PC baseball has more depth this season

T

he Porterville College baseball team got off to a strong start last year, but couldn’t sustain that momentum as the season progress and when that happened, it became clear the team lacked depth in a lot of areas, especially on the mound.

After going through those growing pains in his first season as head coach, Jake Kiser said he feels he’s addressed the lack of depth the team had last year, especially on the mound, entering his second season.

“I think our depth is much better,” Kiser said. “I think on the mound, in particular, our depth is much better. We have gusy that will come in and pound the strike zone and compete.”

And even though PC again will have to navigate through the always tough Central Valley Conference, Kiser said he expects his team to be competitive with a mix of returning veterans and a strong recruiting class. Porterville will open the season at 1:30 p.m. Friday against Cerro Coso at Pirate Stadium. Here’s a look at the Pirates:

Nate Crocker — The Monache graduate was the team’s most valuable player and an all-CVC choice last season and will start at second base.

Aaron Gray — Another Monache graduate, he hit .260 with 18 RBI and was an all-CVC choice as well last season. Gray is battling for the starting shortstop spot, but may be moved to the outfield or be used as a designated hitter to keep his bat in the lineup. “He’s got to hit somewhere,” Kiser said. “He’ll be in the middle of the order for us.”

Dean Burkett — Another all-CVC performer last year, Burkett hit .283 with 20 RBI last season and will start at third base.

James Lopez — A recruiting coup of sorts for the Pirates, the freshman was the West Yosemite League and Tulare County Player of the Year last season at Mt. Whitney and will start at first base.

Anthony Estrada — The freshman outfielder will provide depth as a defensive replacement and pinch hitter.

Kyle Gilbreath — The freshman will be the ultimate utlity player for PC. He can catch and he could also see time on the mound. “He can literally play all nine positions,” Kiser said.

Jordan Porras — The freshman is one of several players battling for the starting shortstop spot. “Shortstop is as wide open as it could get,” Kiser said.

Tyler Curry — The freshman who played first base for Monache has made the transition to pitcher for PC. “He spots the ball well and mixes his speeds up well,” Kiser said. “We anticipate him to eat up innings in the middle of games.”

Mitchell Villarreal — The freshman and Porterville High graduate is battling for the starting shortstop position.

David Allen — The freshman is a left-handed pitcher who could see more and more innings as the season progresses.

Micah McCrillis —  The Monache graduate is a returning pitcher. He missed most of the fall due to an injury, so McCrillis is in the bullpen for now, but he could eventually be in the starting rotation.

Buddy Cooper — The freshman is another pitcher who could see his share of action as the season progresses.

James Bingaman — The freshman second baseman from Australia is an outstanding defensive player.

Dakota Kirkman — The freshman will see action as a relief pitcher.

Robby Bonanno — The sophomore transfer hit .275 for Reedley last year and will start in right field. He’s PC’s best outfielder with the strongest arm.

Jacob Colby — The freshman is expected to be one of the pitchers in the starting rotation.

Steve Sisney — The freshman can play catcher and in the outfield and is an outstanding base runner.

Andrew Lopez — The freshman will be the opening day starting catcher.

Brandon Roberts — While right now it will be closer by committee, Kiser said he hopes Roberts develops into a closer. “He could be the guy we would love to have at the end of a game,” Kiser said.

Mike Hernandez — The freshman from Lindsay will add depth at third base.

Cody Campo — The freshman will be the starting center fielder and is PC’s best base runner.

Ryan Luna — The freshman who led Corcoran to the Valley title will be the opening day starting pitcher.

Dominic Chavez — The freshman should start in the lineup either as an outfielder or a designated hitter. “We have to find a spot for him,” Kiser said.

Jody Robertson — The sophomore transfer hit .292 and had 10 RBI last year for Moorpark College. He will see time at catcher and as a DH.

Kyle Verdegaal — The freshman outfielder is another outstanding defensive player and base runner.

Dylan Watson — The freshman provides depth at first base and as a left-handed hitter off the bench.

Zach Watson — The freshman from PHS could see time in the outfield and as a DH. “He has some good pop,” said Kiser about Watson’s bat.

Kyle Stout — The freshman left-handed pitcher will be a middle inning reliever.

Brady Yard — The freshman is another middle reliever.

Max Hobbs — The freshman is a groundball pitcher who keeps the ball down and will see time out of the bullpen.

Rick Roeder — A returning sophomore, Roeder hit .320 as a DH last year for PC.

