2015 Waves Player Previews: Rhode Island Schools Edition

May 5, 2015 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Ocean State Waves News Release


For the third straight season, the Ocean State Waves welcome several players from two of the top college baseball programs in New England: Bryant University and the University of Rhode Island. Ever since the inaugural season for the Waves in 2013, both schools have combined to send 13 players to don the blue and white at Old Mountain Field. These connections achieved new levels in 2014 as players from both Bryant and URI propelled the Waves to a 24-18 record as well as their first postseason victory in franchise history.

With a month away from Opening Day 2015, seven players from Bryant and URI will play for the Waves this season. Four players (Bryant: Robby Rinn, Oliver Powers, and Buck McCarthy, URI: Brad Applin) return to Old Mountain Field for another great summer, while three URI players (Mike Corin, Tyler Wilson, and Blaise Whitman) look to etch their legacy in the South County baseball lexicon with the Waves in addition to their time with the URI Rams.

BRYANT UNIVERSITY (Smithfield, Rhode Island)

C/OF Buck McCarthy

Returning for his second season with the Waves, Buck McCarthy was a key presence in South County due to his offensive and defensive versatility. Splitting time as both a catcher and outfielder, McCarthy hit .247 with three homers and 23 RBI in 35 games. McCarthy also hit .429 with a double and an RBI during the 2014 NECBL Playoffs.

During his three years with the Bryant Bulldogs, McCarthy has had a storied career as a catcher, outfielder, and designated hitter. In 32 games as a junior, McCarthy hit .273 with three homers and 22 RBI. McCarthy was also named the NEC Player of the Week on April 20.

In 2014, McCarthy split his time behind the plate, in the outfield, and as the designated hitter. The junior from Saugus, Massachusetts was able to play 35 games last season due in no small part to his ability to play multiple positions. His flexibility around the diamond makes him a valuable weapon to have in the lineup during his second summer with the Waves.

RHP Oliver Powers

As the first three-time Wave in franchise history, Powers is the elder statesman of an experienced Ocean State Waves bullpen in 2015. A pivotal middle reliever last summer, Powers made sixteen appearances for the Waves, striking out 15 batters in 23 innings. As the closer for the Waves in their inaugural season (2013), Powers recorded six saves in 14 appearances, while also recording a 3-1 record and 1.11 ERA.

Powers, who transferred to Bryant University from Radford University, was unable to pitch in the spring of 2015 due to NCAA transfer rules. However, in his two seasons at Radford, Powers was a key part of the Highlander bullpen. Powers made five appearances in 2014, striking out four batters in three innings. As a freshman in 2013, went 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in 16 relief appearances, posting seven strikeouts in eleven innings.

With his experience in a variety of different bullpen roles during his first two seasons with the Waves, Powers figures to be an essential element of the Ocean State bullpen in his third season at Old Mountain Field. The righty relief specialist should continue his dominance out of the bullpen in 2015.

1B Robby Rinn

An NECBL All-Star during his first season with the Waves in 2014, Rinn brings his powerful bat and defensive presence back to Old Mountain Field in 2015. In 33 games, Rinn hit .313 with two homers and 20 RBI. Rinn also posted a .364 average with two RBI in the NECBL Southern Division Semifinals against the Newport Gulls.

Alongside his success with the Waves, Rinn has been one of the major offensive weapons for the Bryant Bulldogs since his freshman season in 2013. As a junior in 2015, Rinn hit .322 with six homers and 34 RBI in 39 games. In the last two months, the junior from Warwick, Rhode Island has hit .367 with five homers and 25 RBI.

With his All-Star campaign with the Waves as well as his storied tenure with Bryant, Rinn figures to be a major piece towards the Waves success in 2015. As a first baseman and designated hitter, Rinn should maintain his offensive swagger in his second campaign at Old Mountain Field.

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND (Kingston, Rhode Island)

RHP Brad Applin

Returning to the Ocean State Waves for his second summer, Applin was a critical piece of the bullpen in 2014. In 16 appearances (two starts), Applin went 1-0 with a 1.51 ERA, striking out 29 batters in 35.1 innings of work. Applin also made two appearances in the NECBL Southern Division Semifinals, striking out three batters in three innings.

Applin has emerged as a crucial bullpen weapon in his three years with the University of Rhode Island Rams. In 14 appearances as a junior, Applin posted a 2.45 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 22 innings of work. Opponents have only hit .193 against the righty from Malden, Massachusetts.

With his experience out of the bullpen as a member of the Waves and the URI Rams, Applin figures to be an important part of the Waves bullpen for his second summer at Old Mountain Field. His effectiveness and durability will be crucial as the Waves look to continue its success out of the bullpen this summer.

INF Mike Corin

Hailing from North Providence, Corin fuses a local presence with quality talent that will help the Waves infield in 2015. As a redshirt sophomore with the University of Rhode Island Rams, Corin hit .292 with four home runs and 33 RBI in 40 games. Corin also posted an on base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of .871, showing his ability to reach base and hit with power throughout the season.

As the starting third baseman for URI this spring, Corin projects to be a steady corner infielder during his time with the Waves. Corin could also play first base, which reflects his durability and flexibility on the corners. Since he could play multiple positions in the field while providing an offensive flare at the plate, Corin should be a valuable addition to the Waves in 2015.

RHP Blaise Whitman

Whitman has emerged as one of the top starting pitchers of the University of Rhode Island Rams pitching staff, which features many current and former Waves players. As a redshirt sophomore in 2015, Whitman made seven appearances (six starts) with the Rams, posting a 3-2 record with a 4.03 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 29 innings of work.

Due to his experience in the rotation at URI, Whitman should factor into the starting rotation with the Waves in 2015. His effectiveness out of the gate makes him a lethal NECBL pitcher, and his dazzling ability on the hill should bring him success at Old Mountain Field in 2015.

LHP Tyler Wilson

As a freshman, Tyler Wilson has become one of the most lethal pitchers on the mound for the University of Rhode Island in recent memory. In eight appearances (seven starts), Wilson went 6-1 with a 1.45 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 69.1 innings of work. Wilson garnered numerous accolades in his freshman season, including Louisville Slugger National Pitcher of the Week as well as Atlantic-10 Rookie and Pitcher of the Week.

Coming off a spring campaign in which he emerged as one of the top freshmen in the nation, Wilson brings a lot of flare with him on the mound when he makes his debut with the Waves in 2015. With the hype aside, Wilson should continue his dominance against lineups in the NECBL, making him a deep threat that could help the Waves rotation in the long run. 



New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from May 5, 2015


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