Early Look: Brewster

Brewster Whitecaps
Manager: Tom Myers
2009 Record: 17-22-5

The Brewster Whitecaps haven’t been able to put it all together in recent summers. After finishing third in 2007, they were off the pace in 2008 and 2009. Last year, they tied five games, which had to be more than a little frustrating.

As they try to put it all together this year, the Whitecaps will be starting from a pretty good spot, with a foundation of veterans.

Sort of.

The Whitecaps have just one returning player — talented Miami sophomore Harold Martinez — but there are only four freshmen on the roster. The experience is deepest in the crop of position players, where there’s just one freshman.

In a league where good pitching often beats good hitting, having so many veteran backs should really help the cause. Martinez and Troy Channing figure to lead the offense, but the Whitecaps appear to have a lot of depth. I don’t know how many stars are out there, but based on college seasons, the roster has a lot of solid hitters.

The pitching staff — like almost everybody’s at this point — is a little light on players with a lot of starting experience. But guys like Jake Barrett and Bryce Bandilla look like talented arms who are just waiting to take center stage.

All in all, I like how Brewster’s roster shapes up. The pitching probably won’t be overpowering but if things fall the right away, it should be good enough. And the offense has the experience and some versatility. The Whitecaps have a few power hitters and a few leadoff-type hitters. That could be a good recipe.

In the end, it’ll come down to what it always comes down to: teams have to execute.

If they can do that, the Whitecaps have put themselves in a position to shine.

Roster Rundown
Returning Players: 1
Juniors: 2
Sophomores: 22
Freshmen: 4

Notable

Among draft-eligible sophomores who are slated for the Cape in 2010, UC Riverside catcher Rob Brantly might go the highest. (Zack Cox would have been that guy, but he’s a projected top-10 pick and isn’t even on the Cotuit roster anymore). Brantly surged into the prospect landscape with a big summer in the Northwoods League last year. He’s ranked 127 on Baseball America’s Top 200 draft prospects.

Troy Channing had a remarkable freshman season for St. Mary’s last year when he hit .379 with 20 home runs. He was one of those guys who burst onto the scene and wasn’t a huge prospect coming in, which is probably why he wasn’t on a Cape League roster last summer. He’s slated for Brewster and is definitely a player to watch, though he didn’t have quite as big a season this year.

Georgia Tech’s Luke Bard will be the third Bard brother to play on the Cape, joining Daniel (Wareham ’05) and Jared (Brewster ’09). Luke was a 16th-round pick out of high school.

Miami third baseman Harold Martinez was one of the freshman I was most excited about last summer. He ended up hitting .236 for Brewster but flashed some power with four homers. This year, he tied for the ACC lead in home runs with 19.

Baseball America ranked Arizona State’s recruiting class third in the nation heading into the season. At the top of the list was pitcher Jake Barrett, who’s set for Brewster this summer. As I understand it, it was a bit of a surprise that the third-round pick even ended up on campus. He’s been a reliever all spring, but I could see him starting for the Whitecaps.

Brewster could end up with a strong back end of the bullpen much like the one that helped Ole Miss grab a two-seed in a regional. Or exactly like it. Matt Crouse and Brett Huber have been impressive in the late innings for the Rebels and both are ticketed for Brewster.

Mike Palazzone was one of the top prep arms in the 2008 draft, but he has struggled at Georgia. We’ll see if he finds his way on the Cape.

The Whitecaps have four freshmen on the roster. With Brantly a likely high pick, they might be down to three, but that’s still a lot. It’ll be interesting to see how it works out.

Brewster also has a lot of strength on the left side of its infield. Andy Burns, Taylor Featherston and Kirk Singer have been solid shortstops in their careers, while Channing and Martinez should be two of the best third basemen on the Cape.

In Chris Ellison, Drew Martinez and Nathan Melendres, the Whitecaps have three speedy outfielders who have stolen a lot of bases this spring. All three have hit well, too, so they may get some chances to run.

Freshmen don’t always get a chance to make a big impact at Texas. When I started doing research on freshman Cohl Walla, I expected to see decent numbers in spot duty. Instead, the toolsy outfielder has been one of the best hitters on a talented Longhorns squad.

