North Carolina State University Athletics
2002 NC State Baseball Outlook
1/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 24, 2002
RALEIGH, N.C. - Anyone who follows the game knows that college baseball has been dominated by offense in recent years. The 3-2 pitchers duel is now a rarity in the college game, replaced by the 11-8 slugfest and repeated calls to the bullpen. NC State hopes to feature an offense in 2002 that will be right at home in such an environment.
During the program's heyday in the 1990s, NC State was noted for power-laden teams that featured outstanding hitters throughout the lineup. The '02 Wolfpack could have the same kind of firepower. Anchored by two-time All-ACC outfielder Brian Wright and augmented by a returning cast of tested veterans, NC State enters the 2002 season with arguably its best lineup since 1997 and '98, head coach Elliott Avent's first two seasons in Raleigh.
"Our main area of strength coming out of the fall is that it appears we have a chance to swing the bat, up and down the lineup," Avent says. "I think that's the strength of any successful ballclub in college baseball today. There's an old adage that a good defense will beat a good offense, and I think that still holds true today. If you have a dominating pitcher on your staff, he's going to shut down a dominating offensive ballclub. But in today's era of offense in college baseball, offense has to be a great concern, and I think we're better offensively."
NC State led the ACC in batting average in '97 and '98 and scored 8.7 and 8.6 runs per game, respectively, those two seasons. The 1999 Wolfpack, while not quite as potent offensively, still scored 7.5 runs per game. The Pack's run production dropped off to to just 5.6 runs per game in 2000 and 6.4 runs per game a year ago. Not coincidentally, NC State earned at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament in 1997, '98 and '99, but fell short the last two years. If NC State is to return to the NCAA Tournament for the 12th time in the last 16 years, the journey back to the postseason will have to start with better run production.
Consequently, improving the offense was a primary goal this past offseason. Former all-conference catcher Scott Lawler, who served as pitching coach in 2001, has taken over as hitting coach, replacing Billy Best, who left to become a scout with the Atlanta Braves.
"We preached and preached offense the entire offseason," Avent says. "We talked all summer about how we had to get better offensively, and when the opening came up on the coaching staff, we felt that the best thing to do there was to move Scott Lawler to hitting coach.
"Scott was a player here when I took over in '97, and he has served as a volunteer coach, an administrative assistant and an assistant coach the last three years. He knows our program as well as anyone, and he's very familiar with our players, very familiar with our hitters, and was a good offensive player himself when he played here at NC State."
Baseball is not just about offense, of course, and NC State looks for constant improvement in other phases of the game as well. In particular, the Wolfpack must do a better job of stopping opponents from scoring, which means improved pitching and defense also are critical.
With that in mind, further changes have been made on the coaching staff. Billy Jones, who has excellent credentials, will be a welcome addition to the Wolfpack staff. He was an assistant coach at Arizona State last season and at Oregon State before that, and spent two years as head coach at Green River Community College. He played collegiately at Southwest Texas State.
"Billy Jones's versatility will prove useful in many areas," Avent says. "His primary responsibility is going to be infielders and baserunners. I enjoyed watching him work with our players in the fall. I think they responded very favorably to him. He's added a great deal of enthusiasm, but more important, because of the places he's played and coached, he's very much used to winning. He brings a winning attitude, and he'll mesh well with the rest of our coaching staff."
Lawler's move to hitting coach created an opening for a pitching coach, so Avent went out in search of the most highly regarded pitching coach he could find. He came back with one of the best in the business in Bill Kernen, the former head coach at Cal State-Northridge and before that a longtime assistant under Augie Garrido at Cal State-Fullerton. Kernen, who won a national championship with Garrido at Fullerton and has extensive postseason experience both at Fullerton and Northridge, has a reputation for producing tough-minded, disciplined pitchers who work fast, throw strikes to both sides of the plate, field their position, hold baserunners, and - most important - win.
