Baseball Season Preview
2/22/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 22, 2007
The Spartan baseball team will have a different look in year two under head coach David Grewe. With a value system, a character base, a playing style, and program expectations firmly in place, along with the addition of 12 new players, the program is filled with optimism for 2007.
"The overall outlook of our 2007 team is very promising," said Grewe. "We have depth at all positions. We have depth on the mound. And I can put together several lineups that can generate a productive offense. It's very exciting to know that the attitude of our program and character of our players is shaping the future of MSU baseball. The 30 players that make up our 2007 team are heading in the right direction. This team burns with purpose, which is winning the right way, and I believe everyone has the right team focus."
On The Mound
For the Spartans to compete for a spot at the top of the Big Ten standings, the pitching staff will be counted on to lead the way. With the bulk of the depth from last year's staff returning and the addition of a couple new arms to the mix, there will be significant competition for innings and starts.
"Last year, there was a big learning curve for our team, and especially our pitching staff," Grewe said. "Our staff improved throughout the season. It was exciting to see so many guys continue that trend by going out and pitching well in the summer. We saw a much improved pitching staff in the fall, and we have implemented a very aggressive system for our guys this year. We are excited to see that progress continue into the spring."
Senior Craig Brookes (Naperville, Ill.) will again be counted on as a leader for the Spartan pitching staff. As one of the team's most consistent starting pitchers in 2006, Brookes has proven that he has what it takes to compete on Big Ten a weekend.
Senior John Dwan (Libertyville, Ill.) showed flashes of brilliance during the 2006 season. The lefty earned Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors following his one-hit, complete-game shutout at Purdue on April 8. Dwan will be expected to play a crucial role for the Spartans in 2007.
There should be tremendous competition for the other spots in the starting rotation. The top returning candidates include juniors Chris Cullen (Tecumseh, Ontario) and Mark Sorensen (Northville, Mich.). Both pitchers are coming off outstanding summer seasons as Cullen was named starting pitcher for the Cal Ripken Collegiate League All-Star Game, and Sorensen was named the Great Lakes Collegiate League Pitcher of the Year.
Highly recruited junior transfer Jon Kibler (Freeland, Md.) should also compete for a spot on the weekends after ranking among the top pitchers in the junior college ranks in 2006. The 6-5, 210-pound left-hander was a third-team NJCAA All-American last season after posting an 11-2 record with a 1.63 ERA for Dundalk (Md.) Community College.
The emergence of junior Mike Monterey (Farmington Hills, Mich.) and his three-pitch repertoire has also landed him in the mix for a starting role after spending the 2006 season as the closer. Monterey led the team in wins last season with seven and his 22 appearances tied for eighth most in the Big Ten.
"At every level of baseball, starting pitching is the key to success," Grewe stated. "Our program is going to always place a premium on starting pitching and power arms. I'm excited to see who is going to step up and take their game to the next level. These guys understand our expectations and my pitching philosophy. It is going to come down to who takes the mound every time out and gives a consistent performance."
The bullpen should be an area that is much improved in 2007, as the Spartans could have some weapons to go to when the relievers are called upon. Sophomores A.J. Dunn (Grand Ledge, Mich.), and Quinn Ewert (Crystal Lake, Ill.), combined with medical red-shirt sophomore Peter Wolff (Lake Bluff, Ill.) and junior Nolan Moody (East Lansing, Mich.), should compete for key roles out of the bullpen. Junior college transfers Ryan MacFarlane (Murphysboro, Ill.) and sophomore Adam Slusher (Hudsonville, Mich.) will also see time in important roles out of the pen. Juniors Tony Clausen (Jenison, Mich.) and Max Miller (West Bloomfield, Mich.), along with freshmen Kyle Corcoran (LaGrange, Ill.) and Eli Boike (Clinton Township, Mich.), could also see innings out of the pen and provide depth to the pitching staff.
"I'm excited about the options that we have in the bullpen," said Grewe. "We are going to have a lot of competition for roles and innings. We have a good mix of both right-handers and left-handers, and guys that can throw multiple pitches for strikes. The ones that pitch with consistency and can be counted on in the clutch will be the ones that get the ball when the game is on the line."
