Feb. 15, 2005
When the Notre Dame baseball team staged its historic battle with host Mississippi State in the 2000 NCAA Regional round, many observers viewed that crushing experience as a natural step in the program’s evolution to elite national status. Now, five years later, that near-miss weekend in Starkville truly can be viewed as a springboard that sent Fighting Irish baseball on to repeated new heights.
The Irish enter the 2005 season with a .752 winning percentage (241-79-1) during the decade of the 2000s, winning at the second-best clip this decade among all teams in Division I. Highlights from the decade – in addition to the memorable 2000 Regional at Mississippi State – include claiming the nation’s No. 1 ranking in 2001, advancing to the College World Series in ’02 and becoming the first team ever to win three straight BIG EAST titles while also setting the team record for wins in a season three times during the past four years (capped by the 51-12 mark in ’04).
Paul Mainieri – now in his 11th season as head coach of the Irish – has several personal milestones on the horizon, entering ’05 with 781 career victories, including 450 at Notre Dame.
The Irish return six of nine position starters but will be looking for others to step into the voids in the lineup created by graduation and the Major League draft. All-America third baseman Matt Macri moved on to pro ball after his stellar ’04 season while second baseman Steve Sollmann (the winningest four-year starter in the program’s history) and clutch-hitting catcher Javi Sanchez were the leaders of the ’04 senior class, taking their considerable leadership skills with them on to postgraduate life and their own pro baseball careers.
The outfield rates as the strongest and deepest position for the Irish in 2005, with juniors Steve Andres (left field), Craig Cooper (center) and Cody Rizzo (right) the likely starters as opening day approaches. Senior first baseman Matt Edwards, junior shortstop Greg Lopez and junior DH Matt Bransfield also add to the veteran core – with the three new starters likely to include sophomore catcher Sean Gaston and a pair of prep shortstops at second (Brett Lilley) and third base (Ross Brezovsky).
Junior centerfielder Craig Cooper headlines a potent core of veteran offensive players (photo by Pete LaFleur).
|
 |
On the mound, the Irish must replace two frontline starters in Grant Johnson and Chris Niesel (both signed as early-round picks in the ’04 draft) but junior lefthander Tom Thornton returns after leading BIG EAST pitchers with nine victories in 2004. Three others – senior John Axford and sophomores Jeff Manship and Derik Olvey – could be top members of the 2005 rotation after completing their respective comebacks from injuries that wiped out their 2004 seasons.
Junior All-America closer Ryan Doherty leads an impressive group of bullpen talent that also includes hard-throwing sophomore Dan Kapala but must replace steady lefthander and ’04 graduate Joe Thaman. A stable comprised of several veterans and four highly-regarded newcomers will add further depth to a pitching staff that will be looking to improve on its 2004 team ERA (3.43) that ranked 9th in the nation.
Andres, Cooper and Rizzo could prove to be the best all-around outfielder unit in the 11-year Paul Mainieri era, a distinction most likely owned by the 2002 CWS group of Brian Stavisky, Steve Stanley and Kris Billmaier.
Junior leftfielder Steve Andres provides a tremendous combination of slugging and on-base ability (photo by Matt Cashore).
|
|
The lefthanded-hitting Andres (Napa, Calif.) was cited by Baseball America as the BIG EAST’s 2005 player with the best plate discipline but he also rates as one of the top players in Notre Dame history for combined on-base and slugging percentages. The former walk-on’s 1.057 “OPS” in 2004 (.471 on-base, .586 slugging) ranked 5th among all BIG EAST players and conveyed his impact on the game moreso than his .320 batting average and 39 RBI (8 HR, 44 walks).
“Steve has that rare combination of explosive power and a keen hitter’s eye,” says Mainieri of the player whose career stats with the Irish include nearly-identical totals for walks (63) and RBI (61). “He also has improved his outfield defense and could play another key role as a backup catcher.”
Craig Cooper’s second-half surge in 2004 saw him become the first player ever to lead the BIG EAST in batting avg., slugging and on-base pct (photo by Matt Cashore).
|
|
Cooper (Plainview, N.Y.), who also has begun training some at first base, is a strong All-America candidate after picking up second team all-BIG EAST honors in 2004, when he became the first player ever to lead the lead in conference batting average (.470), slugging and on-base percentage. The 6-2, 200-pounder hit .360 overall in ’04 (second only to Macri) while launching 10 home runs to go along with 48 RBI and 12 stolen bases.
