Temple University Athletics
2009 Baseball Outlook: Outfield
2.17.09 | Baseball
Feb. 17, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - Last spring, the Temple baseball season ended with a postseason appearance for the first time since 2002. The goal in 2009 is to ensure that playoff experience lasts a few weeks longer.
Armed with its most experienced senior class in fourth-year head coach Rob Valli's tenure, the Owls will shoot for the Atlantic 10 title and its subsequent automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
All eight Temple seniors have served as everyday starters at one point in their careers, with five having been penciled in the lineup regularly during the past two seasons. In a league that is won by senior production, according to Valli, that experience is invaluable.
"Our league is based on senior leadership and senior performance," Valli said. "There are veteran players who get big hits or make big pitches and that is what wins or loses in our conference. "We now have all those types of veteran players with experience. It comes down to whether our guys step up in those situations."
The Cherry and White welcomes back seven of its top eight hitters from a year ago and has arguably the top outfield in the Atlantic 10. Senior Matt Mongiardini (6-5, 3.59 ERA) leads a young starting pitching corps that will be counted upon to mature quickly if the Owls are to reach their ultimate goal, the NCAA Tournament.
"I think like most teams, we need to stay healthy and focused," Valli said. "If we can do those two things, then we'll have a chance to play in the postseason and compete for an A-10 Championship. We're definitely talented enough and definitely experienced enough."
Outfield
Senior captain Sean Barksdale, a first team All-Atlantic 10 pick in 2007, and sophomore Byron McKoy, a second team all-conference honoree last spring, headline one of the top outfields around. Add in the experience of four-year starter Jamie Abercrombie and the ability to mix in highly-touted rookie Jabair Khan and you have a quartet of players that can beat you at the plate, on the bases and defensively.
Barksdale (.307, 5 HR, 47 RBI, 27 SB) got off to a slow start last spring, but batted a sizzling .377 with 30 RBI over his final 30 games. One of the top run-producers (106 RBI) and stolen base threats (41 SB) in Temple history, the right fielder has the opportunity to end his career as the all-time leader in both categories, despite spending his freshman season at Gloucester County CC.
A five-tool pro prospect, Barksdale can change the game in a number of ways. Along with fellow captain, senior 2B Carmen Del Mastro, he'll be asked to add leadership to his plate this season.
"Sean will hit third and hopefully do all the things our team needs to win," Valli said. "He can hit for average, hit for power, drive in runs, steal bases and make the offense go."
McKoy (.352, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 17 SB) had a breakthrough freshman campaign as the Owls' designated hitter. He became the first Temple freshman to earn first or second team All-A-10 honors, was named the Philadelphia Big 5 Rookie of the Year and led the team in batting, slugging (.511) and on-base percentage (.422).
Like Barksdale, the Charlotte, NC native is a threat on the base paths. He was hampered by a leg injury last season, but still ended the season having swiped 14 straight bases.
"Byron will leadoff and play center field," Valli said. "We hope that he has the type of season or better than he did as a freshman."
Abercrombie will patrol leftfield for the fourth straight season. The hard-working fifth-year senior has endured the growing pains of rebuilding and should become the fourth Owl to reach 200 hits in his career.
"Jamie has started every year he's been with our team and he should be a spark in the two-spot or in the bottom of the lineup," Valli said. "His defensive play has really developed, he can steal a base and we think he can get over that .300 mark this season."
Khan is another athletic player in the mold of Barksdale and McKoy. A two-time all-Southeastern PA selection, Khan was also a highly-recruited football running back and linebacker. He batted .419 with 19 steals as a senior at Henderson High School. "Jabair is one of our most athletic players," Valli said. "He will see time at all three outfield positions and he might be our best defensive outfielder."
