- Season Outlook

 

In his eighth season with the Jackets, Graceland Baseball Coach Brady McKillip is looking to improve on the up and down success of last year's team, which posted a 23-27 record.  With a solid and experienced group of pitchers returning and a very talented squad of new athletes, the Jackets are set to continue their improvement in the HAAC and make a run at the HAAC title.

"Our guys have worked extremely hard since they showed up on campus for this fall's workouts and look forward to even greater success in 2008," said McKillip.  "This is the most balanced team we have had since I have taken over and we believe that this team will allow us to play more consistent throughout the season.  Once again our schedule will be very challenging but it should prepare us for the Heart of America Conference season."

STARTING PITCHING

The coaching staff is excited about the potential of the pitching staff this year as there is a nice combination of experienced arms along with a talented group of newcomers.  The Jackets are returning their top four starters from last years team in Chris Hayes, Tyler Wright, Matt Beckenhauer and Luis Perales.  Coach McKillip has stressed that the pitching staff needs to continue to make improvements and pitch like they are capable for us to battle for a championship.

"Coming out of fall baseball seniors Tyler Wright and Chris Hayes are the front runners to lead the starting rotation," McKillip said. 

Hayes made 12 starts last season, leading the team in starts, shutouts (2), innings pitched (71.1), strikeouts (44) and set a school record with 6 complete games.  "Hayes has been a workhorse for us over the last couple of years, he has confidence in all he does and is a leader on this staff," said McKillip.

Wright, who missed much of the first month of the season in 07' due to a broken hand, still made 9 appearances with 8 starts posting a 3-4 record and 5.70 E.R.A. in 47.1 innings.  "Tyler has the makeup to be the number one on our staff, he has three quality pitches and confidence to throw them in any count," McKillip said.

Another key returnee is Matt Beckenhauer, who is coming off of his first year as a starter for the Jackets.  He posteda 4-3 record in 10 starts, throwing 51 innings.  "Matt made some impressive strides last year," McKillip said.  "I look for him to build off last year's success and develop into one of our most consistent pitchers.

Perales could also be returning to the starting rotation after making 11 starts on the mound last season logging 48.2 innings.  "I have seen Luis working with a purpose the last few months," McKillip said.  "If he continues he will have a chance to post an outstanding season."

A couple of newcomers should also find themselves in the mix to work themselves into the rotation in 2008.  The coaching staff sees Junior Ryan Ratcliff pushing his way into the top four and sophomore Don Cox and freshman Tucker Young making mid-week starts and pushing to get into the rotation.

Ratcliff, a semester break transfer led the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference in strikeouts a year ago pitching for Southwestern Community College.  "Ryan could be the power pitcher we have been missing for a couple years and being left-handed, he has the makeup to be an impact pitcher for us right away," McKillip said.

Cox, a sophomore right-hander is back this season from Tommy John surgery and has been impressive thus far while Young is just now beginning to see what he can do at the college level.  "Don and Tucker both have the ability to be quality starters for us but our depth also gives us the option to use these two out of the pen to give it more depth," McKillip said.

 
RELIEF PITCHING

Junior Anthony Carlo will return to lead the Jackets bullpen this season.  Carlo, who led the team in appearances (13) and saves with four in 2007 has the most experience in a relatively young bullpen.  "Anthony has worked hard on his mechanics this year to become a more consistent pitcher," McKillip said.  "If he can reach this consistency, he will look to be our go to guy this season."

Returning with Carlo, are junior Kulraj Shergill and sophomore Glenn Burley.  Right-handers Shergill and Burley both saw limited time in 2007 but do have some experience that will allow them to help the team this season.

Shergill, a long relief man last season will look to fill that same role for the Jackets in 2008.  "Raj, has improved his confidence on the mound this fall, he is now comfortable throwing all of his pitches at any time which has really helped him," said McKillip.

Burley, who has made the transition to a sidearm delivery over the summer and fall could become an important part of the staff for the Jackets this season.  "As a sidearmer, Glenn has developed some much needed movement on his pitches," said McKillip.  "If he can consistently throw strikes he could help us this season."

Also coming out of the pen and contributing will be freshmen right-handers Colton Evans and Garrett Grundman.  Joining them will be left-hander Eric Smith.  "Experience is all these three will need to find their roles on the staff, they are all capable to be effective but new to the college game," McKillip said.

INFIELD

While it will not be easy to replace a defense that finished in the top 25 of the NAIA statistically, the coaches feel that this is the deepest and could be the most talented infield under Coach McKillip's tenure.  The Jackets will have a new starter at every infield position in 2008 with Jared Whitten, Edwin Encarnacion, Sam Felman, Carlos Rodriguez and Benn Stockton all having major roles this season.

At third base will be junior Jared Whitten, a transfer from Carl Albert State College in Oklahoma.  Whitten hit .337 in 53 games while leading Carl Albert in stolen bases with 17.  "Jared gives us a solid glove with good range at third as well as excellent speed in the lineup," said McKillip.

