Brewster Whitecaps
Manager: Tom Myers
2010 Record: 26-17-1
Nobody started the 2010 season hotter than Brewster, who went 11-3 out of the gates. Unfortunately for the Whitecaps, it was a tough pace to maintain. Anthony Ranaudo, who garnered headlines early in the summer, left early and so did a few other key players. The Whitecaps still had Drew Martinez raking and Andrew Gagnon pitching well, but it wasn’t enough. They finished just behind Y-D in the final standings and lost to Orleans in the playoffs.
Still, it was an impressive season for the Whitecaps, who built one of the league’s best pitching staffs on the fly and had several offensive players step up in a big way.
They may need more of that this year. Where some Cape teams are stacked with big 2012 draft prospects and hyped freshmen, Brewster is a little light in that department. That certainly doesn’t mean they’re in for a tough year — just that players without as much of a track record might have to shoulder a big load.
But the Whitecaps do have some nice pieces. Returning pitchers Jake Barrett and Luke Bard look primed for breakout seasons, while Jon Berti brings some Cape League experience to the lineup.
And, as always, the “mights” and “mays” are key words. This time last year, we didn’t know Ranaudo was going to be on the Cape. We didn’t know Martinez or Gagnon would turn into all-stars. So a lot can change.
Maybe Brewster starts hot again. Right now, I wouldn’t make that pick, but June might tell a very different story.
Roster Rundown
Returning Players: 3
Juniors: 4
Sophomores: 12
Freshmen: 6
Five Players I’m Excited to See
1. Jake Barrett
2. Luke Bard
3. Chase Anselment
4. Jon Berti
5. Ryan Jones
Notable
Pitchers
*Luke Bard – RHP – 6’2 191 – Georgia Tech – Sophomore
*Jake Barrett – RHP – 6’3 219 – Arizona State – Sophomore
Chris Bates – LHP – 6’5 190 – Richmond – Freshman
Tony Bucciferro – RHP – 6’3 200 – Michigan State – Junior
Scott Griggs – RHP – 6’4 205 – UCLA – Sophomore
Jordan John – LHP – 6’3 200 – Oklahoma – RS Freshman
Daniel Langfield – RHP – 6’2 196 – Memphis – Sophomore
Patrick Lowery – RHP – 6’5 195 – Columbia – Junior
T.J. Oakes – RHP – 6’5 215 – Minnesota – Sophomore
Cayle Shambaugh – LHP/OF – 6’0 195 – Oklahoma – Freshman
Billy Soule – RHP – 6’1 170 – Minnesota – Sophomore
Drew Steckenrider – RHP/OF – 6’5 215 – Tennessee – Sophomore
Austin Voth – RHP – 6’1 189 – Washington – Freshman
Luke Bard – RHP – 6’2 191
Georgia Tech
Sophomore
A 16th-round pick out of high school and the brother of Red Sox reliever Daniel, Luke Bard came to Georgia Tech and to the Cape last year with plenty of expectations. He ended up struggling a bit for Tech and had an ERA over seven. In Brewster, he was a little better but still had an ERA over four. So far in his second season in Atlanta, it looks like Bard has taken the leap. As Tech’s closer, he has six saves, a 3.58 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 37.2 innings. I would expect a similar jump for Bard’s second season in Brewster.
Jake Barrett – RHP – 6’3 219
Arizona State
Sophomore
A third-round pick out of high school, Barrett has been a prospect to watch since day one with the Sun Devils. He was a key pitcher out of the bullpen last year then came to Brewster and pitched well, compiling a 1.35 ERA in 10 relief appearances. Like his Brewster teammate Bard, Barrett has taken on a bigger role this season, but his jump has been to the starting rotation. It’s been a good move — Barrett is 7-3 with a 3.98 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 72.1 innings. Barrett has been ranked as the fifth-best player in his class by Baseball America.
Chris Bates – LHP – 6’5 190
Richmond
Freshman
Bates was picked in the 15th round of last year’s draft but stuck with Richmond. He’s been solid in his debut with a 4.91 ERA while both starting and relieving. He ranks second on the team with 41 strikeouts in 47.2 innings.
Tony Bucciferro – RHP – 6’3 200
Michigan State
Junior
Bucciferro had a decent first two years in East Lansing but made a bigger impression last summer in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, where he posted a 0.82 ERA, struck out almost a batter an inning and earned first-team All-League honors. This spring, Bucciferro has built on that campaign, going 7-2 with a 3.38 ERA. He has struck out 46 in 80 innings but has flashed great control with just 12 walks.
Scott Griggs – RHP – 6’4 205
UCLA
Sophomore
With a blazing fastball, Griggs was a highly-ranked prospect coming out of high school but was considered a tough sign and went to UCLA. He saw limited action in his first year and didn’t pitch great in the West Coast Collegiate League. But he was still impressive enough last summer to get picked as the league’s fourth-best prospect by Baseball America. Griggs has made eight appearances so far this year and has a 5.40 ERA. Control remains his biggest issue — he has walked 21 and struck out 20 in 16.2 innings.
Jordan John – LHP – 6’3 200
Oklahoma
RS Freshman
John sat out last season after Tommy John surgery but has come back with a vengeance this season. In 15 appearances — five starts — he’s 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 38.2 innings. That sounds like a pretty impressive return.
Daniel Langfield – RHP – 6’2 196
Memphis
Sophomore
Langfield is a native of Somerset, Mass., so he’ll be coming close to home this summer. And it looks like he’ll be coming back off a pretty solid season. While Langfield is just 2-3 with a 4.61 ERA, he has struck out 78 in 70.1 innings.
