Feb. 17, 2016
Vanderbilt enters the 2016 season as the only team in the nation with three consecutive 50-win seasons (156-54) after finishing the 2015 season in the College World Series finals as the National Runner-Up.
This season, the Commodores begin the year ranked inside the Top 10 nationally with 23 returning letterwinners from last year’s team, including six preseason All-Americans in outfielders Bryan Reynolds and Jeren Kendall, third baseman Will Toffey and pitchers Ben Bowden, Jordan Sheffield and Kyle Wright.
Even with 23 returners from a year ago, the loss of key contributors – No. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson, first round picks Carson Fulmer and Walker Buehler and Philip Pfeifer, Zander Wiel and Rhett Wiseman – cannot be overshadowed.
“What you gain from losing key contributors in your program is the ability of other players who have patiently waited their turn, to have more of an impact inside the program and on the field,” head coach Tim Corbin says. “You can never replace individual talent, but what you can replicate is team success and continuity. There are enough kids on this particular team who have shared some very neat experiences. You hope that they would gather knowledge and know-how from those moments and apply them moving forward.”
Despite the lofty expectations for the nation’s No. 1 program according to D1Baseball.com, the standards remain high for the Commodores.
“Player’s change from year-to-year, but the standards of the program will always remain the same,” Corbin says. “The players are very knowing of this notion. They recognize that there is a demand for a high standard of performance academically, socially and athletically. We just ask them for their `care level’ when it comes to this.”
Vanderbilt opens the season at home for the second straight season, welcoming San Diego to Hawkins Field to open the schedule. Seven teams ranked inside the preseason Top 25 hold spots on the Commodores’ schedule, including a two-week stretch late in the season that will see the Dores travel to No. 4 Texas A&M, host No. 2 Louisville for a midweek game and travel to No. 1 Florida.
PITCHING
The Vanderbilt pitching staff has been a force for over a decade under Corbin and 2016 figures to keep that tradition going with 10 pitchers returning from last year’s staff led by preseason All-Americans Ben Bowden, Jordan Sheffield and Kyle Wright.
Pitching coach Scott Brown has guided the pitching staff for the past three seasons, an era in which the Commodores have led the nation in strikeouts with 1,859 strikeouts and set the school record in consecutive seasons topping 2014’s total last year with an astounding 703 to eclipse the previous record by 67. During the Brown era the Commodores are 156-54.
With first round picks Carson Fulmer and Walker Buehler departing along with third starter Philip Pfeifer the Dores will be looking to retool the weekend starting rotation.
“It’s a new year and team, so replacing a rotation isn’t really important for this group,” Corbin says. “What’s most important is preparing these kids for roles that they have not had before. This is exciting for them and our coaching staff. There is a learning curve to every new experience, but time and experiences will be the best teacher for all of these kids.”
Those kids vying for a spot in the rotation look to be 2015 Freshman All-American and preseason All-American Kyle Wright, preseason All-Americans Ben Bowden and Jordan Sheffield and left-handers John Kilichowski and Ryan Johnson. Following a strong fall right-hander Matt Ruppenthal could push himself into the discussion as well.
Wright, Sheffield, Kilichowski and Johnson all made multiple starts last season with Johnson the only one of the quartet not to make a weekend start but his five starts rank third among returners behind Kilichowski (10) and Sheffield (6).
The pitching staff has plenty of experience but lacks in starting experience, particularly in league games with Sheffield’s six starts against Southeastern Conference competition representing six of the eight starts returning from a year ago.
“Seven of these kids have pitched in some great environments and have experienced pitching under fire,” Corbin says. “The only thing they haven’t been exposed to is the beginning of the game on the mound during a weekend. Well here we go… great opportunity too for all of them… I am excited for them.”
Wright posted an impressive freshman campaign going 6-1 in a team-high 29 games, finishing the year with a 1.23 ERA and four saves after moving into the closer role late in the year. The right-hander could be in for another big move as a sophomore, into the Friday night starter role.
Sheffield possesses arguably the best arm on the staff and could keep the streak of every Corbin starting rotation at Vanderbilt having at least one first round pick going when the MLB Draft rolls around in June. The right-hander went 5-2 with a 2.85 ERA in his 22 games last year, his first season after recovering from elbow surgery in 2014.
Kilichowski’s 10 starts last season are the most on the roster entering the 2016 season but the southpaw found his groove at the end of 2015 coming out of the bullpen. Kilichowski made six straight scoreless appearances in late May and June covering 16.2 innings and allowing just three hits with two walks.
