2015 Baseball Preview
2/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
OXFORD, Ohio – Last season under first-year head coach Danny Hayden, the Miami University baseball team surprised many when it finished first in the Mid-American Conference East Division standings. The RedHawks posted an 18-9 MAC record (30-27 overall) to claim their first division crown since 2005. This year’s roster boasts minimal turnover from last season, returning eight regular position starters and two of their three regular starting pitchers. In addition, the Red & White have gathered four true freshman as well as four upperclassmen transfers to add to an existing veteran roster.
“I feel that the nucleus of what we did well last year offensively is back,” said Hayden.
In 2014, five Miami regulars batted .305 or better and four of them return for the 2015 campaign. Overall, the RedHawks finished first in the MAC in total hits (562) and triples (25), second in batting average (.284), and third in total bases (790).
“We’ve got a lot of guys back that I feel really good about in the batter’s box,” said Hayden.
Even with their success offensively, the RedHawks best asset may well have been their weekend starters.
“The strength of our team last year was our starting pitching,” said Hayden.
The RedHawks got career years out of Ryan Powers (LaGrange, Ill./Nazareth) and Seth Varner. The bullpen struggled somewhat last season but Hayden is confident that they’ll have more depth this season and that’ll help out his starters tremendously.
“Last year we leaned on the starters and they did a phenomenal job,” said Hayden. “This year we’ll probably be able to take a little of the load off of them.”
The RedHawks value versatility and had several players play three or more positions last season, that’s something Coach Hayden values with his team.
“I think that’s something I do a lot,” said Hayden. “Our guys have learned that’s something they need to be comfortable with. I think a lot of coaches try to put the best defense on the field knowing that runs come at a premium. I like our guys to get confident playing three or four different positions knowing we’re going to put the best nine hitters in the lineup every day and know we’re athletic enough to do that. We don’t have to sacrifice on defense to get those nine guys in the lineup, they just might not be playing their first position every time. We had some success with it last year.”
There’s nothing wrong with finding consistency in a lineup, but what Hayden is trying to do is to prepare all of his guys for any situation and expose them to different experiences.
“That’s biggest thing we try to do,” said Hayden. “We give opportunities to guys that might not get them otherwise because we see them as a third baseman. If you’re a good third baseman you should be a decent corner outfielder too. Maybe we don’t have at-bats for you at third base, but we do have at-bats for you in left field and that’s when we can give a guy some game experience and maybe they do end up sticking in the lineup because they got that opportunity.”
POSITION PREVIEW
Outfield
This year’s Red & White outfield features great depth and a wealth of experience. It will be led by seniors Ryan Elble (East Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids) and Matt Honchel (Harrodsburg, Ky./Mercer County). Elble is coming off back-to-back seasons of 40 starts and led the team with a .317 batting average and a .395 on-base percentage. Hayden is confident in his ability to be a key asset this season.
“He had a great year last year and he’s one of those guys that’ll get bounced around to different positions,” said Hayden. “There’s no question that kid is going to hit and he’ll hit well enough to stay in the lineup somewhere.”
Despite starting 40 games at shortstop a season ago, he will make the move to left field to start the season, but Hayden knows he has a versatile player in Elble and he has the luxury of using him wherever he may be needed.
“Ryan Elble is the first guy in the infield if anybody were to get hurt or were struggling,” said Hayden.
Honchel hit .300 for the third-straight season a year ago, batting .305 and knocking in 24 runs. He also garnered a .369 on-base percentage and stole seven bases, which was third-best on the team. Honchel is one of two current RedHawk outfielders who has received MAC Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American honors. Despite a good year statistically, Hayden believes Honchel has even more to give.
“I think Matt Honchel hit right around .300 last year, but if he was sitting here he’d tell you he’s a way better hitter than how he hit last season,” said Hayden. “He’s our best ‘put the ball in play’ guy.”
Honchel will be the Red & White’s right fielder to begin the season.
To round out the RedHawk starting outfield, junior Jake Romano (Algonquin,Ill./Dundee-Crown) returns from what turned out to be a season-ending injury a year ago to roam the center field. A former MAC Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American, Romano is coming off a year in which he led the team with 13 steals despite missing 20 games. While he saw his average drop to .252 with a .349 on-base percentage, Hayden believes that the Romano he knows is closer to the .370 hitter who posted a .441 on-base percentage in 2013.
