Mike Kaffee
Hurricanes Baseball Reporter
mike@gablesinsider.com
Week one concluded today with 8 innings of rain-free baseball. Once again, the start time was moved to 1030 to accommodate the scrimmage. 8 pitchers were on display pitching two innings each. Of the eight, two of the pitchers were returnees (Brian Walters,Slaide Naturman) and the remaining 6 joined us via the portal. I must hand it to JD reaching out across the country, trying to find the best candidates available. A total of 21 pitchers has been added to the roster. We have quantity compared to last year. Hopefully, we have the quality to go along with these numbers.
The long-awaited return of Brian Walters graced us with the opening 2 innings of today’s scrimmage. He definitely did not disappoint. Not throwing at the speed we saw prior to his injury (high 90s), he was throwing in the lower part of the spectrum. Still, at 92-93, the control was still there. Last year a few got by him for bombs but overall he was the prospect of being one of our best. All 7 batters he faced made contact with the ball, but other than one single (Bobby Marsh), not a ball left the infield. This year he’s a top candidate as being the best. That is if he stays healthy.
Brian’s opposite number on the mound was Griffin Hugus, a junior transfer from Cinn. Like Brian, no runs were put on the board also facing 7 batters but unlike Brian no hits, one walk with 3 strikeouts. I would put him on the plus side of the ledger for as a possible starter.
Alex Giroux, Grad student, last stop: Hawaii. Hails from Oregon and had stops at Lake Oswego, Washington, Clark before traveling across the country looking for a home at the Light. Nolan Johnson gave him a warm Gable’s greeting opening with a lead-off single. Alex returned the favor getting Renzo Gonzalez to hit into a line drive DP to second. Caught Nolan halfway to second before he realized the ball was caught. His second inning, Alex wants to blink from his memory. His teammates bounced on him missing out on a single to complete the cycle. Started the inning having Fabio Peralta ground out 4-3. Then home town favorite, Edgardo Villegas gave him a warm Cane welcome clearing the RF fence for Edgardo’s first of the preseason and the initial score for the day. Daniel Cuvet looking and still looking for his first hit grounded out 6-3. Todd Hudson which I described yesterday as a terror at the plate almost saw his second HR in as many days but had to settle for a triple off the left-field wall. Jake Kulikowski followed with a double of his own for the second run of the inning. Evan Taveras trying to complete the cycle with a single had to settle for reaching first with a walk. Brian DeGoti played with Alex fouling balls off before flying out to left to end the inning and ending What could have been a rarely seen cycle, disappointing the fans in attendance.
Alex’s opposite number was Jackson Cleveland, a senior transfer from Lamar. Hailing from Texas, like Alex he made pitstops at Deer Park and North Central(wherever they may be) before settling into the tropics. Another good acquisition not giving up a run taking care of business with two strikeouts in his first inning and two more in his second. Put a star next to his name.
The third set of pitchers started with Carson Fischer, another grad student traveling from Michigan for the warmer climate. His last stop was at Davenport Univ out of Grand Rapids. A cool welcome with Jake Ogden welcoming him with a double off the top of the fence in right. Carson then proceeded to hit Derek Williams putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Settled down striking out Nolan Johnson and what should have been a DP ending inning ended instead with one run scoring on the relay from Brandon DeGoti’s throw to first into the dirt, getting by Hudson at first. I don’t know if this was Todd’s regular position at Liberty but is listed as a two-way player as OF/pitcher at Liberty. I am assuming playing first is new for him. He does appear awkward at first and his 6’6″ frame stretches a long ways, however, defensively I prefer Renzo Gonzalez at the position. Way to early to say but Hudson would be a great choice as our DH. After the error and unearned run, he struck out Alex Kuenzle. Jackson added to the scoreboard by facing off against Max Galvin who belted out the second HR of the day via the RF fence. He retired the next three batters to complete his day.
Reese Lumpkin, grad from Winthrop Univ. SC. Overall quiet appearance on the mound with no runs in either of his two innings. One reaching with a walk in the first and a single in the second joined by a pair of strikeouts.
The final two pitchers of the day gave us a preview as to who might be our closer this season. Of all our pitchers he is the only one going submarine chasing. Will Smith, not our submariner, and another grad student from Coastal Carolina paired off with our submariner Slaide Naturman, one of our few returnees. Will ran into complications in his second inning after only a walk relinquished in his first. His second inning opened with an infield single to Alex Kuenzle who stole second, walked Bobby Marsh. Runners on 1st and 2nd, Alex steals third and the throw by Nolan Johnson went airmail, E2, scoring Alex from 3rd.Our catchers, all three, are something we have a lot to worry about. All three are wild in their throws. I don’t feel comfortable at this point with any one of them behind the plate. Again only week one, and there is a long road before opening day, but this is one position that needs to be dealt with. The book on them will read: that they are easy to steal on. This is something we don’t want in their playbooks. Will walked the next batter, Bobby Marsh, before putting to rest Jake Ogden and Derek Williams via the K.
The final appearance of the day, Slaide Naturman; returnee. Sporting a side arm delivering from a low position gave an entirely new look for our hitters and hopefully from those we will play. Of the seven batters faced 4 struck out (Dorian,DeJesus,Edgardo,and Daniel) with a lone single by Todd Hudson. A nice stat for a Closer.
The bats were a bit stronger today belting out three HRs(Edgardo Villegas, Max Galvin, and Elijah Hurt). All tolled 11 hits recorded. Besides the three HRs, one triple( Todd Hudson), and two doubles(Jake Kulikowski,Jake Ogden). Todd Hudson, the only batter with multiple hits: 2-4(HR,RBI)’
A lot to digest for the first week. Hopefully, everything in the weeks to come will start falling into place and will give us a better look on our position players and starting pitchers. Pitching is wide open with so much to choose from, unlike last year. I haven’t said we have turned a corner but things look a lot better than last year; pitching-wise. The HR power is beginning to raise its head and as the season progresses might be seeing a lot more flying over the fences. From a wet start on Friday, it turned out to be a good beginning. There is still a lot of work to be done.
Next scrimmage Wed. Time is yet to be determined.