Five Players I’m Excited to See
1. Troy Channing
2. Harold Martinez
3. Jake Barrett
4. Rob Brantly
5. Cohl Walla

Pitchers

Bryce Bandilla – LHP – 6’4 232 – Arizona – Sophomore
Luke Bard – RHP – 6’2 180 – Georgia Tech – Freshman
Jake Barrett – RHP – 6’4 235 – Arizona State – Freshman
Adam Conley – LHP – 6’3 178 – Washington State – Sophomore
Matt Crouse – LHP – 6’4 173 – Ole Miss – Sophomore
Jake Floethe – RHP – 6’3 205 – Cal State Fullerton – Junior
Andrew Gagnon – RHP – 6’4 190 – Long Beach State – Sophomore
Brett Huber – RHP – 6’2 209 – Ole Miss – RS Freshman
Matt Larkins – RHP – 6’1 225 – UC Riverside – Junior
Austin Lubinsky – RHP – 6’1 195 – Minnesota – Sophomore
Chris Matulis – LHP – 6’5 213 – LSU – Sophomore
Colton Murray – RHP – 6’1 202 – Kansas – Sophomore
Mike Palazzone – RHP – 6’2 183 – Georgia – Sophomore

* – returning player
(Stats as of June 2)

Bryce Bandilla – LHP – 6’4 232
Arizona
Sophomore

Bandilla was a 28th-round pick out of his California high school in 2008. He headed to Arizona and has had a decent go of it so far. He struggled a bit while pitching out of the bullpen last year but he’s been better as a sophomore. He’s made 26 appearances — six starts — and he has a 4.22 ERA to go with 67 strikeouts in 74.2 innings.

Luke Bard – RHP – 6’2 180
Georgia Tech
Freshman

The brother of Major Leaguer — and former Gateman — Daniel Bard and former Whitecap Jared Bard, Luke comes in as a highly-touted freshman. He was a 16th-round pick of the Red Sox last year so he could have played in the same system as his brother, but he opted to stick with Georgia Tech. By some measures, he has struggled this year with an ERA over seven. But he does have 25 strikeouts in 26.2 innings.

Jake Barrett – RHP – 6’4 235
Arizona State
Freshman

Barrett was a third round pick by Tampa last year and he became one of the highest unsigned picks in the country when he opted for Arizona State. Though he hasn’t made a single start for the Sun Devils, he’s been outstanding in a relief role. In 26 appearances, Barrett has a 3.29 ERA with 42 strikeouts and just nine walks in 27.1 innings.

Adam Conley – LHP – 6’3 178
Washington State
Sophomore

Conley didn’t have great numbers last year but he set a school freshman record for appearances. He’s been trotted out just as frequently this year, but with much more impressive results. Pitching as the closer for the regional-bound Cougars, Conley has 11 saves and a 3.13 ERA. In 60.1 innings, he has struck out 41 and walked 17.

Matt Crouse – LHP – 6’4 173
Ole Miss
Sophomore

Crouse played for former Hyannis manager Rick Robinson at Young Harris College last year. He transferred to Ole Miss and has made an immediate impact. Doing a little bit of everything, Crouse has posted a 5-1 record, a 3.12 ERA and an impressive 58 strikeouts in 52 innings.

Jake Floethe – RHP – 6’3 205
Cal State Fullerton
Junior

Floethe was a member of Fresno State’s magical national championship run in 2008. He made eight appearances and led the Bulldogs in ERA last year but transferred to Fullerton after the season. He is sitting out this season per NCAA transfer rules.

Andrew Gagnon – RHP – 6’4 190
Long Beach State
Sophomore

Gagnon has been starting since day one for Long Beach and he turned into the team’s most reliable option this year. After posting an ERA over six as a freshman, Gagnon led all Long Beach starters in ERA this season at 3.28. He struck out 65 in a team-high 93.1 innings.