Some other guys who could see time in left field are junior Jacob Wolf (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South), freshman Brooks Urich (Lone Tree, Colorado/Regis Jesuit) and junior Gary Russo (St. Louis, Mo./Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day). Hayden’s plan is to use Elble and Steve Sada (Saegertown, Pa./Saegertown) interchangeably until he figures out what he likes the best.
“I think that is the position that is most up in the air right now,” said Hayden. “If we can keep Elble or Sada in left, I think we’ll run pretty much the same lineup out there most days. If for some reason our hand is forced that will allow for some opportunities for those guys in left.”
Hayden has identified Wolf as the first guy up should a spot in left field open up.
Center field will be backed up by sophomore Julian Flanary (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North), who was redshirted last season. In 2013, he appeared in nine games, batting .333 and collecting four runs. Hayden is high on his potential.
“Julian has had a nice end to his fall and winter workouts have gone really well for him and he’s another guy that’ll be depth in the outfield,” Said Hayden. “He’s a guy who can come in and hopefully steal some bases for us and pinch run. I don’t think we’ll be in a position where we’ll need defensive replacements because we’re going to be so athletic in the outfield anyways, but if for some reason we were throwing someone out there in center field, Julian would certainly be one of the first guys I’d think of late in a game. He’ll be of those guys that if an outfield spot becomes open, he’ll be fighting like crazy for that spot.”
In terms of who the team’s designated hitter will be, that spot is already locked down.
“The DH spot is pretty much Gary Russo’s,” said Hayden.
Russo, among returning players, led the team last year in home runs (10), RBI (40), hits (62), doubles (16), total bases (112), runs (38) and slugging percentage (.514). He will also get a chance to serve as a depth outfielder.
Said Hayden, “I know Gary is chomping at the bit to get into left field and he wants to show us that he’s a good enough athlete to play out there.”
Catcher
This year’s mainstay at catcher for the RedHawks will be senior Max Andresen. He will get the bulk of the starts, according to Hayden.
“I think he’ll catch every conference game,” said Hayden. “I think we will try to get through mid-week and non-conference games with Dull and Ricciardi. Before we get to conference though, I think that’ll be a lot of Andresen to get him going, but we’ll probably go a little lighter on him to start the year.”
The rest of the time will be split between, as mentioned, junior Tommy Ricciardi (Arlington Heights, Ill./Buffalo Grove) and redshirt freshman Spencer Dull (Indianapolis, Ind./ Hamilton Heights).
“Ricciardi had a great fall,” said Hayden. “He made a lot of improvements at the plate and he’s always been a pretty good defensive catcher.”
Ricciardi made 15 appearances last season as a pinch-hitter or catcher and also pitched for one inning on a single occasion. He recorded a .267 batting average and a .353 on base percentage.
Dull was redshirted last season and has yet to see any time on the field as a RedHawk but Hayden thinks that’ll change this season.
“Spencer is definitely going to get some action behind the plate this year,” said Hayden. “We’ve only got three catchers so we’re a little thin at the position but we have three really good ones so I feel really good about the guys we have back there. [He] is probably the most improved player on our team from a year ago, so I feel really good about splitting those guys the rest of the games.”
Infield
This year’s RedHawk infield will be a veteran group led by senior Scott Slappey (Alpharetta, Ga./Milton). Slappey spent most of last season bouncing around the entire field as needed, but he is slated to be the starting third baseman this season.
“I think Slappey will probably get 50 starts at third base this year,” said Hayden. “He’ll hopefully be our lockdown third baseman over there all year and we won’t have to bounce him around as much.”
Despite a more down year batting average wise in 2014 (.269), Hayden still thinks he’s a big part of the RedHawk lineup.
“Scott Slappey is as consistent a hitter as we have,” said Hayden. “He’s always having tough at-bats.”
After a successful freshman campaign at second base, Steve Sada is slated to be the team’s second baseman once again this season, though he may be swapping back and forth with Elble in left field until Hayden figures out what works best. Last season, Sada started in 50 games and garnered an impressive .309 batting average. He led the team with 24 walks and finished second on the team in on-base percentage (.391) and stolen bases (9) to earn Second-Team All-MAC and Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American honors.
“Steve was awesome last year and he looks better this year,” said Hayden. “He’s worked his butt off.”
With Elble moved to left field, a spot at shortstop opened up and that will be filled by junior Chad Sedio (Medina, Ohio/Highland). Sedio started 47 games last season, 17 of which came at shortstop, the rest coming at right field. He had a pretty productive season, batting .289 while hitting three doubles, four triples and three home runs.
