SPRING OUTLOOK: Park Hill Baseball

Last year’s 12-13 Park Hill baseball team featured a lot of underclassmen in key roles, part due to injuries and part due to necessity. Coming in 2012, this means the Trojans come back with a strength that could come in handy in a sport as strategic as baseball: depth. It also means there are several positions up for grabs among more than enough capable players.

“We played a lot of underclassmen last year and they ended up getting a lot of playing time. It was good for our lower levels in promoting competition,” Coach Greg Reynolds said. “We’re exciting for the kids that will be fighting for jobs, it gives us a little flexibility.”

One of the players thrown into the fire as a sophomore last year was pitcher Logan Sloniker who racked up 50 strikeouts in 38 innings, posting a 4.80 earned run average. It was a tough position to be in for a young player, but using it as a foundation should pay dividends this season.

“Sloniker was thrown in as a sophomore,” Reynolds said. “He’s one of our best when it comes to conditioning and coming in for weights, but it takes a toll. This year we’re hoping to get a lot more help for him in several different ways.”

Returning for the Trojans and providing a solid group to build around are shortstop Zach Thompson, outfielder Zach Anderson, and outfielder/pitcher Dalton Motts, who, with Sloniker, will represent the heart of the lineup with a combined 74 hits and 39 runs batted in. Third baseman Jake Jones, catcher Ryan Winters, and second baseman Austin Lewis return as starters from last year’s team. Marcus Cross, Chris Heustis, Adam Fosdick, Paul Safford, Brent Collins, and Jose Reyes will also contribute.

Park Hill’s depth is probably most evident in the outfield where they have several players who can cover ground and when not starting serve as potential base running threats including John Balsamo, Cooper Gardner, and Seth Ell. This will be key since Anderson’s lone home run last season serves as the only evidence of power returning offensively for a Park Hill team that will rely on line drives and speed to their advantage.

“I think our outfield strength in terms of depth is better than it is anywhere else. We look at this team and think that defense is going to make the difference, so that’s how we’re deciding who wins a position. With that said, speed in the outfield is important. Some of our best teams have had that.”

Pitching is an area Park Hill feels confident in with four solid options to choose from. Cross, Sloniker, and Motts will see significant innings on the mound. Jake Jones, who is recovering from an arm injury, and Nick Jones will see relief opportunities throughout the season.

Park Hill starts the season off at the KC Metro Tournament before hosting Oak Park and St. Joe Central next week.