2018 season preview: Miners begin quest for ABL three-peat Thursday

PALMER — Summer collegiate baseball teams are in a unique position. Pull together virtually a brand new squad every season and try to create a winner in just about two months.

For the last five seasons, Mat-Su Miners head coach Ben Taylor has worked with longtime general manager Pete Christopher to build the blueprint for success. The results include four straight trips to the Alaska Baseball League’s Top of the World Series championship set, and back-to-back league titles. Now, as the Miners begin their quest for the three-peat, Taylor and Christopher know the routine.

Follow the blueprint. Trust the process. Compete for a championship.

Taylor said the immediate priority as the Miners prepare to begin the season, Thursday against the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks at 7 p.m. at Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer, is to quickly baptize the new cast of talent in the ways of the Miners.

“Get together, bond, get everyone on the same page with how we run our system,” Taylor said earlier this week.

Taylor, the associate head coach at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Arizona, said he’s personally thrilled to be reunited with Christopher for another summer, and back in the Valley his sixth season as Mat-Su’s skipper.

“I’m excited to be back working with Pete every day,” Taylor said. “He and I have as good a relationship as any coach could ask for with a GM. I’m lucky to be here.”

And with their system in place, Taylor and Christopher work together to recruit the type of talent the Miners had success with in the past.

“The same system we’ve put together for so long,” Taylor said. “Based on strong pitching, aggressive hitting, power hitting.”

Part of that is the relationships the Miners have with a number of the top Division I baseball programs in the country.

“High-end players from high-end schools,” Taylor said. “That hasn’t changed.”

And the Mat-Su’s 2018 squad is loaded with talent, Taylor said.

“On paper, probably the best club we’ve ever had,” Taylor said.

Returning talent

The 2018 club includes three pitchers who helped the Miners win their second straight ABL title last summer. Spencer Henson, Nolan Monaghan and Jake Butcher are all back on the squad for another summer. Henson, an Oral Roberts sophomore, was among the top starting pitchers in the ABL last year, posting a 0.61 earned run average in 29.1 innings.

“We’re so excited to have him back,” Taylor said. “He did so much for us. We’re looking for huge things from him again for sure.”

Taylor said Henson will play a different role this summer. A two-way talent, Henson spent his sophomore season of college at first base and led his team with 10 home runs. Taylor said Henson will be a middle of the order hitter for the Miners, splitting time between first base and designated hitter. He can also contribute in relief on the mound.

Monaghan and Butcher are both local products who excelled with their hometown team last summer. Monaghan, a Wasilla High graduate, was 3-1 with a 3.17 ERA in a dozen appearances. Butcher, a Colony High graduate, posted a 4-1 record with a 1.78 ERA. Monaghan completed his sophomore season at Feather River Community College and Butcher capped his college career with his senior season at Minnesota-Crookston. Taylor said Monaghan and Butcher raised the bar for local talent in the ABL.

“They both did big things for us last year,” Taylor said.

Monaghan and Butcher are among four Alaskans on the roster this season. Wasilla graduate Hank Boyer, the 2017 Southcentral Conference Player of the Year, will pitch for the Miners. Tristen Woods, a Service High School graduate, can play either first base or in the outfield.

Strong pitching

The Miners have boasted the league’s top pitching staff during each of their runs for the title in each of the last two seasons. Taylor said the Miners expect to continue that tradition.

“These are pedigree guys,” Taylor said.

There are currently 16 pitchers on the roster including Henson, who is expected to play more in the field. The list includes Texas A&M freshman lefthander Asa Kelly. The Aggies have supplied Mat-Su with a number of the Miners’ top arms during the Taylor era.

“He’ll carry on the tradition of A&M arms,” Taylor said.

Lacy, 3-1 in 23 appearances with a 2.75 ERA, is one of four southpaws on the roster, joining Monahan, Cal State Bakersfield junior Kyle King and Arizona freshman Josh Haley. Taylor said King has a chance to fill a couple of roles for the Miners and Haley brings a four-pitch arsenal.

Taylor said another Arizona freshman, Jonathan Guardado will remind Miners fans of former Mat-Su righthander Cody Deason, also a Wildcat. Guaradado made 17 appearances in relief as a freshman, and is expected to be a starter next season, Taylor said.