"As soon as we got the opening on our staff, I got on the phone and tried to locate the best pitching coach in the country," Avent says. "I called a lot of my colleagues and people that I was close to out west, and the name that kept popping up was Bill Kernen. Bill had been in retirement for the last five years for various reasons, but had given some thought to getting back into coaching if it was the right situation. Bill and I got together over a 72-hour period, and we decided that this was the right situation for him and the right situation for NC State."
Kernen's coaching credentials are unquestioned. In addition to his experience working with the legendary Garrido, he also helped turn Cal State-Northridge into a championship-caliber program. He led the Matadors to the NCAA Division II College World Series championship game in 1990, his second season on the job, and then guided CSN to a 44-18 record and a No. 10 national ranking in Division I in 1991, making him the only coach ever to take his team to a top 10 finish in its first year at the Division I level.
"I think our players and our program are going to benefit because he not only brings to NC State a wealth of experience, but a lot of credibility and a lot of wins," Avent says. "He brings a national championship, a ring, and he knows what it takes to get there. He's been to Omaha and the College World Series several times and he knows what it takes to get that done. He made his reputation as not only one of the best pitching coaches in the country, but as an excellent recruiter as well. I think part of the reason for that is that he knows what it takes to win."
Kernen inherits a pitching staff that lost more than 250 innings and 17 victories from 2001, but with seniors Mike Sollie and Ryan Combs, and juniors Daniel Caldwell and Derek McKee the Wolfpack does have an experienced nucleus of pitchers returning. The success of the pitching staff will probably revolve around how well a pair of talented freshmen fit in, and how quickly three lefthanders bounce back from a year off due to shoulder surgery. Assuming the Wolfpack has enough healthy pitchers, Kernen's mission will be to mold them into a successful staff. If history is any guide, that mission will be accomplished.
"We're excited about the things we've done to make us a better ballclub," Avent says. "We were close to winning the ACC championship last year at the end and couldn't pull it off. I think with the addition of some personnel and with the work ethic from the whole body of people on our coaching staff, as well as strength coaches and support staff, I think we have a chance to have a very good season."
* Searching For A Rotation
Heading into 2001, Avent felt that the strength of his pitching staff would come from the sophomore and junior classes. Instead, the senior trio of Jason Blanton, Josh Miller and Corey Mattison emerged as the Wolfpack's most reliable hurlers down the stretch. Those three have all signed professional contracts, as has junior lefthander Dan D'Amato, leaving NC State with some very unexpected holes to fill for 2002. Miller was money in the bank out of the bullpen, winning five games and saving six, while Blanton, D'Amato and Mattison combined to start 30 games and win 12.
"We lost four outstanding pitchers to professional baseball, Avent says. "Obviously we have some holes to fill, but we have a number of guys who are capable of stepping up and filling that void."
Despite the personnel losses, last year's sophomores and juniors are now juniors and seniors. Junior righthander Daniel Caldwell (5-5, 5.16) will be the Pack's opening day starter for the second year in a row, while junior righthander Derek McKee (3-4, 4.92) and senior righthanders Mike Sollie (3-1, 5.44, 3 saves) and Ryan Combs (3-4, 5.56) all have considerable experience. Between them, Sollie and Combs have made 129 appearances on the mound, and racked up 22 wins and five saves.
"Daniel Caldwell, Mike Sollie, Ryan Combs and Derek McKee are veterans and need to step up and have big years as juniors and seniors," Avent says.
The remainder of the staff might not take shape until the season actually gets underway, thanks to the uncertainty surrounding three lefthanders coming off a year of inactivity due to shoulder surgery. Lefthander Daryl Minugh, a junior college transfer from Fresno City (Calif.) Community College, was back to 100 percent in the fall and will compete for innings.
Sophomores Mike Prochaska and Nate Cretarolo did not pitch in the fall, although both are expected to be ready when the season begins on February 3. In particular, a healthy return from Prochaska, a Freshman All-American two years ago when he batted .350 and won four games on the mound, would be a huge lift. An 11th-round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins in 1999, Prochaska has as much upside as anyone on the pitching staff.