Brett Huber – RHP – 6’2 209
Ole Miss
RS Freshman

Huber redshirted last year after Tommy John surgery but has come back strong and teamed up with Crouse to give the Rebels a dynamic back end of the bullpen. He has 12 saves, a 2.54 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 46 innings of work. Last summer, Huber pitched in the Prospect League and was picked by Baseball America as that league’s third-best prospect.

Matt Larkins – RHP – 6’1 225
UC Riverside
Junior

Larkins had a strong sophomore season while pitching out of the bullpen last year, compiling a 4-2 record and a 3.86 ERA. Larkins pitched almost full-time as a starter this season with mixed results. He finished with a 6-5 record and a 5.34 ERA.

Austin Lubinsky – RHP – 6’1 195
Minnesota
Sophomore

Lubinsky was a solid option out of the bullpen as a freshman and has pitched well for the Big 10 champion Gophers this season. The sophomore has made nine appearances and six starts. He’s 1-2 with a 4.85 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 26 innings.

Chris Matulis – LHP – 6’5 213
LSU
Sophomore

A 48th-round pick out of high school, Matulis showed flashes of his potential as a mid-week starter last year, finishing with a 4.82 ERA. He hasn’t quite reached the potential as a starter this year. He’s 5-3 with a 5.33 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 54 innings.

Colton Murray – RHP – 6’1 202
Kansas
Sophomore

Murray has put up solid relief numbers at every stop since arriving at Kansas. As a freshman, he made 33 appearances, struck out a batter an inning and finished with a 3.23 ERA. After a strong summer in the NECBL, Murray put up a 4.83 ERA this year with 36 strikeouts in 31.2 innings.

Mike Palazzone – RHP – 6’2 183
Georgia
Sophomore

Palazzone was one of the top prospects in the country as a high-schooler and he was drafted in the 18th round in 2008. He hasn’t put up great numbers at Georgia yet. After going 3-0 with a 5.13 ERA as a freshman, Palazzone moved into the weekend rotation this year. He went 4-6 with an 8.66 ERA.

Position Players

Rob Brantly – C – 6’2 200 – UC Riverside – Sophomore
Mike Dowd – C – 5’9 215 – Franklin Pierce – Sophomore
Tyler Ogle – C – 5’10 180 – Oklahoma – Sophomore
Jeremey Schaffer – C – 6’1 205 – Tulane – Sophomore
Andy Burns – SS – 6’2 190 – Kentucky – Sophomore
Troy Channing – 3B – 6’0 235 – St. Mary’s – Sophomore
Taylor Featherston – SS – 6’1 175 – TCU – Sophomore
*Harold Martinez – 3B – 6’3 200 – Miami – Sophomore
Nathan Melendres – OF – 5’10 185 – Miami – Sophomore
Kirk Singer – IF – 6’2 165 – Long Beach State – Sophomore
Chris Ellison – OF – 6’2 180 – Oklahoma – Sophomore
Derek Jones – OF – 6’0 213 – Washington State – Sophomore
Drew Martinez – OF – 5’10 170 – Memphis – Sophomore
Danny Oh – OF – 5’11 170 – California – Sophomore
Cohl Walla – OF – 6’3 165 – Texas – Freshman

* – returning player

Rob Brantly – C – 6’2 200
UC Riverside
Sophomore

Brantly is one of the top catching prospects in the country but might not make it to the Cape since he’s a draft-eligible sophomore. The top prospect in the Northwoods League a year ago, Brantly had an impressive sophomore season for Riverside. He batted .373 with seven home runs, 18 doubles and 39 RBI.

Mike Dowd – C – 5’9 215
Franklin Pierce
Sophomore

Dowd was the Northeast 10 Co-Freshman of the Year and he delivered a solid sophomore season as well. A native of East Bridgewater, Mass., Dowd hit .312 this season with six home runs, 14 doubles and 33 RBI. He helped Franklin Pierce to the Division II World Series.

Tyler Ogle – C – 5’10 180
Oklahoma
Sophomore

Ogle didn’t see a lot of action last year but excelled when he did get the chance, hitting .545 as a pinch hitter. After a solid summer in the Texas Collegiate League, Ogle has had a productive sophomore season. With the Sooners set to host a regional, Ogle is hitting .303 with seven home runs, nine doubles and 36 RBI.