First base is perhaps the biggest question mark for the RedHawks infield coming into the season, but Hayden is confident in the guys he has ready step in and fill that role. First on his list is senior Kendall Johnson (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Hartley).
“I’m looking forward to seeing what Kendall Johnson can do from the first base position,” said Hayden. “He had a really nice fall, especially towards the end. He’s tremendous defensively. We want to try to make it work with him over there and we’re confident he’s going to do a good job. I don’t even really care about his batting average, as long as his at-bats are competitive and he’s grinding out on the pitcher, I think he’ll get the bulk of the time over there.”
Junior Adam Yacek (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis) and redshirt freshman Ross Haffey (Birmingham, Mich./Brother Rice) will also get a chance at being the first baseman. Yacek appeared in 16 games and hit .200 last season while collecting three RBI.
“Adam Yacek is another very talented guy,” said Hayden. “I’d feel good if he was on the field. We wouldn’t be in a pinch to put him on the field. He’s one of the more talented players on our roster so hopefully he can continue to progress this year. If he gets that opportunity, it’ll be cool to see him there. Ross Haffey has done a really nice job and both of those guys will give us depth at first base as well.”
Freshman Mizuki Shumsky will potentially get looks at a few different positions in the infield.
“Shumsky is a great kid,” said Hayden. “He’s going to give us depth at second base and third base. The good thing about him is I feel like he’s really consistent in terms of what he brings to the field every day. If he does get an opportunity, I don’t think he’ll be scared by it or have a freshman moment. He is probably going to progress into a third baseman here.”
Only time will tell how much time freshman Charlie Dauch (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Bloomfield Hills) sees the field this season, but big things are expected of him down the line.
Pitcher
Miami brings back a formidable pitching staff this season. The RedHawks return two of their regular starters in seniors Ryan Powers and Nathan Williams (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch).
“Powers will be our Friday starter and we’re optimistic that Williams can be our Saturday starter,” said Hayden.
Powers appeared in 16 games a season ago. He made 13 starts, notching a 9-3 record, 4.25 ERA and a .262 opponent batting average. He also struck out 60 batters. Last June, Powers was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 22nd round (652 overall) of the 2014 MLB Draft. He was one of two RedHawk pitchers selected last year, joining Seth Varner.
Williams started 15 games last season, earning a 5-7 record and a 5.42 ERA. He pitched one complete game and held opponents to a .266 batting average.
The third guy who will be looked at to be the third regular starter will be Ryan Marske (LaGrange, Ill./Nazareth). While injuries have limited him in his first two years on campus, Hayden believes Marske has the potential to be a front line starter. The lefty made ten relief appearances last season, posting a 1-0 record over six innings pitched.
“When he’s healthy, Ryan is probably our most talented pitcher in terms of ‘stuff’,” said Hayden. “He’s probably not our best pitcher, but he’s certainly the most talented. If he’s healthy hopefully, we can get 13 to 14 starts out of him this year. If that’s the case, I feel really good about our starting pitching.”
With another productive year from Powers and a healthy Williams and Marske, the pitching staff as a whole has great potential.
“If those three guys can be our starters, it makes our bullpen much improved from last year,” said Hayden.
Another guy with potential as a starting pitcher is Jacob Banks (Cincinnati, Ohio/Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy). However, he will begin the year in the bullpen but Hayden knows he’s got the ability to step in and start some games.
“He has no problem stretching it out,” said Hayden. “He’s our rubber arm and I think he really wants to start but certainly what’s best for us it to keep him in the bullpen as our closer or our big situation guy. If we really need an out, we’ll give the ball to him and he’ll get it for us. If we have to bring Jacob banks out of the bullpen to be a weekend starter, you’re taking a big bullet out of your bullpen and now we’re looking pretty thin in there again.”
Banks appeared in more games than any other RedHawk pitcher, making 23 relief appearances. He earned a 2-0 mark while holding opponents to a .254 batting average and recorded three saves.
Senior Clay Cinnamon is another guy the RedHawks will look to in a reliever role. He only appeared in two games last year and has been hampered by injuries throughout his career at Miami. Still, he’ll be another player that’ll give the team some depth in the bullpen.
“So far he’s been healthy,” said Hayden. “He’s worked his butt off all fall to stay that way. Hopefully he can give us some innings. He’s as talented of a pitcher as we have but he just hasn’t been healthy enough to do anything. Hopefully we can get something positive out of him.”
