The
Sweets have put an infield together that has a potential to not only save a lot
of runs, but score and produce a fair share as well. The infield looks to
improve from a position group that last season had its problems in both of
those facets.
“Last season we could score runs but continued to
give teams extra opportunities to score,” manager Frank Mutz said. “At times
are pitching had to get 4 and 5 outs each inning. Our focus this off season was
to shore up the defense particularly the infield and I believe we accomplished
that.”
One of the most impressive parts about this group looking
at it from afar is the ability of the players to field at multiple positions.
There is Myles Hager (Cal State Monterey Bay) who played second, shortstop and
third for the Sweets last season and he is joined by Nick Nyquist and Patrick
Chung (Gonzaga) who can also play different positions. Jarren Duran and Chris
Fife (Long Beach State) can both play up the middle on either side and so can
Coby Kauhaahaa (Cal State Fullerton). Ben Baird (Washington) presents young
talent up the middle and Cole Rutherford (Cornell) brings veteran leadership to
first base.
Mutz is pleased with the polished playing style that
these players bring into Walla Walla.
“I believe all of these guys are special players,” he
said. “What I like about all of them, is they are all MLB prospects and not
projects. They are all steady players which will give our ball club a chance to
be competitive every game.”
This allows Mutz and the rest of the coaching staff to
trust their durability throughout the season, but it also gives him options in
the different positions. He says that there are no favorites for the starting
positions currently, but he is sure that a lot of the players will get
significant playing time over the long season.
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