Johnson grew into a valuable role for the Dores in his first season of action going 5-1 with a 3.02 ERA. The lefty turned in quality innings for the team in the midweek games picking up wins over Tennessee Tech, Louisville and Middle Tennessee State, when he tossed eight scoreless innings.
Bowden has never started a game as a Commodore in his two seasons but a strong sophomore season followed by a monster summer in the Cape Cod League could push the big lefty into the weekend rotation. He fanned 31 batters over 17.1 innings in a team-high 10 games for Yarmouth-Dennis to help them to the league title, picking up co-MVP honors in the finals. Bowden went 6-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 26 games last year.
The Dores add the top freshman class in the nation with the pitchers in the class being a major reason for the top billing. Right-handers Chandler Day, Donny Everett and Patrick Raby all impressed in the fall but appear destined for the bullpen.
“I don’t see this happening any time soon,” Corbin says of a freshman pitcher potentially earning a spot in the rotation. “As the season progresses, a player may emerge in this role, but this will take some time. I think it benefits them to watch and learn.”
The Vandy bullpen will begin the year as a question mark, not for the lack of talent but for the lack of major experience. With relievers from last year’s team (Wright, Sheffield, Bowden) potentially moving into the rotation new arms must surface.
Sophomore Collin Snider was solid in his debut season last year posting a 2.41 ERA in 16 games. Fellow sophomore Matt Ruppenthal allowed just three runs on five hits in 10 innings on the mound and Joey Abraham’s strong summer in the New England Collegiate Baseball League followed by a solid fall have him poised to be a contributor.
“Bullpen roles usually take some time to formulate, Corbin says. “Many times we have gone into a season with certain pitchers doing one thing, then transitioning to another role as the season progresses. Much of this is comfort of the role and their ability to adapt to it. Because many of these kids have been relievers before, the adjustment is reversed… how they will transition into being a starter. We will take a look at the kids who can provide durability and endurance and put them at the front of the line. Then match up the kids who possess different skills sets and use them in roles that will benefit them individually and help the team.”
The pen will receive a major boost when right-hander Hayden Stone returns from elbow surgery at some point in the spring. Right-hander Brendan Spagnuolo hopes to build off an All-Star summer experience in the NECBL to contribute as a sophomore.
Freshman arms Matt McGarry and Maddux Conger along with lefties Evan Steele and AJ Franklin will be looking to grow into roles as the year progresses.
“I think several freshmen arms have the capability to help us, but it may be in minimal roles to start with, then we can grow their innings once they get comfortable,” Corbin says. “They will have to help us, but it will be in short doses at first.”
CATCHING
Vanderbilt has the luxury of two experienced, talented catchers in Jason Delay and Karl Ellison, who have combined to start 130 of the team’s 144 games over the last two seasons, returning for their junior seasons.
“The greatest thing about these two guys is their support of one another and their unique skill sets,” Corbin says. “I love them both for who they are. They both can run a staff, they both can stop a running game and they both have played some very important games in this program. I go to bed every night knowing that we have a very good catching staff and our pitchers are taken care of because of these two young men.”
Ellison earned the lion’s share of the starts behind the dish last season, starting 43 games. He hit .215 with a pair of home runs, including a grand slam against Tennessee, while displaying stellar defense. The Naples, Fla. native threw out nearly 50% of would-be base stealers last year.
Delay hit a career-best .283 with eight doubles, his first career home runs and 23 RBI in his 37 games, 29 starts. He made just one error in his time behind the plate.
Sophomore Tristan Chari brings a more offensive approach to the position. Chari went 2-for-4 in very limited experience last season but the Nashville native took his bat to the Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League over the summer, leading Sag Harbor with a .336 average in 28 games.
INFIELD
The Commodores’ infield must plug two holes left by the departure of No. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson and 12th round selection Zander Wiel, the two combined for 30 home runs a year ago. A deep pool of players will be in the mix to take over at shortstop and first base this season.
“The team will adjust based on the confidence levels of those new kids put in those positions,” Corbin says. “If those kids perform consistently, which I think they will, then the confidence of the group will start to take shape. All we would ever ask of a new player is for his effort… no more, no less.”
Luckily, the Dores bring back steady defender and senior Tyler Campbell at second and Freshman All-American Will Toffey at third base.
