Temple University Athletics
2009 Baseball Outlook: Infield
2.18.09 | Baseball
Feb. 18, 2009
PHILADELPHIA - Second in a three-part series highlighting the 2009 baseball season.
Infield
Three starters return in the infield for Temple in Del Mastro, senior Mark Ortega and sophomore Steve Nikorak.
Del Mastro has held down second base for the past two seasons and fought injuries in 2008 to bat .266 with 16 steals. A left-handed batter who can bunt, Del Mastro should continue to be a table-setter for the TU offense.
"Carmen can hit second, sixth or seventh in the lineup," Valli said. "He is sparkplug who we'll count on to hit for average, steal a base and play good defense."
Ortega (.280, 5 HR, 31 RBI) started 54 games last season, mostly at shortstop, but is being challenged by sophomore Rafael Cordero for the starting role. The former Boston College transfer came out of the gates hot, batting .396 in his first 15 games, and finished third on the team in homers and RBI.
Cordero saw limited action as a rookie in the middle infield, but changed his game over the summer, adding 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason.
"We're not sure who our opening day starter will be," Valli said. "Mark is being challenged by Rafael, who really developed himself in the weight room and with his foot speed. Both players can give us a solid play at shortstop and help us in the middle or bottom of the order."
Nikorak is an athletic, versatile player who saw time at both corner infield spots and on the mound last season. A two-way player, Nikorak batted .264 and led the team with 12 doubles while starting 30 games.
"Steve is player who can hit in the middle of the order and drive in some runs," Valli said. "We hope that he can be an RBI guy for us."
Junior Tony Jusino, a transfer from Grossmont CC, can play both second and third base. A two-time honorable mention all-conference pick, Jusino batted .342 as a sophomore and .351 as a freshman.
"Tony is a guy who will be in the lineup somewhere in the infield or at DH," Valli said. "He can hit for a high average and help our offense go."
Senior Lenny Del Grippo and sophomore Ben Flanary will see time at first base. Del Grippo started 44 games as a freshman, finishing second on the team in homers and RBI, and will look to end his career on a high note.
"Lenny had a great summer and great fall," Valli said. "We look for Lenny to hit in middle of the lineup and produce a lot of runs."
Flanary, an outstanding defensive first baseman, started 12 games as a rookie and made only one error in 105 chances.
"Ben has been making strides on a weekly basis and we hope his experience starting last year will help him challenge for the spot as time progresses," Valli said.
Freshman Foster Dunigan can play three infield positions and will look to crack the lineup as the season develops. An UnderArmour preseason All-America selection, Dunigan batted .451 as a junior before missing most of his senior season due to injury.
"Foster is our most versatile infielder in that he plays all three positions above average," Valli said.
Sophomore Ryan Ferguson, who walked onto the program in the fall, will add depth at first base, in the outfield and at catcher.
Catcher
Behind the plate, Valli has a pair of experienced senior receivers to turn to in incumbent starter Kyle Obal and Steve Mury.
"We have great competition at the catcher position," Valli said. "We feel like we have two very equal players behind the plate that can be every day starters."
Obal earned All-Philadelphia Big 5 honors last season after batting .304 with 21 RBI. A plus-runner for a catcher, Obal can also bunt for a hit.
"Kyle is steady and continues to improve his receiving skills," Valli said. "His arm strength is above average. He'll hit for average and he runs well for a catcher."
Mury started 10 games last spring after having offseason shoulder surgery. Now healthy, he is challenging for the starting role.
"Steve had a great fall and is as healthy and strong as he's ever been," Valli said. "His best tool is his arm strength."
Freshman Taylor Juran will use this season to develop his skills in hopes to nail down a starting role as a sophomore. He batted .371 as a senior at Shaler High School to earn all-area honors.
"Taylor has a chance to be a very good player for us," Valli said. "He'll use this year to get acclimated to college baseball."
Freshman Zach Pettis redshirted last season and will provide depth.
"Zach has an outstanding throwing arm and can block and receive," Valli said.
Another freshman, Matt Elko, will redshirt this season.
