2017 season is here!!
New faces and big shoes to fill
Northwest will have to fill the void left by Derek Meyer at Catcher, Nick Gotta at short stop, and Carson Smith as the closer. With those Bearcats graduating, new opportunities exist for returning veterans and fresh face newcomers.
First, the returning veterans:
Kevin Handzlik did everything for the Bearcats except pitch and drive the bus. Handzlik led the team in offensive production with a .344 batting average, .470 slugging percentage, and .404 on-base percentage. With Gotta's departure, does Handzlik win the starting short stop position? Handzlik played short stop during summer ball in Omaha. How does Coach Loe keep Handzlik's bat in the line-up every game AS WELL AS putting 9 offensive weapons in the line-up to challenge opposing pitchers top to bottom. Judging by the B2R's observations, Handzlik is a natural leader with the maturity, edge, and on-field production to lead the team in 2017. The B2R cannot wait to see where Handzlik plays in the field and hits in the line-up.
Ozzie Adams returns after a fine first season in the MIAA in 2016. Ozzie played second base for Northwest in 2016 and helped fill the offensive and defensive void left by Paul Johnson's graduation after the 2015 season. Ozzie was #2 on the team in offensive production with a .306 batting average, .364 slugging, and .393 on-base percentages. Ozzie was a spark plug last season with lots of energy on the field and in the dug out. The B2R presumes Ozzie will return to second in 2017 but could Coach Loe pencil him in as the starting short stop? Time will tell. I know this, Ozzie will do whatever the coaches tell him with every ounce of effort his 5'9" frame can handle.
James Holler returns as the leading home run hitter for Northwest. James was also third on the team in offensive production with a .300 batting average, .520 slugging percentage, and .361 on-base percentage. James played outfield, third base, and first base, to the B2R's memory in 2016. In the B2R's opinion, he looked good at all three positions. Will Coach Loe put James at third base to keep his reliable glove and arm at the hot corner and bat in the line-up? Or, will Coach put him at first base to stab all the short hops bound to happen in college baseball? The B2R knows he will play where his talents are best displayed. The bigger question about James heading into 2017 is who else will step-up their power production to give Holler protection in the line-up. You see if the opposing pitcher knows a mistake will leave the yard when James is batting, he will likely pitch around him and go after the next guy. If there are multiple power threats in the line-up than an opposing pitcher cannot do that and must challenge James. The B2R will take his chances with the big man, James Holler.
Garrett Fort backed up his solid first year starting with an even better second year. In 2016, Fort hit .295 with a .389 slugging and a .406 on-base percentage will patrolling center field. Fort was the vocal leader for Northwest in 2016. When his energy and enthusiasm were high, so was the rest of the team. If the B2R were to pin point a few spots that must happen for Northwest to have a MIAA championship season in 2017, Garrett Fort's energy, enthusiasm, leadership, and production is absolutely a must.
Kolby Greenslade had a fine season in left field for Northwest in 2016. Kolby hit .282 with a .345 slugging and .350 on-base percentage. Northwest's outfield defense in 2016 was some of the best the B2R has seen in several years at Northwest. Offensively, Kolby and Garrett had to carry the torch in 2016 and will need to continue or improve their production in 2017. Kolby's quiet demeanor in the dug out masks the kind of competitor he is on the outfield. A lot of fun to watch and a great guy to cheer for. Look for Kolby to give Coach Loe some options in outfield to maximize production in 2017.
Jay Hrdlicka had a fine first season for Northwest where he played catcher, DH, and a little first base. Jay's bat was solid even considering adjusting to the level of the MIAA. Jay hit .254 with a .337 slugging and a .350 on-base percentage. Jay will be in the running for starting catcher although I really liked his play at first base too. The great thing about Jay is Northwest can keep his bat in the line-up and play him in a position to maximize offense. I can see Jay's power numbers go up based on his build and confidence.
