The Cape Cod Baseball League came to a close on August 12th, 2009 as the Bourne Braves took their first Cape Cod Baseball League Title in their team’s history in a 3 – 1 victory over Cotuit. Pierre LePage, Kyle Roller, and Raynor Cambell were the players that got them to the playoffs and to the title this summer. The last games of the regular season were played on August 5th but the playoff teams were selected and by a different format this summer. Normally the top two teams with the most points from the East and West are chosen to enter the playoffs, but this summer the Cape League chose to take the six top teams overall which resulted in the Chatham Anglers, the Bourne Braves, the Orleans Fire Birds, the Cotuit Kettleers, the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, and the Wareham Gatemen. Three teams from the East and West were chosen after the points were tallied up and the 6th seed team played the 4th seed team for a one game elimination. That team would then advance to play the number 2 seed for a two game elimination. The 5th and 3rd seed teams would play each other for a one game elimination and that team would play the number one seed for a two-game elimination series. The two teams who won those 2-game elimination series would then match up in the final championship game.
The Chatham Anglers were seemingly a shoe-in for the playoffs this summer going 10 – 1 in their first 11 games. But as the season grew the Anglers’ hitting and pitching began to diminish and they ended their season with a 21 – 23 record and put them in 3rd place in the East giving them the 6th slot in the 2009 playoffs. Producing only two All Star players, catcher Mike Murray and closer Russell Brewer, the Anglers did not keep their hot streak alive and almost missed the play offs. The Brewster Whitecaps started to win games and caught up to the Anglers tying them in the final weeks of the season in points. But a crucial two game series against the Harwich Mariners proved why the Anglers deserved a spot in the 2009 playoffs. Right handed pitcher Jake Thompson pitched for the Anglers on their playoff clinching win against the Mariners at Whitehouse Field earning his only win of the season. Russell Brewer came into the game in the 8th inning to close out the game and preserve the Anglers’ one run lead. Brewer earned his 10th falling short just two saves from his previous season at the Cape with the Hyannis Mets.
The Bourne Braves were the number one team for the West for the Cape League and got the two seed for the playoffs which came as no surprise to Cape League fans. The powerhouse running the Braves’ offense was Kyle Roller. Roller lead the league in homeruns, RBIs, doubles, slugging percentage, extra base hits, and runs scored. His batting average, on base percentage, and hit total were second in the league. Roller is a returning player this year to the Cape League and his experience definitely paid off for the Braves.
The Orleans Fire Birds were the second seed chosen out of the East and it is due to their pitching. Orleans pitchers went 25 – 17 and a 2.72 ERA on the season leading the Cape League before entering the playoffs. The Fire Birds’ most impressive pitcher for the 2009 season was Casey Gaynor who pitched 41.1 innings and had a 1.74 ERA. Although Orleans never led any hitting categories but with their consistency at the plate to drive in runs and the controlled performances on the mound Orleans found themselves just behind Yarmouth-Dennis in the Eastern standings and were given the 3rd spot in the Cape League playoffs.
The Cotuit Kettleers trailed the Bourne Braves by six points and led the Cape League with 6 ties due games being called short due to darkness or weather. Cotuit’s pitching was also impressive in the 2009 season and their right hander Jake Buchanan led the Cape League with an ERA of 0.84 in 43 innings pitched. Cotuit was third in the Cape League in team pitching with a team 3.05 ERA. Cotuit also had speed on the bases. Chris Bisson stole 36 bases for Cotuit this season leading the league this summer. Cotuit smart base running and effective use of bunts and sac flies won them games this summer and also the 4th spot in the playoffs.
The Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox seemed to be unbeatable by the end of the summer. Leading the Cape League with 57 points, they clinched the Eastern Division title and received the number one seed for the playoffs this summer. They finished with a record of 28 – 15 with one tie. The Red Sox had an impressive batting line up this summer but the hitter that stood out the most for Yarmouth was Austin Wates. He finished with a .312 batting average and was a clutch hitter for Yarmouth throughout the season. Yarmouth’s best pitcher for them this season was Chris Sale. He ended the regular season with a 4 – 2 record and a 1.47 ERA in 55 innings pitched. Sale led the Cape League in strikeouts with 57 on the season. Yarmouth was the heavy favorite to win the Cape League title for its second in three years.
The 5th playoff spot went to the Wareham Gatemen. The Gatemen finished 19 – 19 with 6 ties like Cotuit and were short just two points of tying Cotuit in the rankings. Wareham never stuck out as a team who showed dominance in one area. They played consistent baseball and benefited from other team’s losses. Wareham was last in their team’s batting average with a .211 average overall and was 5th in league pitching with a 3.31 team ERA. Right hander Jack Armstrong was Wareham’s best pitcher for the 2009 season going 4 – 1 with a 2.57 ERA.
In the first round of play Chatham faced Orleans at the Fire Birds field. Orleans took an early 4 – 0 lead but Chatham cam roaring back within 1 going into the top of the 9th. Chatham’s Tom Belza hit a long deep fly ball that missed being a homerun by a few feet and was caught by a Fire Bird. Orleans left with a 4 – 3 win and would play Cotuit in the next round. Bourne fared better than Chatham against Orleans in the first game of the next round beating them in a come back win in the first of the two-game series. Bourne was down 2 – 0 but in the bottom of the 9th racked up three runs to give them a walk-off victory. Bourne used that momentum to beat Orleans again the following night in an 8 – 0 victory eliminating the Fire Birds and clinched a spot in the championship game for Bourne.
On the other side of the Cape, Cotuit was able to beat Wareham in the single elimination series and went on to face the heavy favorite Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. In the first game Cotuit trailed to Yarmouth 2 – 0 going into the 9th inning, but were able to rack up three runs in the 9th to have a walk off victory. Yarmouth-Dennis then was able to extend the series one more game the following night beating Cotuit 10 – 5. But Cotuit proved to be the better team contrary to regular season stats in their final game when they beat the Red Sox 18 – 4 winning the series to go on to face Bourne in the championships.
This is the first time two West teams face each other for the title. After the first game, Bourne led the two-game elimination championships after beating Cotuit 15 – 5 in a fog-shortened 5 inning game in Bourne. Bourne went on to the next day’s game to bring home the Cape League title for the first time in Bourne Braves history. Raynor Cambell (Baylor) from Bourne won the Championship MVP Award in Bourne’s 3 – 1 victory over the Cotuit Kettleers.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Derek Poppert Drafted in the 28th Round by Cincinnati Reds
On June 9th, the Major League Baseball draft released the names of the lucky college and high school baseball players that were chosen in the 50 rounds of the draft. USF’s senior shortstop Derek Poppert was one of the chosen names on that coveted list in the 28th round. The Cincinnati Reds offered Poppert a spot for their 2010 farm system, but for Poppert, this decision on whether or not to accept was not all that easy to come to.
