Pick a number, any number between four and seven.
That’s where the Hawaii baseball team is predicted to finish in the Big West Conference according to variety of preseason polls.
“I don’t believe any,” said coach Mike Trapasso, who begins his 17th UH season with Friday’s opener against Air Force at Les Murakami Stadium. “None of them mean anything. They’re all guesswork. The poll I believe in is the final one. We’re all over the map. Who cares?”
UH returns three starting pitchers, a closer, and six starting position players from a team that produced its first winning season (28-23) since 2012. They also have five left-handers in a bullpen that had only one for most of last season.
Although there are 29 returnees on the 35-player roster, the ‘Bows have undergone a makeover. Starting pitcher Jackson Rees, closer Dylan Thomas and outfielder Adam Fogel are among the ‘Bows who have gained weight and strength while Logan Pouelsen appears to be trimmer. Pouelsen, who split time between first base and designated hitter last season, is regarded as the fourth starting pitcher.
“It’s a credit to the work they’ve done, and a credit to (strength/conditioning coordinators) Tommy Heffernan and Hank McDonald,” Trapasso said. “Hank McDonald works with our pitchers in the weight room. The job those guys do, they’re really committed to the kids. That’s another thing that goes behind the scenes with a lot of people. They’re really committed to the welfare of our guys.”
The ‘Bows also have reconfigured the infield, with a new double-play combo, and Ethan Lopez’s return from outfield to third base. Kekai Rios, UH’s top draft prospect, will split time between third and catcher.
Last year, the ‘Bows went nearly two-thirds of the season before repeating the starting batting order. Through the early part of the schedule, Trapasso will adjust the lineup to the situation. “For the most part, you’ll have a consistent cast of characters,” Trapasso said.
Jackson Rees, Dominic DeMiero and Neil Uskali are capable of pitching in any of the first three rotation turns. But Rees gets the first shot at the No. 1 spot, vacated by Brendan Hornung’s graduation, because of what coach Mike Trapasso termed his ability to “pitch to his strengths.” Rees lowered his motion (from over-the-top to three-quarters) to morph a cut fastball into a pitch that tails and sinks. “He doesn’t necessarily have to go by the scouting report to be effective,” Trapasso said. “He’s going to pitch pretty much the same way, and we’ll go from there.”
DeMiero, who allowed 1.31 walks per nine innings last season, appeared to suffer from arm fatigue in the final month. In the fall and spring camp, DeMiero began a long-toss program on his non-pitching days to strengthen his left arm. Uskali has shown confidence in his secondary pitches — a slider and change-up — during this training period.
Before undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right (pitching) elbow two years ago, Logan Pouelsen was reaching 95 mph on the speed gun and bound for UCLA. He was used as a first baseman/designated hitter last year, but has been impressive this semester with his repertoire of fastball, slider, curve and change-up. “He can throw any pitch at any time,” Trapasso said.
Colin Ashworth, who developed a slider, can be used as a starter or in long relief. Freshman Cade Smith has the power (91-mph fastball) but struggled with his command after the first turn through the batting order in intrasquad scrimmages. He has been working on a curveball that was effective in high school and led to his 16th-round selection in last year’s draft.
Last year, Matt Estes finished as the only available lefty reliever. This season, there are five more: freshman Jeremy Yelland (93-mph fastball and heavy-breaking slider); Kyle Hatton (who played at UC Santa Barbara as a freshman two years ago); Kash Koltermann (tough change-up against right-handed batters), and first baseman Alex Baeza.
Dylan Thomas relied on a fastball and slider to convert all nine of his save opportunities as a second-year freshman last year. He gained 25 pounds (he weighs 200) and flexibility (he no longer experiences back stiffness).
In moves designed with middle defense in mind, Dustin Demeter switched from short to second and Maaki Yamazaki, who redshirted last year after transferring from the University of Tokyo, was inserted at shortstop. Trapasso said Yamazaki has “plus range” to his right and left. Trapasso added that Demeter’s strong arm is better suited on the double-play pivot. “Dustin gives you a quick turn at second,” Trapasso explained. “With that arm strength, he doesn’t have to rush things.” Troy Kakugawa, who was used mostly as a pinch runner last year, is top understudy at short and second.
After a season of struggle as an outfielder, Ethan Lopez returns to the infield as the successor to third baseman Josh Rojas. One of the conditions of the move was Lopez would abandon switch-hitting and hit exclusively as a righty, where his bat speed is quicker.
Kekai Rios, UH’s top draft prospect, will split time between third and catcher during the nonconference schedule of four-game series. Rios, who excels at receiving and blocking pitches, has worked on his footwork to improve his squat-to-throw time in nabbing base runners. Of the two backup catchers, Chayce Ka’aua is the better hitter, Tyler Murray is the better defender.
Eric Ramirez is one of UH’s best defensive first basemen in recent memory. While Ramirez has plate patience and discipline, this year’s goal is to attack pitches early in the count. “We don’t need him looking for a walk when there are guys on second and third with one or two outs,” Trapasso said. “We want him to drive the ball.” Alex Baeza and Logan Pouelsen will be worked into the lineup at first or designated hitter.
The 60-yard dash — baseball’s decades-old measurement of speed — is the distance between second base and home. An average time for a pro player is reported to be between 6.7 and 6.9 seconds. Adam Fogel, who can play both corner positions, was timed at 6.6 seconds last year before gaining weight in the offseason. Center fielder Dylan Vchulek clocked 6.5 seconds. “Vchulek and Fogel can run,” Trapasso said. They can also hit. Vchulek reached base in 44 consecutive games, leading the ‘Bows in hitting (.302) and steals (12). “He plays a tremendous center field,” Trapasso said. “You cannot win in Les Murakami Stadium without a center fielder who can run things down.” Fogel hit .293 and led the ‘Bows with 16 doubles.
Johnny Weeks, last year’s starting second baseman, has made an easy transition to left field. In scrimmages, Weeks has impressed with his first-step instincts and quickness in tracking the ball. Trapasso said Weeks also has emerged as a team leader.