2014 SEASON OUTLOOK IN THIS SECTION Top Returnees Toledo Outlook 24-30

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1 2014 SEASON OUTLOOK IN THIS SECTION 2014 Top Returnees Toledo Outlook 24-30

2 Toledo Looks to Open MAC Championship Door in 2014; Seeks to Qualify for MAC Tournament for School-Record Sixth-Straight Season The Toledo baseball program has been knocking at the championship door in the Mid-American Conference the last few years. The Rockets have posted the league s third-best win percentage over the last four seasons and advanced to the conference tournament a school-record five consecutive years. Our goal as a program is to compete for a MAC championship every year, 11th-year skipper Cory Mee said. We feel like we ve been knocking at the door the past few years. Hopefully, this will be the year we can break through. The key for us will be consistency. We need to be able to perform at a high level day-in and day-out, in all phases of the game. If we can do that, I really like our chances. Two years ago, UT captured its first division crown in 80-plus seasons of baseball and followed it up with a school-record tying three victories at the 2013 MAC Tournament. Mee and the Rockets were only one win away from playing for the conference tourney crown for a second time since 2009 at last year s postseason event. We finished last season with some positive momentum, Mee said. I think it was particularly important for the young team we had. Our returnees now have a taste of that kind of atmosphere and playing quality postseason baseball. Hopefully that experience will provide us with some more motivation this year, and I think it already has judging the way the guys worked this fall. They have put a lot of effort and energy into their preparation for the spring. TOP RETURNEES Ryan Wilkinson (Sr., LHP) 2013: 7-3, 2.82 ERA, IP, 53 K s 2013 First-Team All-MAC Tied for first in MAC in complete games (6), tied for second in innings pitched (6.98 per game), tied for third in games started (16), fifth in ERA and tied for sixth in wins Tyler Grogg (Sr., OF) 2013:.357, 62 R, 7 2B, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 36 SB 2013 College Sports Madness All-MAC first-team Ranked first in MAC in runs scored and thefts, second in batting average and on-base percentage (.441) and fourth in hits Cameron Palmer (Sr., RHP) 2013: 4-6, 3.87 ERA, 74.1 IP, 67 K s Worked at least 6.0 innings in seven starts last spring James Miglin (Sr., C) 2013:.277, 21 R, 14 2B, 3 HR, 24 RBI Two-Time First-Team Academic All- District Thrown out 45-of-128 (.352) potential base stealers Adam Tyson (Sr., RHP) 2013: 3-2, 3.41 ERA, 31.2 IP, 26 K s, 2 SV Sits tied for sixth in UT annals in total appearances (24, 2011) in single-season record book Despite all the accomplishments the Rockets have orchestrated on the diamond over the last couple of years, one big prize has eluded them so far, a MAC Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Regionals. That may all change in 2014, as Toledo is loaded with talent and depth across the board. UT returns 23 letterwinners this spring, including nine pitchers and six position starters. I love the depth we have, Mee said. We will be in a position this spring to get our hottest nine batters and most consistent pitchers in the lineup. Toledo will boast a tremendous group of skilled leaders in 2014, paced by senior LHP Trever Gast (Jenera, OH), senior OF Tyler Grogg (Springfield, OH), Our goal as a program is to compete for a MAC championship every year. We feel like we ve been knocking at the door the past few years. Hopefully, this will be the year we break through. The key for us will be consistency. We need to be able to perform at a high level day-in and day-out, in all phases of the game. If we can do that, I really like our chances. Head Coach Cory Mee senior C James Miglin (Warsaw, IN), senior INF Zack Michael (Powell, OH), senior OF Jacob North (Barberton, OH), senior RHP Cameron Palmer (Canton, OH), senior RHP Adam Tyson (Wayne, OH) and senior LHP Ryan Wilkinson (Munster, IN). I feel it s very important for our veterans on the team to lead the way in how we prepare each and every day, Mee said. Their goal is to make sure the Toledo Baseball Information Guide