"How well Minugh, Prochaska and Cretarolo can come back for us is a huge key," Avent says. "Those three are not just good pitchers, they're lefthanders, which are so valuable."
Senior Kyle Stephenson is another lefthander who could help the Wolfpack this spring. Stephenson has made 41 appearances in his career, mostly in relief, and brings experience to the staff.
The Wolfpack also will count on a quartet of newcomers. Freshmen Phil Davidson and Mike Rogers both pitched well in the fall, and while they will be brought along slowly, both are expected to assume significant roles as true freshmen. Ben Hager (Appalachian State) and Brian Ross (Oklahoma State) are transfers from four-year schools who could fit into a variety of roles and should add some versatility to the staff.
* Morton A Fixture Behind The Plate
Unlike the pitching staff, there is little uncertainty regarding the Wolfpack's everyday lineup, starting at catcher. Sophomore Colt Morton (.260-12-42) added sock to the lineup last season, setting a school record for home runs by a freshman, and provided stellar defense and leadership from behind the plate. After the graduation of Dan Mooney in 2000, catcher was a question mark heading into the 2001 season. Heading into 2002, catcher is an exclamation point for the Wolfpack, thanks largely to Morton, but also to a solid group of backups.
Senior Sammy Esposito (.207-2-8), junior Justin Riley (.239-8-28) and redshirt freshman Conor Clougherty all played well in the fall, giving the Pack a trio of dependable catchers should Morton need a break.
"We feel very good about our situation behind the plate," Avent says. "Colt Morton had an exceptional year as a freshman last year. He's one of the top players in the ACC and one of the keys for our team is keeping him healthy because I think he makes us a better team when he's in there. Justin Riley and Sammy Esposito have been back there and are a year older and have worked real hard to get better defensively. Conor Clougherty has made improvement from his true freshman year. So we have four guys back there that we feel have made improvement."
* Reconfiguring The Infield
Just how NC State will line up around the infield is another question mark, but there are answers available. The key will be fitting the right pieces of the puzzle together. The first order of business in the fall was replacing third baseman Sean Walsh, a senior who was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies. Avent took care of that by shifting junior leadoff hitter Jeremy Dutton (.328-3-36, 12 steals) from second base back to third, where he played as a freshman in 1999.
"We lost a very good third baseman in Sean Walsh," Avent says. "We've moved Jeremy Dutton to third base and we hope not only that he can give us the offensive and defensive production that Sean gave us, but that he can step it up and give us a better year than Sean Walsh did. Jeremy is a junior now and he's certainly capable of that after working very hard this fall."
Dutton showed marked improvement both of his first two years in the program, and by the end of last season he was a consistent force at the top of the lineup. He continued to rake the ball in the fall, and should be ready for a breakout season in 2002.
Chad Orvella, a slick gloveman from Columbia Basin (Wash.) Community College, will give NC State defensive stability that it has not had at shortstop since Adam Everett left following the 1996 season. Offensively, while Orvella does not figure to be a big run producer, he is a solid situational hitter with good bat control. Defensively, he makes all the plays at shortstop and will definitely make the Pack a better team defensively.
"Chad is our best shortstop in many years," Avent says. "He's a smart, mature player, a junior college transfer who has an outstanding combination of intelligence and skills. He's as sound fundamentally as anyone, he loves to play the game, and he plays hard on every play. He'll make all the routine plays defensively and an occasional spectacular play, but he'll also be your defensive quarterback out there. He's a lot like [former catcher] Dan Mooney was in the way he thinks the game. He was a very important recruit for us and fills a hole that we've been trying to fill for several years."
Flanking Orvella at second base will be either junior Adam Hargrave, junior Dustin Murphy or freshman Josh Coyle. Murphy, who transfered to NC State in January, brings experience as well as ability to help stabilize and add depth to the middle of the infield. Hargrave provides the Wolfpack a seasoned hand at second and more steady play defensively. Coyle has shown promise as a freshman, but still lacks the consistency needed to play in the middle of the diamond at the college level.
