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Illinois Season Preview: Position Players
Feb. 12, 2008 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - With the start of Illinois' baseball season just 10 days away, the Fighting Illini are gearing up for the first trip of the year, an appearance in the Al Ogletree Classic in Edinburg, Texas. The Orange and Blue return four starters in the infield and outfield, along with three other lettermen from 2007, providing an experienced offensive and defensive base. Here is a look at Illinois' infield, catchers and outfield: Last season, Illinois scratched and clawed its way into the Big Ten Tournament for the third-straight year and 10th time in the last 13 seasons, fighting back from a 7-0 deficit to Michigan State in a must-win final game of the regular season for an 8-7 victory. But the top four run producers and top three pitchers on that team have departed the Fighting Illini squad, meaning the Orange and Blue will need to find consistent production from a seasoned veteran core and a number of talented young players in order to reach the postseason for the fourth-straight season. Leading the way will be fifth-year senior second baseman Ryan Hastings, who was second on the team in home runs, third in slugging percentage and fourth in both hits and total bases in 2007. Centerfielder Kyle Hudson also returns, standing eighth all-time in hitting at Illinois, and rightfielder/DH Daniel Webb, who was named the third-team All-Big Ten DH last season, is back after hitting .332 with 37 RBI and 12 doubles. Sophomore Brandon Wikoff, who started 54 games at third base in 2007, will move to his natural shortstop position, and junior Joe Bonadonna looks to challenge for a starting spot on the infield after a monster summer season for the Duluth Huskies of the Northwoods League. Nick Stockwell, who started 26 games in 2007 and appeared in 43, is back, and he is joined by third baseman Dominic Altobelli, first baseman/catcher Mike Giller and outfielder Craig Lutes, who all gained valuable experience last season. "As I look at the number of players we have back who have seen significant playing time and the number of players who have gone out and been successful in summer leagues, I feel good about our team's possibilities in 2008," Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb said.
Infield
But he'll be challenged by Bonadonna, who came into his own over the summer after hitting .318 in 85 at bats for the Illini last season. Playing for the Duluth Huskies of the Northwoods League during the summer, Bonadonna shattered the team and league records for stolen bases, racking up a whopping 45 steals in 68 games. Meanwhile, Wikoff is entrenched at shortstop, his natural position. The Peoria, Ill., native hit .286 and scored 44 runs as a rookie, while starting 54 games at third base. "It's fun watching the way that these guys come to practice and compete every day," Hartleb said. "Hastings, Bonadonna and Wikoff all bring a lot of experience, skill and energy to our infield." The Illini also have a number of options at the corner infield spots. Junior Dominc Altobelli is the top returning candidate at third base after seeing spot action at the position the last two years. He'll be pushed by junior transfer John Schlichter, who brings a great deal of toughness at the hot corner. "Dominic has a great attitude, an extremely good work ethic and has one of the best arms on the team," Hartleb said. "Plus, he's shown over the last two years that he can be extremely productive and give us a little bit of gap power when he drives the ball." At first base, sophomore Mike Giller and redshirt-freshman Matt Dittman look to battle for the starting role. Giller hit .240 as a rookie in just 50 at bats, but got a great deal of experience playing in the summer for the Waterloo Bucks of the NWL. Giller played in 59 games for the Bucks, hitting .243 with 17 RBI. "Giller was able to get quality at bats last year and has returned in a good frame of mind," Hartleb said. "He's done some things extremely well and he's matured in a lot of areas. And Mike has the best power on the team." Dittman may be a new name to Illini fans, as he redshirted the 2007 season, but he looks to be known for his bat after breaking the Libertyville High School career hitting record. "Matt Dittman has shown he has very good bat speed," Hartleb said. "He's a left-handed hitter and he can be a quality bat regardless of whether he's an everyday player or coming off the bench." Who's Not: The Illini lose first baseman Mike Rohde, who signed with the Schaumburg Flyers following the 2007 season and is now a member of the Gary SouthShore RailCats of the Northern League, and shortstop Shawn Roof, who was drafted in the 33rd round by the Detroit Tigers. Rohde is among the Illini career leaders in batting average, hits and RBI in Big Ten play, while Roof holds school records for single-season stolen bases and career and season hit-by-pitches. Who's New: Schlichter, a junior transfer from Lincoln Trail College, and freshman Pete Cappetta are the two additions on the infield. Schlichter will be in the mix at third base, thanks to solid defense and a sound approach at the plate. Cappetta will provide depth at shortstop and could see some relief duty on the mound. "Schlichter is just a hard-nosed player, he'll stick his nose in front of anything and he's competitive at the plate," Hartleb said. "I like his swagger and what he brings to the team from a mental standpoint. He plays the game a little bit differently than most of our other players. "And Cappetta is a guy who will be a good player for us. He's a very good athlete and brings a lot of skills to the table."