“Craig made great strides in his all-around defense to earn the start in center field,” says Mainieri of Cooper, who was rated by Baseball America as the BIG EAST’s “best athlete” and “outfielder with the best arm” for 2005 (the magazine also rated his as the No. 60 prospect for the ’05 draft, 10th among outfielders).
“Craig has developed an advanced hitting approach that allows him to create great bat speed with a loose swing and fluid mechanics. He also is a long-striding threat on the bases who gets good jumps on pitchers – basically, he’s a player that can beat you in so many ways and we expect him to have another great year.”
Hustling junior Cody Rizzo already rates as one of the nation’s top defensive rightfielders (photo by Matt Cashore).
|
|
Rizzo (Temecula, Calif.) will be looking for a return to his freshman-year production, when he hit .314 with 8 home runs and 53 runs scored. Those numbers tailed off in 2004 (.263, 4 HR, 39 R) as the team’s southern California native coped with a lingering wrist injury that limited his bat speed.
“Cody already is one of the elite defensive rightfielders in the country. He just has such great instincts out there and can make some great plays,” says Mainieri of the unique soccer-baseball two-sport star. “I think you also will see a great year at the plate from Cody.
“He has such a fearless approach in the box, as evidenced by the fact that he already is our career leader with 48 times hit-by-pitch. When you add in his hustle on the bases and pop in that bat, we’re real excited to see Cody make a big impact this year.”
Yet another junior – Alex Nettey (Dolton, Ill.) – also could emerge as a key contributor in the outfielder. The 6-1, 200-pounder played mostly as a reserve in the ’03 and ’04 seasons (57 games played, 18 starts) but could see more time thanks to stellar defense and a developing offensive game, with a quick bat and the ability to drive the gaps.
Lefthanded-hitting freshman Danny Dressman (San Jose, Calif.) is the team’s fifth veteran outfielder and logged some quality playing time as a freshman, including 28 starts in center field (.264, 25 R, 18 BB). Dressman has solid defensive skills and handles the bat well, with good bunting ability and great baseball instincts that add even deeper talent for the ’05 outfield.
Senior first baseman Matt Edwards is the veteran leader of the Irish position players (photo by Pete LaFleur).
|
|
Edwards (Mechanicsville, Va.) has started during his career on both corners of the infield but likely will focus on first base in ’05, much as he did in ’04 when he hit .310 with 54 RBI and 12 home runs. A .340 career hitter who earned first team all-BIG EAST and second team all-region honors as a sophomore, the 6-2, 225-poind Edwards has the option to apply for a fifth year of eligibility in ’06 after missing most of ’02 due to a broken leg.
“Matt is such an explosive hitter and the ball really jumps off his bat. We need him to be a consistent run producer and the leader of this offense and I certainly think Matt is up to that challenge,” says Mainieri.
Freshman Brett Lilley is set to take over at second base, filling the spot held the previous four years by fellow Ohio native Steve Sollmann (photo by Matt Cashore).
|
|
Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) played sparingly in ’04 at Hoover High School due to a hand injury, after playing the previous three seasons at Canton Central Catholic (where he had a record-setting .483 career batting average. He now looks to replace fellow Ohio native Sollmann, who also started with the Irish from day-one.
“Brett is a player that really excites me. He is a pesky lefthanded batter with an advanced hitting approach, making him a great option for the leadoff spot,” says Mainieri. “Brett also has that fireplug attitude and plays with a controlled intensity that puts pressure on the defense. He adds great range, good hands and strong arm in the field – just a great addition to that freshman class.”
Junior shortstop Greg Lopez is the glue of the Notre Dame infield (photo by Pete LaFleur).
|
|
Lopez (Upper Arlington, Ohio) – who combines with Rizzo as two of the ’05 team’s four captains – could prove to be the top all-around shortstop in the Mainieri era and is coming off a third-team all-BIG EAST season in which he ranked as the team’s third-leading hitter (.332) and played stellar defense that included a 17-game errorless streak.
“Greg is the glue for our team and he elevates production of his teammates through his attitude and energy on the field,” says Mainieri of the Academic All-America candidate who carries a 3.36 GPA as a double major in pre-professional studies and anthropology.