Poppert ended his season with a .352 batting average and a .483 slugging percentage. He also had a .919 fielding percentage at shortstop in 148 chances. Since his freshman year Poppert has stood out as one of the better players on the diamond for the Dons. His freshman year Poppert had to step up and start at third base after an injury put his teammate out for the season. Poppert excelled at the position and proved to his team and USF fans that he could hold his own on a Division 1 baseball team. Poppert has definitely improved his game since his freshman year after only having a .297 average at the end of the 2007 season, and that did not go unnoticed. In the summer of 2008 Poppert was invited to the Cape Cod Baseball League to play for the Brewster Whitecaps. This league only takes the best of the best college students from across the nation to play on 10 teams. After being noticed at the Cape and Poppert’s impressive 2009 season with the Dons, the Cincinnati Reds saw what everyone at USF already did: this kid can play baseball. This summer was different for Poppert as it was his first summer he did not play summer baseball. It gave him a chance to spend time with his family and friends and work out from home. Being relaxed while making the decision that would affect the rest of his life seemed imperative for this incoming senior. For most college athletes going to the pros is their dream since they first put a ball in their hand, but Poppert decided to turn down his offer by the Reds and return for one more year at USF.
Unlike other sports, baseball is the hardest sports to make it to “the show” as the insiders like to say. With basketball or football, once you are drafted there is a spot for you on the team, but in baseball, a player could be in the minor leagues for years before they ever get to put on the uniform for the team they were set to play for. Sometimes choosing to leave college can be a gamble for students and the decision process can be mind racking, like it was for Poppert.
In Poppert’s online summer blog he describes this decision the hardest one of his life. “It was a pretty exciting time,” said Poppert. “It is something you work for your entire baseball career but it is also a very stressful decision to make.” For this senior he was looking out for his best interest and for him going to the Reds was not the route for him to take. “It was the best decision for me personally and for my baseball career. It took a lot of soul searching, I talked to my parents about it a lot, and my present and past coaches,” said Poppert. “I even made a pros and cons list and finally came to the decision that it was the best decision for me to make.”
From past interviews with Poppert, his definite goal was to be a professional baseball player. Having this opportunity and letting it go was definitely the hardest thing for him to do. “I realized the dream for me wasn’t to play in the minor leagues,” said Poppert. “My dream is to play in the major leagues. If that is really what I want to do coming back to school and getting drafted again next year would be my best path.”
Poppert says that if he is drafted again in 2010 then he will sign and play. “If it doesn’t work out I still have my degree to fall back on,” said Poppert. “It definitely leaves me with a lot of options.”
Poppert’s fellow teammate senior catcher Ryan Lipkin was also drafted in the 2009 draft in the 43rd round by the Oakland Athletics. Lipkin has also decided to come back to USF. He was unavailable for comment.
Poppert ended his season with a .352 batting average and a .483 slugging percentage. He also had a .919 fielding percentage at shortstop in 148 chances. Since his freshman year Poppert has stood out as one of the better players on the diamond for the Dons. His freshman year Poppert had to step up and start at third base after an injury put his teammate out for the season. Poppert excelled at the position and proved to his team and USF fans that he could hold his own on a Division 1 baseball team. Poppert has definitely improved his game since his freshman year after only having a .297 average at the end of the 2007 season, and that did not go unnoticed. In the summer of 2008 Poppert was invited to the Cape Cod Baseball League to play for the Brewster Whitecaps. This league only takes the best of the best college students from across the nation to play on 10 teams. After being noticed at the Cape and Poppert’s impressive 2009 season with the Dons, the Cincinnati Reds saw what everyone at USF already did: this kid can play baseball. This summer was different for Poppert as it was his first summer he did not play summer baseball. It gave him a chance to spend time with his family and friends and work out from home. Being relaxed while making the decision that would affect the rest of his life seemed imperative for this incoming senior. For most college athletes going to the pros is their dream since they first put a ball in their hand, but Poppert decided to turn down his offer by the Reds and return for one more year at USF.
Unlike other sports, baseball is the hardest sports to make it to “the show” as the insiders like to say. With basketball or football, once you are drafted there is a spot for you on the team, but in baseball, a player could be in the minor leagues for years before they ever get to put on the uniform for the team they were set to play for. Sometimes choosing to leave college can be a gamble for students and the decision process can be mind racking, like it was for Poppert.
In Poppert’s online summer blog he describes this decision the hardest one of his life. “It was a pretty exciting time,” said Poppert. “It is something you work for your entire baseball career but it is also a very stressful decision to make.” For this senior he was looking out for his best interest and for him going to the Reds was not the route for him to take. “It was the best decision for me personally and for my baseball career. It took a lot of soul searching, I talked to my parents about it a lot, and my present and past coaches,” said Poppert. “I even made a pros and cons list and finally came to the decision that it was the best decision for me to make.”
From past interviews with Poppert, his definite goal was to be a professional baseball player. Having this opportunity and letting it go was definitely the hardest thing for him to do. “I realized the dream for me wasn’t to play in the minor leagues,” said Poppert. “My dream is to play in the major leagues. If that is really what I want to do coming back to school and getting drafted again next year would be my best path.”
Poppert says that if he is drafted again in 2010 then he will sign and play. “If it doesn’t work out I still have my degree to fall back on,” said Poppert. “It definitely leaves me with a lot of options.”
Poppert’s fellow teammate senior catcher Ryan Lipkin was also drafted in the 2009 draft in the 43rd round by the Oakland Athletics. Lipkin has also decided to come back to USF. He was unavailable for comment.
Monday, July 27, 2009
All Star Game Halted by Rain
On July 23rd, the Cape Cod Baseball League All Star Game was held at Fenway Park for the first time in 22 years. But the day could not have been worse to have the best players in the Cape League from the East and the West to compete as the game was called early due to rain. Before the game began the home run derby contest got the 14,000 Cape League fans at friendly Fenway ready for the East to take on the West. The home run derby is usually held in a Cape League field without the Green Monster in the way, so the home runs were minimal in this derby. Only two home runs were needed to advance to the second round and only two to win the final round. Connor Powers was the winner of the contest and his showing at Fenway was much better than the previous All Star game at Chatham. Powers was the only returning hitter from 2008 and was finally able to escape the first round of the derby. Powers proved why he was this year’s winner with his home runs that were smashed over the Green Monster and out of Fenway. Powers said he was more relaxed this time around so it was easier to hit. Hard to imagine this college baseball player to be more relaxed in a professional arena in front of the biggest Cape League All Star attendance of all time.
