Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Blue Raiders conclude promising fall camp
11/7/2017 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – With the conclusion of the annual Blue-White World Series and fall training camp, Head Coach Jim McGuire has had some time to gauge the Blue Raiders' progress and potential for the upcoming season.
"(The newcomers) meshed well with the returning guys," said McGuire. "That was the most important thing, because it's such a big group. And they showed they belonged, they picked up on things we were trying to do."
At the start of fall camp McGuire noted that one of the most interesting storylines to follow would be the position battles. Specifically, who would emerge as the catcher when February rolls around?
Although nothing has been decided, sophomore Aaron Antonini showed a lot of promise both defensively and offensively.
"(Aaron) had the most experience from last year of any of the guys, and he has improved." McGuire noted. "There are some things he has to work on as well, but I thought he was receiving a lot better.
"He's got to continue to work on his blocking, but he's a good offensive player when he's in there."
Antonini paced all hitters on Team White during the BW-WS with a .375 batting average. He also displayed a peek into his power potential, logging several extra-base hits including a home run in game five of the series. But McGuire emphasized that no decision has been made behind the plate, saying that if the season started today, they would alternate catchers until the best piece comes forward.
Elsewhere on the field, Kevin Sullivan led all hitters on either team in average during the Blue-White World Series, amassing a .429 batting average. He also showed tremendous patience at the plate, logging four walks.
"He (Sullivan) is definitely the utility guy. I just feel confident that he could play second, third or shortstop. I wouldn't be afraid to put him any place except for behind the plate," McGuire said. "He had a really good fall, offensively. He's learning the strike zone more, he's always been a guy that takes a lot of pitches, but this fall when he got pitches to handle, he did something with them. I think that's been the difference."
Although the hitters performed well all fall, the pitching staff stole the show during the series. In two appearances (game one start and game four relief) JuCo transfer Andy Rivera threw eight innings only allowing four hits and zero earned runs.
Jake Wyrick had equally impressive outings during the Blue-White, going 7-2/3 innings in two appearances while only allowing two hits and one earned run. Wyrick struck out 13 batters as well. As a group during the Blue-White, both pitching staffs had a combined six outings of at least three innings pitched while allowing one earned run or less.
"Overall, it's been one of the most consistent falls from the pitching staff as far as throwing strikes and getting guys out." McGuire said.
New pitching coach Caleb Longshore noted that, from his perspective, the fall was an evaluation period. Now that he's seen all of his staff in game-type scenarios, guys can step into their offseason program to get better.
"Everybody's got a little bit different of a plan in the offseason," Longshore said. "Some guys will continue to see live action, some guys are going into an arm strength phase and some guys are going to work on developing better breaking balls."
The Blue Raiders will continue to work out individually with the coaching staff for the remainder of the calendar year heading into January in preparation for the 2018 campaign.
"(The newcomers) meshed well with the returning guys," said McGuire. "That was the most important thing, because it's such a big group. And they showed they belonged, they picked up on things we were trying to do."
At the start of fall camp McGuire noted that one of the most interesting storylines to follow would be the position battles. Specifically, who would emerge as the catcher when February rolls around?
Although nothing has been decided, sophomore Aaron Antonini showed a lot of promise both defensively and offensively.
"(Aaron) had the most experience from last year of any of the guys, and he has improved." McGuire noted. "There are some things he has to work on as well, but I thought he was receiving a lot better.
"He's got to continue to work on his blocking, but he's a good offensive player when he's in there."
Antonini paced all hitters on Team White during the BW-WS with a .375 batting average. He also displayed a peek into his power potential, logging several extra-base hits including a home run in game five of the series. But McGuire emphasized that no decision has been made behind the plate, saying that if the season started today, they would alternate catchers until the best piece comes forward.
Elsewhere on the field, Kevin Sullivan led all hitters on either team in average during the Blue-White World Series, amassing a .429 batting average. He also showed tremendous patience at the plate, logging four walks.
"He (Sullivan) is definitely the utility guy. I just feel confident that he could play second, third or shortstop. I wouldn't be afraid to put him any place except for behind the plate," McGuire said. "He had a really good fall, offensively. He's learning the strike zone more, he's always been a guy that takes a lot of pitches, but this fall when he got pitches to handle, he did something with them. I think that's been the difference."
Although the hitters performed well all fall, the pitching staff stole the show during the series. In two appearances (game one start and game four relief) JuCo transfer Andy Rivera threw eight innings only allowing four hits and zero earned runs.
Jake Wyrick had equally impressive outings during the Blue-White, going 7-2/3 innings in two appearances while only allowing two hits and one earned run. Wyrick struck out 13 batters as well. As a group during the Blue-White, both pitching staffs had a combined six outings of at least three innings pitched while allowing one earned run or less.
"Overall, it's been one of the most consistent falls from the pitching staff as far as throwing strikes and getting guys out." McGuire said.
New pitching coach Caleb Longshore noted that, from his perspective, the fall was an evaluation period. Now that he's seen all of his staff in game-type scenarios, guys can step into their offseason program to get better.
"Everybody's got a little bit different of a plan in the offseason," Longshore said. "Some guys will continue to see live action, some guys are going into an arm strength phase and some guys are going to work on developing better breaking balls."
The Blue Raiders will continue to work out individually with the coaching staff for the remainder of the calendar year heading into January in preparation for the 2018 campaign.
Players Mentioned
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