“He plays shortstop with the hard-nosed attitude and ability to regularly make game-changing plays in a non-flashy way – and offensively he has improved so much to the point where he regularly provided clutch hits from the bottom of the order.”
Freshman Ross Brezovsky brings his strong arm and lefthanded bat to the third-base position (photo by Matt Cashore).
|
|
Brezovsky (Naples, Fla.) – rated by Team One Baseball as one of the nation’s top-40 prep shortstops – turned in an all-state senior season at Barron Collier High School (.390, 21 RBI, HR, 9 2B, 10 SB) and had an impressive showing in Notre Dame’s fall Blue-Gold intrasquad game, capped by a two-run double and the go-ahead run that lifted the Gold to a 10-9 win.
“Ross reminds us a lot of our third baseman from the CWS team, Andrew Bushey, because of his strong arm and a quality lefthanded swing with pop in the bat. He also has such a great love for the game and will really have an impact on so many aspects of the game,” says Mainieri.
Junior Eddie Smith (Olympia, Wash.) – a 5-11, 165-pound transfer from Centrali Community College – will fill a key role as the team’s utility infielder. A steady fielder with good hands and an accurate arm, the lefthanded-hitting Smith adds poise, maturity and college experience to the 2005 Irish roster. He also should fit right in with the team’s high on-base percentage, after setting the CCC record for times hit-by-pitch in a season (18).
Sophomore Sean Gaston is set to strap on the gear as the starter behind the plate (photo by Pete LaFleur).
|
|
Gaston (Brownsburg, Ind.) is a highly-regarded catcher who showed he is no slouch with the bat as a freshman, earning national player-of-the-week honors after batting 10-for-11 to start his college career (he ultimately his .316 in a season cut short by illness).
“Sean is an excellent catch-and-throw defensive player who will be looking to improve his receiving, footwork and transfer to throw,” says Mainieri. “He will be counted on as a tack-charge leader and confident director of the pitching staff.
Andres and Bransfield (Englewood, Colo.) are the primary backups behind the plate, with each seeing some time at catcher earlier in their careers. Bransfield’s breakthrough season as the ’04 DH included batting .306 with a team-best 58 RBI (his 33 in conference play led the BIG EAST) and 12 home runs.
Junior DH Matt Bransfield led the BIG EAST in RBI while launching 12 home runs in 2004 (photo by Pete LaFleur).
|
|
“Bransfield again will be a key RBI man in the middle of that lineup and will be looking to become more of a complete player with greater plate discipline. He is a very confident and aggressive hitter who attacks the baseball – we saw that so much last season – and we expect more big things from him in ’05.
Junior Nick Mainieri (South Bend, Ind.) returns to his father’s team with a bulked-up frame (5-11, 180) and great attitude for his role as the bullpen catcher, making a key impact in the development and preparation of the Irish pitching staff.
Heavy-hitting senior DH Brent Weiss (Cockeyesville, Md.) was hopeful of returning to regular duty in 2005 – after missing all of the ’03 season and playing sparingly in ’04, due to shoulder problems that date back to his prep career.
Switch-hitting sophomore Mike Dury (Indianapolis, Ind.) is an option at first base and DH but he also could be used some in outfield with consistent offensive production. The 6-5, 230-pounder also is a top lefthanded candidate out of the bullpen, after posting a 1.88 ERA in 14.1 innings of work as a freshman (10 Ks, 4 BB, 14 H; also batted 4-for-16).
Tom Thornton repeatedly answered the big-game bell while compiling a 9-2 record in 2004 (photo by Matt Cashore).
|
|
The 6-6, 220-pound Thornton (Middleboro, Mass.) proved his worth as a big-game pitcher in 2004, going 9-2 with a 3.88 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 99.2 innings (24 BB). A preseason pick for all-BIGE EAST awards (an honor that somehow escaped him in ’04), Thornton has a deceptive delivery that should be even more effective in ’05 after greater finetuning of his mechanics.
“Tom hides the ball so well from hitters and is so methodical and effective at changing speeds and hitting his spots. We will need him to take things to another level this season and I know Tom is up to that challenge,” says Mainieri of the All-America candidate (3.46 GPA).