Sophomore Edwin Encarnacion will take over the reigns at shortstop this season.  A transfer student, Edwin played last season for Panola College in Carthage, Texas.  "Edwin is a prototypical shortstop with plus range and strong arm," said McKillip.  "He was solid there all fall and will give us a boost both offensively and defensively."

Anchoring the right side of the infield after a solid sophomore season at his Junior College will be second baseman Carlos Rodriguez.  The junior from Miami, Florida hit .315 in 48 games with 12 doubles and 4 triples for Sauk Valley Community College in Illinois.  "Carlos is a solid glove man up the middle that can handle the bat very well for us," said McKillip.

Also battling for playing time at both second and third will be freshman Sheldon Mow.  "Sheldon has worked very hard on all phases of his game," said McKillip.

There will be a battle going on at the first base position between two Junior College transfers in Samuel Felman and Benn Stockton.  Felman, a native of Ecuador made the move from the outfield to first base this fall and has been very impressive.  While at Northeast Oklahoma A&M, Felman hit .376 with 2 home runs, primarily in the designated hitter role.  "Sam is an intense player with a lot of power, he should be an anchor in the middle of our lineup," McKillip said.

Stockton, transferred in for the spring semester from Ellsworth Community College after ending his 2007 season early with shoulder surgery.  "We look for Benn to battle for the starting role at first and hit in the middle of our lineup giving much needed protection to those in front of him," said McKillip.

Whichever player doesn't earn the everyday spot at first base will be the leading candidate for the Designated Hitter role this spring.  "They both possess a quality bat that will need to be in the lineup for us every day," said McKillip.

CATCHER

The Jackets come into the 2008 season with three catchers on the roster.  Senior Henry Duke returns with the most experience having started 10 games behind the plate, three in left field and 19 as the Jackets designated hitter in 2007.  Duke scored 18 runs and posted 23 hits with 2 home runs during his junior season and threw out 25% of the runners against him.  "Henry has really matured as a catcher and understands how we want him to handle our staff," McKillip said.

Zach Stuart will be sharing the catching duties with Duke this season and Coach McKillip believes he will also contribute as a solid bat off the bench.  "We are excited about what Zach brings to our defense and we expect him to be a contributor this year," said McKillip.

Freshman Mitch Foster will also look to contribute this year as he is learning to play the game at the college level.  "Mitch has been working very hard and learning what it takes to catch at the college level," said McKillip.

OUTFIELD

Although the Jackets return just one outfielder from last season's team, they will have a lot of depth due to a solid recruiting class.  Not only do they have depth but a number of players have the ability to play multiple positions.

Angel Suarez moves from leftfield to center.  Suarez led the team in at-bats (163), runs (38) and stolen bases (19) while hitting .294 from the leadoff spot in 2007.  "Angel brings a lot of energy to our team," McKillip said.  "Angel loves to play the game and has the ability to make his teammates better."

In right, the Jackets will look to junior transfer Brian Contreras.  Contreras, an 11th round draft pick in 2005 of the Seattle Mariners played last season for Indian Hills Community College.  "Brian is one of our most talented defensive outfielders," said McKillip.  "He is an outstanding athlete and really starting to improve offensively."

Division I transfer, Sean Smith will man left field for the Jackets this season.  Prior to red-shirting at Kansas State due to a thumb injury in 2007, Smith was a two-time All-Region player at both third base and right field for Indian Hills Community College leading them in almost every offensive category.  "Sean is an explosive athlete that can really play anywhere," McKillip said.  "He played very well this fall and is one of the best all-around players we have."

Also expected to see a lot of playing time is transfer Matthieu Coulter, coming to the Jackets after playing in the NAIA National Title game for Spring Arbor University last season.  "Matt impressed the coaching staff this fall with the way he approached the field everyday," McKillip said.  "He has a ton of postseason experience and has put himself in a position to play a lot this season."

Chase Hitt is a talented left-handed hitting outfielder that will give the team some depth and flexibility in the outfield.  "Chase has really dedicated himself to getting better this off-season and it has shown in these early spring workouts," said McKillip. 

SCHEDULE

The Navy and Gold will once again face a very tough schedule.  Graceland opens the season with their first 13 games away from home.  The Jackets will play a total of seven teams (20 games) that played in an NAIA Regional Tournament a year ago.

Graceland starts with four games in Minneapolis, MN (Mount Marty College), followed by a trip to Branson, MO to compete in the College of the Ozarks Bobcat Classic.  The Jackets then travel to Muskogee, OK to challenge Bacone College in a three game series and Chickasha, OK for a double header with University of Science and Art of Oklahoma before opening up their home schedule with four games against University of Sioux Falls.

During HAAC play, Graceland entertains Missouri Valley College, Evangel University, pre-season ranked #14 Lindenwood University, # 23 Avila University, Benedictine College, William Jewell College, Baker University and Mid-America Nazarene University.

For a complete list of Graceland's 2008 schedule visit: www.graceland.edu/athletics/5972