BASEBALL SEASON PREVIEW

The 2019 season produced the most successful season in school history with a program record 41 wins and 9 players moving on to Division 1 programs. Fast-forward to the present and there are many holes to fill after graduating 18 Sophomores. While there are still questions needing to be answered, Mummert likes the make-up of his club.

"We have some talented newcomers but we still have a lot of guys that have never played college baseball. It might be a learning curve early but if they click like we think they will we will hopefully be playing our best baseball in May."

2020 TEAM BREAKDOWN
Players Returning: 12
Pos. Players - Returning Starters: 1
Pitchers w/Significant Innings Returning: 3
Newcomers: 17 (15 high school players; 2 transfers)

Outfield

Losing the top hitter in the NWAC and a 2-time Gold Glover Winner are never easy to replace. Gone are Justin Van De Brake (Washington State) and RJ Green (Western Oregon) but the cupboard is not bare in 2020.

Thomas Wheeler (Graham, WA / Graham-Kapowsin HS) returns after hitting .302 and earning 2nd Team All-West Region a year ago. Wheeler is the only returning starter from last year and will look to build off last year's success. Also returning is Josh Trujillo (Spanaway, WA / Spanaway Lake HS) who hit .282 in limited AB's. Trujillo, a 6.6 runner, has made a jump with the bat and shows Gold Glove capabilities. Both Wheeler and Trujillo will lead the charge in the Outfield.

A Trio of Freshman will look to come in and challenge for innings in 2020. Donavan Yelle (Maple Valley, WA / Tahoma HS) is a switch hitting OF that shows good tools. He could play either corner OF position. Garret Kollar (Enumclaw, WA / Kennedy Catholic HS) is a physical and athletic presence that plays the game with great effort. Kollar has the ability to play possibly all 3 outfield spots. Wesley Robinson (Puyallup, WA / Emerald Ridge HS) was limited in the Fall while recovering from injury but could provide good depth if able to return healthy.

"This group has a lot of unknown heading into Spring," stated Coach Mummert. "While on paper this is a talented group, there is still a lot to prove. I think as the season goes on this group will get more comfortable and will start to settle in."

Infield

The Titans must replace their entire starting infield from a year ago so 2020 will look very different.

Returning for the Titans is Mason DeLaCruz (Auburn, WA / Thomas Jefferson HS), who redshirted last season with an injury. De La Cruz, a Washington State transfer, last played in 2018 when he started 30 games for WSU. He will look to lock down the Shortstop position. Also returning is Adam Jacques (Bellevue, WA / Interlake HS), who played in 17 games a year ago in a reserve role. Jacques brings a steady glove and looks to compete for the 2B job this Spring. The last returner is Beau Blowers (Orting, WA / Graham-Kapowsin HS). Like Jacques, Blowers played in 17 games last year but looks to play an increased role this Spring with power potential in the bat.

Multiple freshmen will look to contribute early with every starter gone from a year ago. Mason Fritsch (Maple Valley, WA / Tahoma HS) has good athleticism to go with a very projectable left handed bat. Fritsch has the ability to play all three infield positions and looks to make an impact early. Jared Engman ( Covington, WA / Kentlake HS) has displayed good offensive skills to go with a very steady glove. Engman has shown good physical tools and will compete for playing time in the middle. Another player, Joe Flanigan (Buckley, WA / White River HS) has made big strides since the Fall and could impact a game with his bat. He has the versatility to play any infield position and could even see time in the outfield. Jake Stoner (Puyallup, WA / Emerald Ridge) is another player that could add great depth if healthy. Stoner is recovering from an injury and if he returns to health looks to be in the mix for playing time. At first base, Hunter Jenkins (Maple Valley, WA / Tahoma HS) provides and impact bat from the left side of the plate with some power potential. Jenkins is expected to hit in the middle of the line-up this Spring.

"We are extremely young in the infield but this is a very talented group", says Mummert. "Replacing all four starters is a challenge and while we don't possess the power at the corners that we have had in the past, we are athletic and I think that will be give us an added element than previous years."

Catchers

The Titans lost two Division 1 catchers off last year's team which included Brock Gagliardi (Old Dominion) as well as Sam Olsson (Oregon). Both leave a big hole to fill but some quality experience returns.

Both Brady Hinkle (Puyallup, WA / Puyallup HS) and Tyler Wheeler (Graham, WA / Graham-Kapowsin HS) saw action a year ago and are expected to see the majority of action this Spring. Hinkle possesses strong receiving skills and is the best defender of the group. His presence behind the plate makes the pitching staff better. Wheeler has a big arm with some power potential. His bat has made strides and looks to contribute this Spring. The lone newcomer is Will Mulflur (Mercer Island, WA / Mercer Island HS). Mulflur is new to the catching position but has showed great progress since the Fall. Mulflur shows the ability to impact a game with his bat and will provide quality depth and be in the mix for innings.

