University Southern California Trojans
2004 Baseball Outlook: Back To Basics
January 19, 2004 | Baseball
Jan. 19, 2004
The 2004 USC baseball team is in an unusual position after last year's squad failed to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 10 years. The hunger to get back into the postseason will be a motivating factor for the Trojans.
"Our effort through the fall was very encouraging," said USC head coach Mike Gillespie. "The team seemed to be on the same wavelength."
USC returns 15 letterwinners from last year's squad that finished with a 28-28 record and tied for fifth in the Pac-10 Conference with an 11-13 mark. The Trojans graduated one key position player, Anthony Lunetta (.249, 7 HR, 31 RBI), who was a four-year starter.
Offense will not be a problem as five starting position players return this season with some freshmen who will add talent to the starting lineup. Overall, it's a squad that does not possess a lot of team speed, but will have plenty of power and station-to-station hitting to generate a potent offense.
Jeff Clement made an immediate impact as a freshman last year, batting .298 with a team-high 21 home runs and 53 RBI. The catcher earned Collegiate Baseball Freshman Co-National Player of the Year, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-America and Pac-10 Conference Freshman of the Year honors and played on the 2003 U.S. National Team during the summer. Clement will be the focal point of opposing pitching staffs, but the left-handed slugger will have plenty of protection in the lineup.
Junior first baseman Joey Metropoulos (.321-11-41) had a strong fall and alongside Clement gives the Trojans a solid 1-2 power punch at the plate. Like Clement, Metropoulos was a Freshman All-American two years ago. He has worked on his defense and looks to impress professional scouts for his draft-eligible status.
"We are optimistic, but we have to get production from Jeff and Joey if we are going to be successful," said Gillespie.
Seniors Michael Moon and Jon Brewster return to aid a young team and help anchor the Trojans' infield. Moon (.263-6-24) will probably move back to third base after spending last year as the Trojans' shortstop while Brewster (.310-4-27) should start at second base. The coaching staff has expressed some concern with the nagging injuries that both players have had to endure, so their health will be vital for the team's success.
The starting shortstop spot will be a battle between two newcomers: freshman Hector Estrella (Rosemead/Northview HS) and sophomore transfer Blake Sharpe (Moorpark/L.A. Pierce College), but it looks like Sharpe will have the edge at the start of the season.
Sophomores Ryan Broderick (.308-3-8) and Baron Frost (.265-1-3) should see a lot of playing time. Broderick can play as a corner outfielder while Frost can play in the outfield, serve as a backup catcher for Clement or be utilized as a designated hitter. The Trojans also have sophomore outfielder Billy Hart (.238-1-4), who made 22 starts last year and was a backup quarterback for the 2003 national championship football team. Hart has the raw athleticism to succeed, making another in the long line of two-sport athletes at USC.
"Baron swung the bat at a high level in the fall and we know he can help us," said Gillespie. "He has earned his way into the starting lineup. Billy really made big strides in the off season and we are excited about his potential as a baseball player."
Freshman Daniel Perales (Orange/Mater Dei HS) will get the nod as the starting center fielder after a productive fall, while freshman Cyle Hankerd (Covina/South Hills HS) should see some action on the field. Perales showed the ability to hit for both average and power during the fall, adding another left-handed bat in the lineup.
"Daniel and Cyle performed very well in the fall even though they are very young," said Gillespie. "It's not unreasonable to expect that they can perform at a high level."
Pitching will make or break the team this season. The staff lost six pitchers from last year, including three starters in Anthony Reyes (2-4, 4.38 ERA, 49.1 IP, 41 SO), Brian Bannister (6-5, 4.53 ERA, 93.1 IP, 56 SO) and Fraser Dizard (5-2, 6.40 ERA, 52 IP, 40 SO).
This season, the staff took a hit when projected starter Brett Bannister, Brian's younger brother, was lost for the second straight season. Bannister underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, which means the Trojans will look for starting help from sophomore Bobby Paschal (3-7, 5.43 ERA, 69.2 IP, 67 SO) and freshman Ian Kennedy (Huntington Beach/La Quinta HS).
Another starter could be senior left-hander Josh Rummonds (5-3, 4.66 ERA, 65.2 IP, 60 SO, two saves) or right-handed Bret Butler (1-5, 4.44 ERA, 50.2 IP, 51 SO, eight saves).
"The injury to Brett was a huge blow for us," said Gillespie. "Arguably, we can say that we lost our No. 1 guy. We don't have the numbers of a normal staff. We would hope to have about 10 quality guys, but I think this year the number will be around six or seven guys. If we do not have any more injuries, we still believe we will be good."
Butler could also help the bullpen, which is getting a boost with the return of senior Jon Williams. Williams made five appearances in 2003 before being shut down for the remainder of the season with a right elbow injury. Junior transfer Austin Miller (Glendora/Cypress College) will also help in the bullpen. Miller was a member of the 2003 California state championship squad at Cypress.
"We are excited about Miller as one of our newcomers," said Gillespie. "He was very impressive in the fall."
The staff, however, might have discovered a diamond in the rough. Junior Matt Cassel (Northridge/Chaminade HS) has spent four years with the USC football program and joined the baseball team after the 2004 Rose Bowl. Cassel was a high school standout and will need some time to adjust to playing baseball again, but could be a sleeper coming out of the Trojans' bullpen.
"There has not been enough time for Matt to demonstrate his potential," said Gillespie. "He's a smart player and has leadership qualities. He has jumped in with both feet and has gone for it in a competitive fashion. His confidence is hard to find with players."
After a historic five-day trip to Cuba in late January, the Trojans face another competitive schedule. USC will face 13 teams that reached the NCAA Tournament last year. Along with the vaunted Pac-10 schedule, the Trojans again play a rugged non-conference schedule.
USC will open the season with a three-game series against Long Beach State before hosting the 2004 USC/Public Storage Baseball Classic against Louisville, Notre Dame and San Diego State. Another tough tournament field looms the week after at the Kia Baseball Classic in Fullerton, Calif., against Georgia Tech, Oklahoma and host Cal State Fullerton. Before the start of Pac-10 play, the Trojans will play eight games in 10 days in a Spring Break trip with stops at Mississippi State, Tulane and South Alabama.
Despite some question marks this season, the goals are still the same for the Trojans.
"Our expectations are always going to be high for this program," said Gillespie. "We think this team is capable of playing at a high level. We expect to succeed with this tough schedule. It's our belief that we will earn a playoff spot and compete for a conference championship, as well as be among the nation's elite teams."
