Talk to Army baseball coach Joe Sottolano just once, and you get a
pretty good idea of what he is all about; Straightforward, honest,
goal-driven and determined, yet friendly and quite enjoyable to talk
to. He does not pull punches, yet is not abrasive. So when he talks about his baseball team, you pay attention.
"This might be the strongest freshman class that we’ve been able to bring in since I’ve been coaching at the Academy,” Sottolano says firmly. “We have high-level talent on the mound, positionally and at the plate. This group has the talent necessary to beat an opponent in many different ways. Most, if not all of them, will be competing for starting positions immediately. I feel very comfortable in saying that this group will win championships. How quickly they experience success will depend upon how quickly they acclimate to the college game. I know they will win championships during their time here."
If Sottolano’s assessment is correct, more than just the Patriot League will need to be concerned. But don’t let all this talk about the freshman distract you from the talent that Sottolano brings forward from last year’s team. Start with Cole White (pictured, above left and below, right) , a second team All Patriot League selection as a pitcher, and a first team selection as an outfielder in 2007, the third straight year he made the All-Patriot League teams at TWO positions. For that, he was Player of the Year. Add in Drew Clouthier, a hard throwing lefthander, centerfielder Andrew Ernesto, versatile middle infielder Tony Capozzi, catcher Chris Simmons and third baseman JP Polchinksi, and you can see why Sottolano is confident in his team.
Pitching:
White, who has been the second starter for the Black Knights for three seasons, jumps to head of the rotation now that Nick Hill, arguably the best starting pitcher in the history of the conference, has joined the professional ranks as a selection of the California Angels. White, with a plus fastball and hard curve ball, might not be far behind him. The right-hander went 7-3 with a 3.49 ERA, striking out 54 in 67 innings, and tossing three complete games – including a 1-0 shutout of Navy in which he fanned a dozen Middies.
Clouthier is a power left-hander who started putting it together in the spring of 2007, and has carried through the fall workouts. He finished 4-4 with a 3.21 ERA and one complete game, fanning 68 in 73.1 innings. He moves up to the second spot in the rotation.
The rest of the rotation is filled out by soft-tossing lefthander Matt Fouch (1-2, 8.12 in 37.2 innings.); and four large talented freshman – 6’3 right-hander Ben Koenigsfeld, 6-5 right-handers Ben Gibbs and Kirk Porter, and towering 6-7 left-hander Joey Henshaw.
The size of the pitchers is typical for this class, which AVERAGES 6-3 in height. Those who do not make the rotation will join the bullpen, which will also include returning right-handers Tyler Anderegg (0-1, 1.11 ERA), Austin Grimes (1-2, 5.23), Steve Cummings (1-0, 3.00) and Chris Simpkins (1-0, 0.00).
One interesting aspect about Army is Sottolano's predeliction for using position players as pitchers, evidenced by White and and other former members of the Army staff, specifcally four-year closer Milan Dinga, who was a 10th round selection of the Seattle Mariners in the 2007 amatuer draft.
As a result, Clint Moore, who is expected to play shortstop, hulking first baseman Kevin McKague, and outfielder Sean Rainbird will also get a shot at pitching out of the pen, along with classmates Drew Bailey and Andy Seaman.
Catcher:
Co-captain Chris Simmons (.258, 2, 16) returns to handle the catching duties. A fine defensive catcher who will have to guide a young staff this year, he is also one of the Black Knights' more important offensive players.
Senior Tom Frawley ( .229, 0, 5) returns as the main backup, with freshman Cody Shorter the heir apparent for the spot when the two seniors graduate at the end of the season. Colby Smith, battling shoulder issues, will provide depth.
Infield:
Capozzi (.288, 0, 14, 6-8 sbs) will move back to second base after shifting to shortstop early last season. The junior provides slick play in the infield, and will anchor the middle of the infield. Polchinski(.281, 2,24) who moved to third base from first a season ago, will look to build off a strong finish to last season and impressive summer and fall workouts.
They will be joined at shortstop by the freshman Moore, who has impressed the coaching staff in the fall with his play.