Patrick Lowery – RHP – 6’5 195
Columbia
Junior
Lowery was the Ivy League Pitcher of the Year in 2010, when he went 5-3 with a 3.46 ERA. This year has been more of a struggle. Lowery has been the Friday starter and is 1-5 with a 4.62 ERA. He has struck out 37 in 48.2 innings but has also walked 31.
T.J. Oakes – RHP – 6’5 215
Minnesota
Sophomore
The son of Gopher pitching coach Todd Oakes, T.J. has made his dad proud this season. After earning third-team all-conference honors a year ago, Oakes has been a regular starter for the Gophers and is 5-5 with a 3.53 ERA. He has 44 strikeouts in 71.1 innings.
Cayle Shambaugh – LHP/OF – 6’0 195
Oklahoma
Freshman
A two-way star, Shambaugh has focused on pitching in Norman, with some success. He has only pitched in 10 games, but he’s 1-0 with a 4.38 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 12.1 innings. As for the offense, Shambaugh only has one at-bat.
Billy Soule – RHP – 6’1 170
Minnesota
Sophomore
After a solid first season for Minnesota last year, Soule has picked up where he left off this season. He’s second on the team with 16 appearances and has a 3.72 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 29 innings.
Drew Steckenrider – RHP/OF – 6’5 215
Tennessee
Sophomore
Steckenrider has had his struggles at the plate and on the mound in his first two years in Knoxville, but he does flash some pretty good peripheral numbers. Despite a 6.33 ERA this year, Steckenrider has 35 strikeouts in 29.1 innings.
Austin Voth – RHP – 6’1 189
Washington
Freshman
Despite his youth, the freshman Voth has started more games than any other Husky pitcher this season. He’s been a little up and down, though, with a 2-4 record and a 5.34 ERA He does have 48 strikeouts against only 15 walks.
Position Players
J.J. Altobelli – INF – 6’1 190 – Oregon – Sophomore
Chase Anselment – C – 6’1 208 – Washington – Sophomore
Jon Berti – INF – 5’10 175 – Bowling Green University – Junior
Jamie Bruno – 1B – 6’0 215 – LSU – Junior
Taylor Davis – C/3B – 5’10 200 – Morehead State – Junior
Danny Hayes – INF – 6’4 205 – Oregon State – Sophomore
Ryan Jones – 2B – 5’10 170 – Michigan State – RS Sophomore
Tanner Nivins – OF – 5’10 195 – Stony Brook – Sophomore
Trace Tam Sing – SS – 5’11 174 – Washington State – Freshman
Andrew Toles – OF – 5’10 185 – Tennessee – Freshman
J.J. Altobelli – INF – 6’1 190
Oregon
Sophomore
As mentioned above, Altobelli will join his father — assistant coach John Altobelli — in a Brewster uniform this summer. Last year, J.J. was an honorable mention all-conference performer, but he’s hit a sophomore slump this year. Altobelli is hitting .197.
Chase Anselment – C – 6’1 208
Washington
Sophomore
Anselment has a great debut with the Huskies last year, hitting .347 with six home runs. He followed that up with a solid summer in the West Coast League, where he was named the second-best prospect by Baseball America. Anselment hasn’t had quite as much success this spring. He’s hitting .234 with three home runs.
Jon Berti – INF – 5’10 175
Bowling Green University
Junior
Berti had one of the best seasons in school history a year ago, hitting .423 with four homers and 29 stolen bases. He made his way to Brewster last summer and didn’t hit as well, but was still a solid contributor for the Whitecaps. This spring, Berti is hitting .356 and has stolen 17 bases.
Jamie Bruno – 1B – 6’0 215
LSU
Junior
Bruno transferred from Tulane after two seasons with the Green Wave, so he’s sitting out this season. Bruno played in the Northwoods League last summer and popped 10 home runs.
Taylor Davis – C/3B – 5’10 200
Morehead State
Junior
After getting picked in the 49th-round out of high school, Davis has steadily turned himself into one of the best players in his conference, particularly this season. He hit .350 last year and has upped that to .399 this year. He also has 12 doubles and 15 home runs. Considering those numbers and the fact that he’s a catcher, Davis looks like a small-school breakout candidate.
Danny Hayes – INF – 6’4 205
Oregon State
Sophomore
After hitting .284 as a freshman, Hayes has been solid again this year. He’s hitting .277 with three homers, 10 doubles and 33 RBI. He also has a .410 on-base percentage.
Ryan Jones – 2B – 5’10 170
Michigan State
RS Sophomore
After a redshirt year, Jones burst onto the scene last spring when he hit .380 and earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. From there, Jones went to the Great Lakes League and was named the 13th-best prospect by Perfect Game. There hasn’t been a drop-off in Jones’ second season with the Spartans. He’s hitting .349 with 14 doubles and 11 stolen bases.
Tanner Nivins – OF – 5’10 195
Stony Brook
Sophomore
Nivins hit .298 last year and was an All-Rookie pick in the America East. This year, he’s at .316 with 14 doubles, three triples, two homers and 33 RBI.
Trace Tam Sing – SS – 5’11 174
Washington State
Freshman
Tam Sing was an All-Stater in Bellevue, Wash., and has had a decent first year with the Cougars. He’s hitting .245.
Andrew Toles – OF – 5’10 185
Tennessee
Freshman
Toles was one of the highest unsigned picks in the 2010 draft, a fourth-rounder by the Marlins. He opted for Tennessee, where he’s had a solid first season. Starting all but two games, Toles has hit .258 with 10 doubles, 23 RBI and 19 stolen bases. Coming into the season, Toles was ranked as the 27th-best freshman in the nation by Baseball America.