At The Plate
The 2006 season saw the emergence of sophomore Kyle Day (Ft. Wayne, Ind.) and junior Steve Gerstenberger (Fort Gratiot, Mich.) as key members of the Spartan attack. Day hit in the middle of the Spartan lineup for most of the season as a freshman and Gerstenberger provided firepower from a variety of spots in the order. Day ranked among the Big Ten leaders with his .315 batting average, and he led the team and ranked sixth in the conference with 52 runs, which tied for 10th most in MSU single-season history. Gerstenberger, who was also one of the league leaders with a .331 average, led the Big Ten and ranked 14th in the nation with seven triples, tying the Spartan season record. Both have emerged as leaders and will again be counted on to lead the offense in 2007.
 Sophomore Kyle Day  | |
"It was exciting last year to watch Kyle and Steve emerge as the heart of our lineup," Grewe said. "Day came through with some great at-bats as a freshman. Gerstenberger is a real `gamer' and came through in the clutch many times in 2006. The two of them will be counted on to shoulder a big load this spring. I'm confident that they will both be up to the challenge."
Senior Sean Walker (Round Lake, Ill.) will look to bounce back from two injury-plagued seasons to add a big bat in the lineup. When healthy, Walker has proven that he can be an offensive force. Senior E.J. Daws (Bozeman, Mont.) can provide a versatile offensive game to the lineup while sophomore John Lee (Naperville, Ill.) showed during his freshman campaign that he can have success offensively. Daws and Lee will look to build on that success this spring.
There will be plenty of new faces that will factor into the offensive attack for the Spartans in 2007. Freshmen Chris Roberts (Oshkosh, Wis.) and Eli Boike bring athleticism and potent left-handed bats to the lineup. Sophomore junior college transfer Eric Roof (Paducah, Ky.) provides a wide skill-set offensively while adding another left-handed bat to the lineup. Junior college transfers Brandon Doherty (Parkville, Mo.), Evan Friedland (Aurora, Colo.), Dennis Jones (Warren, Mich.), and Justin Potes (Adrian, Mich.) all provide significant versatility and firepower to the offense. Doherty is a tough out with above-average bat control at the top of the lineup, and Jones can put pressure on a defense with his speed. Friedland and Potes are both middle-of-the-order run producers for the Spartans.
"I'm extremely excited about the versatility that we have added to the lineup with this new group of players," said Grewe. "This group really brings a measure of toughness to our lineup that excites me. I believe that our lineup can collectively put a great deal of pressure on a defense. Offensively, I want to have a team on the field that can score runs in a multitude of ways. This year, I am confident that we can accomplish this goal."
On The Infield
With only one returning starter back from last year, the infield will have a much different look in 2007. Depth and versatility will be a welcomed strength of this infield group, as several players in the mix can play different positions.
"I'm really pleased with the versatility of this year's team," Grewe said. "Out of this infield group alone nearly every guy can play different positions, whether on the infield or outfield. That really gives me the opportunity to play guys at many spots and to put the top nine guys in the lineup every day to help us win. It also gives me more options during the course of the game."
The lone returning starter on the infield is Steve Gerstenberger at first base. Recruited as a Division I hockey goalie, he brings the athleticism of a middle infielder to the position with above-average glove skills. Every other infield position will see a new face. Chris Roberts and Brandon Doherty will likely hold the middle infield spots as each player can play both shortstop and second base. Justin Potes and Eric Roof will both see ample time at third base while also seeing time at other positions. John Lee and Evan Friedland will provide depth in the infield while also seeing time in the outfield. Ryan MacFarlane and Quinn Ewert are two-way players at the corner-infield positions.
"For our pitching staff to have success, we need solid defense from our infielders," claimed Grewe. "I believe that we have improved ourselves in that area. I like the options that we have and we definitely have more depth. Ultimately, it comes down to making the routine play and turning the double play. I believe that Roberts and Doherty are going to be fun to watch turning the double play. Gerstenberger and Friedland absolutely make us a better infield with their defense at first base, as both players could be considered the best in the Big Ten. Roof and Potes are gritty competitors that play solid defense at third base. I am confident in our infield defense."
In The Outfield
The outfield will also have a new group of players covering the gaps. With no full-time starters back, E.J. Daws and Kyle Day are the only returning players to see action in the outfield for the Spartans in 2006. Both players will see time in the outfield in platoon roles this spring.