After Powers was awarded the homerun award, the East and West began to warm up for the game that would only last 4.5 innings. As fans huddled under the roofs of Fenway Park, the West took the field as the home team. Brandon Workman (Texas) from the Wareham Gatemen got the start for the West. Workman had a quick 1, 2, 3 first inning including two strikeouts. Rob Rasmussen (UCLA) from the Orleans Firebirds was given the start for the East but did not match Workman’s performance. Rasmussen gave up a triple to Zach Cox (Arkansas) of Cotuit scoring his West teammate Todd Cunningham after he reached on an error. Cox was then able to score off of a fielder’s choice to make the score 2 – 0 after one inning. These were the only runs the West needed to score to clinch the win. The West added one more run in the second inning giving them a 3 – 0 win over the East. The East only had one hit in the contest compared to the West’s four hits. As the rain picked up in the middle of the 5th inning Fenway’s ground crew laid down the tarp on the field and announced that the game had been called, they also wanted to uphold the field for the Red Sox’s home stand this weekend.
The MVP’s from both the East and the West were decided shortly after the game was called. For the West Zach Cox was named MVP for being responsible for two of the three runs for the West. Pitcher Chris Sale (Florida Golf Coast) was named the MVP for the East after throwing just six pitches in the third inning and struck out two batters. Although the game ended quickly and Cape League fans left a little bit wet, the All Star game was a success and allowed these college students to play at the most beloved ball park in the country.
After Powers was awarded the homerun award, the East and West began to warm up for the game that would only last 4.5 innings. As fans huddled under the roofs of Fenway Park, the West took the field as the home team. Brandon Workman (Texas) from the Wareham Gatemen got the start for the West. Workman had a quick 1, 2, 3 first inning including two strikeouts. Rob Rasmussen (UCLA) from the Orleans Firebirds was given the start for the East but did not match Workman’s performance. Rasmussen gave up a triple to Zach Cox (Arkansas) of Cotuit scoring his West teammate Todd Cunningham after he reached on an error. Cox was then able to score off of a fielder’s choice to make the score 2 – 0 after one inning. These were the only runs the West needed to score to clinch the win. The West added one more run in the second inning giving them a 3 – 0 win over the East. The East only had one hit in the contest compared to the West’s four hits. As the rain picked up in the middle of the 5th inning Fenway’s ground crew laid down the tarp on the field and announced that the game had been called, they also wanted to uphold the field for the Red Sox’s home stand this weekend.
The MVP’s from both the East and the West were decided shortly after the game was called. For the West Zach Cox was named MVP for being responsible for two of the three runs for the West. Pitcher Chris Sale (Florida Golf Coast) was named the MVP for the East after throwing just six pitches in the third inning and struck out two batters. Although the game ended quickly and Cape League fans left a little bit wet, the All Star game was a success and allowed these college students to play at the most beloved ball park in the country.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Trent Mummey Making the Best of Cape Opportunity
Here is another article I wrote for MVP Scout
HARWICH, MA – Hariwch Mariners’ Trent Mummey has been the anchor to Harwich’s offense this summer at the Cape Cod Baseball League. As an incoming junior at Auburn University, Mummey leads the Harwich Mariners in home-runs so far this summer with 3 homeruns. One of Mummey’s homeruns was a walk off in just the second game of the season making his mark on the Cape a memorable one.
As a sophomore at Auburn, Mummey fell into a hitting slump towards the end of the season. But instead of getting down Mummey concentrated on his defense in the outfield. This proved to his benefit as he ended the season with a .995 fielding percentage and was awarded the 2009 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I Gold Glove Award. This award is given based upon coaches’ opinions of players, and Mummey seemed to impress all the coaches in his conference. “I didn’t really know about the award,” said Mummey. “When I got the All FC defensive team I kind of expected something. I played good defense this year but struggled at the plate. I was just helping the team everyday defensively. It’s something to take a lot of pride in, defense, so it was pretty exciting for me,” said Mummey. Although Mummey’s hitting momentum slowed towards the end of the season he still ended with a .289 average with 15 homeruns, 42 RBIs, and stole 17 bases. Mummey said,“I had a lot better numbers than last year. I felt better about this season than last season. I am hoping to take this summer to improve my game and go on from there.” Mummey says his improvement from his freshman year is due to the help from his Auburn batting coach Matt Heath who made him go from a slap hitter to a homerun driver. The 5’9” 170 lb. outfielder says he looks up to Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox because of his size and also his determination and speed.
Mummey suffered an injury before his 2009 season with Auburn when he broke his wrist during the fall after diving back to a bag. Mummey said hitting during the winter helped a lot and he was back into the swing of things by the time April rolled around. He proved his injury was not an issue as he started of Auburn’s season hitting lights out. Mummey’s choice to go to Auburn was not his only choice getting out of high school. The senior was drafted out of high school but decided that going to college would allow him to mature and learn to grow as a player. Mummey realizes the opportunity that he has been given by playing at the Cape the summer. “It is fun but it is tough seeing the best pitching everyday,” says Mummey. “It’s a pitcher’s game up here so it is a mental game. You just have to learn to go about your days - not too many highs or too many lows just stay in the middle and be mentally tough, said Mummey. He knew a few players that came to the Cape that gave Mummey some advice – “They said just focus on getting better and don’t worry about the outcome. Don’t worry about your numbers because if you do it will be a lot tougher,” said Mummey. The difference between the Cape and the regular season are the wooden bats and the transition for Mummey does not seem to drastic if you look at his numbers on the summer so far. “It is a little different. The first week or so [with wooden bats] it’s a little tough but once you get the hang of getting the barrel on the ball it’s not too different. It’s more challenging,” he said. Mummey is very focused on improving his game yet again for his next season at Auburn and has a few goals this summer at Cape Cod. “Some of my goals are just to improve my game, seeing a lot more pitches, improving walk to strikeout ratio – things like that,” said Mummey. “I don’t really have number goals although I would love to make it to the All-Star Game at Fenway. I’d love to play there it would be a lot of fun.” The All Star Game will be held on July 23rd at Fenway Park in Boston Massachusetts for the first time in 22 years.
