Meet the 2020 South Alabama Baseball Roster
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Get to know the 2020 South Alabama baseball roster
2020 South Alabama Baseball Roster
The 2020 South Alabama baseball roster is a talented and experienced group that is looking to build on the success of last season. The roster includes eleven seniors, five juniors, and six sophomores. The team will be led by senior pitcher Kevin Hill, who was named Sun Belt Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year. The Jaguars also return two All-Sun Belt Conference players from last season in senior infielder Travis Swaggerty and junior outfielder/pitcher Tanner Remy. The team will look to these experienced leaders to help them contend for a Sun Belt Conference Championship and make a run at the NCAA tournament
New Additions to the 2020 Roster
The 2020 South Alabama Baseball roster will feature some new additions, as well as some familiar faces. Here’s a look at the full roster:
Pitchers
-AJ Bullard
-Andrew Jones
-Austin Christensen
-Blake Johnson
-Brandon Haley
-Cole Zabowski
-Gavin Hetterle
-Hunter Stokes
-Jake Walters
-Jamal Murray
-Josh Dangleis
-Keaton Haack
-Keegan Thompson
-Landon Carter RP Freshman Homewood, AL Homewood HS
Returning Players to Watch in 2020
The 2020 season will be an important one for the South Alabama baseball team After a disappointing 2019 campaign, in which the Jaguars went 22-30 overall and just 12-18 in Sun Belt conference play Head Coach Mark Calvi will be looking to Bounce Back in a big way this spring.
One of the big reasons for optimism heading into the 2020 season is the fact that South Alabama will have a number of Key Players returning from last year’s squad. Here are four returning players to keep an eye on this spring:
1. OF/INF Matt Estrada: Estrada was one of the few bright spots for South Alabama last season, as he hit .303 with four home runs and 33 RBI while starting all 52 games for the Jaguars. He’ll once again be a key piece of theSouth Alabama lineup in 2020 and should be in line for another big offensive season.
2. RHP Zach Greene: Greene was solid as South Alabama’s Sunday starter last season, going 5-5 with a 3.86 ERA in 16 starts. He’ll once again anchor the back end of the Jaguar rotation this year and will look to build on his strong 2019 campaign.
3. RHP/INF Carter Perkins: Perkins is a two-way player who saw significant time both on the mound and at the plate last season. He’ll likely see more time on the mound this year, but regardless of where he plays, Perkins will be an important part of the South Alabama roster in 2020.
4. LHP Tanner Hileman: Hileman was limited to just 11 appearances (seven starts) last season due to injury, but he showed glimpses of his potential when he was on the mound. If he can stay healthy, Hileman has a chance to be one of the best left-handed pitchers in the Sun Belt Conference this year.
Pitching Staff
The Pitching staff of the 2020 south Alabama Baseball Team is looking to be a solid group this year. The staff is made up of returners and newcomers. Some notable returners are Ace, Chandler,and Hanson. The new members of the staff that look to make an immediate impact are freshmen Garrett Chapman and Landon Summers.
Infield
The infield for the 2020 South Alabama baseball team will see some familiar faces and some new ones. At first base, senior Kameron Brunson returns after starting all 55 games last season. Brunson batted .336 with four home runs and 41 RBIs in 2019. He will be counted on to provide leadership for the young Jaguars team.
At second base, junior Nolan Tressler takes over the starting role after appearing in 22 games last season, mostly as a pinch runner Tressler is a speedy player who will look to add some spark to the Jaguar offense.
Shortstop is a position that will see some competition this season. Freshman Braden Montgomery and sophomore Luke Jarvis will both be fighting for the starting spot. Montgomery is a highly-touted recruit who has the potential to be an impact player right away. Jarvis appeared in 25 games last season, mostly as a defensive replacement.
Senior Zackary Valdes returns as the starter at third base. Valdes was second on the team with a .333 batting average last season, while also adding four home runs and 36 RBIs. His experience will be crucial for the young Jaguars team.
Rounding out the infield is sophomore Travis Swaggerty, who starts at designated hitter Swaggerty was named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference team after hitting .296 with eight Home Runs and 32 RBIs last season. He will look to build on his strong 2019 campaign in his sophomore year.