3 RYAN WILKINSON team is ready to perform at a high level. We have a number of guys that have done that. I think it s a collective effort from our senior class in how we prepare. This group has been involved in a lot of important games in their time at UT and provide a great example for our younger guys to follow. The best compliment that I can give our veterans and leaders is that they do things the right way both on and off the field. Mee is certainly pleased with the Rockets recent run of success, but isn t satisfield. He looks forward to building on his teams accomplishments rather than resting on their laurels. Our expectations are to qualify for the conference tournament, compete for a division title and capture the overall MAC championship, Mee said. We know in order to get there, we have to really focus on the things we can control, mostly importantly our own performance. I think our team understands that, and they are really excited about PITCHING Pitching is the name of the game in baseball, and the Rockets will feature one of their deepest and most talented staffs in recent memory. A year ago, Toledo tied for first in the conference in complete games (9), fourth in fewest walks allowed (3.57), tied for fourth in shutouts (3), tied for fifth in home runs allowed (19) and sixth in punchouts (5.76) and opponent batting average (.275). Spearheading the pitching rotation this spring once again will be senior LHP Ryan Wilkinson and senior RHP Cameron Palmer. A 2013 first-team All-MAC selection, Wilkinson sported a 7-3 record with a team-low 2.82 ERA in a squad-best 16 starts last spring. He accumulated a team-high innings of work, surrendering 44 runs (35 earned) on 109 hits and 53 strikeouts. The two-time all-league honoree tied for first in the conference in complete games (6, eighth nationally), tied for second in frames pitched (6.98), tied for third in games started (tied for 17th nationally), tied for fourth in shutouts (1), fifth in ERA, tied for sixth in wins and 10th in opponent batting average (.257, 109-for-424). Wilkinson, who has worked at least 7.0 innings in 12 career collegiate starts, enters his final season donning the Midnight Blue & Gold second in school history in career fewest walks per inning (.187, minimum frames), fifth in ERA (2.76, minimum frames), tied for seventh in win-loss percentage (.692, 18-8) and ninth in innings pitched (235.0). Ryan is a two-time all-conference player and a young man who provides great leadership for our pitching staff, Mee said. Palmer was solid as the Rockets Saturday starter the final seven weeks in He compiled a 2-5 ledger with 37 punchouts and a 4.20 ERA in 49.1 frames of action in MAC play. Overall last spring, Palmer sported a 4-6 record with a 3.87 ERA in 15 appearances (11 starts). He accumulated 74.1 innings of work, surrendering 43 runs (32 earned) on 79 hits with 67 strikeouts. The Canton, OH native led the team in punchouts, as well as ranking third in wins, ERA, frames pitched and games started, Two-Time MAC Tournament Finalists fourth in opponent batting average (.275) and tied for fifth in total appearances. We have two guys back that we feel good about on the weekends in Ryan (Wilkinson) and Cameron (Palmer), Mee said. I thought our starting pitching was outstanding last season and Ryan and Cameron played a big role in that. Also figuring into the weekend and/ or mid-week rotation will be sophomore RHP Kyle Slack (Edwardsburg, MI) and sophomore LHP Ross Achter (Oregon, OH). Slack is coming off an up-and-down freshman campaign in 2013 that saw him toe the rubber in 16 games, making seven starts. He tallied a 1-4 ledger with a 7.00 ERA, surrendering 38 runs (35 earned) on 42 hits and 33 strikeouts in 45.0 innings of work. The second-year Rocket finished tied for second on the team in total appearances, third in opponent batting average (.258) and fourth in innings pitched, strikeouts and games started. This past summer, Slack participated in the inaugural Northwoods League Big League Dream Showcase, which featured the top 100 players from the NWL and players were selected with input from Major League Baseball Scouts. Achter is healthy after sitting out the 2013 campaign with an arm injury. CAMERON PALMER 25

4 A local product from Oregon Clay High School, Achter was a three-time all-city selection and tallied 64 strikeouts and a 1.87 ERA in 48.2 frames on action on the mound as a senior. I feel we have two great candidates in Kyle (Slack) and Ross (Achter) for the third weekend starting spot, as well as the mid-week starter, Mee said. These two have really come along. Kyle has made tremendous improvement since last year, and getting Ross back from injury is huge. I believe Ross is going to give us a big boost. Other pitchers expected to make a significant impact in 2014, most likely at the back end of the bullpen, include senior RHP Adam Tyson and sophomore RHP Caleb Schillace (LaGrange, OH) Tyson was a workhorse out of