Mississippi State sophomore Denver McQuary should be in Mat-Su’s starting rotation this summer, after making 17 appearances and six starts for the Bulldogs. Another potential starter for the Miners is Oklahoma freshman Jake Terry, who made 11 appearances for the Sooners. Taylor said Terry is a right-handed power pitcher who can touch 94 mph.

Arizona State freshman Brady Corrigan is a right-hander with great potential, Taylor said. Corrigan made 17 appearances and four starts, as a freshman and is expected to have a bigger role next year.

Bryce Tassin comes to the Valley from the same Southeast Louisiana program that produced Josh Green, a standout for the Miners last year and the top closer in the league. Taylor said Tassin could be the Josh Green of 2018.

Other key pieces of the bullpen could be New Mexico junior Malachi Emond, Boston College junior Sean Hughes, Southeast Missouri junior Nathan Bock and Chandler-Gilbert sophomore Noah Cordova.

Taylor said Emond is a proven Division I reliever with a wipe-out slider, Hughes also brings a veteran presence, Brock is a power right-handed arm and Cordova brings a plus-fastball and plus-slider, standing 6-foot-6 on the mound.

Athletic in the field

Like the pitching staff, Taylor said the Miners target talent similar to the players who have had recent success in this league.

“Overall mix of athleticism and power,” Taylor said. “Physical guys and guys who can go first to third really easily.”

The Miners are currently carrying three catchers on the roster: Grand Canyon junior David Avitia-Duarte, Gonzaga junior Austin Pinorini and Texas A&M freshman Aaron Walters, who can catch and play in the outfield.

“I’m really excited about what we have behind the plate,” Taylor said.

Avitia, a two-time Arizona Player of the Year as a prep athlete, has a plus-arm and power at the plate, Taylor said. Pinorini was highly recruited out of junior college, and a middle of the lineup hitter who will bring veteran leadership behind the plate. Walters, who appeared in 35 games as a freshman for the Aggies, brings more versatility to the team.

Taylor said he expects Mat-Su’s infield to be strong once again.

“One of the things we’ve been known for the last couple of years and has been a key to our success is our strong defensive infield,” Taylor said.

Arizona State shortstop Drew Swift was named the Pac 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year, and played every day for his team. Kansas State’s Brett Owen was another everyday player in the infield as a freshman. Swift and Owen will both bring speed to the lineup, Taylor said.

“Table-setters,” Taylor said.

Southeast Missouri sophomore Danny Wright was named a Freshman All-American last season, and can play anywhere on the field, Taylor said.

“He’ll play an every day utility role for us,” Taylor said.

California-Davis junior Caleb Van Blake will bring a veteran presence to the infield, Taylor said. Arizona State freshman Hunter Jump, a corner infielder, hit .370 during the college season.

“Offensive force,” Taylor said.

Taylor said Nevada-Reno sophomore Tyler Bosetti will be key when the Miners need to play small ball. He’s also a plus-defender in the infield. The Miners also have Mesa Community College freshman Connor Denning, who hit .372 during the college season with 73 hits and a team-best seven home runs.

Taylor said the Miners also have a solid group in the outfield.

“Very athletic across the board,” Taylor said.

New Mexico freshman Brayden Merritt is a plus-plus runner who can hit leadoff, and a true center fielder. Mississippi State freshman Josh Hatcher is another versatile player who can hit, play first base or in a corner outfield spot. Grand Canyon sophomore Kona Quiggle also brings potential to the Miners outfield, and hails from another program that has supplied Mat-Su with top talent.

“I’m really excited about what we have moving forward,” Taylor said, looking at the roster as a whole. “We have a lot to uphold as a team that’s won back-to-back championships.”

The schedule

The Miners start their 48-game regular season schedule Thursday against the Chinooks. Mat-Su follows with a doubleheader Friday against the Anchorage Glacier Pilots at Mulcahy Stadium. The Miners return home to host the Pilots in a doubleheader Sunday at 4 p.m.

The ABL playoffs are slated to start Aug. 1. For a complete schedule, see matsuminers.org.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.