2015 Ocean State Waves Player Previews: Southeast Region Edition
May 19, 2015 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Ocean State Waves News Release
With two weeks left until the Ocean State Waves begin the 2015 NECBL season against the New Bedford Bay Sox, several 2015 Waves players have been tearing up the diamond this spring in an effort to help their teams towards postseason glory. During a time when conference championships and the NCAA Regionals are on the horizon, various Waves hope to make their mark in the postseason before they catch the wave of summer success at Old Mountain Field in June.
In the weeks leading up to the season opener, OceanStateWaves.com has previewed the roster for the 2015 Waves based on the geographic region of their schools. So far, players from Rhode Island schools (University of Rhode Island and Bryant University) and from institutions on the East Coast (Assumption College, Northeastern University, College of the Holy Cross, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Belmont University, and Monmouth University) have been previewed.
This week, OceanStateWaves.com will preview eight players who hail from four schools in the Southeast Region. These schools include Georgia State University (OF Ryan Blanton), Kennesaw State University (RHP Tony Dibrell and C Griffin Helms), University of Southern Mississippi (OF Dylan Burdeaux, INF Nick Dawson, INF Tim Lynch, and C Chuckie Robinson), and Stetson University (LHP Ben Onyshko).
GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY (Atlanta, Georgia)
OF Ryan Blanton
An NECBL All-Star in 2014, Blanton returns for his second season in South County. As part of the outfield trio that made the NECBL Southern Division All-Star team (along with Drew Ferguson and Jordan Mountford), Blanton hit .269 with 12 RBI and six stolen bases in 41 games. Along with a double in the All-Star Game, Blanton posted a .250 average with 2 RBI during the NECBL Southern Division Semifinals against the Newport Gulls.
In his sophomore season with the Georgia State Panthers, Blanton emerged as one of the top offensive players in the Sun Belt Conference. In 44 games, Blanton hit .330 with six homers and 22 RBI to go along with five stolen bases. Blanton was named the Sun Belt and Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week in March 2015.
Due to his experience in the NECBL and his emergence as an offensive threat during his two seasons at the collegiate level, Blanton should excel during his second season in the NECBL. Mainly playing center field this summer, Blanton has the potential to carry over his vibrancy from 2014 and apply it to his performance as a Wave this summer.
KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY (Kennesaw, Georgia)
RHP Tony Dibrell
During his freshman season with the Kennesaw State Owls, Dibrell shined as he dabbled between the bullpen and the starting rotation. In eleven appearances (one start), Dibrell struck out 17 batters in 16 innings, including three against Western Carolina (March 18) and Savannah State (April 28).
Dibrell has the potential to become a powerful pitcher during his tenure with the Waves this summer. His fastball can easily reach 90 miles per hour, while also mixing in a curveball that has good spin to it and a changeup that miffs opposing hitters. His versatility also plays well towards his abilities this summer; expect Dibrell to be either a spot starter or relief specialist this summer with the Waves.
C Griffin Helms
Helms, who can play well behind the plate and in the outfield, should bring offensive and defensive versatility to the Waves in 2015. In 31 games (22 starts) during his freshman season, Helms posted a .267 average with a home run and 14 RBI. Helms hit his first career home run in Kennesaw State's season opener versus St. John's on February 14.
As a versatile catcher and outfielder, Helms can play many roles for the Waves this summer. Helms could bring his high school All-American status behind the plate, or serve time in left field. Either way, Helms should continue his strong play in his first season at Old Mountain Field.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI (Hattiesburg, Mississippi)
OF Dylan Burdeaux
A durable player in both the infield and outfield, Burdeaux has made an impact during his two seasons with the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. Starting in all 35 of his games, Burdeaux hit .291 with four home runs and 28 RBI while stealing 12 bases. Burdeaux split his time between playing left field and shortstop during the 2015 season.
Burdeaux has the athleticism and poise to be a successful player with the Waves this summer. A highly recruited athlete for both baseball and football, Burdeaux could serve as an athletic sparkplug for the Waves offense since he performs well at the plate and on the base paths. As a staple in the outfield, Burdeaux could become an explosive talent this summer with the Waves.
INF Nick Dawson
A versatile infielder that can play both shortstop and second base, Dawson brings the same experienced flare from Southern Mississippi to the Waves infield in 2015. In 49 games (47 starts), Dawson recorded 34 hits, including a home run and 20 RBI. Dawson played 44 games at second base while only playing three at shortstop this spring.
Dawson's durability in the infield makes him a key player for the Waves this summer. In a talented infield, Dawson stands out because he could play every day; he has started 107 of the last 109 games for Southern Miss since 2014. With his strengths in the field as well as his prowess at the plate, Dawson should become a strong force in the infield this summer at Old Mountain Field.
INF Tim Lynch
A midseason addition for the Waves in 2014, Lynch infused life into a Waves offense that won its first postseason game in postseason history. In 25 games, Lynch hit .333 with three homers and 20 RBI. Lynch also drove home three runs in the 2014 NECBL Southern Division Semifinals against the Newport Gulls.
Aside from his time with the Waves, Lynch became a powerful infielder during his time with the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. As a junior in 2015, Lynch hit .333 in 49 games, all while hitting nine home runs and 32 RBI. Lynch led the Golden Eagles in hits, home runs, and slugging percentage.
Due to his success with the Waves and Southern Mississippi, Lynch is one of the key players returning to the Waves this summer. Since he could play first base and third base, Lynch could bring his offensive flare into the lineup every day due to his ability of playing different positions. With a full season to work with, Lynch could continue his offensive onslaught of the NECBL this summer.
C Chuckie Robinson
A sturdy backstop that can also provide pop to the Waves lineup in 2015, Robinson has been a reliable catcher during his two years with the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. In his sophomore season, Robinson played in 32 games, hitting three home runs while driving in 14 runs. Behind the plate, Robinson threw out 57% of base runners that tried to steal bases against him.
Robinson is an excellent defensive catcher, which makes him a powerful factor towards the performance on the base paths from opposing NECBL coaches. Mixed with a powerful approach at the plate, Robinson could spread the wings he accrued during his time with Southern Mississippi towards success behind the plate with the Waves in 2015.
STETSON UNVIERSITY (Deland, Florida)
LHP Ben Onyshko
As one of the top amateur pitchers in Canada, Onyshko brings a veteran presence to the Waves rotation in 2015. Although he just finished his freshman season with the Stetson University Hatters, Onyshko brought a veteran presence on the mound due to his international experience. The southpaw went 1-1 with 29 strikeouts in 32 innings across 17 appearances (six starts).
Before bursting on the scene at Stetson, Onyshko had a storied career at Vauxhall Academy in Manitoba. A major asset towards three straight Provincial Championships from 2010-2012, Onyshko was a key pitcher for the Canadian Junior National Team for two seasons. Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixteenth round of the 2014 MLB Draft, Onyshko is not unfamiliar in NECBL circles; the lefty struck out five New Bedford Bay Sox batters in two innings in an exhibition game with the Canadian National Team back in 2013.
Onyshko's experiences with Team Canada and Stetson should benefit him during his time with the Waves this summer. The southpaw could be a powerful starter this summer, and his experience could provide him a flare that could make him lethal in NECBL circles this summer.
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New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from May 19, 2015
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- 2015 Ocean State Waves Player Previews: Southeast Region Edition - Ocean State Waves
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