Aaron Barratt and Austin Wulff split time at right field in 2016. The B2R really wants to see one of them grab the starting job by the horns and force Loe to pencil him in the line-up every day. Aaron had the better offensive year with a .247 batting average, .313 slugging, and .294 on-base percentage. Wulff had a tough year with a .180 batting, .262 slugging, and .271 on-base percentage. Both of them play terrific defense with strong arms to nail the advancing runners. This could be a big jump for Northwest in 2017 with one of these Bearcats making that offensive jump.
On the mound, the big 3 return as your Bearcat starting rotation: Caenepeel, Hietpas, and Roberts. The big 3 combined for 47 starts in 2016, 3 complete games, and approximately 268 innings pitched for Northwest. While Hietpas had the lowest ERA, Caenepeel pitched the most innings on the team and struck-out the most batters. Roberts was third on the team in those categories except he threw the fewest wild pitches. The entire Northwest pitching staff pitched at a 5.26 ERA which was the best team ERA since 2014 and better than 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, and 2006.
In the bullpen, it looks like Nikko Pablo is going to be the closer for Northwest heading into the 2017 season according to an interview of Coach Loe to preview the season. Nikko will be taking over for the hard throwing sinkerballer Carson Smith who graduated in 2016. Veterans Jimmy McElwain, Hondo Pearcy, Bryce Shea, Austin Battaglia, Ross Davis, and Jacob Wagner, will all compete for the 4th starter/mid-week starter, middle relief, and long relief positions. Jimmy McElwain and Hondo Pearcy each had ERAs in the 3s in 2016. Assuming both are healthy they could give Coach Loe a difficult choice for the 4th starter/mid-week starter position.
New guys
Judging by the unscientific observations of the B2R, there are some impressive new guys battling for playing time for the 2017 edition of your Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats baseball team. Here are a few observations although it is not intended to slight those that I may not have seen yet:
Alixon Herrera is a transfer from Cloud County Community College and grew-up in Maracay, Venezuela. A big body strong kid with a million dollar smile has a knack for keeping errant pitches in front of him and throwing the ball point to point. He seems to have made a lot of friends on the team as the whole team was supporting him during Northwest Missouri State's recognition of international students during the fall homecoming festivities.
Landon Figg is a big body third baseman from Higginsville, Missouri, who transferred to Northwest from North Central Community College in Trenton, Missouri. Landon has looked pretty good at third base stopping the ball and throwing strong and accurately to first. Figg has had a terrific fall and spring practice swinging the bat, too.
Luke Hassman stands 6'5" and tips the scale at 250 lbs and could double as a linebacker for your Coach Wright and your Northwest football team. Hassman is listed as a utility player but his size and power says to the B2R to be a corner outfielder or first baseman. Luke transferred to Northwest from Kirkwood Community College which has produced several terrific Bearcats in recent memory.
MIAA baseball coaches pick Northwest to finish 9th in 2017
Apparently the MIAA baseball coaches felt 2016 was a fluke for Northwest and picked them to finish 9th in the conference in 2017. The Bearcats will look to prove the coaches wrong again this season. Judging by the practices, the Bearcats have taken note of the other coaches' thoughts about them.
Charlie Meyer has Northwest ranked as the 8th best NCAA D2 baseball program in the State of Missouri
Charlie graduated from Lindenwood University and was a scout for the Atlanta Braves for a few years. He had a neat article of trying to break down 1-13 the best NCAA D2 baseball programs in the State of Missouri.
In his article, Charlie has a lot of love for the GLVC Conference as Missouri S&T was picked as #2 in the power rankings over the likes of Missouri Southern and Missouri Western. The B2R is an unapologetic advocate for MIAA baseball so the thought of Missouri S&T, UMSL, and Rockhurst being ahead of Missouri Southern and Missouri S&T ranked ahead of Missouri Western seems wrong to the B2R basically because I do not see them finishing in the top 5 of the MIAA. In the end, someone will point to the scoreboard and say "I'm right," but at least the discussion is fun to think about.
You can see Charlie's power rankings by clicking on the following website:
https://blogofprospects.wordpress.com/
Next game - 2017 Season opener is Friday, February 3, 2017, at Noon, in Alva, Oklahoma, where Northwest will play Ft Hays State in a non-conference match-up. Then, Northwest will play Northwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday and Sunday to conclude a 3-game in 3 days stretch.