At Auburn Mummey is a lead off hitter but his coach in Harwich has been moving him to different spots in the batting order. Mummey said, “Some days other people are better at lead off and some days it’s better for me to be in the three-hole. It just depends who is in the zone, who is pitching, and what the coaches think. It’s not up to me where people play in the line up. I hit lead off at Auburn but it isn’t that big of a deal where I hit, just go out and play.”
As for going pro Mummey has not talked to anyone since his draft his senior year of high school. “I haven’t really talked to anybody but everyone is looking at everybody,” said Mummey. “It is just too soon to tell.”
Harwich is the Cape League’s defending champions and they have a chance to bring back the title. When asked if the title could return to Harwich Mummey said, “Definitely. We have a really good team. We will have our ups and downs but I think we have a real good chance at winning.”
HARWICH, MA – Hariwch Mariners’ Trent Mummey has been the anchor to Harwich’s offense this summer at the Cape Cod Baseball League. As an incoming junior at Auburn University, Mummey leads the Harwich Mariners in home-runs so far this summer with 3 homeruns. One of Mummey’s homeruns was a walk off in just the second game of the season making his mark on the Cape a memorable one.
As a sophomore at Auburn, Mummey fell into a hitting slump towards the end of the season. But instead of getting down Mummey concentrated on his defense in the outfield. This proved to his benefit as he ended the season with a .995 fielding percentage and was awarded the 2009 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I Gold Glove Award. This award is given based upon coaches’ opinions of players, and Mummey seemed to impress all the coaches in his conference. “I didn’t really know about the award,” said Mummey. “When I got the All FC defensive team I kind of expected something. I played good defense this year but struggled at the plate. I was just helping the team everyday defensively. It’s something to take a lot of pride in, defense, so it was pretty exciting for me,” said Mummey. Although Mummey’s hitting momentum slowed towards the end of the season he still ended with a .289 average with 15 homeruns, 42 RBIs, and stole 17 bases. Mummey said,“I had a lot better numbers than last year. I felt better about this season than last season. I am hoping to take this summer to improve my game and go on from there.” Mummey says his improvement from his freshman year is due to the help from his Auburn batting coach Matt Heath who made him go from a slap hitter to a homerun driver. The 5’9” 170 lb. outfielder says he looks up to Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox because of his size and also his determination and speed.
Mummey suffered an injury before his 2009 season with Auburn when he broke his wrist during the fall after diving back to a bag. Mummey said hitting during the winter helped a lot and he was back into the swing of things by the time April rolled around. He proved his injury was not an issue as he started of Auburn’s season hitting lights out. Mummey’s choice to go to Auburn was not his only choice getting out of high school. The senior was drafted out of high school but decided that going to college would allow him to mature and learn to grow as a player. Mummey realizes the opportunity that he has been given by playing at the Cape the summer. “It is fun but it is tough seeing the best pitching everyday,” says Mummey. “It’s a pitcher’s game up here so it is a mental game. You just have to learn to go about your days - not too many highs or too many lows just stay in the middle and be mentally tough, said Mummey. He knew a few players that came to the Cape that gave Mummey some advice – “They said just focus on getting better and don’t worry about the outcome. Don’t worry about your numbers because if you do it will be a lot tougher,” said Mummey. The difference between the Cape and the regular season are the wooden bats and the transition for Mummey does not seem to drastic if you look at his numbers on the summer so far. “It is a little different. The first week or so [with wooden bats] it’s a little tough but once you get the hang of getting the barrel on the ball it’s not too different. It’s more challenging,” he said. Mummey is very focused on improving his game yet again for his next season at Auburn and has a few goals this summer at Cape Cod. “Some of my goals are just to improve my game, seeing a lot more pitches, improving walk to strikeout ratio – things like that,” said Mummey. “I don’t really have number goals although I would love to make it to the All-Star Game at Fenway. I’d love to play there it would be a lot of fun.” The All Star Game will be held on July 23rd at Fenway Park in Boston Massachusetts for the first time in 22 years.
At Auburn Mummey is a lead off hitter but his coach in Harwich has been moving him to different spots in the batting order. Mummey said, “Some days other people are better at lead off and some days it’s better for me to be in the three-hole. It just depends who is in the zone, who is pitching, and what the coaches think. It’s not up to me where people play in the line up. I hit lead off at Auburn but it isn’t that big of a deal where I hit, just go out and play.”
As for going pro Mummey has not talked to anyone since his draft his senior year of high school. “I haven’t really talked to anybody but everyone is looking at everybody,” said Mummey. “It is just too soon to tell.”
Harwich is the Cape League’s defending champions and they have a chance to bring back the title. When asked if the title could return to Harwich Mummey said, “Definitely. We have a really good team. We will have our ups and downs but I think we have a real good chance at winning.”
Monday, June 29, 2009
Duffy in a Year of Transition
Here is another article I wrote for the company I work for - MVPScout
CHATHAM, MA – Matt Duffy suffered some bad news at the beginning of his 2009 season with the University of Vermont. Just two weeks before opening day Duffy and his team were informed that the baseball and softball programs at UVM would be cut due to lack of funding. “It was crazy,” Duffy said. Duffy and his teammates were shocked by the news and immediately started to think of what was going to happen to them and their baseball future the following spring. “It was definitely a blow to everyone on the team. I guess we just had to deal with it,” Duffy said.
Duffy is one of the lucky ones. He has committed to playing with the University of Tennessee and should be an asset to their team next spring. “I don’t know what completely to expect but I know that it will be very good baseball,” said Duffy. In Duffy’s final season with UVM he set two UVM baseball program records by scoring 57 runs and hitting 57 RBIs. “I had a good season. The coaches were really helpful and I worked hard,” Duffy said. “When I found out [our program] got cut it actually made me work even harder.” All his hard work paid off. He led his team and the America East conference in batting (first time a UVM player to lead the America East in batting since 2002) with a .388 average and was named the America East Player of the Year.
This summer Duffy is the third basemen for the Chatham Anglers. The upcoming Tennessee junior grew up in Milton, MA so going to Cape Cod League games was something familiar to him as a kid. “When I was about 12 or 13 I came to a couple games with my friends who lived down at the Cape,” said Duffy. “I was playing baseball and [the Cape] was always a place that I wanted to play. It is cool that I got the opportunity to come down here and play,” he said. Now Duffy’s childhood dreams are coming true and has a .211 batting average with Chatham and plays the hot corner very well currently having an errorless season. “My goals are just to get better and do well. Hopefully we can win, that would be a good bonus,” he said. Duffy stands at 6’3” and weighs 210 lbs. Duffy also pitches but does not think he will for Chatham or Tennessee in the 2010 season.
