Baseball Begins Practice For 2001 Season
Jan. 8, 2001
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — – The University of Miami baseball team, which holds a No. 4 preseason ranking by Baseball America and No. 9 by Collegiate Baseball newspaper, began preparation for the 2001 season with its first day of spring practice at Mark Light Stadium on the UM campus. The Hurricanes practiced in two sessions focussing on fundamentals, including pitching, hitting, fielding and situational drills.
“It may be too early to give a forecast on the 2001 season being that we just began practice,” commented Head Coach Jim Morris, entering his eighth season with the Hurricanes. “We have a lot of quality players and a healthy amount of depth entering 2001. The infield, outfield nor rotation has been solidified yet. What we do have are situations where more than one player can play a certain position and then we will have a good player sitting at the start of the game. Last season, we had some difficulty with our depth making situations like this year’s more interesting to deal with.”
Around the bases, the Hurricanes return 12 position players who have double-digit starts from last year’s squad that advanced to a third game of Super Regional competition in Tallahassee, including all five starters. The five starters returning are Kevin Brown (1B), Kris Clute (2B), Javy Rodriguez (SS), Kevin Howard (3B) and Mike DiRosa (C). Howard was earlier named to the Baseball America Preseason All-America third-team.
“We have four players in Javy Rodriguez, Kevin Howard, Kris Clute and Matt Dryer, who are vying for three infield positions. Each player has been drafted professionally coming out of high school and all had good fall practices. The scenarios are endless on who can play where. Kevin Brown will be playing first base. He is our best first baseman.
“As far as the catching situation, Mike DiRosa had a great fall and probably has the edge in to start. Greg Lovelady also did very well, while Danny Matienzo was a Freshman All-American hitter. Again we are in a situation where we have to get some guys into the line-up which that might mean some players would have to be the designated hitter in some games. All together we have some good problems in the fact that we have some depth.”
In the outfield, Miami lost one starter to minor league baseball in Manny Crespo, who signed with the Seattle Mariners after being selected in the 15th round of the 2000 draft. Returning are centerfielder Mike Rodriguez, a 2001 Baseball America Preseason All-America third-team selection, right fielder Kevin Mannix, left fielder Marcus Nettles and versatile outfielder Charlton Jimerson.
“Mike Rodriguez is our starting centerfielder,” added Morris. “We also return our best defensive outfielder in Charlton Jimerson. Brad Safchik, who transferred in last fall, had a very good fall and can play left or center. Kevin Mannix is probably our right fielder. Marcus Nettles also had a good fall and probably will play in left field. Jim Burt also had a good fall behind the plate, as well as his performance in the outfield. After saying all that, Haas Pratt was our leading hitter, home run hitter and highest batting average in the fall and has to be in the line-up somewhere. He (Pratt) can play first base, left field or right field.”
The lone loss from last season’s pitching rotation was staff-ace David Gil, who was a third round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds. Replacing Gil in the No. 1 slot will be 2001 Louisville Slugger Third-Team Preseason All-American Brian Walker, who posted a team-best 12-2 mark at No. 2 last season. Also returning to the mound are United States National Team member Kiki Bengochea and former long-reliever and closer Tom Farmer, who gets the nod as the No. 3 starter.
“As for pitching, Our No. 1 is (Brian) Walker, No. 2 is Kiki (Bengochea) and No. 3 is (Tom) Farmer,” added Morris. “Luke DeBold is our closer with (George) Huguet as our set-up guy, along with Jeff Reboin. Reboin could also be the No. 4 starter. Chris Sheffield also had an outstanding fall and can be in a position to earn a starting role or extended relief role. Danny Touchet also had a great fall. We also have T.J. Prunty coming in. He played quarterback for the football team in the fall. He hadn’t really done too much yet as he is just getting started. Prunty is an outstanding player with unlimited potential. He was Player of the Year in Minnesota coming out of high school and was drafted by the Minnesota Twins.”
The 2001 schedule is highlighted with the annual series against Florida State, Florida, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, South Florida and Jacksonville, along with feature series against Rutgers, East Carolina, Cal State Fullerton and Virginia.
“Every game and every series stands out to us,” commented Morris. “We have to make sure we look at it that way, because if we want to host a Regional and a Super Regional and be a No. 1 seed you have to make sure you play well every series. It is not just the series with the Florida State’s, Florida’s and Cal State Fullerton’s, it is every single series we play throughout the season. You need to win every series and play well all season if you want to be one of the top eight seeds at the end of the season.
