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By Chris Jackson UA baseball: the next generation
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With a mass exodus of players that includes five starters and two starting pitchers, the Wildcats are going to need an infusion of new blood if they hope to compete in 1999. Enter the recruits. Seven high school seniors and four junior college transfers have committed to Arizona for the fall, and each could have an impact of varying degrees on the team. The most notable name is Canyon del Oro (Tucson) High School outfielder Shelley Duncan, son of St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan. "I see a lot of future in the program in the four years that I'll be there," Duncan said. "I have a great opportunity to play right away in my hometown." Duncan will be asked to play right field next year, replacing graduating senior Colin Porter, as well as making a few appearances out of the bullpen and serving as an emergency catcher. "He's got great make-up, just a competitive player," UA head coach Jerry Stitt said of Duncan. Duncan set a single-season record in home runs with 14 in 1997, the most ever by a Tucson-area player. This year he has hit eight while batting .461. He cites his dad as the biggest influence on his career. "He's taught me everything I know," Duncan said. "He's always made baseball easy and fun. He never tried to push it on me." Duncan had fun taking CDO to the 5A high school state championship in 1997 and again has the team ranked No. 1 in the state going into the playoffs this week. He said his plans for college are similar. "Winning a College World Series," Duncan said will be his ultimate goal while at Arizona. The only question now is will Duncan actually come to UA. He is among a number of players who have signed a letter of intent but could wind up getting drafted by the Major Leagues in June. Duncan thinks one other recruit, pitcher Ben Diggins of Bradshaw Mountain (Prescott) High School, is going pro. "He's probably a first round draft pick," Duncan said. "The chances are short that he'll be playing here." Stitt agreed. 
"We'll probably lose Benny, I just don't see him coming here," he said. Another highly-touted recruit is outfielder Ken Huff of Horizon (Scottsdale) High School, brother of UA relief pitcher Kevin Huff. Stitt sees him playing in left field in place of graduating senior Jason Hendricks. "We're really hoping he stays," Stitt said, as Huff's draft standing has reportedly risen this year. The other four high schoolers could all start next year or they could wind up in back-up or utility roles. Catalina Foothills High School southpaw Brian Pemble might get a shot at the rotation next year, but will more than likely take on a long relief role. "I think his make-up is one of a starter, eventually. If he puts 15 to 25 pounds on, he could gain the necessary velocity to start at that level, counting on that fact that he can develop a quality change-up," said Foothills coach Jason Hisey, himself a former Wildcat. "If he gets 20 innings next year I'll be happy." Stitt said the only out-of-state player, Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.) High School catcher Chris Cunningham, will spend next year on the bench. "He's a little young to be catching in Six-Pac games," Stitt said. Cunningham's coach said his full impact will likely come after a year. "Oh, I think he'll be real successful. I think once he gets over the first year adjustments that every player has to make going into college, he'll do fine," coach Glen Martinez said. The remaining two high school recruits are the double-play combination at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, shortstop Brad Hassey and second baseman Ben Winslow. Hassey, though, will have to give up his position for at least two years as UA sophomore-to-be Keoni DeRenne isn't going anywhere for a while. "Their biggest challenge will be stepping up to the next level of pitching," Salpointe head coach Kent Winslow said. Stitt said both could contend for starting spots next year, with Winslow at second and Hassey at third. Among the JC transfers, the two standout names are pitchers Chris Cervantes from Pima (Tucson) College and Mike Crawford from Yavapai (Prescott) College. Cervantes led all Arizona JC pitchers in strikeouts (109) this year, while Crawford was the league leader in wins with 11. "Chris Cervantes will step right into our rotation," Stitt said. Center fielder Troy Gingrich of Central Arizona (Apache Junction) College could take over that position for the Wildcats, but with senior-to-be Rafell Jones and sophomore Jason Schroyer also returning, it could become a battle in fall practice for the starting job. "You might say that it could be (competitive)," Stitt said. The other half of Pima's main battery will also be at UA next year as catcher Dennis Anderson follows Cervantes across town. Stitt said Anderson will compete with 1998 bullpen catchers Mark Ukleja and Devin Welch for the starting job. "We've got the guys, we just have to keep enough," Stitt said. "It's recruits that you have to worry about with the draft. But as soon as they step onto this campus on the first day of classes, the pros can't touch them for four years."
Incoming!The UA baseball team's recruits for the fall of 1998: Player Position(s) School, Town 1998 Stats Shelley Duncan OF/C/RHP Canyon del Oro HS, Tucson .461-8-39 Brad Hassey SS/3B Salpointe HS, Tucson .378-4-11 Ben Winslow 2B Salpointe HS, Tucson .365-4-22 Brian Pemble LHP Catalina Foothills HS, Tucson 5-2, 2.46 Chris Cunningham C Bishop Amat HS, La Puente, Calif. unavailable Ken Huff OF Horizon HS, Scottsdale unavailable Ben Diggins RHP/DH Bradshaw Mountain HS, Prescott unavailable Dennis Anderson C Pima CC, Tucson .382-9-43 Chris Cervantes RHP Pima CC, Tucson 9-4, 3.44 Mike Crawford RHP Yavapai CC, Prescott 11-1, 3.84 Troy Gingrich OF Central Arizona CC, Apache Junction .411-3-43 |
