Temple University Athletics
Byron McKoy
2011 Baseball Outlook: Outfield
2.15.11 | Baseball
PHILADELPHIA - A core group of experienced returnees have committed to keenly fine-tuning their games over the past year in pursuit of capitalizing on what will be an exhilarating season in Temple baseball. Head coach Rob Valli, now in his sixth year at the helm, has witnessed a significant transformation in the rising players on his 2011 roster - one that he hopes will propel the Owls on a prosperous ride this season.
"Sometimes you have to fail a little bit to get better," said Valli. "This year, almost to a man, they have all come back and addressed all of the things they need to do to become better, more well-rounded baseball players.”
After only starting one senior position player a year ago, a total of five senior fielders return to Valli's lineup, including 2010 Philadelphia All-Big 5 selections Ryan Ferguson and Adrian Perez. The duo slugged it out in 2010 for the team lead in batting average and hits, last season combining for 76 RBI.
Their performance, along with that of fellow classmates Rafael Cordero, Ben Flanary and Byron McKoy, will dictate just where the season ends for this team.
"Having a veteran group of position players will make a difference because they are the guys who are going to handle the ball when the game is on the line," commented Valli. "The pitcher sets the tempo and makes the game go, but a position player is a guy who can change the game with any one play."
In a league where the performance of seniors generally translates into success, it may seem that the Owls have a distinct characteristic that top teams in the Atlantic 10 share. Valli knows, however, that showing up is not enough to break into the upper portion of an increasingly competitive conference.
"I think we are a much better baseball team than we were a year ago," said Valli. "Our league is going to continue to be better so only time will tell, but I think we are talented enough now to get into the top half."
Although there is much anticipation surrounding the lineup this season, the Owls' pitching staff will be eyed just as heavily by the opposition. Coming off of an impressive junior campaign, senior Ben White headlines an improved starting rotation bolstered by the addition of junior transfer Brant Norlander and freshman Matt Hockenberry. White, also a 2010 All-Big 5 honoree, led the team with 94 strikeouts - a mark which ranked second in the conference.
OUTFIELD
Four multi-talented outfielders return from the 2010 squad including a three-year starter in McKoy. The Charlotte, N.C., native patrolled left field for the Owls last season and enters this year just 20 hits shy of becoming the fifth player in Temple history with 200.
"Byron has become a much better defensive player, but needed to make some mechanical adjustments at the plate," said Valli. "He is a perfect example of one of those guys who needed to fail before he realized that he needed to change, and I think we have gone through that with him. We expect Byron to have a great senior year."
The quartet of experienced outfielders gives Valli viable options at any of the three positions. Junior Jabair Khan started all 51 games in center for the Owls last season and two sophomores - David Hall and Daniel Dragos - proved they can be dependable everyday players in the outfield. Ferguson's versatility offers Valli a left-handed hitting outfielder if needed given the day's matchup.
"The outfield lineup will depend on the matchup that day," said Valli. "They are all right-handed hitting outfielders and that is why we still consider Ferguson to go out and play the corner outfield spot because he gives us a left-handed hitting outfielder."
Bobby Heitzman is the lone freshman addition to the Temple outfield and will see some time this season. A native of Kennett, Pa., and graduate of Kennett High School, Heitzman was a first team All-Chest-Mont honoree as a sophomore and junior, along with being named a starter for Chester County in the 2009 Carpenter Cup.
"Bobby gives us another option as a left-handed hitting outfielder, but his best baseball is probably going to be in the second half of his college career," said Valli. "He can really run and bunt well and he's a spark plug-type player. He really covers a lot of ground in the outfield and he definitely has a future with us."
"Sometimes you have to fail a little bit to get better," said Valli. "This year, almost to a man, they have all come back and addressed all of the things they need to do to become better, more well-rounded baseball players.”
After only starting one senior position player a year ago, a total of five senior fielders return to Valli's lineup, including 2010 Philadelphia All-Big 5 selections Ryan Ferguson and Adrian Perez. The duo slugged it out in 2010 for the team lead in batting average and hits, last season combining for 76 RBI.
Their performance, along with that of fellow classmates Rafael Cordero, Ben Flanary and Byron McKoy, will dictate just where the season ends for this team.
"Having a veteran group of position players will make a difference because they are the guys who are going to handle the ball when the game is on the line," commented Valli. "The pitcher sets the tempo and makes the game go, but a position player is a guy who can change the game with any one play."
In a league where the performance of seniors generally translates into success, it may seem that the Owls have a distinct characteristic that top teams in the Atlantic 10 share. Valli knows, however, that showing up is not enough to break into the upper portion of an increasingly competitive conference.
"I think we are a much better baseball team than we were a year ago," said Valli. "Our league is going to continue to be better so only time will tell, but I think we are talented enough now to get into the top half."
Although there is much anticipation surrounding the lineup this season, the Owls' pitching staff will be eyed just as heavily by the opposition. Coming off of an impressive junior campaign, senior Ben White headlines an improved starting rotation bolstered by the addition of junior transfer Brant Norlander and freshman Matt Hockenberry. White, also a 2010 All-Big 5 honoree, led the team with 94 strikeouts - a mark which ranked second in the conference.
OUTFIELD
Four multi-talented outfielders return from the 2010 squad including a three-year starter in McKoy. The Charlotte, N.C., native patrolled left field for the Owls last season and enters this year just 20 hits shy of becoming the fifth player in Temple history with 200.
"Byron has become a much better defensive player, but needed to make some mechanical adjustments at the plate," said Valli. "He is a perfect example of one of those guys who needed to fail before he realized that he needed to change, and I think we have gone through that with him. We expect Byron to have a great senior year."
The quartet of experienced outfielders gives Valli viable options at any of the three positions. Junior Jabair Khan started all 51 games in center for the Owls last season and two sophomores - David Hall and Daniel Dragos - proved they can be dependable everyday players in the outfield. Ferguson's versatility offers Valli a left-handed hitting outfielder if needed given the day's matchup.
"The outfield lineup will depend on the matchup that day," said Valli. "They are all right-handed hitting outfielders and that is why we still consider Ferguson to go out and play the corner outfield spot because he gives us a left-handed hitting outfielder."
Bobby Heitzman is the lone freshman addition to the Temple outfield and will see some time this season. A native of Kennett, Pa., and graduate of Kennett High School, Heitzman was a first team All-Chest-Mont honoree as a sophomore and junior, along with being named a starter for Chester County in the 2009 Carpenter Cup.
"Bobby gives us another option as a left-handed hitting outfielder, but his best baseball is probably going to be in the second half of his college career," said Valli. "He can really run and bunt well and he's a spark plug-type player. He really covers a lot of ground in the outfield and he definitely has a future with us."
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