Long Beach State University Athletics
Season Preview: Your 2016 Long Beach State Dirtbags
2/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Long Beach, Calif. - The return of Dirtbags baseball has stirred up plenty of excitement around the city, for a number of reasons. Not only will this year's team play in a re-designed Blair Field--where the outfield fence has been moved in about 10-20 feet--but they are also expected to play well in their new confines. Entering his sixth season as head coach, Troy Buckley has a good mix of experience, star power, and even a favorable schedule, which has placed high expectations on the 2016 team.
"We have high expectations, not just from the staff but from this team," he says. "We respect our opponents, we respect the game, but at the same time, we expect to win. We really do expect to win this year, because there is enough out there to have that happen."
The high expectations have come in from outside the program as well, with the Dirtbags receiving three first-place votes in the preseason Big West coaches poll, just one fewer than defending champion Cal State Fullerton in first. Though Long Beach sits third in the poll, they are in the top-tier of what could be a very tight conference race this season.
"I think anyone can win the conference," Buckley states. "The road goes through Fullerton--and rightfully so--I have a lot of respect for what they have done year in and year out, but at the same time I think there is a lot of parity. Everybody's got their hands full--they've all got their hands full with us and we've got our hands full with them. So I think it's going to be a real exciting conference."
There have also been individual accolades. Junior shortstop Garrett Hampson and sophomore starting pitcher Chris Mathewson were both named third-team Louisville Slugger Preseason All-Americans, and Hampson was also honored by Perfect Game. They become the first preseason All-Americans for the Dirtbags since Danny Espinosa in 2008, signaling a return of some top-level talent to the program. Their legitimate star potential combined with a host of returning talent and exciting newcomers makes 2016 an exciting year for Dirtbags baseball.
INFIELDERS
Hampson will anchor the infield at shortstop for the third straight season. Since he arrived on campus, nobody else has manned that position for the Dirtbags, and that will surely be the case again in 2016. Last season, Hampson led the team in hits (64), runs (38) and stolen bases (18) and was the only player to start all 54 games. No. 1 on the roster and the lineup card, he will have the chance to be a table-setter for a more potent and experienced batting order, and Buckley knows how important his shortstop is to his team's chances this season.
"There's a lot around him in the lineup, so he's actually going to be more of an igniter than he is going to be the straw that stirs the drink," Buckley explains. "Do we expect a lot out of him? Of course. But what we expect out of him is what he has always brought to the table."
Hampson's partner in the middle infield looks to be freshman Jarren Duran, a talented athlete out of nearby Cypress High. He adds more speed and a strong lefthanded bat to the top of the lineup. Fifth-year senior Zack Domingues will provide great experience at third base after playing second base a season ago. A disciplined hitter with a good glove, he can do the little things on offense and defense to help the team win. JC transfer Jeff Nellis will also challenge for playing time at the hot corner.
Powerful newcomers vie for playing time at first base with junior college transfer Lucas Tancas and redshirt freshman Garrett Nelson in line to share playing time. Tancas showed his power from the right side of the plate with a legit home run to left center during the Alumni Game and Nelson's got great raw power from the left side. The team's returning home run leader, Luke Rasmussen, can also play first, but should primarily see time at designated hitter. The sophomore powerhouse will likely be testing the new dimensions at Blair Field often this season and should be able to increase his home run total of six from 2015.
There's a wealth of experience and options at catcher, led by fifth-year senior Eric Hutting. He was second on the team with 24 RBIs last season and has already played 130 games in his Dirtbags career, starting 116 of them. He'll be backed up primarily by David Banuelos and Joey Notch. Sophomore Daniel Jackson might be in the mix, but offseason shoulder surgery could limit his throwing ability behind the plate.
OUTFIELDERS
Some of the biggest question marks heading into the season are in the outfield; not due to a shortage of options, but those spots could vary based on game-by-game needs. Sophomore Brock Lundquist is in line to man left field, keeping his thunderous bat in the lineup batting third. Aside from that, there are a handful of players who should contribute.
Sophomore Joey Sanchez is the best defensive option in center, but some other players could provide more with the bat. In right, senior Zack Rivera is one of the most veteran bats on the roster with over 350 career at-bats. The team leader in RBIs (26) from a year ago, he will certainly be in the mix, but he's got competition. Sophomore Tristan Mercadel and freshman Brooks Stotler should both challenge for time in center and right field.
Throw in newcomers Alex Muzzi and Elijah Thomas, and there's a wealth of options not just in the outfield, but at DH and in pinch hit situations.
PITCHING STAFF
If everything goes to plan, Friday nights at Blair Field will belong to Mathewson, the regning Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year. His numbers last season (1.94 ERA, .187 batting average against) were off the charts, and he returns as one of the best college arms on the west coast. The only question for Mathewson is the ACL injury he suffered over the summer. After six months without pitching, he has been working his way back in preparation for Opening Day, and with his desire to compete, it should be no surprise if Mathewson is healthy and firing on all cylinders when the season starts.
"Chris is a fierce competitor," says Buckley. "I think his challenges are coming back from the injury, not trying to do too much, continuing to develop his change-up, and to improve his fastball command. Because he has one of those American Express curveballs--you know, `Don't leave home without it'--and he doesn't leave home without it, it's that special."
The powerful righthander was drafted out of high school, and he will once again be draft eligible after his sophomore year. Mathewson made history with his combined no-hitter against Wichita State last season, and will have to be pretty darn good in 2016 for an encore, but if he is able to repeat his performance from his freshman year, he should have plenty of MLB scouts calling.
"He's arguably going to be one of the top pitchers in the country," Buckley says. "I don't think there's any question."
The rest of the rotation is less solidified, but there are plenty of qualified contenders. Senior Tanner Brown brings back experience as last year's Sunday starter and he was dominant in stretches. Incoming junior Dave Smith has a good frame, solid command and a great changeup, making him a solid option. Juniors Austin McGeorge and Josh Advocate, sophomore Darren McCaughan and freshmen Jacob Hughey and Chris Rivera are also potential starters who could revert to a bullpen role if needed.
Anchoring the bullpen is fifth-year senior Ty Provencher, who has 13 saves in his career after leading the team with seven a year ago. He has the experience, and Buckley's confidence, to close out games in the ninth inning once again, and he represents a solid core of seniors who will contribute on this year's team.
"I think every good team, if you look back on them, has good seniors," Buckley states. "You need them because they have so much experience, they don't get flustered, and they don't panic worrying about the ups and downs of performing. I think we've got the right seniors back, but you've got the right younger guys in the mix, too."
With a favorable schedule that sees the Dirtbags play of 11 of their first 12 games at home, and sees the three other conference favorites--CS Fullerton, UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara--making trips to Blair Field, things are set up for a possible return to the postseason in 2016. Buckley believes he's got the talent and experience in place to win, meaning the key to a successful season is relatively simple.
"Do not beat yourself," he states simply. "No free passes, no bad errors, no free opportunities. If we do that, we'll be in every single game we play with a chance to win every single game."
The 2016 season begins this Friday at 6 p.m. as the Dirtbags host Holy Cross at Blair Field in the first game of a three-game series with the Crusaders.
