+- CSNbbs (https://csnbbs.com)
+-- Forum: Active Boards (/forum-769.html)
+--- Forum: CAAbbs (/forum-676.html)
+---- Forum: CAA Conference Talk (/forum-677.html)
+----- Forum: UNCW (/forum-686.html)
+----- Thread: UNCW Baseball in 2016 (/thread-739245.html)
Pages: 1 2
UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Seahawk Nation 08 - 06-02-2015 09:24 AM
The momentum continues to build behind the UNCW Baseball program, with the expectation that we can reach a Regional every season and compete for a Super Regional spot. With 7 Regional appearances and 4 Regional Finals opportunities since 2003, UNCW Baseball has soared under Coach Scalf. If the Seahawks begin the '16 campaign at home, Scalf, with 799 career wins, will look to capture # 800 at Brooks Field to start the season.
With the draft complete, here is how the team is looking:
Departures
OF Eric Jenkins (incoming signee) -- 2nd round draft pick, Rangers
RP Jordan Ramsey (graduated) -- 7th round draft pick, Reds
OF Zach Shields -- 10th round draft pick, Reds
SP Evan Phillips -- 17th round draft pick, Braves
SP Nick Monroe -- 21st round draft pick, Padres
RHP Joseph Peeler (incoming signee) -- 25th round draft pick, Royals
RP Will Shepley -- 31st round draft pick, Orioles
1B Corey Dick (graduated)
OF/DH Luke Dunlap (graduated)
Newcomers
IF/OF Blake Deatherage (Burlington, N.C./Western Alamance)
OF/RHP Clark Cota (Hampstead, N.C./Topsail)
1B Walker Imwalle (Wallace, N.C./Wallace-Rose Hill)
C Tyler Lancaster (Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork (Spartanburg Methodist)
RHP Alex Royalty (Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook)
Returning Outfielders
LF Steven Linkous (Sr.)
CF Casey Golden (Jr.)
Joe Bertone (Sr.)
Justin Carroll (Jr.)
Returning Infielders
3B Terence Connelly (Sr.)
SS Kennard McDowell (r-Jr.)
2B Robbie Thorburn (Jr.)
1B Andy Austin (Sr.)
2B Zach Canada (So.)
2B Brian Mims (So.)
Daniel Stack (Jr.)
Jacob Sasser (r-So.)
Returning Catchers
Gavin Stupiensky (r-Jr.)
Chris Gaffney (r-So.)
Nick Feight (So.)
Returning Starting Pitchers
RHP Ryan Foster (Sr.)
RHP Justin Crump (So.)
RHP Josh Roberson (So.)
RHP Austin Easter (So.)
Returning Relief Pitchers
RHP Jared Gesell (Sr.)
LHP Whitman Barnes (r-So.)
RHP Austin Magestro(So.)
LHP Clay Lockamon (r-So.)
RHP Cory Gantz (Jr.)
LHP Taylor Hyssong (Sr.)
RHP Matt Maready (Jr.)
RHP Daniel Hamilton (r-Fr.)
While our departures next season will be missed greatly, there's a ton of returning talent for the Seahawks next season, and there's no reason we won't be favored alongside Charleston to take the CAA once again in '16.
With the two of the three outfield spots intact (unless of course by some miracle Eric Jenkins doesn't get drafted early and comes to school), the Hawks keep some nice speed at the top of the lineup with Linkous and Golden. The RF spot will come down to Joe Bertone, the strongest player on the team and start of the Regionals' wrestling act that made it on ESPN, Justin Carroll or a newcomer.
In the infield, specifically at first base, Andy Austin could find competition with freshman Walker Imwalle (Wallace, NC/Wallace-Rose Hill). Imwalle is another "baseball player in a football body" who we may well be comparing to Corey Dick before long. Standing at 6-4 (about 3 or 4 inches taller than Corey), 255 lbs. Imwalle is an imposing figure batting from the left side. He was an All-Four County Conference selection last season, when he hit .338 and blasted three homeruns. Austin (another left-handed hitter) will need to snag full-time starting duties and not let go in order to secure playing time, as there will be no platoon in this situation. Connelly and McDowell hold down the left side of the infield, while 2B returns Thorburn, Canada and Mims.
