The 2010 Wilson Bruins might have the best problem in the world. They’ve got too much talent. Sitting at 6-2, this team is full of good baseball players who are waiting for their chance to shine, but like with everything in baseball, it’s about the timing.
“This team is searching for identity,” says Wilson head coach Andy Hall, who has two or three players good enough to play at almost every position. “Everyone will get a chance, but they need to make it count when they do. Guys are looking for their roles… sometimes baseball is a function of confidence.”
Hall has a lot of confidence in this athletic, physical team and he thinks they can do some big things, but he also knows it’s about peaking at the right time. Like most of the Moore League teams last season, the Bruins weren’t playing their best baseball in late April and had to qualify for the playoffs with a wild card win. If they’re hoping for a return to the late playoff rounds as they did the two years prior, it will once again fall on the arms of the pitchers. Or as Hall puts it, “our pitching will keep us in it.”
The Team
The youth is on the mound for Wilson this year with juniors Riley Parker, Stefan Miladinovich and sophomore Chase Dejong racking up more than 3/4ths of the innings pitched so far. Parker has three pitches he can get over the plate and Hall says he’s the smartest pitcher he’s had in awhile. Dejong is a special young talent who is one of the best players off the 2008 PONY World Champions from Long Beach. He has a powerful arm that hangs around the low 90s and the potential to work four different pitches.
Catching the seven or eight pitchers will be senior leader Blake Cooper. The All-Moore League linebacker is growing into the position since his team needs him there, but he can also play in the field.
At first base Chris Hubbard will be the leader he’s always been, doing it by example. The senior already leads the team with four home runs and a .981 fielding percentage. On the other end of the spectrum to Hubbard’s right is Daniel Dewolf and Matt Treece. Both juniors and first-year varsity players, second baseman Dewolf is one of the better gloves in the league and he hit his first grand slam two weeks ago against Fountain Valley. Shortstop Treece is one of the most consistent fielders on the team, and his hustle has kept him in the lineup while his bat comes around.
At third base is senior Cody Harris to round out the veteran Bruins at the corners. The senior is a three-year starter with his teammates earned respect. After a breakout sophomore year he struggled with injury last season and worked hard to get health and back on the field.
The Bruins outfield is the best example of what is mentioned above: all this talent, but only three spots. Pitchers like Parker and Ritter can run out there as will Sean Buckle, Phillip Visico and Keith White. Hitting in the leadoff spot most of the time, White has shown some pop and is speedy. Hall would love to see him do a better job of working counts and getting guys over, but that’s not specific to White.
“We need to get better with the bats so every game isn’t a knock-down, drag-out,” says Hall. “ I’m not unhappy with the way we’re playing right now, but I’m not happy.”
Click here to see where Wilson stands in the 2010 Moore League Coaches’ Poll, and click here for the full 2010 Moore League schedule.