Kentucky Wildcats Baseball-Bat Cats 2011 preview: Part 3

The 2011 freshman class is set and preparing to take the field for time as Wildcats. Coach Gary Henderson has brought in a very talented group of freshman that some rank in the top 20 classes in the country. The 2011 class includes 16 players, four of which found themselves in the 2010 MLB draft. Today’s preview will focus on the infield and catchers of the 2011 class, these guys make up half of that class.

Catchers:

This year’s freshman class includes two talented catchers, Steven Hoagland and redshirt freshman Michael Thomas. Both of these guys will have to earn spots on the squad and will have to spend some time in the bullpen to earn some playing time.

Michael Thomas was with the team last season and spent the 2010 season as the home bullpen catcher. In preparing for this season he spent the past summer playing with the Lexington Hustlers in the Great Lakes League. While playing it the league he played in 25 games and started 21 of those games. He had 76 AB, with a poor batting average of .184. He has done some extreme working out in the off season last season he weighed in at 230 this season he has dropped 30 lbs an even 200. He will continue to improve at the catcher position and is an important part to the development of the pitching staff.

Lexington native Steven Hoagland is a very brings a very athletic look to the catching staff. He is a two-way player who has also been used in the outfield. Last season at Lexington Christian he helped lead his team to an All “A” classic state championship and was also a first team All-City player. He also helped his team go to the KHSAA baseball state tournament during the 2010 season he batted .292 it looks that Hoagland will be used primarily in the bullpen his in his first season with the Cats.

Infield:

The class brings in six talented infielders, two of which were 2010 draft picks. The players include Thomas Bernal, Paul McConkey, Matt Reida, Dallen Reber, Tyler Townsend, and J.T. Riddle. There were several standouts in fall ball that will be competing for a starting spot this season.

Thomas Bernal is a former two-sport athlete from California; in high school he played baseball and football. Bernal plays the infield and is an amazing defensive player and he also spending some time behind the plate as a catcher. In 2010 Bernal started in every game of his senior year until he had a minor injury in the playoffs. He also was an All-state player in that season he had a .430 batting average and had 27 RBI. I believe he will be competing for some playing in this season in both positions.

Paul McConkey is a utility infielder who has the ability to perform at second base, shortstop and third. He was All-State in his senior year at Halls High School in Knoxville, TN. During that amazing season he batted .486 with 14 doubles, nine home runs and 42 RBI, this must be a consistent thing for him and he put up similar number in his junior year as well. McConkey is an extremely bright player on and off the field and was a member of the National Honors Society in 2008 and 2009.

Dallen Reber is freshman out of Dixie High School in Utah. Reber is a two time first-team All-State in 2009 and 2010. During the 2010 season he batted .495 and knocked out eight home runs. He is a pure athlete and was also a talented running back while in high school.

Next up is redshirt freshmen Tyler Townsend who is an infielder and hopefully seating out last season will prepare him for the 2011 season.

I saved the two former draft picks for last.

First up is Matt Reida out of who was drafted in the 2010 draft in the 47th round by the Chicago White Sox. Reida played his high school ball at Western, which is in Indiana. Coming out of fall ball this season he was the talk of the town and it looks like he has earned a starting spot in the infield, probably second base. Last season he had a .429 batting average with 36 hits, 32 runs and is also gifted on the base path with 10 stolen bases. He was such a stand out in 2010 that he will be considered to be a top of the order in this season’s lineup.

Last player is the 2010 Mr. Kentucky Baseball, J.T. Riddle. Riddle is an all around infielder as well as a right handed pitcher. He is set to compete for several different spots in the infield and has the chance to start. Riddle played his high school ball at Western Hills during his 2010 run he put up some amazing numbers. He had a .514 batting average, with seven long balls, 62 RBI and 32 runs. He put up a slugging percentage of .973 with 20 stolen bags. The stat that stuck out to me the most is the fact that during the season he only had five strike outs. That is amazing to me. He was also a 2010 draft pick as he was picked by the Boston Red Sox in the 35th round.

I believe that this group of guys are going to be an extremely talented bunch that will bring a lot to the returning players we already have. We are one week away from starting the season and Friday we will finish out the preview of the roster. So check back on Friday to see the preview on the Freshmen outfielders and pitching staff.

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