Chatham, having the best record at the Cape (9 – 4), seems to have had a bit of luck in a lot of their come-from-behind wins this season. Rumor has it that Duffy is the team’s lucky charm. When he is on the field Chatham’s luck seems to turn around. “I wouldn’t call myself a lucky charm, it was just something crazy that happened,” said Duffy. “It is pretty funny a couple of the guys on the team made a few jokes about it but I am definitely not the only one making it happen.”
Duffy says he is currently not being looked at by any professional teams but if he keeps the same drive and determination as he did in his final season with UVM, Duffy should bring Chatham and Tennessee a lot of runs and maybe even some luck.
CHATHAM, MA – Matt Duffy suffered some bad news at the beginning of his 2009 season with the University of Vermont. Just two weeks before opening day Duffy and his team were informed that the baseball and softball programs at UVM would be cut due to lack of funding. “It was crazy,” Duffy said. Duffy and his teammates were shocked by the news and immediately started to think of what was going to happen to them and their baseball future the following spring. “It was definitely a blow to everyone on the team. I guess we just had to deal with it,” Duffy said.
Duffy is one of the lucky ones. He has committed to playing with the University of Tennessee and should be an asset to their team next spring. “I don’t know what completely to expect but I know that it will be very good baseball,” said Duffy. In Duffy’s final season with UVM he set two UVM baseball program records by scoring 57 runs and hitting 57 RBIs. “I had a good season. The coaches were really helpful and I worked hard,” Duffy said. “When I found out [our program] got cut it actually made me work even harder.” All his hard work paid off. He led his team and the America East conference in batting (first time a UVM player to lead the America East in batting since 2002) with a .388 average and was named the America East Player of the Year.
This summer Duffy is the third basemen for the Chatham Anglers. The upcoming Tennessee junior grew up in Milton, MA so going to Cape Cod League games was something familiar to him as a kid. “When I was about 12 or 13 I came to a couple games with my friends who lived down at the Cape,” said Duffy. “I was playing baseball and [the Cape] was always a place that I wanted to play. It is cool that I got the opportunity to come down here and play,” he said. Now Duffy’s childhood dreams are coming true and has a .211 batting average with Chatham and plays the hot corner very well currently having an errorless season. “My goals are just to get better and do well. Hopefully we can win, that would be a good bonus,” he said. Duffy stands at 6’3” and weighs 210 lbs. Duffy also pitches but does not think he will for Chatham or Tennessee in the 2010 season.
Chatham, having the best record at the Cape (9 – 4), seems to have had a bit of luck in a lot of their come-from-behind wins this season. Rumor has it that Duffy is the team’s lucky charm. When he is on the field Chatham’s luck seems to turn around. “I wouldn’t call myself a lucky charm, it was just something crazy that happened,” said Duffy. “It is pretty funny a couple of the guys on the team made a few jokes about it but I am definitely not the only one making it happen.”
Duffy says he is currently not being looked at by any professional teams but if he keeps the same drive and determination as he did in his final season with UVM, Duffy should bring Chatham and Tennessee a lot of runs and maybe even some luck.
Chatham Losing Streak
After an impressive start this summer having a 9 - 1 record, Chatham has had a three-game losing streak. It all began last Friday at Chatham's home field Veteran's Field. They faced the Bourne Braves and could not get ahead of them after committing four errors. Bourne shut out Chatham beating them 4 - 0. Bourne started their scoring in the 5th after a solo homerun was hit by Cody Freeman over the center field fence. Another run was scored in the 6th and two more in the 9th after an error made by Chatham's left fielder Jeff Schaus.
The next loss Chatham suffered was in Cotuit on Satruday in a close 3 - 1 loss. Chatham could not get their bats going in the 9th when they had the bases loaded with a chance to come back.
In Orleans on Sunday night Chatham fell behind 2 - 0 early in the top of the first inning after starter Tom Keeling walked batters and had 5 wild pitches allowing two Firebirds to score. Keeling was taken out of the game and replaced by Logan Verrett who pitched 5 innings allowing no runs to score and had seven strikeouts. Chatham's only run was when Tom Belza singled which allowed Joey Terdoslavich to score. Unfortunately the Anglers could not get another run in the 9th to tie up the game and they suffered their third loss in a row.
Tonight they face the Brewster Whitecaps at Stony Brooke Field and hopefully can reverse their streak back to a winning one.
The next loss Chatham suffered was in Cotuit on Satruday in a close 3 - 1 loss. Chatham could not get their bats going in the 9th when they had the bases loaded with a chance to come back.
In Orleans on Sunday night Chatham fell behind 2 - 0 early in the top of the first inning after starter Tom Keeling walked batters and had 5 wild pitches allowing two Firebirds to score. Keeling was taken out of the game and replaced by Logan Verrett who pitched 5 innings allowing no runs to score and had seven strikeouts. Chatham's only run was when Tom Belza singled which allowed Joey Terdoslavich to score. Unfortunately the Anglers could not get another run in the 9th to tie up the game and they suffered their third loss in a row.
Tonight they face the Brewster Whitecaps at Stony Brooke Field and hopefully can reverse their streak back to a winning one.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Addison Johnson Returns to Chatham
Here is another article I wrote for the company I work for MVP Scout:
CHATHAM, MA – The Chatham Anglers, who have been ranked the number one summer league team in the nation, have been patiently waiting for outfielder Addison Johnson to return – for two years to be exact. The Clemson junior suffered a hand injury in the 2008 season along with a hamstring injury which kept him out of the entire 2008 season. It was the longest Johnson has ever gone without playing baseball since he started as a kid. “I’m excited to be back,” Johnson said about his second summer with Chatham, “just as long as this weather lets up.” The Cape League has suffered two days without any games being played because of all the rain that has been happening which will give many teams, including Chatham, multiple double headers. “This summer I really want to work on my hitting. I did not have such a good season during the school year. I want to work on being a good lead-off hitter,” said Johnson.
As a freshman at Clemson in 2007, Johnson had a .286 batting average and scored 35 runs for the Tigers. He also helped lead his team to the NCAA Tournament where he had a .417 batting average in 17 appearances at the plate. Johnson then was ranked in the top 25 sophomore baseball players in the country. Johnson then went to play for the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Chatham A’s in the summer of 2007 and added speed on the bases and in the outfield for Chatham. He had a .276 batting average with 48 hits and 11 RBIs.
