Clinton, S.C.- The Saint Peter's University Baseball team will be on the road to begin the 2024 season with a four-game series at Presbyterian College.
Prior to the start of the season, Saint Peter's Baseball's Head Coach
Grant Neary talked about his outlook for the team in 2024.
"The program has added some explosive offensive players: 2023 First-Team All-American catcher
Tyler Cotten and Division II transfer
Ashby Vining, who I've received calls from multiple MLB teams about as a potential draft pick, look to split the catching duties with both hitting in the middle of the order. Freshman
Jace Gilligan also projects to see time behind the plate. St. John's transfer
Logan Baker has locked down the third base job and will join Cotten and Vining as a middle of the order bat. 2023 All-Region 19 selection Joe Lomangino is projected to be the starting SS with freshman
Sean Martinez slated to play in the middle infield as well.
Alex Rakas, an All-Conference selection and participant in the JUCO World Series at Oakton College, and returner
Garrett Greco are the top options at second base. First base provides a lot of options with grad transfer Jon Son, a two-time All-Conference selection at Utica College, and
John Wade, a 1st Team All Region 19 selection at Brookdale Community College, at the top of the list along with Cotten or Vining when they are not catching," Neary said about some of his talented newcomers.
Neary also mentioned the outfield and what it will look like for the duration of the season.
"The OF has a number of players competing for time including returner
Tyler DeClusin and newcomers
Brendon Wilson, Dom Morabito,
Jake Daily and
Ryan Dacey. Vining, Greco and Son can also play the OF. The DH position also has a number of contenders with returners
Tyler Smith and freshman
Drew DelCollo, who will also see time on the mound and in the IF or OF, are the top candidates," Neary said.
For any program, pitching is a vital part of building a winning team. Neary outlined the team's top pitchers.
"On the mound the team has upgraded tremendously. Returner
Zach Frasher looks to join transfers
Logan Wenzel (CCSU),
Kurt Thomas (CCSU),
David Delgadillo (2023 All-Conference selection at Bakersfield College),
Cam Martindale (6-2 record in 2023 at Centralia College) and
Marcus Monroe (a former Hudson County Pitcher of the Year at Ferris HS) and freshman
Mason Williams,
Jonny Gilligan,
Yash Jain and
Linden Reaburn join DelCollo as the arms the program will look to throw meaningful innings."
Many of these pitchers will be used in high-leverage situations at the end of games throughout the season. In addition to discussing his new team, Neary also spoke about his expectations for this season.
"Our goal is to get into the conference playoffs," Neary said. "That's the goal. Every single year we want to be a team that is consistently getting in. And if we don't get in, it will be an outlier."
Neary's squad has an opportunity to take steps forward this season. On opening day, Saint Peter's will face Presbyterian on Friday at 4 p.m.
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on
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