Early Look: Yarmouth-Dennis

YARMOUTH-DENNIS RED SOX
Manager: Scott Pickler
2008 Record:18-25-1

We all knew it had to end at some point. We didn’t know it would end like it did last year for the Y-D Red Sox.

After winning back-to-back league championships, the Red Sox never got off the ground last summer and finished with the worst record in the Eastern Division. It shouldn’t have been all that surprising. In a summer league with heavy turnover, one year means very little for the next. For a Y-D team with few returnees, that was especially true.

But as unsurprising as it was, I’m guessing it was still jarring for the Y-D camp.

You can bet Scott Pickler and Co. are geared up for a return to form.

Five players are set to come back from last year’s squad and they’ll team up with a deep group of productive sophomores and some highly-touted freshman. Though the four Team USA invites could take some of the luster off, I think right now, the Red Sox are in better position than they were last year.

The pitching staff struggled last year, with Y-D’s best starter posting a 3.43 ERA. If Anthony Ranaudo and Trevor Bauer don’t go to Team USA, you’ve got two potential aces who should be able to better that number. Even if those two are gone, sophomores Chris Sale, Greg Holle, Austin Ross and returnee Tyler Waldron are primed to step in. A couple of big-name freshman, Brett Mooneyham and Michael Palazzone, could also make a big splash.

At the plate, the Red Sox return Josh Rutledge and Andy Wilkins, two players who would have made last year’s Cape all-freshman team, if there was such a thing. For all the big bats ticketed for the Cape this summer, few teams have two hitters coming back with solid Cape League track records like Rutledge and Wilkins. When you mix in great seasons from guys like Austin Wates, Derek Ingui, Mickey Wiswall and Nick Santomauro, with the potential for breakout seasons from freshmen like Ben McMahan and Chase Davidson, you’ve got the makings of a solid lineup.

As is the case for every team, how it all comes together will be the key. In Y-D’s championship seasons, the fact that things came together perfectly was as important to the equation as talent.

The Red Sox will be hoping the 2009 equation can yield a similar product.

Roster Rundown
Returning Players: 5
Juniors: 2
Sophomores: 18
Freshmen: 10

Notable

• I think Anthony Ranaudo was one of my five to be excited about last year, but this year, I’m more excited — and hopeful that he doesn’t go to Team USA. Ranaudo has been a prospect for awhile, but he has truly broken out this season. His strikeout numbers alone — 138 in 102 innings — make him perhaps the top-performing sophomore pitcher in the country. With those numbers in the book and his 6’7 frame, he’ll be one of the most-talked about prospects on the Cape this year if he makes it.
• Ranaudo’s teammate Austin Ross is also set to come to Y-D, and he’s had a great sophomore season as well. Ross is part of a real solid-looking group of starters on the Y-D roster.
• One member of that group is Chris Sale, who looks like a pretty intriguing prospect. A 6’6 lefty, he put up really good numbers for Florida Gulf Coast this season. I’m sure he’s already drawn plenty of attention from scouts, but with a big summer, he’ll get even more looks.
• In Trevor Bauer, Brett Mooneyham and Michael Palazzone, the Red Sox have three highly-touted freshman who are currently on different places in the spectrum. Bauer was still in high school for last year’s draft but graduated early and promptly became the Pac 10 Freshman of the Year. Mooneyham was a major name in last year’s draft and he showed some great flashes this year, with 72 strikeouts in a starting role. Palazzone, another big name for the draft, has sort of been eased in at Georgia, where he didn’t make a single start.
• Come draft time, watch for Mike Belfiore’s name. From what I’ve read, Belfiore has some draft helium, so he’s likely to go pretty early. If he doesn’t sign right away, Y-D will be getting an elite closer.
• Whether Belfiore comes or not, the closer spot should be taken care of. Kevin Rhoderick has been Oregon State’s closer for two years, with a lot of success.
• If Cal State Fullerton keeps rolling in the tournament, that probably increases the chance that Christian Colon would end up with Y-D, rather than Team USA. Go Titans? I think so. I saw Colon with Team USA last summer, and he’s fun to watch.
• Nick Santomauro will be an interesting player to watch. He’s the reigning Ivy League Player of the Year, and by all accounts, he can flat-out hit.
• Chase Davidson was a third-round pick last year, but he didn’t have a huge impact in his first year at Georgia. I always like freshman hitters as breakout candidates more than hitters, but a prospect like Davidson could be the exception.
• I wasn’t familiar with the names Mickey Wiswall and Austin Wates before I wrote all this up, but maybe I should have been. Both were big-time performers in the ACC.
• Since I haven’t finished all the previews, I can’t say this for sure, but I think we can pencil in Andy Wilkins as the top returning power hitter in the league.