the Rockets bullpen last spring, sporting a 3-2 record with a 3.41 ERA and two saves in a team-high 18 games. He accumulated 31.2 innings of work, surrendering 18 runs (12 earned) on 25 hits with 26 strikeouts. Tyson was almost unhittable down the stretch, allowing only one run on six hits with six punchouts over his final six appearances (April 26-May 25). Tyson continued his onslaught on the hill as a member of the Butler BlueSox in the Prospect League over the summer, tallying a 1-1 ledger with a team-tying ANDREW MARRA 26 KYLE SLACK best four saves and a miniscule 0.48 ERA in 15 relief appearances. He gave up only two runs (one earned) on 10 hits with 14 strikeouts in 18.2 frames of action. Schillace notched a 1-1 ledger with a 5.06 ERA and one save in 14 relief appearances last spring. He logged 21.1 innings of work, giving up 14 runs (12 earned) on 22 hits and nine strikeouts. Adam (Tyson) and Caleb (Schillace) will be key pieces in our bullpen, Mee said. I have the utmost confidence in them to get the job done at the end of games. The bullpen will also feature several returnees with live arms and quality experience, as well as some talented newcomers, who should add important depth to the Rockets relief corp in Toledo s other strong pool of potential relief pitchers include senior LHP Trever Gast, junior RHP Andrew Marra (LaSalle, ONT), junior RHP Alec Schmenk (Perrysburg, OH), junior RHP Austin Schmidt (Sylvania, OH), sophomore RHP Kevin Kline (Hamler, OH), as well as newcomers RHP Josh Cales (Wauseon, OH), LHP Steven Calhoun (Tipp City, OH), RHP Steven Duby (Maumee, OH), RHP Jordan Kesson (Hartland, MI) and RHP Sam Shutes (Three Rivers, MI). Gast is healthy again after sitting out the 2013 campaign with an arm injury. He posted a ERA with five punchouts and no decisions in limited action in Marra posted a 0-2 record with a 7.99 ERA and a team-high three saves in 16 relief outings last spring, tied for 10thmost in the MAC. The 2013 Academic All-MAC selection accumulated 23.2 innings of work, surrendering 22 runs (21 earned) on 42 hits and 17 strikeouts. Marra followed up his spring campaign with an even better summer playing for the Chillicothe Paints, who advanced to the Prospect League championship contest. The LaSalle, ONT native went 1-2 with a team-high 13 saves and a 1.87 ERA in 22 relief appearances. Marra surrendered 10 runs (five earned) on 22 hits with 21 punchouts in 24.0 frames of action. Schmenk finished with a 2-0 record and 7.09 ERA in 14 games last spring, making three starts. He accumulated 26.2 innings of work, surrendering 22 runs (21 earned) on 35 hits with 13 strikeouts. Schmidt toed the rubber in seven games in relief and totaled a 4.26 ERA and six strikeouts in 12.2 innings of work with no decisions. Kline appeared in five contests out 2014 Toledo Baseball Information Guide ADAM TYSON

5 TYLER BAAR of the bullpen last spring, tallying an 0-1 ledger with a 4.05 ERA and two punchouts in 6.2 frames of action. Cales batted a school-record.519 with a program-best 40 hits and two home runs as a senior at nearby Wauseon High School. For his efforts on the diamond, he earned second-team all-state and first-team all-district and first-team all-conference recognition. Calhoun was a first-team all-conference selection as a senior at Tippecanoe High School, helping lead his squad to conference and district titles. Duby went 4-2 with a 2.07 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 47.1 innings of action on the mound as a junior at nearby Maumee High School. He also batted.354 with 34 hits, 11 doubles and 29 RBI, en route to earning second-team all-state, first-team all-district and first-team all-conference honors. Kesson batted.330 with 30 runs scored, three doubles, four home runs and 28 RBI as a senior at Hartland High School. He also posted a.444 on-base percentage, earning first-team all-district, first-team all-county and first-team all-league accolades. Shutes tallied a 2.00 ERA as a senior and also batted.380 before sustaining a season-ending injury midway through the year at Three Rivers High School. Despite the injury, he was still named first-team all-conference, honorable mention all-area and honorable mention all-district as a utility player. He was also selected to the Preseason All-Region Team, according to Perfect Game. We will have a good mix of experience and youth, as well as power arms and situational relief pitchers this spring, Mee said. We have guys on this staff that can really make a difference. I m anxious to find out what these pitchers are capable of doing. Another option on the mound in 