Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Position Breakdown: Jarreau anchors Blue Raider outfield
2/11/2016 12:25:00 PM | Baseball
Unit possesses depth in 2016
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Conversations regarding Middle Tennessee's outfield generally start with Brad Jarreau.
The junior outfielder is the one known in an outfield of unknowns entering the 2016 campaign, which begins with a three-game home series against Indiana, Feb. 19-21.
Jarreau started all 59 games in right field as a sophomore and performed at a high level. He earned second-team All C-USA honors and caught the attention of coaches throughout the tough league as evidenced by being named Preseason All C-USA this season.
"Now everybody knows about Brad," Middle Tennessee Head Coach Jim McGuire said. "We have known about Brad for two years but now they all know about him. He is one of our leaders at the plate and in the outfield. For us to be successful he is going to have to have another big year."
Jarreau (5-foot-9, 185 pounds) had a remarkable breakout season as a sophomore when he finished sixth in C-USA for batting average (.338), fourth in hits (81), ninth in runs scored (45), and he had at least one hit in 49 of the 59 games played.
The well-rounded Jarreau proved to be strong in the clutch, hitting .400 with runners in scoring position. He was perfect with runners on third and less than two outs, getting the runner home all 15 times the opportunity presented itself. Jarreau had a .651 rate advancing runners.
If not for the outlandish contributions of fellow outfielder Ronnie Jebavy in 2015, Jarreau likely would have been the talk of C-USA where Middle Tennessee was concerned. Jarreau, the son of Sid and Sandra, had 23 multi-hit games, including three four-hit games, which led the team. He was among national leaders in hits (73rd) and toughest to strikeout (71st).
"Brad is definitely one of our leaders and he is leader by example type of guy," McGuire said. "He's not very vocal but his work ethic and all of those qualities he brings rubs off on the rest of the team."
The outfield landscape will change for Jarreau in 2016 when he makes the move from right field to center field for the first time. Middle Tennessee utilized the same starting outfield for all 59 games in 2016 with Jared Allen in left, Jebavy in center and Jarreau in right.
That consistency will not be realized in 2016, at least in the early portion of the schedule. The only known is Jarreau is the everyday starter in center.
Just because there will be a lot of new faces in different places doesn't mean Middle Tennessee doesn't have depth in its outfield. In fact, it is just the opposite.
"Last year we used the same starters in the outfield every game and never deviated from that," McGuire said. "That will not be the case this year. This is the most depth we have ever had in the outfield, which is the number of guys we have confidence can go out there and play. There is still a lot of competition as to who is going to be out there every day so they know they have to prove themselves day-in and day-out."
Early indications would point toward Kaleb King (6-2, 183) having the inside track on the starting job in left field, and freshman Austin Dennis (5-11, 165) the frontrunner in right.
King primarily served as a designated hitter last season when he started 31 games. He had at least one hit in 17 games. He had three three-hit games and led the Blue Raiders to a clutch win against LA Tech, going 3-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored.
Though King did not log any starts in the outfield last season, he did face C-USA pitching and that should prove to be an asset for him.
"King brings the experience of having the opportunity to play and swing the bat over the last two years," McGuire said. "He faced some of the top pitchers in the league and in non-conference games and such that allow him to have success at the plate. He has made great strides in the outfield."
Dennis brings outstanding range and a strong arm to the outfield. He also brings a strong bat to the lineup.
The freshman standout had an exceptional fall offensively and possesses the skill to be an extraordinary outfielder.
"Dennis is an exciting player who can run and make things happen," McGuire said. "He has good instincts in the outfield. I think he has an opportunity to be a contributor as a defender, as well as from the offensive side."
Andrew Cash is a fifth-year senior who hasn't played a great deal due to injury, but he has finally been given a clean bill of health and has enjoyed a good preseason. He could be utilized as a defensive replacement, or his bat may also get him more opportunities.
Blake Benefield is another freshman who turned heads in the fall. Benefield continues to hone his skills defensively in the outfield; however, his powerful bat will get him opportunities early. Drew Huff is another freshman whose versatility could get him on the field sooner than later. He has worked in the infield and outfield.
