Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Position Breakdown: Middle infield defensive strength
1/20/2016 12:11:00 PM | Baseball
Delgado, Sullivan provide solid combo
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The four players who figure to make up the middle infield for Middle Tennessee have played in 39 combined games and made 20 collective starts during their college careers.
On a team with limited experience, the middle infield may be the least experienced area of the squad.
Kevin Sullivan, who has the inside track on the starting job at second base, is the only Blue Raider in the mix who has started a college game and he has all 20 starts amongst the group. Junior transfer Riley Delgado figures to be the opening-day starter at shortstop, sophomore Conner Moss and freshmen Austin Dennis and Drew Huff are also in the mix.
Despite all of the inexperience at such key positions, Middle Tennessee Head Coach Jim McGuire confident the middle infield with be one of the strengths of a team that figures to hang its cap on pitching and defense.
"Defensively, I believe (our middle infield) will be one of the strengths of the team," said McGuire, the 2015 C-USA Coach of the Year. "I like the way the players performed in the fall. When we have an opportunity to turn the double play we have to do that, and I feel comfortable with those guys doing that."
There is cause for McGuire's optimism.
If you do have to overhaul the middle infield, it helps to do so with a junior college All-American who also happens to be the National Defensive Player of the Year in Delgado, whose older brother, Dustin, played middle infield for the Blue Raiders in 2014 and 2015.
The smooth-fielding shortstop did not make an error as a sophomore shortstop at Columbia State, where he won a Gold Glove in 2015 and was named NJCAA National Defensive Player of the Year. Delgado hit .370 with 43 runs scored and nine stolen bases as a sophomore.
"Riley Delgado is a plus defender and that's why he's here," McGuire said. "He and Sullivan give us a great combination and those other can mix in. Riley is very polished in what he does. I feel most comfortable with him at shortstop. He may not make the ESPN highlight play all of the time, but he will make routine plays. I want the pitchers to feel confident that when they get a ground ball hit to shortstop, he will pick it up and get the out."
Delago demonstrated as much during a flawless fall in which he did not make an error during the Blue-White World Series or during intrasquad action.
"Riley had to go out there and prove himself on the field, and he did that in the fall," McGuire said. "His pitchers and teammates want to see that and know he's going to be the guy. I want him to make the routine play and run the show in the middle infield. He has given everyone confidence he can do that."
Sullivan provided such confidence as a freshmen when he platooned in the infield and earned 20 starts. He gained the assurance of teammates by demonstrating constant improvement and delivering in the clutch down the stretch.
Sullivan started the last eight games, including all four in the C-USA Championship. He hit safely in five of his last six games, including a three-game hit streak in the C-USA Championships. Improved hitting was paramount for the hard-working Sullivan. His defensive prowess has never been in question as he displays a strong arm and great range up the middle.
"Sullivan got some really, really good experience at the end of last season and he continued to develop thru the summer," McGuire said. "He's ready. He's ready to be the everyday guy. I also think he has a chance to contribute offensively. With Sullivan's speed we need him on base. He is one of our best runners, straight speed-wise. He is outstanding defensively, and I think he will be a contributor offensively as well."
Moss is another sophomore who McGuire believes has a bright future. Moss was healthy for the first time in the fall and had a good offensive showing.
"(Moss) has fought injuries his whole career, from high school until now," McGuire said. "He's improved and continued to get better with every aspect of his game. I believe the summer really helped him, as far as reps, and traveling with the team last year. He understands better what it's all about."
Dennis burst onto the scene in the fall. He hit .611 (11-for-18) in the Blue-White World Series and led all hitters offensively. He has range and athleticism but his versatility also provides an opportunity to play multiple positions and get on the field in some capacity sooner. In order to stay in the middle infield, Dennis will need to work on his consistency.
Huff is another freshman who worked at multiple positions in the fall and could push for opportunities.
Next week: Corner infielders
On a team with limited experience, the middle infield may be the least experienced area of the squad.
Kevin Sullivan, who has the inside track on the starting job at second base, is the only Blue Raider in the mix who has started a college game and he has all 20 starts amongst the group. Junior transfer Riley Delgado figures to be the opening-day starter at shortstop, sophomore Conner Moss and freshmen Austin Dennis and Drew Huff are also in the mix.
Despite all of the inexperience at such key positions, Middle Tennessee Head Coach Jim McGuire confident the middle infield with be one of the strengths of a team that figures to hang its cap on pitching and defense.
"Defensively, I believe (our middle infield) will be one of the strengths of the team," said McGuire, the 2015 C-USA Coach of the Year. "I like the way the players performed in the fall. When we have an opportunity to turn the double play we have to do that, and I feel comfortable with those guys doing that."
There is cause for McGuire's optimism.
If you do have to overhaul the middle infield, it helps to do so with a junior college All-American who also happens to be the National Defensive Player of the Year in Delgado, whose older brother, Dustin, played middle infield for the Blue Raiders in 2014 and 2015.
The smooth-fielding shortstop did not make an error as a sophomore shortstop at Columbia State, where he won a Gold Glove in 2015 and was named NJCAA National Defensive Player of the Year. Delgado hit .370 with 43 runs scored and nine stolen bases as a sophomore.
"Riley Delgado is a plus defender and that's why he's here," McGuire said. "He and Sullivan give us a great combination and those other can mix in. Riley is very polished in what he does. I feel most comfortable with him at shortstop. He may not make the ESPN highlight play all of the time, but he will make routine plays. I want the pitchers to feel confident that when they get a ground ball hit to shortstop, he will pick it up and get the out."
Delago demonstrated as much during a flawless fall in which he did not make an error during the Blue-White World Series or during intrasquad action.
"Riley had to go out there and prove himself on the field, and he did that in the fall," McGuire said. "His pitchers and teammates want to see that and know he's going to be the guy. I want him to make the routine play and run the show in the middle infield. He has given everyone confidence he can do that."
Sullivan provided such confidence as a freshmen when he platooned in the infield and earned 20 starts. He gained the assurance of teammates by demonstrating constant improvement and delivering in the clutch down the stretch.
Sullivan started the last eight games, including all four in the C-USA Championship. He hit safely in five of his last six games, including a three-game hit streak in the C-USA Championships. Improved hitting was paramount for the hard-working Sullivan. His defensive prowess has never been in question as he displays a strong arm and great range up the middle.
"Sullivan got some really, really good experience at the end of last season and he continued to develop thru the summer," McGuire said. "He's ready. He's ready to be the everyday guy. I also think he has a chance to contribute offensively. With Sullivan's speed we need him on base. He is one of our best runners, straight speed-wise. He is outstanding defensively, and I think he will be a contributor offensively as well."
Moss is another sophomore who McGuire believes has a bright future. Moss was healthy for the first time in the fall and had a good offensive showing.
"(Moss) has fought injuries his whole career, from high school until now," McGuire said. "He's improved and continued to get better with every aspect of his game. I believe the summer really helped him, as far as reps, and traveling with the team last year. He understands better what it's all about."
Dennis burst onto the scene in the fall. He hit .611 (11-for-18) in the Blue-White World Series and led all hitters offensively. He has range and athleticism but his versatility also provides an opportunity to play multiple positions and get on the field in some capacity sooner. In order to stay in the middle infield, Dennis will need to work on his consistency.
Huff is another freshman who worked at multiple positions in the fall and could push for opportunities.
Next week: Corner infielders
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