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Corvallis Knights

Corvallis Knights Season Preview

May 31, 2012 - West Coast League (WCL)
Corvallis Knights News Release


The Corvallis Knights, winners of five consecutive West Division titles, set out to defend their 2011 West Coast League Championship when they start the regular season in Walla Walla on Friday night. The Knights swept the Sweets in last year's championship series and capacity crowds are expected as Corvallis engages on its 59-game slate. Corvallis will start its 32-game, 31-date home schedule on Tuesday, June 5 against Klamath Falls.

This year's squad has fifth-year head coach Brooke Knight (160-64 overall, 137-55 WCL) excited about the prospects for another successful season. The 2012 Knights are one of the deepest in recent memory and feature a strong pitching staff coupled with impressive performers at the plate and in the field.

Connor Lambert returns for his second year as the Knights' pitching coach after leading the unit to a West Coast League-best 2.46 ERA last summer. Ex-Oregon State standout Andy Jenkins will join the club as an assistant coach. In addition to two returning coaches, 13 players return from a team that went 37-17 last season, including victories in 27 of the final 33 games.

The pitching staff will be anchored by returnees Dylan Stuart of UC Riverside (7-7, 4.00, 15 starts) and Chris Johnson of Portland (4-4, 3.08, 13 starts) with up to six other pitchers battling for spots in the rotation. Stuart, a left-handed sophomore for the Highlanders, started last year's WCL All-Star game in Corvallis and will be looked at as the No. 1 starter this summer.

"Dylan is a guy we have really high expectations for," Knight said. "He was last year's Big West Freshman of the Year and followed that up with another strong spring this year."

Johnson showcases a big arm and has the potential to be selected in this year's MLB draft. Depending upon his draft position, Johnson could sign a major league deal or play for the Knights this summer.

The final three rotation spots are up for grabs. Last year's closer, junior Mark Trentacosta (1-0, 2.91, 20 appearances) of UC Irvine, will transition into a starting role after becoming a mid-week starter late in the season for the Anteaters. Additionally, Cal Poly freshman Bryan Granger (1-1, 3.60, 8 starts) is a highly-anticipated pitcher with potential for a starting spot.

"We're really excited to bring Bryan aboard," Knight said. "He's a highly touted guy who finished his spring strong and showed promise heading into the summer."

Knight is also excited about the depth of his pitching staff. Texas Tech junior Aaron Corwin (1-0, 4.26, 11 appearances) will get the opening day nod; Riverside Community College freshman Blake Burrell (7-1, 1.83, 11 starts) posted a team-high three complete games for RCC; Oregon State freshman Carlos Rodriguez (0-0, 5.40, 7 appearances) was drafted in the 20th round by Atlanta last year; and Grand Canyon junior Jorge Perez (4-3, 2.48, 9 starts) hurled two complete game shutouts for the Antelopes.

Redlands junior Kyle Hart (4-4, 5.32, 14 appearances) and Pacific Lutheran junior Max Beatty both return as key cogs in the Knights bullpen. Beatty will be looking to return from offseason treatment for cancer and he expects to be fully healthy and ready to play for the Knights this summer.

At the plate, the Knights will feature some legitimate pro prospects from top to bottom. Stanford commit Austin Barr and Oregon State freshman Nate Esposito, who was selected in the 46th round of last year's MLB draft by Oakland, will get the lion's share of the duties at catcher.

"Austin is a pro prospect that will get drafted, but we hope to see him in Corvallis this summer," Knight said. "Esposito is well-liked at Oregon State and has a lot of talent to showcase."

Reliable returner Dane Lund (Redlands) will provide backup and is a great defensive presence behind the dish. Lund hit .259 for Corvallis last summer.

The infield features a bunch of players who can play numerous positions. Greg Mahle (.347, 35 RBI in 54 games), a freshman infielder at UC Santa Barbara, is penciled in as the starting first baseman after earning second team All-Big West honors this past spring for the Gauchos.

Up the middle, UC Irvine freshman Chris Rabago (.286 in 35 games) will compete for the starting second base job. The shortstop position, though, is up for grabs. Up to seven players will battle for the spot, highlighted by Seattle's Nate Roberts and Oregon State commit Zach Green. Roberts has seen previous action in the WCL, leading the league in RBI in 2010 when he was with the now-defunct Moses Lake Pirates.

"Shortstop is wide open," Knight said. "Roberts is a utility guy who is just a really mature player that can play three positions. And with Green, you have a heralded prospect that we're excited to see in his first collegiate experience."

Portland freshman Caleb Whalen (.254, team-high 5 homers in 51 games), who comes from an athletic background, will hold down the fort at third base. His father, Shawn, played in the minor leagues for four years in the Padres organization.

"Whalen is an absolute stud," Knight said. "He had a great spring with the Pilots and we envision him as our starting third baseman going forward."

The outfield will be quite the battle between numerous speedy, talented players. Cal Poly freshman Alex Michaels (.400, 26 hits in 33 games) is in line to be the starting left fielder after a fantastic spring with the Mustangs.

"We're super excited to have Alex," Knight said. "He can run, he can hit, he can do everything. He's an exciting, dynamic baseball player."

Michaels will be joined in the outfield by teammate Nick Torres (.275, 28 RBI in 56 games), who is currently the leading candidate to start in right field. Torres has a big arm and also possesses some thunder in his bat, bashing 18 extra base hits in his freshman season for Cal Poly.

Returner Connor Hofmann of Oregon (.254 in 53 games) will fill the starting center field position. Hofmann, who was selected in the 16th round of the 2010 draft by San Diego, is a welcoming presence in the outfield.

"We're definitely excited to have Connor back," Knight said. "He can really run and has the potential to do some big things in this game in the future."

Western Oregon junior Matt Nylen (.318, 43 runs in 46 games) and Washington State sophomore Nate Blackham (.265 in 42 games) each have their own distinct skill set and will be relied upon as backups in the outfield. Nylen led last year's Knights with 15 stolen bases while Blackham's Corvallis experience was limited due to a wrist injury.

"We're counting on both Matt and Nate to be big contributors this year," Knight said. "Both are great teammates and really gritty ballplayers. They're going to help us win ballgames."

In addition to a quality product on the field, the Knights will again be providing a quality product off the field. Top attractions include two firework nights on July 2 and August 4; a return appearance by the Famous San Diego Chicken on June 15; ZOOperstars! on July 11; and Brent Morel, a 2006-07 Corvallis Knight and current Chicago White Sock, Bobblehead Night on July 28.

All Knights games this year will be broadcast on KEJO-AM 1240 and online at corvallisknights.com by new Voice of the Knights, Kevin Burke. Catch the Knights pregame show 15 minutes before the first pitch of every game. The first broadcast of the season starts at 6:50pm Friday live from Walla Walla in anticipation of a 7:05pm first pitch.

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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.

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