Outfield
The South Alabama baseball team is set to begin their 2020 season and will look to build on their success from last year. The team is led by senior outfielder Cole Heavner. Heavner was named first team All-Sun Belt Conference last year after hitting .338 with nine home runs and 35 RBI. He is joined in the outfield by junior college transfer Parker Morin and freshman sensation Dylan Hardy. Morin hit .349 with eight home runs and 32 RBI last year at Eastern Oklahoma A&M College while Hardy hit .441 with 16 home runs and 44 RBI as a senior in High School
Catchers
The 2020 South Alabama Baseball Team will have six catchers on the roster. They are as follows:
-Caleb ledbetter
-Dylan Hathcock
-Gavin Johns
-Jackson Stephens
-Luke Hancock
-Will Spiers
2020 Schedule
The 2020 South Alabama baseball schedule was announced on Wednesday, highlighted by home games against Mississippi State Southern Miss and Troy.
The Jaguars will open the season with a three-game series at Stetson on Feb. 14-16 before host their home opener against Mississippi State on Feb. 18.
Season Outlook
The 2020 South Alabama Baseball team will look to build on the success of last season, when they won a share of the Sun Belt regular season title. The Jaguars will be led by a talented group of returning players, as well as some key newcomers.
Here is a look at the 2020 South Alabama baseball team
Pitchers
The Jaguars will have a deep and experienced pitching staff in 2020. The rotation will be headlined by senior right-hander Kramer Robertson, who was named Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year last season after going 10-4 with a 2.48 ERA. Robertson will be joined in the rotation by junior left-hander Tyler Holton, who was 6-4 with a 3.86 ERA last season, and sophomore right-hander Matt Murray, who was 4-2 with a 3.27 ERA in 2019.
In the bullpen, South Alabama will have senior right-handers Dylan Hardy and Evan Steele back for their final seasons. Hardy was 3-2 with three saves and a 1.93 ERA last year, while Steele had two saves and a 2.25 ERA in 2019. They will be joined by junior right-hander Carson Swilling, who had one save and a 3.38 ERA last season, and sophomore left-hander Jack Boling, who had two saves and a 4.50 ERA as a freshman in 2019.
Catchers
Senior Troy Blackman returns for his final season as the Jaguars’ starting catcher after hitting .287 with four home runs and 22 RBIs last year. He will be backed up by Junior College transfer Colton Thomas and freshman Drew LaBounty.
Infielders
The South Alabama infield will be anchored by senior third baseman Hunter Stokes, who hit .280 with eight home runs and 37 RBIs last season en route to being named Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year. He will be joined by senior second baseman Judd Ward, who hit .267 with two home runs and 21 RBIs in 2019, junior first baseman Kevin Maitan, who hit .247 with five home runs and 34 RBIs last year, and sophomore shortstop Braden Shewmake, who hit .270 with one home run and 20 RBIs as a freshman in 2019. Freshman third baseman/shortstop Gavin Johnson could also see time in the infield this season. Outfielders The Jaguars’ outfield will be led by senior Left fielder Cole Tramutola, who hit .274 with four home runs and 38 RBIs last year en route to being named First Team All-Sun Belt Conference He will be joined by senior center fielder Clay Dunn, who hit .317 with 12 stolen bases last season ?and junior right fielder Dylan Hardy (no relation to pitcher Dylan Hardy), who hit ..247 with nine stolen bases in 2019.. Sophomore left fielder Carter Perkins could also see time in the outfield this year.. Designated hitter/utility player Senior designated hitter/utility player Matt Inouye returns for his final season after hitting .268 with two home runslast year.. He’ll be joined by Junior College transfers Blaze Viking (infielder/outfielder)and Logan Kirkland (outfielder).. Schedule The 2020 South Alabama Baseball Schedule has not been released yet..
Meet the Coaches
South Alabama’s baseball team is led by head coach Mark Calvi. He is assisted by assistant coaches Mike Batesole, Matt farris and Kyler Burke. The 2020 season will be Calvi’s ninth at the helm of the program.