2011 OV Baseball Preview Part 3: Position Players

 

Colton Johnson was a piece of one of the best middle infields around, how does the rest of the team stack up?

Another season, and five-part preview is in the wings as we look ahead to the 2011 OV baseball season, which will get underway on February 26th when the Seahawks take on Valencia High School. As we look to 2011, we started with Part 1, a general 2010 review and 2011 preview with a look at the schedule and key notes. And Part 2, which covered Pitchers. Part 4 will preview the Golden West League and Part 5 will be a look at the country and where OV fits in the regional/postseason scene.

OV’s batting lineup was easily one of the most intimidating in the county, its pretty easy to see that Ocean View was at points, carried by its offense and its timely effectiveness. But also, the Seahawk’s had one of the best defensive lineups in Division 3 Here was last year’s starting lineup (postseason version)

1. Colton Johnson, 2B
2. Blake Walker, P/SS
3. Aaron Delgado, SS/CF
4. Kevin Nance, 3B
5. Blake Hitchcock, RF
6. Timmy Robinson, C
7. Nick Schulenburg, 1B
8. Freddy Sepulveda (For Matt Larsen), DH/P; CF
9. Travis-Sparks Jackson, LF

Here’s what it looks like now, with no substitutions:

1. Colton Johnson, 2B
2. Blake Walker, P/SS
3. Blake Hitchcock, RF
4. Timmy Robinson, C
5. Freddy Sepulveda, P, (—-CF)
6. Travis-Sparks Jackson, LF

Let’s talk offense first, then adjust the lineup for the newcomers, and then adjust the defensive positions accordingly. Before we can introduce the newcomers, though, we have to fill the gaps in last year’s lineup.

It’s easy to just shift everyone up, but there’s a reason for that- Blake Hitchcock was the team’s best overall batter last year, batting a team leading .421 and bringing in 30 RBIs (highest aside from then team leading Kevin Nance who had 33) So assuming Colton and Blake will get a “500″ average combined to open the game, Blake is the best #3 hitter statistically. But Freddy Sepulveda is just as good to fit the 3 spot, batting .366 in his limited games, moving Hitchcock to the 4 spot. Either way, everything should be fine with Timmy Robinson in either the 4 or 5 spot. Timmy was batting around .500 going into the second half of the season when he hit a semi-slump, and finished with a .333 batting average, a team leading 6 HR’s and 28 RBIs.

Travis Sparks Jackson can either be a 5,6, or 9 hitter. He can fill all those roles effectively, since he is such a versatile athlete.

OV’s final returner is Senior multi-sport athlete, Trey Gourdine who has become a more complete hitter since last year. He’ll fit the final outfielder spot vacated by Matt Larsen.

But what about the rest of the lineup? Let’s meet our newcomers after the jump:

Jr. Catcher Robert Fogarty:

I always felt that Fogarty, who was called up for Spring Tournaments, was a great prospect because he is a pretty good catcher as it is. If he has developed as expected, Fogarty is not a defensive liability, and if he can continue his steady increase in his offensive skill-set, he should be nothing to worry about, but true Varsity playing time is something that can be mishandled, so we’ll have to see what happens, really.

Sophomore 1st Baseman/Pitcher Luke Fell:

Fell was impressive in his time in the early season tournaments from last year, and since he was a Freshman last year, his development is only a steeper incline. Fell has been hitting extremely well in the preseason scrimmages, and will most likely fill a high spot on the lineup. We’ll have to see what happens come opening day for a better forecast on him, much like Fogarty.

1. Colton Johnson
2. Blake Walker
3. Freddy Sepulveda
4. Blake Hitchcock
5. Timmy Robinson
6. Trey Gourdine
7. Luke Fell
8. Robert Fogarty
9. Travis-Sparks Jacks0n

Now for defense.

Infield:

The case last year was that OV’s defense is best with Blake Walker on the mound; Aaron Delgado and Colton Johnson comprised one of, if not the best middle infield in Division 3. With Walker off the mound, Delgado moved to Center in order to bring Freddy in to pitch. This defense, while still good, was not as good as the starting defense, and that starting defense kept OV in many games last year. So this year, the only problem is replacing Delgado. That being said, I don’t expect Walker to pitch at all this year unless absolutely necessary. With Walker on the mound, Freddy is the only other experienced middle infielder, and a defensive liability of sorts. So the Walker/Johnson Combo most likely won’t be as good as last year, but will still be good enough to be the best in the GWL.

At the corners, missing Kevin Nance at third base will be strange, considering how long he had played the spot for OV. Sliding out of his crouch, Timmy Robinson should take over the 3rd base position. And the departure of Nick Schulenburg is important as well, since he often saved innings and potentially games for the Seahawks at the 1st base position. Luke Fell will take over the 1st baseman responsibilities. Timmy’s vacated spot will be filled by Robert Fogarty.

Outfield:

The most experienced unit other than the bullpen is the outfield. Junior Travis Sparks-Jackson should slide over to Right from his old Left Field position, Senior Blake Hitchcock will move to the vacated Center Field for the time being, and Senior Trey Gourdine will go over to Left. Junior Chad Hackworth may also be used in the outfield should Trey be more of a DH while Freddy is pitching.

Here’s my predicted lineup for the 26th

1. Colton Johnson, 2B
2. Blake Walker, SS
3. Blake Hitchcock, CF
4. Timmy Robinson, 3B
5. Luke Fell, 1B
6. Freddy Sepulveda, P
7. Trey Gourdine, LF
8. Robert Fogarty, C
9. Travis-Sparks Jackson, RF