“Clint brings a great deal of athleticism to our infield. He owns great presence and possesses an outstanding feel for the game,” Sottolano states. “He slows the game down as well as anyone that I’ve had the privilege of coaching and that allows him to play with great confidence.”
McKague and Henshaw, along with third baseman Mike Greco are just three of the freshman who expect to try to force their way into the lineup at first base. All three are powerful hitters. Greco was a 47th round selection of the Arizona Diamondbacks out of high school, but choose West Point.
At times, all three may be squeezed into the lineup, somewhere, as the Black Knights look to improve on an offense that struggled at times a season ago.
“We have a lot of versatility in this group,” Sottolano gushes. “We’ll play some of our younger guys at different positions early in the year, but we believe the powerful bats of Mike Greco, Kevin McKague and Joey Henshaw need to be in our lineup every day. We’ll explore different methods in order to make that happen.”
Additionally infielders Shaun Wixted and Brandon Hines will back up Polchinksi at third base, and press for duty. Wixted and Greco will both backup at shortstop as well as playing a corner postion.
Outfield:
Sottolano returns plenty of veteran talent here, but also has freshman pressing for time. Start in right field with White, one of the East’s top offensive players. The Player of the Year in 2007, White hit .408, with four home runs, 29 RBI and 16 stolen bases and OPS of 1.056, White carried the offensive load for the Black Knights a year ago. White spent much of the Black Knights Florida trip playing second base, and was named to the All Patriot Team as a first baseman previously. A versatile and talented player, White might be joining Hill and Dinga in the minor leagues after his Army season is over.
“Obviously, Cole White is a very gifted athlete,” says head coach Joe Sottolano. “He’s a five-tool player and someone on whom we count very heavily, both in right field and on the pitcher’s mound.”
Ernesto, a top notch defensive centerfielder, bounced back from a rough Florida trip to hit over .300 in Patriot League play. He finished up with a .222 average, with 14 RBI and three steals. Co-captain Kyle Stramara (.220, 1,11) , who saw time in left field and first base a year ago, will start the season in left.
Senior Caleb Love (.241, 0,12), junior Kyle Fleming (.217, 0, 2) and freshman Rainbird will all battle to see who gets playing time in rightfield when White is on the mound. David Darnell, another freshmen, is on the outside, but ready when called upon, in the outfield mix. Additionally, any of the infield candidates could see playing time in the outfield if need be.
Designated Hitter:
Sottolano has many choices, and will use this spot to make sure as many of his newly acquired potent bats get playing time.
Outlook:
Don’t be surprised if the Black Knights struggle early, as Army has once again has an aggressive early season schedule. With tons of new talent to sort through, Sottolano will use the early part of the season to sort things out, and figure which team gives him the best chance to win everyday.
So, is this a rebuilding season?
“Absolutely not,” he said emphayically. “We believe the talent level in this program is such that we should compete for a Patriot League championship EVERY year. It’s our job as coaches to make sure our team is in position to compete for a conference championship every season. I believe the young men we have in this program currently will allow us to accomplish that mission. We’ll find ways to win. I believe in this group.” Gotham Baseball Prediction: Second Place in the Patriot League regular season, a conference tournament win, and a spot in the NCAA tournament. The Black Knights stagger out of the gate early, finish strong, and scare the daylights out of someone in the NCAA tournament.
(This preview was prepared with assistance from Army Sports Information)
Talk to Army baseball coach Joe Sottolano just once, and you get a
pretty good idea of what he is all about; Straightforward, honest,
goal-driven and determined, yet friendly and quite enjoyable to talk
to. He does not pull punches, yet is not abrasive. So when he talks about his baseball team, you pay attention.
with White, one of the East’s top offensive players. The Player of the Year in 2007, White hit .408, with four home runs, 29 RBI and 16 stolen bases and OPS of 1.056, White carried the offensive load for the Black Knights a year ago. White spent much of the Black Knights Florida trip playing second base, and was named to the All Patriot Team as a first baseman previously. A versatile and talented player, White might be joining Hill and Dinga in the minor leagues after his Army season is over.