Two-sport star Jeff Samardzija is on the verge of becoming a frontline starter with the Irish baseball team (photo by Matt Cashore).
|
|
The 6-5, 215-pound Samardzija (Valparaiso, Ind.) showed his great athletic talent in 2004 while compiling a 2.95 ERA and 5-3 record as a reliever and fourth starter (42 Ks, 17 BB, 50 H in 64 IP). Notre Dame’s first football-baseball player since the mid-1990s, he owned the BIG EAST’s second-best conference ERA in ’04 (2.95) and fashioned a 22-inning overall shutout streak.
“Jeff is on the verge of becoming a frontline starter and brings that great level of confidence and mound presence,” says Mainieri. “When you combine his athletic frame and arm strength with the clean delivery, there’s just tremendous upside in what this kid can do on the mound.”
Manship (San Antonio, Texas) already had received plenty of hype prior to coming to Notre Dame, rated by Baseball America as the nation’s No. 3 incoming freshman for the ’04 season before being sidelined with an elbow injury that had carried over from summer ball. The 6-1, 195-pounder – who was 13-1 with a 0.64 ERA and 133 Ks as a senior at Reagan High School – has made good progress in returning from “Tommy John” reconstructive elbow surgery and has plenty of big-game experience under his belt as a former member of the U.S. Junior National Team.
Senior John Axford will be hoping to make an impact on the 2005 season after missing all of ’04 due to injury (photo by Matt Cashore).
|
|
“Jeff has been tireless in his rehab and we obviously are hoping for a great return form him. He has that awesome curve as his out-pitch and can locate an equally-tough fastball on both sides of the plate. He’s just a bulldog on that mound who is eager to get out there and held lead this pitching staff.”
Axford (Port Dover, Ontario) is ranked as the No. 145 prospect for the ’05 draft as he looks to come back from his own elbow surgery. The 6-6, 190-pound righthander was a top pitcher for the Irish in ’02 and ’03, compiling a 4.13 career ERA and 14-5 record but totaling nearly as many walks (109) as strikeouts (133, in 141.2 IP).
“John had a great start to his sophomore season and is eager to get back to the point where he can help this team win games,” says Mainieri. “He is a classic groundball pitcher with an electric set of pitches that make him a very special member of this staff.”
Junior All-America closer Ryan Doherty returns to lead the talented Irish bullpen (photo by Pete LaFleur).
|
|
Doherty (Toms River, N.J.) is coming off an All-America season that saw him convert 12-of-13 save chances while allowing just 1-of-17 inherited baserunners to scored (2.38 ERA, 46 Ks, 11 BB, 19 H in 34 IP). The bulked-up 7-1, 225-pounder – rated as the No’ 90 prospect for the ’05 draft – enters the season on pace to set Irish records for career ERA (2.30), 9-inning averages for strikeouts (12.93) and hits (5.75) and K-to-walk ratio (4.09).
“We took sort of an instructional-league approach with Ryan in the fall and winter and he made some key strides in several areas, including control of the running game. You can still expect him to attack hitters with that high release point and he’s a great leader to have for your bullpen” says Mainieri.
Hard-throwing sophomore Dan Kapala serves as a devastating setup man for the Irish pitching staff (photo by Pete LaFleur).
|
|
Kapala (Royal Oak, Mich.) – known for his live arm, with nasty whip motion – made 28 relief appearances as a rookie while compiling a 2.70 ERA and averaging 9.0 Ks per 9 innings. The 6-5, 225-pounder has made huge strides during his time at Notre Dame while gaining greater consistency with his slider and changeup, to go along with a tough low-90s fastball.
The 6-2, 205-pound Olvey (Pelham, Ala.) logged just two starts and two relief appearances before seeing his freshman season cut short due to tendonitis in his forearm (3.52, 7 Ks, 3 BB, 14 H, 15.1 IP). The prep All-American and former Los Angeles Dodgers draft pick (13th round, in ’03) – noted for his polished mound presence and a heavy, low-90s fastball – was on pace for a full recovery and could provide a lift to the ’05 staff as it looks to replace the departed regulars.