2014 will be sophomore RHP John Martillotta (Chardon, OH). Martillotta did not pitch as a freshman last spring but was quite impressive as a hurler in high school. He tallied a 6-1 record with 85 strikeouts and a 0.80 ERA in 53.0 innings of work on the hill as a senior at Chardon High School. INFIELD Versatility, depth and experience will be the best words to describe the Toledo infield in The Rockets infield returns a plethora of interchangable talent. We have so many interchangeable parts in the infield, Mee said. We can afford to go with whoever is swinging the hottest bat. I feel really good about our infield situation. A season ago, UT paced the MAC in hitting (.289), fielding percentage defense (.969) and turning double plays (49). Two of the areas I m most proud of in regards to last year s team was leading the league in both fielding percentage and hitting, Mee said. My expectation this spring is that we continue to play great defense and also become an overall more consistent hitting squad. There were times last year when we scored a lot of runs and times when we didn t score many at all. We need to perform at a high level every day. Sophomore Tyler Baar (Jenison, MI) is projected to be the starter at first base, replacing two-time All-MAC selection Matt Delewski. Baar hit.244 (22-for-90) Two-Time MAC Tournament Finalists with six runs scored, six doubles, one home run and 12 RBI in 38 games in He hit safely in 18 contests, including three multi-hit efforts. Tyler showed flashes last spring of being a productive offensive player, Mee said. He worked very hard at first base all fall, and our expectation is that he will be our every day first basemen. Tyler has made a lot of improvement there. Jordan Kesson will look to earn playing time at first base as well in Junior Dan Zuchowski (Warren, MI) returns from injury and will see playing time at second or third base in Zuchowski hit.258 (47-for-182) with 28 runs scored, 11 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 26 RBI in 51 contests in He finished first on the team in three-base hits, tied for first in sacrifice bunts (8), tied for second in multi-rbi games (7), third in round trippers and walks (22), tied for third in two-base hits, fourth in runs scored, RBI, total bases (74) and slugging percentage (.407). Zuchowski also hit safely in 34 contests, including eight multi-hit and seven multi-rbi efforts. Zuchowski was able to work off some of the rust of not playing last spring this past summer in the Prospect DAN ZUCHOWSKI 27

6 League as a member of the Chillicothe Paints, batting.251 (54-for-215) with 31 runs scored, four doubles, two triples, six roundtrippers, 35 RBI and 42 walks in 58 games. He led the team in at-bats, runs scored, hits, home runs, RBI and free passes, en route to being named the No. 8 prospect in the league, according to Baseball America. Dan provides us with a lot of punch offensively, Mee said. He is a lefthanded hitter with some power. He can play multiple positions, and he is going to be in the lineup every day. Sophomore Deion Tansel (Grand Rapids, OH) is another interchangable player that returns in the infield following an outstanding rookie campaign in Possessing the ability to play either second base or shortstop, Tansel hit.301 (52-for-173) with 30 runs scored, five doubles, one triple, 15 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 53 games last spring. He reached base in 44 contests, tied for third-highest total on the squad, including 18 of the final 19 games (April 26-May 25). The local product also finished first on the team in sacrifice bunts (14), second in thefts, third in runs scored, tied for third in walks (18), fourth in on-base percentage (.390) and multi-hit games (15) and tied for fifth in hits. Tansel continued to hone his skills DEION TANSEL ANTHONY SMITH with the Dayton Docs in the 2013 Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League, batting.291 (43-for-148) with 26 runs scored, five doubles, 15 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 39 contests, en route to beng named to the GLSCL First Team. He finished third in the league in sacrifice hits (6), tied for fifth in hits, tied for sixth in runs scored and tied for 16th in batting average. Deion is coming off a tremendous freshman season, Mee said. He can play second base or shortstop very effectively. We know that he is going to be in the lineup every day. Junior Anthony Smith (Hinkley, OH) is penciled in to be the starter at third base in 2014 after splitting time between the hot corner, designated hitter and left field last season. Smith