The Jackrabbits find themselves in a situation somewhat familiar—this year’s team is young, and lacks the power in the batting order to win a lot of shootouts. “We have to play great defense, and try to score when the opportunity arises,” says Poly coach Toby Hess. “We have to play a precise game.” The Rabbits continue to boast a talented, youth-driven roster; their most successful pitcher in the nonleague schedule is a freshman (Chris Castellanos, who gave up just four hits and no runs in 11 innings of work), and their two best hitters are a sophomore, and a junior.
Poly hasn’t put up the record, or the numbers that many anticipated during the nonleague schedule, going just 3-5. It would be unwise to take this team lightly because of that record, though. Thomas Walker and Tyler Maxwell, who Hess calls his best pitcher and hitter, both missed essentially that entire stretch with injuries (a ribcage muscle tear and a back injury, respectively), and they’re just going to start working back in this week. Hess expects both to be full strength by the end of the lull for Spring Break. “It’s been a little frustrating, both for those kids and for us as a team—we haven’t been the team we thought we’d be.” If Castellanos stays hot and Maxwell comes back strong, and Walker, sophomore Jeff Turley, and Daniel Cook can provide consistent offense, the Rabbits could have a heck of a stretch run in them. They play Cabrillo (Wednesday), Millikan (Friday), and Jordan (next Tuesday) prior to the break.
The Team
Daniel Cook, junior outfielder; Cook has been Poly’s second most reliable hitter with Walker out of the lineup, with a homerun against Mira Costa, and he’ll lead things off for Poly. A very get-on-base hitter.
Nikko Santos, senior catcher; Hess calls Santos, a rare senior on the Poly squad, an “anchor” defensively. They’ll start without him against Cabrillo due to an ejection in Poly’s last game.
Jeff Turley, sophomore utility; Turley is what’s referred to as a “coaching luxury.” The sophomore can (and according to Hess, will) play all nine positions, and is an ambidextrous pitcher and hitter. As a hitter, he’s been the most consistent on the team, hitting .455 with a homerun. He’s already taken the field at nine positions for the Rabbits, spelling players who are injured or struggling.
Thomas Walker, junior 3B; Hess calls his junior the best defensive third baseman in the league. He’s also one of the better hitters, and Poly’s only other true longball threat, with Turley. They’ll switch batting cleanup this season.
Hayden Hunt, sophomore rightfielder; Hunt is the fastest player on the team, and Hess says he’s a good gap hitter, who obviously brings range to his position in the outfield. “He’s a good combo of speed and power,” says Hess. “Having he and Jeff in the lineup for the next three years is great.”
Eric Gonzalez, senior SS; Gonzalez is not the best hitter, but has been a spectacular defender for Poly at the shortstop position. “Not a muscle player,” says Hess. “Just good hands and a good arm.”
Henry Severson, junior 2B; Severson hit .300 as a freshman and sophomore, and while he’s struggled a little so far in his junior year, don’t be surprised if things pick up. He’s also a good second baseman who can take the mound in relief.
Tyler Maxwell (junior), Trevor Kellogg (senior), Chris Castellanos (freshman), pitchers; these three will form the basis of Poly’s bullpen, with Maxwell playing the role of ace when he’s healthy. He was also a first team all-league player in the outfield. Maxwell has command of three pitches, and is a good base-stealer. Castellanos, as discussed, has been Poly’s most successful player on the mound in Maxwell’s absence.
Click here to see where Poly stands in the 2010 Moore League Coaches’ Poll, and click here for the full 2010 Moore League schedule.