Expect Shane Connahan, Darrell Freeman, Phillip Kunsa and Manuel Lopez to factor into the mix as well.
NEXT: Relief pitchers
The junior outfielder is the one known in an outfield of unknowns entering the 2016 campaign, which begins with a three-game home series against Indiana, Feb. 19-21.
Jarreau started all 59 games in right field as a sophomore and performed at a high level. He earned second-team All C-USA honors and caught the attention of coaches throughout the tough league as evidenced by being named Preseason All C-USA this season.
"Now everybody knows about Brad," Middle Tennessee Head Coach Jim McGuire said. "We have known about Brad for two years but now they all know about him. He is one of our leaders at the plate and in the outfield. For us to be successful he is going to have to have another big year."
Jarreau (5-foot-9, 185 pounds) had a remarkable breakout season as a sophomore when he finished sixth in C-USA for batting average (.338), fourth in hits (81), ninth in runs scored (45), and he had at least one hit in 49 of the 59 games played.
The well-rounded Jarreau proved to be strong in the clutch, hitting .400 with runners in scoring position. He was perfect with runners on third and less than two outs, getting the runner home all 15 times the opportunity presented itself. Jarreau had a .651 rate advancing runners.
If not for the outlandish contributions of fellow outfielder Ronnie Jebavy in 2015, Jarreau likely would have been the talk of C-USA where Middle Tennessee was concerned. Jarreau, the son of Sid and Sandra, had 23 multi-hit games, including three four-hit games, which led the team. He was among national leaders in hits (73rd) and toughest to strikeout (71st).
"Brad is definitely one of our leaders and he is leader by example type of guy," McGuire said. "He's not very vocal but his work ethic and all of those qualities he brings rubs off on the rest of the team."
The outfield landscape will change for Jarreau in 2016 when he makes the move from right field to center field for the first time. Middle Tennessee utilized the same starting outfield for all 59 games in 2016 with Jared Allen in left, Jebavy in center and Jarreau in right.
That consistency will not be realized in 2016, at least in the early portion of the schedule. The only known is Jarreau is the everyday starter in center.
Just because there will be a lot of new faces in different places doesn't mean Middle Tennessee doesn't have depth in its outfield. In fact, it is just the opposite.
"Last year we used the same starters in the outfield every game and never deviated from that," McGuire said. "That will not be the case this year. This is the most depth we have ever had in the outfield, which is the number of guys we have confidence can go out there and play. There is still a lot of competition as to who is going to be out there every day so they know they have to prove themselves day-in and day-out."
Early indications would point toward Kaleb King (6-2, 183) having the inside track on the starting job in left field, and freshman Austin Dennis (5-11, 165) the frontrunner in right.
King primarily served as a designated hitter last season when he started 31 games. He had at least one hit in 17 games. He had three three-hit games and led the Blue Raiders to a clutch win against LA Tech, going 3-for-3 with a home run and two runs scored.
Though King did not log any starts in the outfield last season, he did face C-USA pitching and that should prove to be an asset for him.
"King brings the experience of having the opportunity to play and swing the bat over the last two years," McGuire said. "He faced some of the top pitchers in the league and in non-conference games and such that allow him to have success at the plate. He has made great strides in the outfield."
Dennis brings outstanding range and a strong arm to the outfield. He also brings a strong bat to the lineup.
The freshman standout had an exceptional fall offensively and possesses the skill to be an extraordinary outfielder.
"Dennis is an exciting player who can run and make things happen," McGuire said. "He has good instincts in the outfield. I think he has an opportunity to be a contributor as a defender, as well as from the offensive side."
Andrew Cash is a fifth-year senior who hasn't played a great deal due to injury, but he has finally been given a clean bill of health and has enjoyed a good preseason. He could be utilized as a defensive replacement, or his bat may also get him more opportunities.
Blake Benefield is another freshman who turned heads in the fall. Benefield continues to hone his skills defensively in the outfield; however, his powerful bat will get him opportunities early. Drew Huff is another freshman whose versatility could get him on the field sooner than later. He has worked in the infield and outfield.
Expect Shane Connahan, Darrell Freeman, Phillip Kunsa and Manuel Lopez to factor into the mix as well.
NEXT: Relief pitchers
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