made 20 starts at third base, 16 at DH and 11 in left field in 2013 while battling an arm injury for a majority of the second half of the year. Despite the ailment, he still hit.304 (52- for-171) with 25 runs scored, 10 doubles, one triple and 22 RBI. He finished first on the team in hit-by-pitch (17), second in on-base percentage (.405), third in twobase hits and fourth in RBI. The two-year letterwinner hit safely in 36 contests, including 10 multi-hit and four multi-rbi efforts. Anthony was playing a great third Toledo Baseball Information Guide base for us last year before suffering an injury and ended up in the outfield, Mee said. I m happy to know that he is fully healthy and ready to go in Offensively with his bat and what he brings to the table, we expect him to be in the lineup each game. He can play either third base or in the outfield. Adding experience on the infield will be senior Zack Michael and junior Nate Langhals (Strongsville, OH). Both are versatile players able to play any of the three infield spots. Langhals started 52 games at shortstop a season ago, hitting.217 (38-for-175) with 25 runs scored, five doubles and 11 RBI. He finished second on the team in sacrifice bunts (13) and hit-by-pitch (11) and tied for fifth in runs scored. The two-year letterwinner collected a hit in 30 contests, including eight multi-hit effort. Michael batted.246 (16-for-65) with nine runs scored, three doubles, one home run and five RBI in 26 games in He hit safely in 11 contests, including four multi-hit games. We have a steady veteran presence in Zack (Michael) and Nate (Langhals), Mee said. Their versatility on the infield is invaluable. They play the game with such tremendous energy and enthusiasm ZACK MICHAEL

7 TYLER GROGG that inspires our team daily. OUTFIELD The Rockets look to be fully stocked in the outfield in 2014, despite having to replace first-team All-MAC selection Ben Hammer. Senior Tyler Grogg is a mainstay in left field and will serve as the Rockets leadoff hitter for a second-consecutive season after having a breakout 2013 campaign. Grogg hit a team-high.357 (74-for-207) with a squad-best 62 runs scored, seven doubles, one triple, one home run, 20 RBI and a single-season school-record 36 stolen bases. He led the MAC in runs scored (21st nationally, sixth in rpg, 1.17) and thefts (sixth nationally, sixth in spg, 0.68), as well as ranking second in batting average and on-base percentage (.441) and fourth in hits. The 2013 College Sports Madness All-MAC first-team recipient reached base in 47 contests, second-highest total on squad, including 19 of the final 21 games (April 21-May 25). Grogg was at his best during the 2013 MAC Tournament, batting a sizzling.429 (9-for-21) with team highs in runs scored (8), total bases (12) and thefts (5) to earn all-tourney team accolades (May 22-25). Grogg did not skip a beat following an outstanding spring season with the Rockets and hit.320 (41-for-128) with 29 runs scored, five two-base hits, 14 RBI, 22 walks and a single-season record 41 stolen bases in 38 games for the Lima Locos this summer in the GLSCL. He finished first in the league in thefts, as well as ranking tied for second in runs scored, tied for fourth in sacrifice hits (5), seventh in batting average, tied for seventh in walks and tied for eighth in hits, garnering first-team all-league accolades for a second time in the last three seasons. It s extremely comforting to have Tyler (Grogg) back because he covers so much ground in the outfield, Mee said. He is also the catalyst of our offense. Tyler can put so much pressure on the opposition with his ability to hit, bunt and steal bases. Ideally, we would like to leave him in left field because he is such a defensive weapon and the number of balls and runs he can save us there. We also know that he can move to center field and do a tremendous job as he did at the end of last season, but we would love to keep him in left field if we can. Solidifying center field was one of Mee s main concerns coming into this season. Sophomore John Martillotta had a good fall and will get the nod, replacing two-time all-conference selection Ham- JOHN MARTILLOTTA RYAN CALLAHAN mer. Martillotta hit.202 (21-for-104) with 13 runs scored, two doubles and 12 RBI in 29 starts at third base last spring. A linedrive hitter with power into the gaps, he hit safely in 17 games, including four multi-hit and four multi-rbi efforts. John is who we are looking at in center field, Mee said. We feel he is very capable of being an excellent outfielder. John did a good job at third base last spring in place of Anthony (Smith) when he was injured. He is an outstanding athlete and has really come along offensively. In right field, Mee will have sophomore Ryan Callahan (Delta, OH) returning. Callahan started 27 (20 in right field, five in left field, two at designated hitter) of 37 games and hit.333 (40-for-120) with 14 runs scored, nine doubles, three home runs and 17 RBI. He finished first on the team in slugging percentage (.483), tied for second in batting average and round trippers, tied for fourth in two-base hits, fifth in on-base percentage (.389) and sacrifice bunts (5). The Delta, OH native hit safely in 23 contests, including 11 multi-hit and five multi-rbi efforts. Ryan continues to improve, and we expect him to be our everyday right fielder, Mee said. Two-Time MAC Tournament Finalists 29

8 Providing additional depth for the Rockets in the outfield will be senior Jacob North, junior Cory Finkler (Olmsted Falls, OH), freshman Jacob Britt (Tecumseh, MI) and freshman Jake Krupar (East Sparta, OH). North batted.221 (21-for-95) with 11 runs scored, eight doubles, 11 RBI and four stolen bases in 35 games in The fourth-year Rocket hit safely in 16 contests, including five multi-hit and three RBI efforts. Finkler saw action in two contests as a position player in relief duty last spring, collecting a pinch-hit single at nationally ranked Virginia in the series opener in his first collegiate plate appearance (Feb. 22). Britt batted.382 with 18 extra-base hits, four home runs and 32 RBI as a senior at Tecumseh High School. For his efforts on the diamond, he was named the Lenawee County Player of the Year, according to the Adrian Daily Telegram and American Legion Baseball Department of Michigan Player of the Year, as well as being selected first-team all-state, first-team all-region, first-team all-district, first-team all-county and first-team all-league. Krupar hit.303 with three home runs as a senior at Canton Central Cath- JAMES MIGLIN 30 olic High School. He played on the I love the depth we have. We will be All-Ohio Team in a position this spring to get our hotin the Heartland Classic in Oklatest nine batters and most consistent homa and was pitchers in the lineup. named the Player of the Week by Head Coach Cory Mee the Canton Repository. Lucas Sokol (Akron, OH) and freshman We also have four capable players in the outfield who Corey Tipton (Grand Rapids, OH). Sokol hit a flashly.393 (11-for-28) will get at-bats as well in Jacob (North), with three runs scored, one double and Cory (Finkler), Jacob (Britt) and Jake (Krupar), Mee said. I expect all four of seven RBI in 18 games last season. He also gunned down 7-of-12 (.583) potential them to be major contributors in base stealers. Having Lucas back as well, we CATCHING Senior James Miglin returns as the don t skip a beat defensively, Mee starting backstop for a third-consecutive said. He is getting stronger and comseason in Miglin hit.277 (56-for- ing along very nicely offensively. Tipton batted.301 as a senior at 202) with 21 runs scored, a team-high 14 doubles, three home runs and 24 RBI in nearby Toledo St. John s Jesuit High 51 starts behind the dish last spring. He School and earned second-team allfinished first on the team in two-base conference and second-team all-district hits, second in sacrifice flies (5), tied for honors, according to the Toledo Blade. I love the energy and enthusiasm second in round trippers, third in RBI, that Corey brings to the game every fourth in hits, total bases (79), slugging percentage (.391) and hit-by-pitch (10). day, Mee said. He continues to imthe 2013 first-team Academic All-District prove and get better. He will provide us recipient hit safely in 36 contests, in- with some real solid depth behind the cluding 13 multi-hit and five multi-rbi plate. efforts. An excellent defensive catcher as well, Miglin threw out 24-of-68 (.353) potential base stealers. James has been outstanding for us the last three years, Mee said. We are counting on James to take on more of a leadership role this spring in running the pitching staff, and I think he is ready for that. We are also expecting him to be a main cog in the lineup. We need him to be a productive offensive player for us to be the kind of offensive team we want to be, and I think he is ready to do that. He has worked hard and made some adjustments. The key for James will be his ability to stay disciplined with his approach at the plate. If he can stick to his plan, I believe he will have a big year. Challenging Miglin for playing time behind the plate will be sophomore LUCAS SOKOL 2014 Toledo Baseball Information Guide