Unfortunately the world would not be able to see his next season with the Tigers or with Chatham after he broke his hand. Johnson, excited to play, tried to play after one month by treating his broken had with bone stem. But because he came back too soon he suffered a stress fracture in that same hand along with a pulled hamstring putting him out for the entire 2008 season and summer. “It was tough - sitting on the bench the whole season watching everyone else play, and we didn’t have that great of a year last year so that made it even more frustrating,” said Johnson. “But it feels good to be out here now and play at full speed.” Johnson took the time to rest and get back to top physical condition for the 2009 season at Clemson. Johnson said, “[My injury] might be the reason I didn’t play as well as I wanted to this season because I didn’t play last summer. We have to get on a roll and keep playing if I want to get better playing.” Before Johnson’s summer he hit .217 in his 2009 season with Clemson and had 14 RBIs. In the outfield Johnson had a .967 fielding percentage with only 4 errors. Johnson says he is back to perfect health now and just needs to “get [his] eye back and a lot of at bats.”
He stands at 5’7” and weighs in at 170 pounds. Don’t let his size fool you. His speed and talent in the outfield and at the plate make up for his size. Johnson was drafted this year in the 2009 draft by the Oakland A’s in the 48th round. “They are going to follow me around this summer but I think I will just end up going back to school,” said Johnson. Chatham is in good position now being 8 – 1 on the season leading the entire Cape Cod League. Johnson thinks the title can come back to Chatham. “We have got an awesome start,” said Johnson, “Wouldn’t really want to change much because everyone is playing so well.” Johnson is not active player for Chatham yet but he hopes when he gets in that he can continue to help Chatham to be on their way to the playoffs.
CHATHAM, MA – The Chatham Anglers, who have been ranked the number one summer league team in the nation, have been patiently waiting for outfielder Addison Johnson to return – for two years to be exact. The Clemson junior suffered a hand injury in the 2008 season along with a hamstring injury which kept him out of the entire 2008 season. It was the longest Johnson has ever gone without playing baseball since he started as a kid. “I’m excited to be back,” Johnson said about his second summer with Chatham, “just as long as this weather lets up.” The Cape League has suffered two days without any games being played because of all the rain that has been happening which will give many teams, including Chatham, multiple double headers. “This summer I really want to work on my hitting. I did not have such a good season during the school year. I want to work on being a good lead-off hitter,” said Johnson.
As a freshman at Clemson in 2007, Johnson had a .286 batting average and scored 35 runs for the Tigers. He also helped lead his team to the NCAA Tournament where he had a .417 batting average in 17 appearances at the plate. Johnson then was ranked in the top 25 sophomore baseball players in the country. Johnson then went to play for the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Chatham A’s in the summer of 2007 and added speed on the bases and in the outfield for Chatham. He had a .276 batting average with 48 hits and 11 RBIs.
Unfortunately the world would not be able to see his next season with the Tigers or with Chatham after he broke his hand. Johnson, excited to play, tried to play after one month by treating his broken had with bone stem. But because he came back too soon he suffered a stress fracture in that same hand along with a pulled hamstring putting him out for the entire 2008 season and summer. “It was tough - sitting on the bench the whole season watching everyone else play, and we didn’t have that great of a year last year so that made it even more frustrating,” said Johnson. “But it feels good to be out here now and play at full speed.” Johnson took the time to rest and get back to top physical condition for the 2009 season at Clemson. Johnson said, “[My injury] might be the reason I didn’t play as well as I wanted to this season because I didn’t play last summer. We have to get on a roll and keep playing if I want to get better playing.” Before Johnson’s summer he hit .217 in his 2009 season with Clemson and had 14 RBIs. In the outfield Johnson had a .967 fielding percentage with only 4 errors. Johnson says he is back to perfect health now and just needs to “get [his] eye back and a lot of at bats.”
He stands at 5’7” and weighs in at 170 pounds. Don’t let his size fool you. His speed and talent in the outfield and at the plate make up for his size. Johnson was drafted this year in the 2009 draft by the Oakland A’s in the 48th round. “They are going to follow me around this summer but I think I will just end up going back to school,” said Johnson. Chatham is in good position now being 8 – 1 on the season leading the entire Cape Cod League. Johnson thinks the title can come back to Chatham. “We have got an awesome start,” said Johnson, “Wouldn’t really want to change much because everyone is playing so well.” Johnson is not active player for Chatham yet but he hopes when he gets in that he can continue to help Chatham to be on their way to the playoffs.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Rain, Rain go away!!
Yesterday all Cape League games were canceled and the games on Sunday were minimal and if the players did get to play, it was a moist and cold day on the diamond. Today the Cape League faces more rain outs with the %60 chance of rain. This proposes trouble for the league when trying to find days where these games can be made up and also proposes a threat of multiple double headers for teams.
As for this baseball fan I just want the rain to go away so I can watch more exciting baseball. On Sunday, the last day a game was played on the Cape, Chatham faced Orleans in Orleans. Not many fans showed up as it was cold and misting out but those fans who didn't show missed an exciting game. Chatham did not get off to a good start falling behind Orleans 7 - 1. But in the next inning they found a way to get within 7 - 5. In the top of the ninth the Anglers scored one more run before shortstop Brian Harris (Vanderbilt) stepped up to the plate and cranked a grand slam over the left field fence giving Chatham a 10 - 7 lead and eventually the win.
Chatham seems to be the come-back kids and now have a record of 7 - 1. Hopefully their hot streak can continue and they can take their team to the playoffs this year.
As for this baseball fan I just want the rain to go away so I can watch more exciting baseball. On Sunday, the last day a game was played on the Cape, Chatham faced Orleans in Orleans. Not many fans showed up as it was cold and misting out but those fans who didn't show missed an exciting game. Chatham did not get off to a good start falling behind Orleans 7 - 1. But in the next inning they found a way to get within 7 - 5. In the top of the ninth the Anglers scored one more run before shortstop Brian Harris (Vanderbilt) stepped up to the plate and cranked a grand slam over the left field fence giving Chatham a 10 - 7 lead and eventually the win.
