WSU baseball coach Gene Stephenson did some figuring on the flight from Tallahassee. He didn’t need to do the math, but he did anyway. The Shockers, in case you missed it, are losing most of their team. He says it’s the largest hit in his 31 seasons at WSU.
We knew all that. Here’s some stuff looking forward that may be of interest.
- Shortstop Dusty Coleman is going to try to switch hit this summer with Team USA and in the Cape (if he does not make the National team).
- Coaches expect all the drafted juniors to sign. That includes second baseman Josh Workman and pitcher Matt Smith, both of whom were taken late in the draft’s second day. Coleman, a draft-eligible sophomore, is expected to return.
- The recruiting class appears to be a strong bet to stay intact. Pitchers Jordan Cooper and Brian Flynn, the highest picks, both were holding out for higher than the 17th and 18th rounds. Strange things can happen before Aug. 15, but now it appears coaches and fans can relax a little.
- Pitchers Cameron Maldonado and Max Hutson (both injured in 2008) will throw this summer. Maldonado, who had a shoulder operation to relieve a nerve impingement this spring, will pitch for El Dorado and may be throwing in a few weeks. Hutson will pitch for the Wichita Wheat Kings of the Walter Johnson League.
- Pitcher Tyson Fugett will transfer to Pittsburg State to play baseball.
- Five future Shockers will play for the Wichita Sluggers in the Walter Johnson League this summer: Cooper, Flynn, pitcher Dalton Banwart and infielders Tyler Grimes and Logan Watkins. Current Shocker Remington Johnson is also on the team.