"Losing both Brock and Sam from last year is always a challenge to replace but the return of Brady and Tyler give us comfort knowing they are veteran guys," expressed Mummert. "Experience is valuable so we will lean on those two for stability. Will might be our most offensive guy at this position so he will be right in the mix as well. The competition in this group should allow for growth as the season goes."

PRIMARY POSITION PLAYERS RETURNING
Player Pos. Cl.-Exp. B/T Avg. Notable

Thomas Wheeler OF SO L/L .302 AVG 2nd Team All-West Region

Mason De La Cruz INF SO R/R Redshirted in 2019 Due to Injury

TOP NEWCOMERS-POSITION PLAYERS
Player Pos. Cl. B/T Hometown (Previous School)

Hunter Jenkins 1B FR L/R Maple Valley, WA (Tahoma HS)

Mason Fritsch INF FR L/R Maple Valley, WA (Tahoma HS)

Pitchers

The Titans must replace 302 innings and 33 wins from last year's pitching staff with all 4 starters gone, including NWAC Pitcher of the Year Logan Gerling (Washington). The 2020 season will see many new faces on the mound for the Titans with some returners looking at increased roles.

Only 2 players return with starting experience and even then their starts only add up to a combined 5 starts. Jon Fortner (Portland, OR / Lincoln HS) started 4 games a season ago and is the most experienced returner. Fortner posted a 2-2 record with a 3.66 ERA in 32 innings in 2019 and looks to be a lead candidate for a rotation spot. The other returner with a lone start is LHP Jack Horn (Tacoma, WA / Curtis HS). A George Washington University commit, Horn went 3-1 with a 4.61 ERA last year in 27 innings. The lefthander had a good Fall and is expected to compete for a spot in the rotation. Another returner expected to have an impact is Dyson Johnson (Covington, WA / Kentwood HS). Johnson has a live arm with a plus breaking ball and has made strides with command. A mainstay in the bullpen a year ago, Johnson will challenge for one of the openings in the rotation. Other returners expected to contribute include Dylan Mackie (Black Diamond, WA / Kentlake HS) and Brett Stock (Olympia, WA / Capital HS). Each show life on their fastball with command of their secondary pitches. Both look to add great depth out of the bullpen.

Many Freshman and a couple transfers will be expected to contribute significantly on the hill. Of the newcomers, Sam Lauderdale (Vancouver, WA / Kings Way HS) and Alex Miller (Vancouver, WA / Skyview HS) have stood out the most so far. Lauderdale is a transfer from Washington State where he redshirted a year ago. After a strong Fall, Lauderdale is expected to be in the rotation. Miller has a feel for 3 pitches and is a crafty left-hander that gives the Titans great versatility with the ability to start or come out of the bullpen. Other Freshman that will push for innings include Jacob Selander (Buckley, WA / White River HS) and Ben Wallen (Blaine, WA / Blaine HS). Selander shows a live arm with life on the fastball and Wallen is a work-horse that can eat up innings in bunches who's best days are ahead of him. Both have the ability to be starters or come out of the bullpen. Corban Waite (Yelm, WA / Yelm HS) and Ian Miller (Sequim, WA / Sequim HS) are a pair of lefthanders that give the Titans a strong left-handed option out of the pen. Freshman Kyle Dunning (Enumclaw, WA / Enumclaw HS) and Kazuya Kojima (Japan) are both expected to be a steady presence in the back end of the bullpen. Both have shown comfort late in games and both should have an impact out of the bullpen.

"I think we have the pieces to compete, but I'm not sure we are there yet," says Mummert. "We need to get some guys back from injury and the new guys need to get there feet wet. The learning curve will be greater than normal but as the season goes on I think they have the ability to do some good things. Our postseason hopes will depend on how this group matures."

PRIMARY PITCHERS RETURNING
Player R/L Cl.-Exp. W-L ERA IP BB SO Notable

Jack Horn LHP SO 3-1 W-L 4.61 ERA 27 IP 14 BB 28 SO Signed George Washington University

Jon Fortner RHP RS-SO 2-2 W-L 3.66 ERA 32 IP 18 BB 22 SO

Dyson Johnson RHP SO 1-1 W-L 2.91 ERA 21 IP 11 BB 25 SO

TOP NEWCOMERS-PITCHERS
Player R/L Cl. Hometown (Previous School)

Sam Lauderdale L/L FR Vancouver, WA (Washington State University)

Alex Miller L/L FR Vancouver, WA (Skyview HS)

Kyle Dunning R/R FR Enumclaw, WA (Enumclaw HS)