Chatham seems to be the come-back kids and now have a record of 7 - 1. Hopefully their hot streak can continue and they can take their team to the playoffs this year.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Chatham Wins Again in Late Innings Against the Defending Champs
On Saturday night at Veteran's field, the Chatham Anglers faced the defending Cape League champions the Harwich Mariners. Chatham was leading going into the 8th inning. Chatham's closer Russell Brewer came in to put the game away in the ninth but instead gave up several hits to the Mariners initiating their rally. Dain Hall (Villanova) lead off the inning with a single to center field. Harwich's Keenan Wiley then reached on an infield hit giving Harwich runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. The Anglers then botched a play on a sacrifice bunt by Harwich's Chris Wade. The bases were loaded and Hall was able to score on a ground out by Trent Mummey (Auburn.) Then Chatham's catcher allowed a passed ball and Harwich scored to tie the game at 3. Brewer then got three quick outs with some impressive strikeouts.
After a scoreless tenth inning and great pitching performance from Chatham's Kevin Scanlan (Maine), the Anglers answered back. Tom Belza reached on an error for the Anglers to lead off the inning. The Steven Brooks then advanced Belza to second on a bunt single. Chatham's catcher Mike Murry then stepped to the plate and faked a bunt and slapped a hit to left field which allowed Brooks to score and Chatham to have a walk off victory in the 11th. This game was a good preview to what is to come. Both of these teams are the favorites in the East and this match up is what fans could see in the playoffs.
After a scoreless tenth inning and great pitching performance from Chatham's Kevin Scanlan (Maine), the Anglers answered back. Tom Belza reached on an error for the Anglers to lead off the inning. The Steven Brooks then advanced Belza to second on a bunt single. Chatham's catcher Mike Murry then stepped to the plate and faked a bunt and slapped a hit to left field which allowed Brooks to score and Chatham to have a walk off victory in the 11th. This game was a good preview to what is to come. Both of these teams are the favorites in the East and this match up is what fans could see in the playoffs.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Chatham Improves to 4 - 1
On a beautiful and warmer Chatham night, the Anglers picked up their 4th win of the season in the 10th inning against the Wareham Gatemen 5 - 4.
In the make up game against Wareham that was "fogged out" last Friday night, the Anglers got off to a rough start. After the first three innings the Anglers found themselves down by three after the Wareham Gatemen scored two runs in both the second and the third inning. On the mound for the Anglers was Thomas Keeling, a senior left hander from Oklahoma St. Chris Leonida (Georgia Tech) got things started for Wareham in the second inning by hitting a single past Chatham's third baseman. A double then followed that was hit by Jake Lemmerman (Duke) putting runners on second and third. Both those runners scored off of a base-clearing double hit by Wareham's Chris Hannick (Cal State Northridge).
Chatham cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second inning. But Wareham's bats were too hot for Chatham to keep Wareham's lead at bay. The Gatemen scored two more runs in the third when Leonida walked and advanced to third on two passed balls. After Chatham's new pitcher Pete Kennelly (Fordham) walked another batter, Wareham's Chris Hannick (Cal State Northridge) hit a double driving both batters in putting Wareham up 4 - 1.
Chatham's hopes seemed lost until they got their bats together in the bottom of the eighth inning driving in three runs tying the game at 4. Going into the 10th inning, Wareham could not get a run off of Chatham's closer Taylor Hill (Baylor). In the bottom of the inning Chatham got three singles and was able to score on a passed third strike to end the game. Chatham plays Bourne tonight in Bourne at 6pm.
In the make up game against Wareham that was "fogged out" last Friday night, the Anglers got off to a rough start. After the first three innings the Anglers found themselves down by three after the Wareham Gatemen scored two runs in both the second and the third inning. On the mound for the Anglers was Thomas Keeling, a senior left hander from Oklahoma St. Chris Leonida (Georgia Tech) got things started for Wareham in the second inning by hitting a single past Chatham's third baseman. A double then followed that was hit by Jake Lemmerman (Duke) putting runners on second and third. Both those runners scored off of a base-clearing double hit by Wareham's Chris Hannick (Cal State Northridge).
Chatham cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second inning. But Wareham's bats were too hot for Chatham to keep Wareham's lead at bay. The Gatemen scored two more runs in the third when Leonida walked and advanced to third on two passed balls. After Chatham's new pitcher Pete Kennelly (Fordham) walked another batter, Wareham's Chris Hannick (Cal State Northridge) hit a double driving both batters in putting Wareham up 4 - 1.
Chatham's hopes seemed lost until they got their bats together in the bottom of the eighth inning driving in three runs tying the game at 4. Going into the 10th inning, Wareham could not get a run off of Chatham's closer Taylor Hill (Baylor). In the bottom of the inning Chatham got three singles and was able to score on a passed third strike to end the game. Chatham plays Bourne tonight in Bourne at 6pm.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Brewer Proves Himself in the Fog
I wrote this profile of Vanderbilt's Russell Brewer for the company I work with MVP Scout (mvpscout.com).
CHATHAM, MA – The Chatham Anglers’ opponent this week was not the Wareham Gatemen, Hyannis Mets, or the Brewster Whitecaps, it was the weather. Chatham is notorious for having a mysterious, thick fog that coats Chatham’s home field, Veteran’s Field, and last weekend the fog cut Chatham’s first two games of the season short. Friday’s game lasted two innings, but on Saturday the Anglers were able to play 8 innings and get their first win of the season against the Hyannis Mets defeating them 4 – 1.
Russell Brewer, a right hand closer from Vanderbilt, also got his first win of the summer in the deep midst of the Chatham fog. After Boston College’s Mike Dennhardt pitched four innings and after the first 30 minute fog delay, Brewer, standing at 6 feet and weighing in at 190 pounds, came in for relief for two innings. The righty threw hard sinking fastballs and change ups leaving the Hyannis batters fooled. In his two innings pitched he struck out six batters. He gave up two singles in the fifth but pulled it together and struck out the next three batters getting Chatham out of a jam. Although it was foggy, cold, and the air was moist, Brewer stuck out the next three batters he faced in the sixth showing why he was named the Russ Ford Outstanding Relief Pitcher of the Year last summer at the Cape for his season with the Hyannis Mets. Brewer was relieved in the 7th by his Vanderbilt teammate Taylor Hill.
Chatham’s pitching coach Tyler Kincaid says that he is trying to get to know Brewer and is familiar with him through his season with Hyannis last summer. “We are trying to work on his control with his two-seam [fastball] and that is pretty much it,” said Kincaid. “He threw a very good four-seam [fastball] yesterday against Y-D (Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox). It just exploded on the batters,” said Kincaid. Brewer’s fastball clocks in between 93 – 95mph and Kincaid says that all Brewer wants to do is “get saves. So we will put him in all summer and just have him as a workhorse at the end.”
