Yarbrough notes is new for his program. Drew Bennett had a great fall swinging the bat, and Yarbrough said while the race for the starting catcher is wide open, Bennett holds a slight edge to be the opening day starter behind the plate. "We were very pleased with the way Drew hit the ball this fall," Yarbrough stated. "All three of these guys could end up starting for us, but right now, Drew has the inside track."
Sam Cheng returns for his senior season, the last remaining player from the Will Russell era. Cheng is a solid defensive catcher, who possesses a strong arm and holds runners well. "Sam is capable of completely shutting down an opponent's running game," Yarbrough explained. "He's a veteran baseball guy who really helps make our team better defensively."
Joseph Blair is the third catcher on the roster, and though he is younger than the other two, his skill set puts him right in the mix as well. "Joseph is probably the best all-around catcher we have," stated Yarbrough. "We know when we put Joseph back there he can get the job done both offensively and defensively."
INFIELDERS
The infield for Mid-Continent's 2012 squad is shaping up to be perhaps the best in the history of the program, and is anchored at the corners by some veteran players. At first base, the Cougars have a pair of transfers that will both see extended time at the position. Jordan Adams comes to Mid-Continent from North Iowa Area Community College, and Cable McMinn enters the mix after playing at Lambuth University. Both guys are middle of the order type of bats: Adams swings the bat right handed, while McMinn hits from the left side. "Both of these guys will help us a lot offensively," Yarbrough explained. "They both hit all pitches well, and they hit to all fields with power. The likelihood is that whichever of these guys is not in the lineup at first base will be in the mix as a designated hitter for our ballclub."
At third base, the Cougars boast solid defense with a pair of guys who bring solid defense to the hot corner, while benefiting the team in slightly different ways offensively. Thomas Whittington is a power bat with good lateral range defensively, and Daniel Edwards brings good speed and a scrappy approach to the mix, without sacrificing on the defensive side of the ball. "Daniel figures to split time between third base and left field this season," Yarbrough said. "He is a top or bottom of the order type of hitter who really runs the bases well. Whittington is more of a three-hole type of a guy, who is a sneaky fast runner."
Up the middle, the Cougars feature three guys who are not only strong defenders, but bring an element of small ball to the Cougars offense. Ray Fuentes and Richard Arias both have strong arms and will see plenty of time at shortstop, while Trevor Buford will play a lot at the keystone sack, while also seeing some action at the DH position. "All three of these guys bring a similar style to the game offensively," explained Yarbrough, "the only real difference is one hits from the left side, one is a righty, and one is a switch hitter. That really gives us a lot of options up the middle."
OUTFIELDERS
The outfield rotation looks to be both deep and talented for the Cougars this season, as seven guys will compete for the three starting spots. In left field, along with Daniel Edwards, the Cougars will see transfer Hunter Bolden and Jordan Manney battling for time. Bolden and Manney are both strong, athletic, middle of the order type of guys, who figure to drive in their share of runs.
In center field, the Cougars will feature Spencer Anderson and Uriel Hawkins, both guys who have great speed. "Anderson is a tools guy," Yarbrough noted, "and he's probably one of the best guys we've ever had here. He hits well, runs well, and he will make everyone better. Hawkins is extremely fast and steals bases well. He will see time as defensive replacement when he's not starting, and he can play multiple positions."
Right field will feature Zack McCarthy, a junior from John A Logan College, along with Dylan Rasch from Southeast Illinois College. "Zack is a big strong guy who will see time as a DH as well," Yarbrough stated. "Dylan is a well-rounded player who is an athletic bottom of the order type of guy."
OUTLOOK
The time is now for the Cougars according to Yarbrough. "Our expectations are high," he stated." We feel like we have all the pieces in place to win now. There is no reason for us to be sitting a home come tournament time." The schedule will be tough for the Cougars, but it should help prepare the team for the always difficult TranSouth conference schedule.
"We scheduled a difficult non-conference slate this year in order to prepare us for the TranSouth season," Yarbrough said. "We play two different Ohio Valley Conference opponents - Murray State twice - in addition to a tough opening road trip to Georgia and South Carolina. We will be tested early, but we think that will be good for our ballclub."
PITCHING
The Cougars returning lineup is headlined by a pitching staff led by Tomas Rodriguez. Rodriguez is coming off a 2011 campaign in which he posted a 6-6 mark with four complete games and one shutout. "Rodriguez brings tremendous mound presence at the top of the rotation," said Yatbrough. "He gives us quality outings every time he gets the ball and that gives us a great chance to win."