Five Players I’m Excited to See
1. Anthony Ranaudo
2. Trevor Bauer
3. Andy Wilkins
4. Chris Sale
5. Brett Mooneyham

Pitchers
Trevor Bauer – RHP – 6’1 170 – UCLA – Freshman
*Mike Belfiore – LHP – 6’3 220 – Boston College – Junior
Tyler Burgoon – RHP – 5’10 165 – Michigan – Sophomore
Darrin Campbell – RHP – 6’4 205 – San Diego – RS Sophomore
Danny Coulombe – LHP – 5’11 180 – USA – Freshman
Anthony DeSclafani – RHP – 6’2 175 – Florida – Freshman
Tyler Hess – RHP – 6’5 240 – Pepperdine – Sophomore
Greg Holle – RHP – 6’8 225 – Texas Christian – Sophomore
Brett Mooneyham – LHP – 6’5 230 – Stanford – Freshman
Michael Palazzone – RHP – 6’3 180 – Georgia – Freshman
*Anthony Ranaudo – RHP – 6’7 235 – LSU – Sophomore
Kevin Rhoderick – RHP – 6’0 190 – Oregon State – Sophomore
Austin Ross – RHP – 6’3 190 – LSU – Sophomore
Chris Sale – LHP – 6’6 185 – Florida Gulf Coast – Sophomore
*Tyler Waldron – RHP – 6’1 190 – Oregon State – Sophomore

Trevor Bauer – RHP – 6’1 170
UCLA
Freshman

Bauer came to UCLA without the post-draft hype of fellow freshman pitcher Gerrit Cole, but that’s mostly because he wasn’t eligible for it: He had just completed his junior year in high school at last year’s draft. Bauer was on pace to graduate from high school early, and he took his baseball career with him, enrolling at UCLA in January after graduating high school in December. Now, he’ll head to the Cape this summer — or Team USA — with his own share of buzz. Bauer ended up with better numbers than Cole in most every category this year, going 9-3 with a team-best 2.99 ERA. He struck out 92 and walked 27 in 105.1 innings, and also finished off four complete games. Those numbers earned Bauer Pac 10 Freshman of the Year honors.

Mike Belfiore – LHP – 6’3 220
Boston College
Junior

Belfiore played for Y-D last year but is listed as a temp this year, probably because he’s likely to get drafted in the early rounds. After striking out 21 and walking just four in 14 innings for Y-D last summer, Belfiore served as BC’s closer and put up great numbers. He saved nine games and struck out 59 in 48.1 innings. Baseball America has him ranked 89th in the country for the upcoming draft.

Tyler Burgoon – RHP – 5’10 165
Michigan
Sophomore

Burgoon pitched in relief for Michigan this season, turning in a 4-2 record, a 4.86 ERA and three saves. He struck out 32 in 37 innings of work. Burgoon was also a reliever last year, when he finished with an identical 4.86 ERA and five saves.

Darrin Campbell – RHP – 6’4 205
San Diego
RS Sophomore

After redshirting his freshman year, Campbell compiled a 4.08 ERA last year while pitching mostly out of the bullpen. He went for more of a swing role this year, with eight of his 14 appearances coming as starts. He finished the year with a 5.16 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 52.1 innings.

Danny Coulombe – LHP – 5’11 180
USC
Freshman

Coulombe was a 17th-round pick last year who was considered a tough sign. He did indeed honor his commitment to USC, but an injury kept him out for a good chunk of his freshman year. He finished the year with just four appearances. He struck out 13 in eight innings.

Anthony DeSclafani – RHP – 6’2 175
Florida
Freshman

DeSclafani got picked by the Red Sox in the 22nd round of last year’s draft, but stuck with Florida, where he’s had a decent first season for the Super Regional-bound Gators. Pitching both in relief and in a starting role, DeSclafani went 6-3 with a 4.98 ERA. He struck out 47 and walked 16 in 65 innings.

Tyler Hess – RHP – 6’5 240
Pepperdine
Sophomore

Hess posted good strikeout numbers in his freshman year then was tabbed as the Central Illinois Collegiate League’s top prospect last summer, showing off electric stuff. This year, his ERA was high again for the Waves, but he struck out 29 in 24.2 innings. He also walked 21, which goes a long way in explaining the plus-seven ERA.

Greg Holle – RHP – 6’8 225
Texas Christian
Sophomore

As imposing a presence as there is in college baseball, Holle has turned in two solid seasons in Fort Worth. After posting a 4.50 ERA last year, Holle has gone 5-2 with a 3.89 ERA this year, while pitching mostly as a starter. He has tallied 26 strikeouts in 41.2 innings. Holle was a 35th-round pick out of high school.