Brewer’s season last summer at the Cape Cod League was impressive. He had 12 saves out of 12 attempts, 17 strikeouts, and a 2.74 ERA in 18 appearances and 23 innings. He was the first Hyannis Mets pitcher to win the Russ Ford award since 1991. His pitching coach with Hyannis, Chad Gassman said when Brewer “steps on the mound, he is ready to pitch. If we can get to the end of a game with a lead, it is usually going to be secured as a win.” As for this season Brewer says his goals are to “try to repeat last summer and get to Fenway on July 23rd.” The Cape Cod League All Star game will be held on July 23rd making it the first time at Fenway Park in 22 years.
Originally Brewer was recruited by Vanderbilt as a position player and had not pitched in over two years before the spring of 2007. Brewer said, “I came in as primarily an infielder. I threw a little bit in the fall and then I went off freshmen summer and told them I could pitch. I had a pretty good summer,” said Brewer. He proved himself the summer of his freshman year. He started out as strictly a starter with a 4 – 2 record during his season with the Waynesboro Generals of the Valley Baseball League in Virginia. He had an impressive 2.15 ERA and two shutout complete games in his 11 appearances in Virginia. “Then I came back to Vanderbilt and Coach said that if I wanted to get playing time I should pitch,” said Brewer. The sophomore then turned to closer when the Commodores found themselves without one. “I started doing mid-relief and then just made my way to closer. Then I came up [to Cape Cod] and my coach saw me pitch on TV and wanted me to be their closer,’ said Brewer.
As for the major leagues Brewer said he has talked to a few teams before the draft but none recently. Some of the teams he has talked to are the Yankees, the Angels, and the Orioles.
Brewer’s coach from Vanderbilt says Brewer “is as consistent as any pitcher we have. He could be used in many roles, but really flourishes at the end of the game because of his attitude.” At the end of Brewer’s 2009 season at Vanderbilt Brewer had a record of 1 – 2 and a 2.96 ERA in 27 innings pitched. Although Brewer is known to have trouble with control, he has proved himself to be a force to be reckoned with especially on the fields of the Cape. Chatham’s 2008 season was not as successful as expected, but this year with pitchers like Brewer, Chatham is looking tougher for teams to beat this summer. Brewer said, “If I get 12 saves again this summer then we are winning a lot of ball games.”
CHATHAM, MA – The Chatham Anglers’ opponent this week was not the Wareham Gatemen, Hyannis Mets, or the Brewster Whitecaps, it was the weather. Chatham is notorious for having a mysterious, thick fog that coats Chatham’s home field, Veteran’s Field, and last weekend the fog cut Chatham’s first two games of the season short. Friday’s game lasted two innings, but on Saturday the Anglers were able to play 8 innings and get their first win of the season against the Hyannis Mets defeating them 4 – 1.
Russell Brewer, a right hand closer from Vanderbilt, also got his first win of the summer in the deep midst of the Chatham fog. After Boston College’s Mike Dennhardt pitched four innings and after the first 30 minute fog delay, Brewer, standing at 6 feet and weighing in at 190 pounds, came in for relief for two innings. The righty threw hard sinking fastballs and change ups leaving the Hyannis batters fooled. In his two innings pitched he struck out six batters. He gave up two singles in the fifth but pulled it together and struck out the next three batters getting Chatham out of a jam. Although it was foggy, cold, and the air was moist, Brewer stuck out the next three batters he faced in the sixth showing why he was named the Russ Ford Outstanding Relief Pitcher of the Year last summer at the Cape for his season with the Hyannis Mets. Brewer was relieved in the 7th by his Vanderbilt teammate Taylor Hill.
Chatham’s pitching coach Tyler Kincaid says that he is trying to get to know Brewer and is familiar with him through his season with Hyannis last summer. “We are trying to work on his control with his two-seam [fastball] and that is pretty much it,” said Kincaid. “He threw a very good four-seam [fastball] yesterday against Y-D (Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox). It just exploded on the batters,” said Kincaid. Brewer’s fastball clocks in between 93 – 95mph and Kincaid says that all Brewer wants to do is “get saves. So we will put him in all summer and just have him as a workhorse at the end.”
Brewer’s season last summer at the Cape Cod League was impressive. He had 12 saves out of 12 attempts, 17 strikeouts, and a 2.74 ERA in 18 appearances and 23 innings. He was the first Hyannis Mets pitcher to win the Russ Ford award since 1991. His pitching coach with Hyannis, Chad Gassman said when Brewer “steps on the mound, he is ready to pitch. If we can get to the end of a game with a lead, it is usually going to be secured as a win.” As for this season Brewer says his goals are to “try to repeat last summer and get to Fenway on July 23rd.” The Cape Cod League All Star game will be held on July 23rd making it the first time at Fenway Park in 22 years.
Originally Brewer was recruited by Vanderbilt as a position player and had not pitched in over two years before the spring of 2007. Brewer said, “I came in as primarily an infielder. I threw a little bit in the fall and then I went off freshmen summer and told them I could pitch. I had a pretty good summer,” said Brewer. He proved himself the summer of his freshman year. He started out as strictly a starter with a 4 – 2 record during his season with the Waynesboro Generals of the Valley Baseball League in Virginia. He had an impressive 2.15 ERA and two shutout complete games in his 11 appearances in Virginia. “Then I came back to Vanderbilt and Coach said that if I wanted to get playing time I should pitch,” said Brewer. The sophomore then turned to closer when the Commodores found themselves without one. “I started doing mid-relief and then just made my way to closer. Then I came up [to Cape Cod] and my coach saw me pitch on TV and wanted me to be their closer,’ said Brewer.
As for the major leagues Brewer said he has talked to a few teams before the draft but none recently. Some of the teams he has talked to are the Yankees, the Angels, and the Orioles.
Brewer’s coach from Vanderbilt says Brewer “is as consistent as any pitcher we have. He could be used in many roles, but really flourishes at the end of the game because of his attitude.” At the end of Brewer’s 2009 season at Vanderbilt Brewer had a record of 1 – 2 and a 2.96 ERA in 27 innings pitched. Although Brewer is known to have trouble with control, he has proved himself to be a force to be reckoned with especially on the fields of the Cape. Chatham’s 2008 season was not as successful as expected, but this year with pitchers like Brewer, Chatham is looking tougher for teams to beat this summer. Brewer said, “If I get 12 saves again this summer then we are winning a lot of ball games.”
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