2010 Kent Bulldogs Season Preview

Now in his third year as the manager of the 18u Kent Bulldogs, former minor leaguer and UW alum, Jay Garthwaite, has put together a strong team of all around solid players. Coming off a winning season last year and finishing 3rd in the Babe Ruth Regionals, the Bulldogs look to go farther in 2010.

The Bulldogs return 6 starters and have welcomed in 9 new talented players with 4 Bulldog players promoted from within the organization. Highlighted by 12 pitchers with 7 of them throwing 50+ innings last season should be the teams strength.

2010 Position Analysis

Catcher
The catching duties will be shared between 4 players Joe Greaney, Austin Brand, Mike Greenwood and Jacob Sogolow. Greaney and Brand both caught for the 15u Bulldog state champions last year and will be splitting time with both the 18u and 16u team. Another 16 year old catcher, Greenwood will compete for time as well when he is not pitching. Sogolow, a senior from Bonney Lake HS will be a solid addition to the program this year. All catchers possess something unique: Greenwood is a huge target at 6�5� and has a plus arm. Brand is explosive behind the plate and blocks extremely well. Greaney is all around polished and has the smarts to be a solid catcher. Sogolow brings maturity, experience and consistency to the position. They all are very talented players and will make a huge impact on the success of this club.

Infield
The Bulldogs return 3 infielders from last years team while adding a few key newcomers. Shortstop Bryant VanEngelenburg, 1st Baseman Eric Bateman, Middle Infielder Mitch McQueen are the three returners and Jeff Brigham, Dan Medrzycki, Mac Gridley, John Wall, Ryan Beck, and Brian Hartnett are new to the team this year. VanEngelenburg will be playing his fourth year for the 18u Bulldogs and his 3rd year at SS. Sitting in middle of the lineup, he will be a major contributor this summer as he drove in a team high 46 RBI�s and 22 extra base hits last season. Bateman coming off a solid last season, will hit for some power after hitting 5 Homeruns last year. He is expected to do more damage this year while and platoon at 1st base when he is not pitching. McQueen will play every position on the field and bring a consistent bat to the lineup after hitting .327 in 2009. The Bulldogs will be looking to fill a few key losses from last years team at the corners but hopefully 6�5� 1st baseman Dan Medrzycki and 6�3� 3rd Baseman Mac Gridley will bring that extra power back into the lineup. Brigham, Wall, Beck, and Hartnett are exciting new players that will play in the middle of the diamond and some outfield. They all have great instincts for the game and with there speed and quickness will make some outstanding defensive plays and steal some bases.

Outfield
The Bulldogs possess depth in the outfield with three Senior outfielders returning from last years squad. Travis Crumb, will move from right field to center field this year. Looking to help the bulldogs in the middle of the line up Crumb was 2nd in Home runs last year with 7. Returning out there with him will be Harold Adams Jr. and Jordan Harris. Adams led the Bulldogs in On Base Percentage with a .463 average and 26 walks. While Harris an above average base runner, also brings to the table stellar defense. He played the outfield with out an error all year. New comers to the team and outfield are senior Nick Sharp, Axl Snure and Junior lefty Quinn Hartman.

Pitching
Depth and Arms� If the Bulldogs do not get nipped by the injury bug, pitching should be one of the Bulldogs strengths this year with 12 pitchers and 8 of them throwing 50+ innings last season. Returning to the team is starters Mitch McQueen who led the Bulldogs in ERA posting a 2.9, 62 innings pitched and keeping opponents to a team low .247 batting average. Second in innings pitched is Eric Bateman. The 6�3� right hander had a record of 6-4 with 1 save and a team high 5 complete games. Last years surprise was the pitching of Jordan Harris. He threw 48 innings keeping teams to an average 4 runs per game helping him to a 3-2 record and 3 saves. Travis Crumb and Bryant Vanenglenburg also return to the mound this year both tied with Harris for a team high 3 saves. Crumb threw 48 innings in 2009 while leading the team in appearances with 17. Vanenglenburg put up 14 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched and held opponents to a .205 Batting Average.

In addition to the returning Bulldogs, the Bulldogs have welcomed pitchers Jeff Brigham, Matt Jackson, Dan Medryzcki, Mike Greenwood, Nick Sharp and Ryan Beck. Brigham, a future Husky and Jackson will be a huge factor in the starting rotation. Medryzcki and Greenwood are both over 6�5� with live arms and have the ability to dominate a game. Beck and Sharp are both able to eat up a lot of innings and throw strikes. Every player has something unique to bring to the table which will help the success of the Bulldogs in 2010.