Catcher "Giller has a very good understanding of calling the game, plus he gives us a left-handed bat back there," Hartleb said. "Montgomery has shown good things from a defensive standpoint, especially that he receives and blocks well. Then we have Ty Milner and Jake Mathis, who also have done a good job as we've gone through workouts." Who's Not: The Illini's biggest offensive loss is at catcher, as Lars Davis had his name called in the third round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft last summer. Davis was named to the Collegiate Baseball All-America second team after becoming the 22nd player in UI history to hit .400 in 2007. He also hit a team-high 13 home runs, drove in a team-best 56 runs and collected 90 hits, the second-most in a season in Illinois history. In addition, he threw out 24-of-84 would-be basestealers. Who's New: But Illinois' Canadian catching connection doesn't end with Davis. Aaron Johnson, a sophomore who played at the same Prairie Baseball Academy that Davis starred at, has joined the Illini squad and looks to have the inside track on the starting job. Johnson has shown consistent offensive skills both at PBA and with his summer team, the Lethbridge Bulls, and his defense and experience also are strong suits. "Aaron Johnson has shown that he may be a little more advanced than the other catchers, and rightfully so since he has the most experience at the college level," Hartleb said. "He's made some improvements and has really bought into some things that we've worked on."
Outfield In right field, either Daniel Webb or Nick Stockwell will likely take hold of the position, with the other grabbing the inside track on the designated hitter role. Webb started 25 games in right field in 2007 - most of them in the first half of the season - before switching to DH and having Stockwell roam the outfield. Webb hit .332 a year ago, hitting in either the No. 4 or 5 spot in the order in 49 of 56 starts and providing a steady bat in the middle of the lineup. Stockwell, while hitting just .260, drove in 24 runs and scored 21 with three home runs in only 104 at bats. He then starred in the summer, being named the MVP of the Stan Musial World Series, in which he led his Lombard Orioles to a championship. Also returning is sophomore Craig Lutes, who showed some promising flashes as a rookie in 2007. Lutes hit .289 in 45 at bats, serving as the team's DH for seven games over the end of Spring Trip and through the Purdue series. He also saw spot duty in center before playing every day during the summer for the Rochester Honkers of the NWL. "We have Webb and Stockwell and Hudson, who bring a lot of experience," Hartleb said. "And Lutes had some quality at bats last year and showed flashes of being a very, very good player. We have some depth in the outfield, which gives us some options as well as a strong bench." Who's Not: Two-year starter Ryan Snowden is gone after graduating in 2007. Snowden was an extremely consistent lead-off hitter, compiling a .341 career average with 41 doubles in just two seasons. Who's New: Two freshmen join the mix in the Illini outfield in Casey McMurray and Daniel Parker. McMurray was the No. 9 recruit in the state of Illinois last season, according to Prep Baseball Report, and Parker was a second-team Kansas All-State selection at shortstop. While one of them may see some time in left field as a rookie, strong hitting may ensure both of them are in the lineup. "Offensively, both McMurray and Parker look like they're going to be special players as they move through this program," Hartleb said.
Designated Hitter Depending on who takes hold of the starting spots in the infield, any of the group of Hastings, Bonadonna, Altobelli and Schlichter could see at bats as the DH. Plus, either Webb or Stockwell, depending on who grabs the reins in right field, will be a leading DH candidate. Then, newcomers Cappetta, McMurray and Parker also may figure into the mix. "We have a lot of options and a lot of guys who are interchangeable," Hartleb said. "Everybody is a little bit different as to what they bring to the table. Plus, we'll be able to use some guys in spot situations and move guys around if someone's struggling to give that person a little bit of time to regroup." |