Behind the plate, the Seahawks brought in another Spartanburg Methodist player, continuing the trend started when the Seahawks "stole" Zach Shields and Kennard McDowell from Charleston's recruiting "territory". Tyler Lancaster (Irmo, SC), another lefty hitter like Gavin Stupiensky, could find himself immediately inserted in the lineup, perhaps with Stupienski moved to DH or even 1B duties. UNCW has always been solid behind the plate, so it can be expected that this continuity will continue with Lancaster on the roster and Gaffney and Feight waiting in the wings.
When it comes to starting pitching, the departures of Evan Phillips and Nick Monroe as Juniors prevents the Seahawks from returning three Seniors to the weekend rotation. That leaves the Saturday and Sunday options up to the progression of the many young arms on the staff. Crump, Roberson and Easter all showed some flashes last season but will need to develop over the offseason to earn regular spots in the weekly rotation. Other arms will hopefully emerge as time goes on.
In the bullpen, the losses of flame-throwers Ramsey and lefty Shepley mean that Barnes and Gesell will be the go-to options for Coach Scalf and pitching coach Matt Williams. With so many righties in the starting rotation, situational lefties will be crucial to our success next season. Along with Barnes, Clay Lockamon could prove valuable in the middle innings in this role. Austin Magestro will look to regain a middle innings role next season as well.
Overall, the Seahawks are looking very strong next season, and it will be intriguing to see what the incoming recruiting class brings to the table. There are precious few spots to be won next season, but with a graduating class of 7 following the 2016 campaign (including Linkous, Connelly, Austin, Monroe and Foster), new faces will need to emerge prior to 2017 and show they are ready to fill those gaps.
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Seahawk Nation 08 - 06-02-2015 10:09 AM
By the way, I'm checking in on a few mock drafts, 2/3 of which have Eric Jenkins outside the 1st round (36 picks). Baseball America doesn't have him going in the 1st, nor does this source: https://mlbdraftcountdown.wordpress.com/tag/eric-jenkins/. They have him going 56th overall to Toronto. The Blue Jays have been the team mentioned most when Jenkins' name comes up.
MLB.com's mock draft has him going in the 1st round to the Blue Jays, at 29 overall, with the following small writeup:
Quote:29. Toronto Blue Jays
Eric Jenkins, OF, West Columbus (Cerro Gordo, N.C.) HS
Speedy and toolsy, Jenkins can stay in center field and should be a basestealing threat. He's been rising up boards and has been popping up in conversations here and into the early stages of Round 2.
I'm not going to say it's a lock that Jenkins goes MLB until it all shakes out. It's definitely a strong likelihood he's gone, however.
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - bricksnivy - 06-02-2015 10:28 AM
Sticking with the Blue Jay assumptions, the slot money for 29th is $1,944,800 and for 56th, $1,091,200. Slot for the 62nd pick is under $1m.
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Seahawk Nation 08 - 06-11-2015 02:23 PM
I have and will continue to update the original post of this thread with departure updates.
With Shields signing with the Reds, it appears Joe Bertone, Justin Carroll, and our newcomers will all be in play to win the RF job next season.
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Seahawk Nation 08 - 06-11-2015 02:33 PM
Now that we know who we've lost offensively for sure, I'd say this will be something like what our lineup looks like next season:
1. Linkous LF
2. Golden CF
3. Stupiensky C
4. Bertone DH
5. Canada/Thorburn 2B
6. Connelly 3B
7. Carroll/Newcomer RF
8. Austin/Imwalle 1B
9. McDowell SS
With changes made, of course, against lefties.
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Proff - 06-11-2015 02:57 PM
What about the catcher that is coming in from spartanburg? That could move Gavin to first.
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - billthebighawksfan - 06-11-2015 10:21 PM
I thought Shields was our best player and it showed in the Regionals. We have some big shoes to fill in RF. Carroll will get his shot and you could move Robbie out there too. Next man up. UNCW still has a very good team next year for sure!
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Seahawk Nation 08 - 06-12-2015 07:00 AM
(06-11-2015 02:57 PM)Proff Wrote: What about the catcher that is coming in from spartanburg? That could move Gavin to first.