Brett Mooneyham – LHP – 6’5 230
Stanford
Freshman

Mooneyham was rated by Baseball America as the 78th best prospect in the nation for last year’s draft, but his initial scouting report that he might be considered an impossible sign. On draft day, Mooneyham dropped to the 15th round, where San Diego took a shot. Mooneyham did indeed stick with his commitment to Stanford, and he turned in pretty good numbers this season. He finished with a 6-3 record, a 4.14 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 67.1 innings. On the negative side, Mooneyham walked 54.

Michael Palazzone – RHP – 6’3 180
Georgia
Freshman

Palazzone wasn’t too far behind Mooneyham in the rankings last year, coming into the draft as the nation’s 139th-best prospect, according to Baseball America. He ended up going in the 18th round but opted to head for Georgia. This season, Palazzone pitched exclusively out of the bullpen, and though he finished with a 5.13 ERA, he struck out 43 and walked only 15 in 33.1 innings.

Anthony Ranaudo – RHP – 6’7 235
LSU
Sophomore

An 11th-round pick in 2007, Ranaudo came to LSU with as much hype as any pitcher in the country last year, but he didn’t get much of a chance to show off: an injury limited him to 12 innings last season. After LSU’s postseason run ended, Ranaudo joined Y-D and didn’t have a great summer, finishing with a 6.63 ERA. But this spring, everything has clicked for Ranaudo. With the Tigers heading to a Super Regional, Ranaudo is 9-3 with a 3.09 ERA and 138 strikeouts against 42 walks in 102 innings. That’s the third-highest total in the nation, behind Stephen Strasburg and Mike Leake. Pretty good company. Ranaudo has been invited to team USA.

Kevin Rhoderick – RHP – 6’0 190
Oregon State
Sophomore

Rhoderick was on Y-D’s roster last summer before making Team USA. He didn’t pitch for either team, though, because of an injury. An 18th-round pick in 2007 who earned Freshman All-American honors last year, Rhoderick reprised his role as Oregon State’s closer this year and finished with nine saves. He struck out 33 and walked 15 in 23.2 innings.

Austin Ross – RHP – 6’3 190
LSU
Sophomore

Ross had a very good freshman season while pitching out of the bullpen last year, and over the summer, he was picked as the second-best prospect in the Central Illinois Collegiate League. He got off to fantastic start in LSU’s rotation, and he’s currently toting a 4.94 ERA with 72 strikeouts and 20 walks in 78.1 innings.

Chris Sale – LHP – 6’6 185
Florida Gulf Coast
Sophomore

With his build, Sale certainly carries that projectable tag, and he’s got the production to match in his college career, particularly this season. After putting up big strikeout numbers in a relief role as a freshman, Sale moved into the rotation this year and went 7-4 with a 2.72 ERA. He struck out 104 and walked just 27 in 89.1 innings. Last summer, Sale was ranked by PG Crosschecker as the 12th-best prospect in the Northwoods League.

Tyler Waldron – RHP – 6’1 190
Oregon State
Sophomore

After spending his freshman year at Pacific, Waldron pitched for Y-D last year and had a pretty good summer for himself. He ended up making four starts and four relief appearances and finished the season with a 2.92 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 37 innings. He transferred to Oregon State for his sophomore season and went 6-4 with a 4.15 ERA as a weekend starter. He struck out 70 in 93.1 innings.

Position Players

Micah Gibbs – C/1B – 5’11 200 – LSU – Sophomore
Ben McMahan – C – 6’0 201 – Florida – Freshman
Christian Colon – SS – 6’0 180 – Cal State Fullerton – Sophomore
Chase Davidson – INF – 6’5 225 – Georgia – Freshman
Tyler Hanover – 2B/3B – 5’7 165 – LSU – Freshman
Derek Ingui – 3B/OF – 6’2 200 – Franklin Pierce – Sophomore
*Josh Rutledge – INF – 6’1 190 – Alabama – Sophomore
Jake Schlander – INF – 6’2 190 – Stanford – Sophomore
Austin Wates – INF – 6’1 186 – Virginia Tech – Sophomore
Jerico Weitzel – INF – 5’11 185 – Florida – Freshman
*Andy Wilkins – 1B/3B – 6’1 225 – Arkansas – Sophomore
Mickey Wiswall – INF – 6’1 205 – Boston College – Sophomore
Jonathan Jones – OF – 5’11 185 – Long Beach State – Sophomore
Nick Santomauro – OF – 6’2 205 – Dartmouth – Junior
Steven Selsky – OF/3B – 6’1 200 – Arizona – Freshman

Micah Gibbs – C/1B – 5’11 200
LSU
Sophomore

Gibbs was one of the best freshmen in the country last year and he helped carry the Tigers to Omaha, hitting .322 with two home runs and 35 RBI. Last summer, he went with Team USA and hit .264. This spring, Gibbs has batted .291 with six home runs and 38 RBI.