Go Cats!!
###
On the mound, the big 3 return as your Bearcat starting rotation: Caenepeel, Hietpas, and Roberts. The big 3 combined for 47 starts in 2016, 3 complete games, and approximately 268 innings pitched for Northwest. While Hietpas had the lowest ERA, Caenepeel pitched the most innings on the team and struck-out the most batters. Roberts was third on the team in those categories except he threw the fewest wild pitches. The entire Northwest pitching staff pitched at a 5.26 ERA which was the best team ERA since 2014 and better than 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, and 2006.
In the bullpen, it looks like Nikko Pablo is going to be the closer for Northwest heading into the 2017 season according to an interview of Coach Loe to preview the season. Nikko will be taking over for the hard throwing sinkerballer Carson Smith who graduated in 2016. Veterans Jimmy McElwain, Hondo Pearcy, Bryce Shea, Austin Battaglia, Ross Davis, and Jacob Wagner, will all compete for the 4th starter/mid-week starter, middle relief, and long relief positions. Jimmy McElwain and Hondo Pearcy each had ERAs in the 3s in 2016. Assuming both are healthy they could give Coach Loe a difficult choice for the 4th starter/mid-week starter position.
New guys
Judging by the unscientific observations of the B2R, there are some impressive new guys battling for playing time for the 2017 edition of your Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats baseball team. Here are a few observations although it is not intended to slight those that I may not have seen yet:
Alixon Herrera is a transfer from Cloud County Community College and grew-up in Maracay, Venezuela. A big body strong kid with a million dollar smile has a knack for keeping errant pitches in front of him and throwing the ball point to point. He seems to have made a lot of friends on the team as the whole team was supporting him during Northwest Missouri State's recognition of international students during the fall homecoming festivities.
Landon Figg is a big body third baseman from Higginsville, Missouri, who transferred to Northwest from North Central Community College in Trenton, Missouri. Landon has looked pretty good at third base stopping the ball and throwing strong and accurately to first. Figg has had a terrific fall and spring practice swinging the bat, too.
Luke Hassman stands 6'5" and tips the scale at 250 lbs and could double as a linebacker for your Coach Wright and your Northwest football team. Hassman is listed as a utility player but his size and power says to the B2R to be a corner outfielder or first baseman. Luke transferred to Northwest from Kirkwood Community College which has produced several terrific Bearcats in recent memory.
MIAA baseball coaches pick Northwest to finish 9th in 2017
Apparently the MIAA baseball coaches felt 2016 was a fluke for Northwest and picked them to finish 9th in the conference in 2017. The Bearcats will look to prove the coaches wrong again this season. Judging by the practices, the Bearcats have taken note of the other coaches' thoughts about them.
Charlie Meyer has Northwest ranked as the 8th best NCAA D2 baseball program in the State of Missouri
Charlie graduated from Lindenwood University and was a scout for the Atlanta Braves for a few years. He had a neat article of trying to break down 1-13 the best NCAA D2 baseball programs in the State of Missouri.
In his article, Charlie has a lot of love for the GLVC Conference as Missouri S&T was picked as #2 in the power rankings over the likes of Missouri Southern and Missouri Western. The B2R is an unapologetic advocate for MIAA baseball so the thought of Missouri S&T, UMSL, and Rockhurst being ahead of Missouri Southern and Missouri S&T ranked ahead of Missouri Western seems wrong to the B2R basically because I do not see them finishing in the top 5 of the MIAA. In the end, someone will point to the scoreboard and say "I'm right," but at least the discussion is fun to think about.
You can see Charlie's power rankings by clicking on the following website:
https://blogofprospects.wordpress.com/
Next game - 2017 Season opener is Friday, February 3, 2017, at Noon, in Alva, Oklahoma, where Northwest will play Ft Hays State in a non-conference match-up. Then, Northwest will play Northwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday and Sunday to conclude a 3-game in 3 days stretch.
Go Cats!!
###