Campbell started 61 games at second in 2015, hitting .229 with two home runs and 26 RBI while posting a .987 fielding percentage. Toffey recovered from a slow start to lead the Commodores in hitting during league play while continuing to improve at the hot corner.
“Will just needs to continue his development,” Corbin says. “His past body of work was solid and consistent, but that won’t have anything to do with how he plays this year. If he continues growing and playing better, then we will have a pretty good third baseman.”
Across the diamond at first base, a group of players led by senior Kyle Smith will try to earn the starting job. Smith has struggled over the last two seasons after running into a wall while playing left field as a freshman but the big senior could add plenty of power to the lineup. Tyler Green earned three starts a year ago, playing in 17 games as a redshirt freshman. Penn Murfee continues to show his versatility all over the field and could see time at first base after a breakout season in 2015 that saw him hit .256 in 29 games, 16 starts. Freshman Julian Infante is one of a group of talented freshman infielders and brings a powerful right-handed stroke to the game.
Shortstop will look much younger in 2016 with three freshmen leading the way. Connor Kaiser, Ethan Paul and Alonzo Jones are all vying to take over for the departed Swanson with all three bringing different tool sets to the competition. The rangy Kaiser brings a solid glove to pair with his strong arm. Paul adds good hands and a left-handed bat while Jones brings off the charts athleticism and speed. The speedy Jones holds the Perfect Game 60-yard dash record with a time of 6.17.
“Our freshmen infielders have done exactly what our program would want them to do… listen, learn, engage and invest mentally and physically… they have done that seamlessly,” Corbin says.
Paul and Jones both figure to push Campbell at second along with sophomore Liam Sabino, who could see time at third and shortstop as well.
OUTFIELD
The Vanderbilt outfield opens the season as the strength of the team with Bryan Reynolds returning in center field and Jeren Kendall moving to right field to replace departed All-American Rhett Wiseman. Add Ro Coleman’s bat in left field and the VU outfield produced 214 hits a year ago.
“When you have returning players that have had experience playing at high levels and some success doing it, then you stand to have a solid foundation at those positions,” Corbin says. “[Reynolds and Kendall] have done this. They give us athleticism, tracking ability, a playing maturity component and strong, accurate arms. This certainly is beneficial to a pitching staff when the ball gets hit in these areas of the field.”
Reynolds enters his junior season having started 142 of his career 144 games for a team that has played in consecutive College World Series for the first time in program history. The Brentwood, Tenn. native has posted 186 hits in his two years and is ranked as one of the best players in college baseball after settling into center field last year.
“Bryan’s progression in the outfield has been fun to watch,” Corbin says. “He went from a kid that could play multiple positions (and still could), to a kid who has really developed into one of the better defensive outfielders that I have seen. He has a knack for moving on contact and closing space on the baseball. He really has turned himself into an upper level defender.”
Kendall improved greatly over the course of his freshman campaign ending the year with eight home runs, fourth-most on the team, and matching Dansby Swanson for the team lead with six triples despite missing time with an injury. Nearly half of Kendall’s 52 hits as a freshman went for extra bases.
After patiently waiting for an opportunity to play in the field, the time has come for Coleman to own a spot on the diamond for the Dores. The switch hitter has played in 116 games in his first two seasons on West End but just eight of his 75 career starts have come in the field. Coleman’s bat, however, will ensure his opportunity after he hit .295 for the Commodores last season, mostly as the team’s leadoff hitter.
Junior Nolan Rogers has played in over 100 games in his career and lends depth to both left and center field. A trio of freshmen will also push for playing time at the corner outfield spots in Stephen Scott, Walker Grisanti and Kiambu Fentress.
Senior Kyle Smith has outfield experience as well, playing both corner outfield positions in his career.
DESIGNATED HITTER
Ro Coleman held down the designated hitter spot in the Vandy lineup during the majority of 2015 but with Coleman’s likely move to the outfield, the DH is once again a vacant position in the VU lineup.
“I think this position has a chance to be very interchangeable,” Corbin says. “We have various skill sets in several players and we will find a way to utilize as many of these kids as possible. It wouldn’t be fair to anyone if I singled one person out, because I truly believe that we have several kids who can help us.”
The number of options for Corbin to fill the DH are almost endless with sophomores Liam Sabino and Penn Murfee already having experience as the DH last season. Newcomers Alonzo Jones and Stephen Scott would bring speed and power to the position.
The versatility of the lineup could also create opportunities for players to stay in the lineup while allowing other players to get reps in the field.