The RedHawks garnered four transfers at the position, providing more veteran depth for the bullpen. Senior Will Schierholz (St. Louis, Mo./Mary Institute and St Louis Country Day), a Butler transfer, comes to Miami after a successful career there. Last season, he held opposing batters to a .234 batting average.
“He’s had a really good career at Butler,” said Hayden. “He’s put up some good numbers and he’s pitched some really tough innings for those guys so hopefully we’ve got a guy that can handle some big innings.”
Junior Nick Scheller (Poseyville, Ind./North Posey) arrives in Oxford after two years at Olney Central College, where in 2014 he led his team with a 2.22 ERA on the way to a 3-1 record. Expect Scheller to be a depth guy in the bullpen.
The final two transfers, junior Chris Ticherich (Milford, Ohio/Milford) and senior John Monnig (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro) come to Oxford after playing at Miami University-Hamilton. They will certainly bring even more experience to the bullpen. Hayden believes Ticherich has a chance to step right in and be a contributor.
“We’d probably try to use him as a starter before Banks,” said Hayden. “He’s pitched in college baseball, he’s been a starter at a previous school and I think he’s got some toughness to him and he’s got good enough stuff that he can do it.”
Senior Ryan Haynes (Cincinnati, Ohio/Archbishop McNicholas) will be looked at to pitch in difficult situations at times. He made 12 relief appearances, earning a 2-0 record and a 3.52 ERA.
“We threw Ryan out in a couple tough spots and he seemed to be ok in whatever situation we put him out there in,” said Hayden. “I think he has a role on the team but it’s not something you can define with words. He’s going to pitch.”
Look for sophomore Brad Schwartz (Marietta, Ga./George Walton Comprehensive) to get some appearances this year as he has improved his game during the offseason. He played in 19 games a season ago, posting a 1-4 record and earning one save.
“Brad Schwartz has done a really nice job this fall,” said Hayden. “He had a decent year last year. His numbers weren’t great but we threw him into just about any situation you could be in and he took the ball every time and he gave us his best effort every time out. His stuff has improved a little bit, but I think he’s a lot tougher than he was a year ago, so he’s another guy I’m excited about. He’s kind of our flex bullpen guy that if it’s the seventh inning and it’s a one-run game,he can hold it there. I’m proud of the way he’s progressed.”
Look for juniors Wynston McMartin (New Albany, Ohio/New Albany) and Brian Thene (San Diego, Calif./Torrey Pines) to get some work on the mound this season as well. The two veterans prove to be an added boost to a bullpen with some depth should it stay healthy. Each will likely get some weekday starts as well.
Freshman Gus Graham (Gallipolis, Ohio/Gallia Academy) is likely to see limited time this season. Things can change though with injury, so it’s yet to be known how much time he will see.
Schedule
The Red & White will take the field 55 times during the regular season, barring any weather issues or any other unexpected circumstances. In all, the RedHawks will play 27 Mid-American Conference games and will get 21 opportunities to play at McKie Field at Hayden Park in Oxford.
“I could go through the whole schedule, but I’m excited about every single one of these games,” said Hayden.
The RedHawks start the year off at the Mississippi State Classic where they will first face the Cincinnati Bearcats. In the second and final game of that tournament, Miami will be up against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who finished third in the SEC West last season, a conference full of extremely talented teams and eventual College World Series Champions, Vanderbilt. Despite all that, Miami isn’t going to Mississippi just for some warmer weather.
“When we go to Starkville, no one is going there and saying ‘we’re going there for the experience’,” said Hayden. We’re going there because they’re going to take our best punch and we’ll see what happens at the end of the game. We’re going there to beat them.”
The RedHawks will face another SEC opponent on the road as they travel to Columbia to take on perennial power South Carolina three weeks later.
“South Carolina is going to be a lot of fun,” said Hayden. “I’ve never been to that park. I’ve heard that it’s awesome. I know South Carolina and they do baseball the right way so I think it’ll be good for our guys to see where we’re at as a measuring stick to go play three games with those guys. I’m excited as any for this one because we’ll get to see what our team is made of. The thing we pride ourselves is on is we try to be the tougher team every game and our guys genuinely love playing baseball. I think that really comes out when your back is against the wall and I certainly think at some point in that weekend we’ll have some adversity and it’ll be neat to see how our guys react to some tougher situations from a really good baseball team.”
