Fresno State Athletics
Glance at the 2016 Diamond 'Dogs: Infielders/Catchers
2/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
By: Travis Blanshan
tblanshan@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - We continue our glance at the 2016 Diamond `Dogs today by taking a look at the infielders and catchers.
Despite the loss of first-round pick Taylor Ward to the MLB Draft, as he became the highest drafted catcher in program history at No. 26 overall, and the graduation of third baseman Manny Argomaniz who was later signed by the New York Yankees, the Bulldogs return a deep and experienced infield group this season.
Fresno State brings back eight players with playing experience from a season ago as the group consists of one senior, three juniors and four sophomores.
Leading the charge for the `Dogs will be the lone senior of the group in first baseman Kevin Viers. The Yorba Linda, Calif. native has played in a team-high 171 games while making 153 starts in his first three years. Viers was an Alaska Baseball League All-Star this summer, playing for the Anchorage Pilots. Viers enters his final season as one of the Bulldogs top bats offensively and currently leads the Bulldogs in career at-bats (585), hits (142), runs (78), doubles (30), home runs (13) and RBI (79).
Returning in the junior class will be middle infielders Ryan Dodson and Jesse Medrano along with catcher Joe Prior. Dodson appeared in 54 games a year ago, splitting his 44 starts between shortstop (25) and second base (19) while hitting .245 from the plate and scoring 20 runs. Medrano started 25 games a year ago, including 17 at second base. The duo of Dobson and Medrano teamed up this summer on the Humboldt Crabs to make up the middle infield for the team in the Far West League.
After starting 20 games a season ago at first base, Prior will move behind the plate this year to help alleviate the loss of Ward. Prior hit .247, and drove in 17 RBI in 2015, appearing in 42 games.
The Bulldogs bring back four sophomores in McCarthy Tatum, Torin Goldstein, Korby Batesole and Nick Warren. All four `Dogs made starts a year ago and look to expand their roles this season. Tatum, Batesole and Warren each played summer ball in the Alaska Baseball League. Tatum was an Alaska Baseball League All-Star and was joined by catcher Warren on the ABL champion Anchorage Bucs.
With so much experience returning, head coach Mike Batesole expects two things from the infielders this season, "The best defense will play up the middle and we expect the corner guys to produce offensively."
Adding to the depth of talent will be four newcomers as the 'Dogs welcome junior college transfer Scott Silva along with freshman Jeremiah Burks, RJ Cordeiro and Ross Dodds. Silva is a local product from Clovis West High School and after spending a year at Gonzaga in 2013, he has spent the past two seasons at Fresno City College where he earned All-American and all-conference honors.
Burks arrives at Fresno State out of Vacaville, Calif. where he was a three-year letter winner at William C. Wood High School. Cordeiro hails from Santa Barbara and earned All-City MVP honors at Bishop Diego High School. Finally, Dodds makes the short trek from Buchanan High School after putting up a stellar prep career. Dodds earned third-team all-state honors and was tabbed by PerfectGame.com as the top freshman in the Mountain West and ranked as the 88th-best recruit nationally.
With four talented newcomers looking to insert themselves into the lineup and on the field, Batesole has seen Burks has emerged from the group.
"He has showed the most maturity and will get an opportunity to play from the beginning," Batesole said. "The others will learn and grow and continue to get better and start to develop throughout the year."
The Bulldogs infield looks to provide solid defense behind the pitchers and use timely hitting to propel the offense.
Fresno State is now only one week away from the season opener on Feb. 19 against Creighton and will open the season with a nine-game homestand.
"Be Bold" - Season tickets for the 2016 Fresno State baseball season can be purchased by calling the Bulldog Ticket Office at 559-278-DOGS. Single game tickets and mini plans (6, 8, and 10-game flex plans) are also on-sale by going to gobulldogs.com or calling 559-278-DOGS.