Jeremey Schaffer – C – 6’1 205
Tulane
Sophomore

Schaffer burst onto the scene in his freshman season with the Green Wave, hitting .311 and ranking sixth in Conference USA with 14 home runs. This season, Schaffer hit .286 and flashed his power potential again, finishing with 12 homers and 52 RBI.

Andy Burns – SS – 6’2 190
Kentucky
Sophomore

Projected as a third-to-fifth rounder out of high school, Burns made his way to the Northwoods League following his senior season and turned some heads. Despite being only 17 and facing much older competition, Burns was named the league’s ninth-best prospect. At Kentucky, he hit .287 with seven home runs as a sophomore. This year, he hit .271 with 11 home runs.

Troy Channing – 3B – 6’0 235
St. Mary’s
Sophomore

Channing had a remarkable freshman season for St. Mary’s last year. He was the WCC Freshman of the Year and was in the conversation for National Freshman of the Year honors after hitting .379 with 20 home runs, 11 doubles and 75 RBI. He came back to earth a little bit this year but still had a strong season. He hit .310 with 15 homers and 54 RBI.

Taylor Featherston – SS – 6’1 175
TCU
Sophomore

Featherston made an immediate impact as a freshman, starting all 58 games and finishing fourth on the team with a .322 batting average. As a sophomore, he’s picked up where he left off. Featherston has been a mainstay and is hitting .328 with six home runs for the regional host Horned Frogs.

Harold Martinez – 3B – 6’3 200
Miami
Sophomore

Martinez came to Miami with a lot of hype and delivered a solid freshman season, hitting .270 with nine home runs. Over the summer, he hit .236 with four home runs for Brewster. This spring, Martinez has done a little more to live up to the hype. He’s hitting .298 and he tied for the ACC lead with 19 home runs. Martinez was a 19th-round pick out of high school.

Nathan Melendres – OF – 5’10 185
Miami
Sophomore

Like Martinez, Melendres made a decent splash as a freshman and has built on his solid campaign this season. The speedy outfielder is batting .297 with six home runs, 11 doubles and 13 stolen bases.

Kirk Singer – IF – 6’2 165
Long Beach State
Sophomore

After getting picked in the 40th round out of high school, Singer hit .317 as a freshman. He hit .315 this season with five home runs, nine doubles and 21 RBI. He stole five bases.

Chris Ellison – OF – 6’2 180
Oklahoma
Sophomore

Ellison had a solid first season in Norman and played last summer in the Alaska League. This season, he has been a key piece to the puzzle for the regional-bound Sooners. Batting leadoff, Ellison is hitting .331 with four home runs, nine doubles, three triples and 28 RBI. He’s reaching base at a .431 clip and he has stolen 21 bases in 24 attempts.

Derek Jones – OF – 6’0 213
Washington State
Sophomore

Jones batted only .223 as a freshman but he did finish with eight home runs. He’s balanced this things out a little more this season. He’s hitting .300 with a team-best 11 home runs, 10 doubles and 40 RBI. He has also stolen nine bases in 11 attempts, so he has a little speed.

Drew Martinez – OF – 5’10 170
Memphis
Sophomore

Martinez was a member of Conference USA’s All-Freshman team after leading the Tigers in hitting with a .309 average. He didn’t lead the Tigers this year, but that’s only because a teammate hit over .400. Martinez finished at .377 with 10 doubles and five triples. He was 19-for-29 on stolen base attempts.

Danny Oh – OF – 5’11 170
California
Sophomore

A high-school star in Washington, Oh had a big role as a freshman for the Bears and hit .303 with seven home runs. He’s had another solid season this year. He’s hitting .307 with two home runs and 11 doubles as Cal heads to a regional.

Cohl Walla – OF – 6’3 165
Texas
Freshman

Walla was the top-ranked member of a strong Texas recruiting class that joined the team this season. A 43rd-round pick out of high school, Walla has had no trouble cracking a lineup — and making an impact — for the powerhouse Longhorns. He’s hitting .332, good for third on the team. He also has eight home runs, 12 doubles and 13 stolen bases.