Ben McMahan – C – 6’0 201
Florida
Freshman

McMahan was one of the top prep catchers in the country last year and he got drafted in the 30th round by the Yankees. He decided to head to Florida, where he hasn’t had much of a chance to make an impact. He has played in only 18 games and has put up three hits.

Christian Colon – SS – 6’0 180
Cal State Fullerton
Sophomore

A 10th-round pick out of high school, Colon was ticketed for Orleans last summer, but he joined Team USA instead and was the only player to start every game. A defensive wiz, Colon is getting his bat in gear as well. After hitting .263 for Team USA, Colon has hit .351 this spring with seven home runs and 35 RBI. He has been invited to Team USA again.

Chase Davidson – INF – 6’5 225
Georgia
Freshman

Part of a very highly-touted recruiting class, Davidson made it to campus in Athens despite getting picked in the third round of last year’s draft. A big left-handed swinger with a high ceiling, Davidson wasn’t a regular for the Bulldogs this year. He got 31 starts and hit .231 with three home runs.

Tyler Hanover – 2B/3B – 5’7 165
LSU
Freshman

Hanover was the Gatorade Player of the Year in North Carolina last year and he has made an immediate impact in Baton Rouge. Starting 52 games, Hanover has hit .315 with four home runs and 44 RBI.

Derek Ingui – 3B/OF – 6’2 200
Franklin Pierce
Sophomore

A native of Sterling, Mass., Ingui started college at the University of Tampa but transferred to Franklin Pierce before last season. He has had two very good years for the Ravens. This season, he hit .356 with nine home runs and 47 RBI. He also legged out seven triples and stole 16 bases.

Josh Rutledge – INF – 6’1 190
Alabama
Sophomore

After posting the second-highest average by a freshman in Alabama history, Rutledge delivered a steady summer with Y-D last year. He ended up hitting .294 with a home run and 10 RBI. He had 12 extra-base hits. This spring, Rutledge hit .305 with five home runs and 44 RBI.

Jake Schlander – INF – 6’2 190
Stanford
Sophomore

For the second year in a row, Schlander started every single one of Stanford’s games and, also for the second year in a row, he finished with a .232 average. He had 14 extra-base hits, and in the field, made just nine errors.

Austin Wates – INF – 6’1 186
Virginia Tech
Sophomore

After hitting .324 as a freshman, Wates put together a fantastic sophomore season. He hit .397, second on the team, with five home runs, 28 extra-base hits and 42 RBI. He also stole 16 bases and got caught just once. Listed as a utilityman on the Hokies’ roster, Wates generally played first base this season.

Jerico Weitzel – INF – 5’11 185
Florida
Freshman

Weitzel was a 27th-round pick out of high school, but like his Gator teammate McMahan, he’s had a tough time grabbing a starting job in Gainesville. Weitzel has started only 15 games, though he has become a regular defensive replacement at third base and has seen action in 54 games. He’s hitting .208.

Andy Wilkins – 1B/3B – 6’1 225
Arkansas
Sophomore

After getting drafted in the 25th round out of high school, Wilkins delivered a real solid freshman season and carried it over to the Cape, where he hit .271 and led Y-D in home runs and RBI. This spring, Wilkins has been Arkansas’ top hitter, with a .329 average, 17 home runs and 51 RBI. All of those are team-bests.

Mickey Wiswall – INF – 6’1 205
Boston College
Sophomore

Boston College’s lineup featured ’08 Y-D star Tony Sanchez, a likely early-round pick in June, but Wiswall wasn’t far behind him in terms of production. While starting at third base, Wiswall hit .320 with 14 home runs, 31 extra-base hits and a team-high 63 RBI. Wiswall is a native of Stoneham, Mass.

Jonathan Jones – OF – 5’11 185
Long Beach State
Sophomore

As a freshman last year Jones posted Long Beach’s second-best average and was honorable mention All-Big West. This season, Jones hit .307 with a home run, 23 RBI and 15 stolen bases. Jones is the nephew of Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard.

Nick Santomauro – OF – 6’2 205
Dartmouth
Junior

Santomauro added another chapter to a great career at Dartmouth by taking home Ivy League Player of the Year honors this spring. He hit .372 for the Big Green with eight home runs and 40 RBI. Last summer, Santomauro hit .286 and was an all-star for the Newport Gulls of the NECBL.

Steven Selsky – OF/3B – 6’1 200
Arizona
Freshman

Selsky was a sought-after recruit and he delivered a great first season for the Wildcats. He finished with a .318 average, seven home runs, 17 extra-base hits and 21 RBI.

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