Good point. Or Gavin could DH, pushing Bertone/Carroll out of the lineup. Austin is a solid defensive 1B. A lot of things in play here. The losses of Dick, Shields and Dunlap will hurt but mostly our offense should keep rolling with the fresh talent coming in.
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - seahawkcentral - 06-12-2015 01:23 PM
Joseph Peeler signed with the Royals. Really hoping Monroe comes back for another year.
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Seahawkfan716 - 06-12-2015 02:36 PM
Evan Phillips just posted on his Instagram that he has signed with the Braves
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Seahawk Nation 08 - 06-12-2015 02:50 PM
(06-12-2015 02:36 PM)Seahawkfan716 Wrote: Evan Phillips just posted on his Instagram that he has signed with the Braves
We're going to need some of these freshmen/sophomore arms on the team to develop very quickly!
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - billthebighawksfan - 06-12-2015 11:30 PM
Looking rough all of the sudden! Hopefully guys will step up. Didn't Hamilton sit out last year? He could be thrown into the mix now. Wow! Somebody took notice of all of the talent that UNCW had apparently!
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - SEA33HAWK - 06-13-2015 06:40 AM
Last I heard, Cota was going to have surgery. Possibly Tommy John. That was a month ago. So I don't know where that stands.
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Proff - 06-14-2015 10:06 AM
Shepley has signed with the Orioles (per the star news).
UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Seahawk Nation 08 - 06-14-2015 03:39 PM
2016 looking like a "next man up" situation. Given our always improving ability to acquire talent, this isn't always the worst thing.
Can't wait to see how our 2015 draft class does in the minor leagues.
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Seahawk Nation 08 - 06-15-2015 09:38 AM
I've updated my write-up to reflect all of our new departures. I'll need to change it one more time if Monroe signs.
Also, Eric Jenkins hasn't signed yet. The longer the wait the better the news for us, of course. There's always a chance he doesn't get the deal he's looking for and decides to come to school. One can dream, right? Could you imagine him at the top of the lineup with Linkous this upcoming season? Shields was really fast, but he wasn't 60-yards-in-6.3-seconds fast, and Jenkins would be without question the highest-rated prospect to come to UNCW in our history to this point.
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Seahawk Nation 08 - 06-16-2015 10:20 AM
Eric Jenkins signed with the Rangers: http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/texas-rangers/article24529432.html
Rangers sign high picks
The Rangers signed two of their top three picks in second-round outfielder Eric Jenkins and third-round right-handed pitcher Michael Matuella. Both signed for $2 million. Matuella, who was considered a top 5 pick before a back issue and Tommy John surgery in April hurt his draft stock, signed for $1,224,000 above his slotted bonus. Jenkins signed for about $640,000 above his slot as the No. 45 overall pick.
Jenkins has been assigned to the Arizona Summer League. Matuella will continue his rehab in Arlington before joining the Spokane roster in September.
Texas signed 15 draft picks Monday. Here’s a look with their round, position and where they’ve been assigned:
Rd Pos. Player Assigned
2 OF Eric Jenkins -- AZL Rangers
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Seahawkhoops - 06-16-2015 10:58 AM
Well, I'm not even going to say the words, but that's the unfortunately reality of going after those high prospects. If a guy is going to get drafted in the first 2 rounds, it's really a waste to tie up scolly IMO even if only temporarily.
RE: UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Seahawk Nation 08 - 06-16-2015 11:02 AM
(06-16-2015 10:58 AM)Seahawkhoops Wrote: Well, I'm not even going to say the words, but that's the unfortunately reality of going after those high prospects. If a guy is going to get drafted in the first 2 rounds, it's really a waste to tie up scolly IMO even if only temporarily.
Incorrect in this instance. We signed him very early in the recruitment period, early enough that there wasn't a guarantee he'd be a high draft pick. I see nothing wrong with what we did. Especially given our years of success with bringing in successful JUCO kids late in the game.
The alternative is avoiding talented kids in our own backyard. That alternative is not a good option. Big programs deal with this stuff all the time. We're a big program now. I'd prefer to continue to act like it and believe you can entice some of these types of high prospects to come to school.
UNCW Baseball in 2016 - Seahawk Nation 08 - 06-16-2015 08:05 PM
Stupienski just got a pinch hit AB for the Wilmington Sharks. He ripped a HR!
He and Linkous will play for the Sharks this summer.