Junior college transfer Dennis Jones will bring his speed to the outfield and should be able to chase down balls from the center field spot. Freshman Eli Boike will likely see most of his time in right field. Justin Potes played a solid left field in fall baseball and will see time there when not at third base. Evan Friedland and John Lee both could see action at the corner outfield positions as a way to get their bats into the lineup. Sophomore walk-on Kyle Hurtt (Southfield, Mich.) and Tony Clausen have shown the ability to go get balls in the gaps and will provide depth to the mix.
 Senior E.J. Daws | |
"I like the athleticism that we are going to have in the outfield this year," Grewe said. "Boike and Jones both can cover some ground and make the gaps smaller. Friedland, Lee and Potes are all solid out there and give us some options when I'm putting the lineup together based on pitching match-ups. Hurtt and Clausen can really run down some balls in the gaps and both made some tremendous defensive plays this fall."
Behind The Plate
The catching position returns the most experience defensively for the Spartans. Kyle Day and Sean Walker both return after splitting time last year. Day followed up a solid freshman campaign with a tremendous summer en route to being named Most Valuable Player of the Jayhawk Collegiate League. Walker, unfortunately, missed fall baseball after recovering from wrist surgery, but is expected to be at full strength in the spring.
Eric Roof will also be in the mix for playing time behind the plate. He is in his first year converting to the catching position from the infield and will see action when not playing third base. Walk-ons Kyle Kunkel (Kalamazoo, Mich.) and Nate Yahn (Wauwatosa, Wis.) will both provide valuable depth to the catching position. "The catching position is so important to our team," said Grewe. "Kyle and Sean both showed improvement throughout the season last year. We are going to need both guys to be solid for us this spring in order to have the type of success that we believe we can have. I also like what Eric Roof showed behind the plate this fall. I think that he can help us back there and look forward to see his future development. Kunkel and Yahn will play vital roles for us this year and are extremely important to the team."
The 2007 Schedule
MSU, which opens with 19 of its first 21 games on the road, faces a tough non-conference schedule before Big Ten Conference play opens March 30.
The Green and White will play a total of five NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago, including two in the season-opening Coca-Cola Classic in Mobile, Ala. The Spartans open Friday, Feb. 23 versus South Alabama, who went 38-19 last season and competed in the NCAA Tournament. The second game of the tournament is against Auburn, while the third game is against Jacksonville, another NCAA Tournament team that went 42-17 in 2006.
During spring break, the Spartans will play eight games in Florida, beginning with two at the Detroit Tigers' spring training complex in Lakeland, Fla., against Saint Joseph's (March 4) and Pittsburgh (March 5). MSU plays Stetson, a 2006 NCAA Tournament team, March 7 in Deland, Fla. The Spartans will also match up against Central Florida, South Florida and Quinnipiac in the Sunshine State.
"Our 2007 schedule is full of exciting and challenging games," said Grewe. "We will spend a great deal of time on the road early, playing some of the nation's elite teams, highlighted by Auburn, South Alabama, Jacksonville, Central Florida and Stetson. All of these programs have Top-25 potential and have proven each and every year that they are worthy of postseason play."
MSU's final road trip before playing at home will be a three-game set at Oklahoma March 16-18. The Sooners went 40-19 last season and advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals against Rice.
The home opener is scheduled for Saturday, March 24 against Concordia at Kobs Field. The two teams will also meet on Sunday, March 25.
Michigan State opens the Big Ten schedule with a four-game series at Indiana, beginning March 30. The Big Ten is once again loaded with solid teams and this year's schedule poses additional challenges as the Spartans play 18 road games and only 14 home games within the Big Ten schedule.
A special feature to this year's schedule is an exhibition game against the Lansing Lugnuts on Tuesday, April 3 at 6:05 p.m. at Oldsmobile Park. This game marks the beginning of the Crosstown Showdown. If necessary, the make up date for the game is Wednesday, April 4.
"Our exhibition game versus the Lugnuts is a very special day for the City of Lansing and its surrounding communities," Grewe said. "This game marks the first time in the history of both organizations that all baseball fans in this great capital city can come support both of its baseball teams."
Including the exhibition against the Lugnuts, the Spartans will play a total of seven games at Oldsmobile Park this season. The Spartans will also travel to Grand Rapids, Mich., to play host to Western Michigan at Fifth Third Ballpark on April 11.
"It will take extreme toughness and the right mental focus by our players and coaches to show up each and every game ready to compete," said Grewe. "I'm thrilled for the challenge and ready to get after it."