T

he Porterville College baseball team got off to a strong start last year, but couldn’t sustain that momentum as the season progress and when that happened, it became clear the team lacked depth in a lot of areas, especially on the mound.

After going through those growing pains in his first season as head coach, Jake Kiser said he feels he’s addressed the lack of depth the team had last year, especially on the mound, entering his second season.

“I think our depth is much better,” Kiser said. “I think on the mound, in particular, our depth is much better. We have gusy that will come in and pound the strike zone and compete.”

And even though PC again will have to navigate through the always tough Central Valley Conference, Kiser said he expects his team to be competitive with a mix of returning veterans and a strong recruiting class. Porterville will open the season at 1:30 p.m. Friday against Cerro Coso at Pirate Stadium. Here’s a look at the Pirates:

Nate Crocker — The Monache graduate was the team’s most valuable player and an all-CVC choice last season and will start at second base.

Aaron Gray — Another Monache graduate, he hit .260 with 18 RBI and was an all-CVC choice as well last season. Gray is battling for the starting shortstop spot, but may be moved to the outfield or be used as a designated hitter to keep his bat in the lineup. “He’s got to hit somewhere,” Kiser said. “He’ll be in the middle of the order for us.”

Dean Burkett — Another all-CVC performer last year, Burkett hit .283 with 20 RBI last season and will start at third base.

James Lopez — A recruiting coup of sorts for the Pirates, the freshman was the West Yosemite League and Tulare County Player of the Year last season at Mt. Whitney and will start at first base.

Anthony Estrada — The freshman outfielder will provide depth as a defensive replacement and pinch hitter.

Kyle Gilbreath — The freshman will be the ultimate utlity player for PC. He can catch and he could also see time on the mound. “He can literally play all nine positions,” Kiser said.

Jordan Porras — The freshman is one of several players battling for the starting shortstop spot. “Shortstop is as wide open as it could get,” Kiser said.

Tyler Curry — The freshman who played first base for Monache has made the transition to pitcher for PC. “He spots the ball well and mixes his speeds up well,” Kiser said. “We anticipate him to eat up innings in the middle of games.”

Mitchell Villarreal — The freshman and Porterville High graduate is battling for the starting shortstop position.

David Allen — The freshman is a left-handed pitcher who could see more and more innings as the season progresses.

Micah McCrillis —  The Monache graduate is a returning pitcher. He missed most of the fall due to an injury, so McCrillis is in the bullpen for now, but he could eventually be in the starting rotation.

Buddy Cooper — The freshman is another pitcher who could see his share of action as the season progresses.

James Bingaman — The freshman second baseman from Australia is an outstanding defensive player.

Dakota Kirkman — The freshman will see action as a relief pitcher.

Robby Bonanno — The sophomore transfer hit .275 for Reedley last year and will start in right field. He’s PC’s best outfielder with the strongest arm.

Jacob Colby — The freshman is expected to be one of the pitchers in the starting rotation.

Steve Sisney — The freshman can play catcher and in the outfield and is an outstanding base runner.

Andrew Lopez — The freshman will be the opening day starting catcher.

Brandon Roberts — While right now it will be closer by committee, Kiser said he hopes Roberts develops into a closer. “He could be the guy we would love to have at the end of a game,” Kiser said.

Mike Hernandez — The freshman from Lindsay will add depth at third base.

Cody Campo — The freshman will be the starting center fielder and is PC’s best base runner.

Ryan Luna — The freshman who led Corcoran to the Valley title will be the opening day starting pitcher.

Dominic Chavez — The freshman should start in the lineup either as an outfielder or a designated hitter. “We have to find a spot for him,” Kiser said.

Jody Robertson — The sophomore transfer hit .292 and had 10 RBI last year for Moorpark College. He will see time at catcher and as a DH.

Kyle Verdegaal — The freshman outfielder is another outstanding defensive player and base runner.

Dylan Watson — The freshman provides depth at first base and as a left-handed hitter off the bench.

Zach Watson — The freshman from PHS could see time in the outfield and as a DH. “He has some good pop,” said Kiser about Watson’s bat.

Kyle Stout — The freshman left-handed pitcher will be a middle inning reliever.

Brady Yard — The freshman is another middle reliever.

Max Hobbs — The freshman is a groundball pitcher who keeps the ball down and will see time out of the bullpen.

Rick Roeder — A returning sophomore, Roeder hit .320 as a DH last year for PC.