Courtesy SWAC.org
Thu, February 13, 2014
Grambling State
2013 RECORD: 16-41 (18-30 SWAC) / 5th West Division
2014 Preseason Predicted Order of Finish: 5th West Division
Head Coach: James Cooper (5th Year)
KEY LOSSES:
Darren Farmer - OF
Cory Jordan - P
Elias Todman - INF
Matt Mtchell - P
Richard Bautista - P
Grambling State missed tournament play last year and their recovery this season maybe even tougher.
The Tigers will be without the 2013 SWAC Hitter of the Year in Darren Farmer along with ace pitcher Cory Jordan. Farmer led the league with a .361 batting average and Jordan was picked up by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 35th round.
GSU will look to preseason selections Juan Bueno and Brock Baker to help fill voids, process runs at scoring position and spark consistent pitching.
Bueno, a 2013 All-SWAC selection last year, finished the season with .307 average which ranked second behind Farmer and led the team in assists with 117. Baker posted the team's best ERA at 2.97 with 21 strikeouts.
Experience is heavy on in the Tigers' pitching rotation. GSU returns their leaders in strikeouts in Matt Mitchell and Richard Bautista. Mitchell collected a team high 55 strikeouts and went 4-4 in 2013. Bautista followed with 43 strikeouts at 6-6.
Veteran outfielders Brandon Kiser and Kris Minter should help develop younger players, strengthen the fielding, while powering GSU to success early in the season.
Kiser is one of GSU top returners on defense after posting a .979 fielding percentage. He also led the team in putouts (352) while collecting 12 stolen bases. Minter finished at .962 on the field with an on-base percentage of .366. Both led the team in runs scored with 35.
Talent is not a question for the Tigers, however, chemistry and timely hitting, maybe the first opponents GSU has to overcome to qualify for the 2014 tournament.
2014 PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Juan Bueno - INF
Brock Baker - P
Matt Mitchell - P
Richard Bautista - P
Kris Minter - OF
Brandon Kiser - OF
Edvardas Matusevicius - P
Korey Hall - OF
Posted By: How May I Help You NC
Thursday, February 13th 2014 at 3:01PM
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