Jess Stewart is one of several top pitchers in the sophomore class (photo by Pete LaFleur).
|
|
Heavy-throwing sophomore Jess Stewart (Manassas, Va.) may be the sleeper among the talented group of sophomore pitchers, after a methodical season of effectiveness in 2004 that saw him go 7-1 with a 3.39 ERA (20 Ks, 8 BB, 41 H, .263 opp. avg. in 40 IP). The 6-3, 215-pounder proved to be a productive strikeout/groundout pitcher as a freshman (he averaged 17.1 outs per Ks and GOs in ’04) and has made some key strides in his fastball command overall strength.
Sophomore Matt Whittington (Melbourne, Fla.) also is part of the deep lefthander group and could see an expanded role after making just three relief appearances in 2004. Known for his loose arm and tough changeup, the 6-1, 205-pound finesse lefty made good progress with his control and offspeed pitches during the preseason that could lead to more innings in ’05.
Seniors Tyler Jones (Arlington, Texas) Scott Bickford (Owings, Md.) and also will be looking to make contributions in their final season with the Irish.
The 6-4, 210-pound Jones – who combines with Axford as the second pair of pitchers (and first since 1970) ever to serve as captains for a Notre Dame baseball team – was a 30th-round draft pick of the Atlanta Braves coming out of high school and went on to log some quality relief outings in his first three seasons with the Irish.
Joey Williamson is one of four freshman pitchers who could play key roles on the 2005 staff (photo by Matt Cashore).
|
|
Bickford is coming off an all-star summer season with the Valley League’s Waynesboro (Va.) Generals. The 6-5, 170-pound lefthander could be in the mix to replace Thaman’s relief output from the left side of the mound.
Four freshmen have arrived on the scene to add even more talent to the ’05 staff.
Righthander Joey Williamson (Lantana, Fla.) and lefty Wade Korpi (Lake Worth, Fla.) – the first prep teammates ever to sign with the Irish in the Mainieri era – were all-state performers as senior at Santaluces High School, combined for a 19-1 record, 0.98 ERA and 215 Ks in 133 innings. The 6-1, 190-pound Williamson – who was rated by Baseball America among the nation’s top 150 prep prospects – is a hard-nosed competitor who is used to big-game pressure after emerging as one of the top pitchers for the 2002 U.S. Youth National Team.
“Joey has a strong arm, good command and a huge desire to challenge hitters,” says Mainieri of Williamson, whose ’04 season included a county-best 0.57 ERA, 9-1 record and 90 Ks. “He can touch the low-90s with a sinking fastball that has movement on both sides and throws a tough slider on any count. Joey simply the physical ability and mechanics to become a dominant college pitcher and it should be fun to see him emerge this season.”
Korpi had his own strong season in ’04 (10-0, 1.18 ERA, school-record 125 Ks) and also has pitched on a big stage while competing in Cuba vs. a national select team.
Freshman Wade Korpi – one of six lefthanders on the ’05 staff – is a polished addition on the mound and was set to be in the opening-week rotation (photo by Matt Cashore).
|
|
“Wade has an advanced knowledge of the game and excellent command of his change and curve. He is a crafty pitcher who knows how to set up hitters and has made important strides in controlling the running game,” says Mainieri.
Lefthander David Gruener (Gig Harbor, Wash.) attracted pro scouts as a prep senior despite playing at lower-division Life Christian Academy (1.90 ERA, 4-1, 65 Ks and just 5 walks). The 6-2, 210-pounder has made key strides in his mechanics while continuing to boost his fastball that has climbed into the low-90s.
“David is a very projectable pitcher because of his great arm strength and mound presence,” says Mainieri. “He has some electric pitches, with a quality slider and change and good move on the fastball. David also benefits from his powerful leg drive, great command and a tricky arm slot.”
Righthander Tony Langford (Fort Worth, Texas) is a talented two-way player who also could see time in the infield or as a righthanded DH. He spent the past few years being coached by former big-leaguer Cecil Espy at Fort Worth Country Day, with his impressive senior season including a 1.1 ERA (5-3, 81 Ks) and .413 batting average (3 HR, 19 RBI).
“Tony has great athleticism and arm strength and is a very spunky competitor on the mound,” says Mainieri. “He is a strike thrower who can deliver from multiple arm angles and has a tough fastball that tops out in the low-90s. He also has solid defensive skills and is a free swinger with good bat speed. Tony is a kid that can help us in a lot of ways.”