He will be joined in the rotation by Cale Bastien, a junior transfer from Kaskaskia College. He is a control pitcher who possesses good composure and a great mentality on the mound. Yarbrough notes that the third spot in the weekend rotation is currently a wide-open race that could be filled by several arms Tyler Krough, Seth McCabe, Woody Stewart, and Corey Ames will all vie for that third weekend spot, while also seeing time in the midweek along with Caleb Luttrell and Tyler Hall.
Hunter Burge returns to the mix as the team's established closer, a role he cemented during the 2011 season. He will be joined in the bullpen by Hall and Jordyn Abell, along with McCabe and Kyle Bugg. Yarbrough will look to McCabe and Bugg in situations that call for a matchup left hander.
CATCHING
The 2012 version of the Cougars will carry three catchers, something Yarbrough notes is new for his program. Drew Bennett had a great fall swinging the bat, and Yarbrough said while the race for the starting catcher is wide open, Bennett holds a slight edge to be the opening day starter behind the plate. "We were very pleased with the way Drew hit the ball this fall," Yarbrough stated. "All three of these guys could end up starting for us, but right now, Drew has the inside track."
Sam Cheng returns for his senior season, the last remaining player from the Will Russell era. Cheng is a solid defensive catcher, who possesses a strong arm and holds runners well. "Sam is capable of completely shutting down an opponent's running game," Yarbrough explained. "He's a veteran baseball guy who really helps make our team better defensively."
Joseph Blair is the third catcher on the roster, and though he is younger than the other two, his skill set puts him right in the mix as well. "Joseph is probably the best all-around catcher we have," stated Yarbrough. "We know when we put Joseph back there he can get the job done both offensively and defensively."
INFIELDERS
The infield for Mid-Continent's 2012 squad is shaping up to be perhaps the best in the history of the program, and is anchored at the corners by some veteran players. At first base, the Cougars have a pair of transfers that will both see extended time at the position. Jordan Adams comes to Mid-Continent from North Iowa Area Community College, and Cable McMinn enters the mix after playing at Lambuth University. Both guys are middle of the order type of bats: Adams swings the bat right handed, while McMinn hits from the left side. "Both of these guys will help us a lot offensively," Yarbrough explained. "They both hit all pitches well, and they hit to all fields with power. The likelihood is that whichever of these guys is not in the lineup at first base will be in the mix as a designated hitter for our ballclub."
At third base, the Cougars boast solid defense with a pair of guys who bring solid defense to the hot corner, while benefiting the team in slightly different ways offensively. Thomas Whittington is a power bat with good lateral range defensively, and Daniel Edwards brings good speed and a scrappy approach to the mix, without sacrificing on the defensive side of the ball. "Daniel figures to split time between third base and left field this season," Yarbrough said. "He is a top or bottom of the order type of hitter who really runs the bases well. Whittington is more of a three-hole type of a guy, who is a sneaky fast runner."
Up the middle, the Cougars feature three guys who are not only strong defenders, but bring an element of small ball to the Cougars offense. Ray Fuentes and Richard Arias both have strong arms and will see plenty of time at shortstop, while Trevor Buford will play a lot at the keystone sack, while also seeing some action at the DH position. "All three of these guys bring a similar style to the game offensively," explained Yarbrough, "the only real difference is one hits from the left side, one is a righty, and one is a switch hitter. That really gives us a lot of options up the middle."
OUTFIELDERS
The outfield rotation looks to be both deep and talented for the Cougars this season, as seven guys will compete for the three starting spots. In left field, along with Daniel Edwards, the Cougars will see transfer Hunter Bolden and Jordan Manney battling for time. Bolden and Manney are both strong, athletic, middle of the order type of guys, who figure to drive in their share of runs.
In center field, the Cougars will feature Spencer Anderson and Uriel Hawkins, both guys who have great speed. "Anderson is a tools guy," Yarbrough noted, "and he's probably one of the best guys we've ever had here. He hits well, runs well, and he will make everyone better. Hawkins is extremely fast and steals bases well. He will see time as defensive replacement when he's not starting, and he can play multiple positions."
Right field will feature Zack McCarthy, a junior from John A Logan College, along with Dylan Rasch from Southeast Illinois College. "Zack is a big strong guy who will see time as a DH as well," Yarbrough stated. "Dylan is a well-rounded player who is an athletic bottom of the order type of guy."
OUTLOOK
The time is now for the Cougars according to Yarbrough. "Our expectations are high," he stated." We feel like we have all the pieces in place to win now. There is no reason for us to be sitting a home come tournament time." The schedule will be tough for the Cougars, but it should help prepare the team for the always difficult TranSouth conference schedule.
"We scheduled a difficult non-conference slate this year in order to prepare us for the TranSouth season," Yarbrough said. "We play two different Ohio Valley Conference opponents - Murray State twice - in addition to a tough opening road trip to Georgia and South Carolina. We will be tested early, but we think that will be good for our ballclub."
