Steamers Surge in Arms Race
March 7, 2016 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Edenton Steamers News Release
EDENTON, NC - The Steamers are happy to announce that pitchers Eric Scheuermann, Trent Thompson and Drew Faintich will spend their summer in Edenton.
Scheuermann (SHOY-er-min) comes to the Clams as a redshirt-junior from Bradley University (IL). The right-handed pitcher stands 6'1" and 200 pounds. Scheuermann redshirted in 2015 while recuperating from an arm injury, but he has come back in a flourish at the back of the Braves pen thus far in 2016. The Palatine, IL native could be a lethal closer option with a fastball that touches the low to mid-90s, complemented by the command and repertoire of a starter. He is yet another Steamer arm that should report this summer with a successful foundation in both roles. So far this spring, Scheuermann has logged 13.2 innings through sixrelief appearances with a win, two saves, a 1.32 ERA and 12 strikeouts to four walks.
Trent Thompson joins the Steamers from the University of Central Florida, where he has been serving as a swingman so far this spring. The 6'3" 240-pound junior pitched for the Matsu Miners of the Alaska League last summer. Thompson made 20 appearances with the Miners, totaling 24.1 innings while maintaining a 1.85 ERA, .204 batting average against, 0.99 WHIP and racking up 23 strikeouts to just five walks. The Tampa, FL native starred last summer in Alaska in a setup role for the Miners, similar to the way in which he was deployed as an underclassman in Orlando with UCF. Thompson succeeds by pitching off a plus changeup and a fastball that sits in the upper 80s with excellent command of both when he is on. The righty is being lengthened currently this spring, and he could evolve into a starter, a role in which he could potentially serve this summer with the development of his breaking ball. Has come out of the chute in 2016 in midseason form with three appearances and one start over his first 11.1 frames, duringwhich he has posted a 2.38 ERA, .171 opponents' batting average, .71 WHIP and eight punchouts to just one base on balls.
Drew Faintich comes to Edenton with his teammate from Central Florida (above). The 6'2" 235-pound junior is an everyday match-up specialist for the Golden Knights. Faintich pitched in the Great Lakes League for the Lima Locos last summer. Including a midseason all-star turn, the Tallahassee, FL native made 15 appearances while holding a 0.42 ERA and 0.80 WHIP with 24 strikeouts to eight walks in 21.1 innings of work . Faintich was close to unhittable for most of the 2015 summer, allowing only nine base knocks. His nasty two-pitch combination, with a fastball in the upper 80s to low 90s and a short hard slider around 80 miles per hour, should allow him to handle leveraged matchups and innings this summer in the Teal & Black. The southpaw has impressed so far this spring in an everyday specialist role that requires a lot of discipline and preparation at the amateur level. Pitching ineight of UCF's first 13 contests, he has five strikeouts and only let up two hits over 3.1 innings.
Edenton continues to load up its pitching stable, which should be a foundational team strength in 2016, with another trio of gifted arms. Faintich gives Coach Hill a power southpaw in the pen, which is always a scarce commodity at the college level. Meanwhile, Scheuermann and Thompson are two more seasoned righties with dual-role experience who both have a chance to perform in impact spots this summer.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 20th season in 2016, the CPL features 16 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had nearly 1,300 alumni drafted and 81 of those - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their Major League debut; while another notable alum - Russell Wilson - won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Twitter @CPLBaseball.
• Discuss this story on the Coastal Plain League message board...
Coastal Plain League Stories from March 7, 2016
- Steamers Surge in Arms Race - Edenton Steamers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
