BASEBALL TAB: Rosewod outlook

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 11, 2016 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Potential.

It's a word people throw around with regularity.

However, it means nothing if you don't do anything with it.

That's how Rosewood head coach Jason King is approaching this season. He sees potential in the Eagles, who finished 13-10 overall in 2014. Youth has to mesh with experience, and each player must display an aggressive attitude when he steps between the chalk lines on game day.

"I think if these guys stick to the process and they really focus hard on the team aspect of the game and doing whatever it takes for the team to be successful, I think the sky can be the limit for this group," said King, who returns 14 players from a year ago.

"If they play for each other every day, they can really make some noise. I'm looking forward to seeing this group grow throughout the season and see how they respond to adversity when it shows its ugly face.

"It's going to happen because it's baseball."

Rosewood has a little bit of it all this season -- diversity, depth, speed, power and the ability to play small ball. King has interchangeable parts in the outfield and infield, depending on game situations and who takes charge on the bump.

Several faces -- "spark plug" Stalen Massengill, utility guy Max White, Kyler Bradley, Conner Vernon and Chance Howard -- will appear in the outfield throughout the season. Massengill, Vernon and Howard are newcomers to the varsity scene.

The infield has the same versatility as the outfield. Either Derek Neal, Ethan Chapin or Luke Teague will work behind the dish. Sophomore Jon Peacock is on the hot corner (third base). King has Hayden Amodeo and Boone Moody patrolling the middle infield.

Neal and Tanner Bradley will share time at first base.

"We've got several guys that are really multi-purpose guys who can play different positions because of their athleticism, and their ability to run and move," King said. "It's a very good luxury not having just nine guys stuck in one spot."

King asked his pitchers to go either five or six innings a year ago. As long as the pitchers throw strikes and the defense consistently works behind them, there could be several mid-game changes this spring.

Chapin is the most-experienced pitcher back in the bullpen. The right-hander turned in an earned run average of close to 3.00 during multiple mound appearances last season. Joining him is fellow senior Nick Neal, a lanky righty. Peacock, Moody, White, junior Matt Parsons and Tanner Bradley could spend a few innings on the mound, also.

"We've got a lot of guys we can go to either on the bench or in the field that we can insert (to pitch)," King said. "As a staff, we think Nick is going to fight for a starting rotation job. One thing I'm excited about this group (of pitchers) is watching them develop as the year goes on and see how things shake out."

Chapin, Neal, Moody and Amodeo are expected to provide some offensive punch in the lineup. King said a few of the younger players have shown some promise during preseason workouts.

Executing the fundamentals at the plate is paramount. At any time, King may ask a batter to either bunt or move a runner with the hit-and-run. He wants to see aggressive base running, which undoubtedly puts pressure on the opposing defense.

"Put pressure on the defense is probably what any coach in America will tell you," laughed King. "That's really what it is. It's nothing special, but something we pride ourselves in doing and working hard."