"Second base is obviously one of our concerns," Avent says. "We hadn't planned on moving Jeremy Dutton from second base to third, but we saw in the fall that we had a hole there and we needed Jeremy to go to third base. He did that and had a good fall, but it left a hole at second base. Now, somebody has to step up there.
"Second base is such an important position because it's one of those positions up the middle of your defense. You have to have a performer there every day who is very steady and thinks the game and knows the game. Second base has become an offensive position as well. You can't have mistakes at that position. Somebody is going to have to step up in the spring and show us he can be that type of player, and right now it's a bit of a concern to our ballclub."
First base could be the most competitive position for the Wolfpack. Sophomore David Hicks (.260-1-23) started 45 games there as a true freshman a year ago, and Justin Riley (.239-8-28) is capable of playing first base as well as catcher. In addition, Mike Prochaska (.350-1-37 as a freshman in 2000) could be a factor at first base and designated hitter. First base is his natural position when he's not pitching, and he could definitely be in the mix at first base.
"We're talking about the same players at first base in David Hicks and Justin Riley, two guys who are a year older and wiser, and a year more mature in knowing what it takes to be successful at this level," Avent says. "Mike Prochaska just gets it done. I've seen him at first base, I've seen him in right field, I've seen him come in and pitch in a crucial situation, and I've seen him come up in tough situations at the plate. Mike is a competitor. If we get Mike back on the mound and in the lineup, that instantly makes us a better ballclub."
* Wright Anchors Veteran Outfield
Unlike the infield, NC State's outfield should be a bit more stable. Two starters return from last year, led by two-time All-ACC left fielder Brian Wright (.347-10-62). Despite playing with an injured elbow for three years, Wright has been one of the most lethal offensive players in the conference, and he enters his senior year as one the the Wolfpack's all-time great performers. Through his first three seasons at NC State, Wright is ranked 10th in school history in career at-bats and runs scored, seventh in career hits, doubles and total bases, and 11th in home runs and ninth in runs batted in. His .359 career batting average, still subject to fluctuation, currently ranks 10th in school history.
"Offensively, we have one of the top players in the ACC coming back in Brian Wright," Avent says. "Offensively, he's put up the numbers for us every year. He's played through injuries for three years and last year he was really banged up and put numbers up. Brian is certainly one of the keys for our ballclub. I think he will put up big offensive numbers, but he also has made himself a much better defensive and all-around player."
Center fielder Joe Gaetti (.256-6-26) started 47 games as a true freshman, and he got stronger and played better as the season progressed. Gaetti capped his season with a remarkable performance at the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, batting .333, belting four home runs and driving in 10 runs in NC State's seven games in the tournament.
"When you talk about Joe Gaetti, you're talking about a player who went through some growing pains as a freshman, showed signs of greatness and showed signs of how tough it is to play as a freshman in this league," Avent says. "By the end of the year, had we won the ACC championship, I think he would have been the MVP of the tournament. Joe had a great finish for us. He has tremendous power and he had a good summer playing in the Coastal Plain League. He works extremely hard. He's tremendously dedicated."
The starter in right field will be determined in preseason practice in January. Senior Matt Butler (.309-0-14), an infielder in junior college, moved to the outfield last season and has made a strong case for himself to start in right field.
"Matt moved to outfield with Sean Walsh playing so well at third base for us last year," Avent says. "He gave us some depth in the outfield and produced some clutch hits. Matt's a very clutch player. He played some pretty solid outfield until he got injured in the Wake Forest series and was unable to return. Matt's come back from that injury and showed signs of playing solid defense. If he continues to get stronger, Matt has the potential to put up some good offensive numbers, which you need from a corner outfielder."
The Wolfpack has a pair of freshmen, Marc Maynor and Chas Pippett, who will provide depth and challenge Butler for the starting nod in right field. Maynor is a true center fielder with good speed and defensive skills, while Pippett is a true corner outfielder with some pop in his bat. Both freshmen look to prove they are ready to play right away.
