Christie played in 27 games in 2006 and batted. Second base will be the responsibility of senior Ian Christie. "Matt is a kid with incredible power who worked extremely hard in the fall to improve his defense and that should show immediately," said Babb. 278 in 24 games last year and had a fielding percentage of. Handling first base for the Blue Jays this year should be junior Matt Benchener, who platooned with Tim Sliker last year. The Blue Jays are likely to carry a third catcher during the season and Babb believes one of the freshmen will be able to fill that role.īabb boasts a deep and talented infield that should spearhead any success the Blue Jays enjoy this season. "Tony gives us a capable option when Rob isn't out there as he has a good swing and an accurate throwing arm," remarked Babb. Margve appeared in 17 games in 2006 making nine starts and batted. Sharing the catching duties with Sanzillo will be junior Tony Margve.
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"Rob is by far one of the most talented individuals I have coached," said Babb, "from fielding his position, to hitting and running the bases, Rob can do it all." Babb believes Sanzillo is a pro prospect and expects him to excel in all aspects this year. He also excelled in the field with the best fielding percentage (.996) among any of the Blue Jay regulars, picked off two base runners and threw out 10 runners attempting to steal. 380 in 31 games last year with 29 RBI's and 15 stolen bases. The catching position will be once again be in the capable hands of senior co-captain Rob Sanzillo.
Kealy is returning from an injury that cost him last season, but Babb feels the junior right-hander should be ready to contribute this year. Anderson is coming off what the coaching staff believes to be his best fall ever while Erardi appeared in eight games last year with a 2.53 ERA and nine strikeouts. Fioretti showed signs of coming on strong at the end of last season, and Babb is hopeful he can carry that over while Angeloni who saw most of his time on JV last year, looks to build off a solid fall season.ĭeLeo will be joined in the bullpen by senior Jon Anderson, juniors Nick Erardi and Ryan Kealy and a handful of young players ready to step up. Zaccaria who pitched for the Blue Jays in 2005 out of the bullpen, returns to Hopkins after pitching last year for the University of Maryland. Babb on his junior trio, "I believe Pat and Ryan can pick up where they left off last year and continue to do well for us, while Brian had a strong fall and hopefully can turn that into success this spring." Other players likely to see time in the starting rotation include junior Joe Zaccaria and sophomores David Fioretti and Chez Angeloni. Duddie made three starts while appearing in six games last year for the Blue Jays. Kuhlman made seven starts and appeared in 11 games last year while recording a 5-0 record. Steffee went 4-2 in nine games last year and recorded the second lowest ERA in school history at 1.19. Babb will turn to his junior trio of Patrick Steffee, Ryan Kuhlman and Brian Duddie to fill their spots.
Lost to graduation was the trio of Jim Flannery, Tim Denning and Jason Thayer, who combined to win 15 games for the Blue Jays last year. The starting rotation remains a question mark for Babb in terms of who will emerge and fill the top three spots in the rotation. "Brian really stepped up and established himself in the closer position and I believe he can assume that role again for us," said Babb. In 14 appearances last year, DeLeo produced a 1.23 ERA with three saves and a 1-1 record. DeLeo, seeing his first varsity action last year, stepped up and became the go-to hurler at the end of the game. A lot of that confidence begins with senior co-captain Brian DeLeo, the team's closer. A deep junior class, that could provide six of the nine starting positions when the season begins, keeps Babb and the coaching staff optimistic about what this season could bring.īabb believes this year's squad may have the greatest pitching depth of any team he's coached at Hopkins. Optimism is running high as the 2007 Johns Hopkins baseball Blue Jays prepare to take the field for another season under head coach Bob Babb.īabb, entering his 28th season on the Blue Jay bench and just one win shy of 750 for his career, graduated 10 letter winners and five starters from last year's 28-9-2 squad, but returns a talent-laden roster this year.
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